ANSWERED: Q&A with... Steve Purcell!

[Irishmile]

I notice Sam and Max seem to really love food...
What is your favorite sandwich?

Also do you draw Sam with ice cream bars a lot as a subtle way of reminding the reader that dogs live to receive treats?... Or does Sam just really like popsicles... and there is nothing more to it?

[mechtroid]

Dear Mr. Purcell

First off, I've come to grow fond of the Sam & Max series over time. I'll admit I... used a friend's copy of the first two in a questionable manner... But I eventually got addicted and ended up buying them all.

My questions are as follows:
1) How do you feel about your own work? When you look at it, are you more proud of what you accomplished, or bothered by all its shortcomings?

2a) Could you name a comic or set of characters you feel is much better than your own work?
b) Could you name a comic or set of characters you feel is equal to your own work? (E.G. Has as much room for improvement/perfection as your own)

3) How much of your free time is spent with video games, comics, and other areas related to your work?

4) Have any kids you're willing to gush about?

[The Highway]

1. Why are you so awesome?
2. How do you type with awesome gloves on?
3. Is your brother ever angry at the fact that you obtained the rights to this extremely profitable duo, when he created them originally?

[Born2bwire]

Do your ravenous fans ever worry you?

[Rather Dashing]

I love the LeChuck's Revenge cover art. I have a poster of it hanging above my computer desk. Do you have any cool stories about it? How long did it take you to make? What were you going for when you started on it? How much artistic freedom did you have, how much input did LucasArts get on it?

I have two copies of the Surfin' the Highway hardcover. The second is sitting on a shelf in shrinkwrap, waiting for a disaster to happen to the other, which I read regularly(and carefully!). Is this a horrible sin against comics?

Do you play the Telltale games?

Of the Telltale products, what one aspect has made you the most proud?

Why monkeys?

Why monkeys that smoke?

Is all that skill and concentrated awesome heavy on your shoulders?

[Astro Gnocci]

Originally Posted by Rather Dashing

Why monkeys that smoke?

I hope that one isn't answered.
Learning that there's any reason behind it would ruin the whole awesomeness of the smoking monkeys for me

[Didero]

The awesomeness of smoking monkeys isn't destroyed that easily, Astro Gnocci

[Astro Gnocci]

Originally Posted by Didero

The awesomeness of smoking monkeys isn't destroyed that easily, Astro Gnocci

but my faith in the awesomeness of stuff is, sadly

[borgtrek7]

im a HUGE doctor who fan can you please try too make it

[Rather Dashing]

Originally Posted by Astro Gnocci

but my faith in the awesomeness of stuff is, sadly

It's okay. I have an exercise for you. It should renew your faith in the awesomeness of things.

Kid, try imagining how far the universe extends! Keep thinking about it until you go insane!

[Astro Gnocci]

*leaves a bag of bread on top of the refrigerator for a long time.*

*Watches it turn grey.*

*Throws the bad tasting bread at Rather Dashing and runs away giggling.*

Teehee!

[Gman5852]

Originally Posted by Nintendo Boy1

1. What or who inspired you to create Sam & Max?

Although I am starting to feel like a broken record, I would just like to say that Steves's brother thought of it when he was around the age of 4(dog and rabbit police officers named sam and max is not that hard to think of, although the brilliant stories that would soon come was not as simple) Although what inspired Steve to use those characters is a different story.

[Nintendo Boy1]

Originally Posted by Gman5852

Although I am starting to feel like a broken record, I would just like to say that Steves's brother tought of it when he was around the age of 4(dog and rabbit police officers named sam and max is not that hard to think of, although the brilliant stories that would soon come was not as simple) Although what inspired Steve to use those characters is a different story.

Aw crap! I'll change it to something else. Honestly, I had no idea tha Steve's brother 'Tought' of it. Sorry

[Kroms]

Originally Posted by Didero

The awesomeness of smoking monkeys isn't destroyed that easily, Astro Gnocci

The, uh, image that popped into my head wasn't the one you were intending to convey, I think.

[light_rises]

Good Lord, this got long ... (Sorry, Steve! Just remember, you get 10 extra cool points for each question you answer after the first three sets. Okay? Okay.)

--

It's fascinating to see how your drawing and painting style has changed over the years. Would you attribute most of that evolution to influences you've picked up from other artists? In retrospect, how much of it would you say was more unconscious than not? How much has stayed the same in your eyes?

What has the learning curve been like working in feature animation? Have you encountered anything especially challenging since working at Pixar -- the sort of challenge that continues to stick out in your mind?

Now for a sillier question: Before, you've said something along the lines of Sam being the one we could best relate to, while Max is the one we actually want to be. The thing is, if I were to choose ... I'd rather be Sam. Is that strange? Or do you think I'm just in denial and would really want to be like Max after all?

Are you surprised by Mac Salmon's popularity? For a side character who made his last appearance over ten years ago, he seems to have a surprising amount of staying power.

What would you do if you got your hands on a DeSoto that's good for instantaneous cross-country travel, highway surfing, demonic possession, and the ability to fly to the moon by stuffing the muffler with more match heads than I could possibly afford?

I remember reading that your favorite Sam & Max comics tend to be the shorter ones. What did you like more about those compared to most of the longer stories -- the creation process, and/or how the stories themselves played out? Any particular favorite(s) among them?

--

Phew! As others have said, thanks very much for taking the time to answer our questions. I admire you a great deal as both an artist and a creator of characters I love. Rock on, I say. Rock on.

[StrongBadinator]

Alright, i am a very patient person, but Mr. Purcell has perhaps been pondering these polls for far too long, and the waiting predicament has perplexed me.

Why the "P" tongue twister? really, why?
Oh, no reason.

Of course, I do not wish to insult Steve. Just saying that this opportunity is really freakin' cool, and the season starts in four days.

[syntheticgerbil]

Hello Steve, any chance of you ever doing another comic with Mike Mignola? Either writing or drawing position? I didn't realize you guys were that close until I read in an old Comics Journal recently where Mike Mignola was praising your humor timing and also that you were the best man at his wedding.

The comic that appeared in Batman Villians and Rusty Razorclam were both amazing and made me crave more team ups.

Also and chance you have any more comics in the pipeline Sam and Max or otherwise? I would actually like some more Toybox stories. Hell, it would be great if Telltale made a one off Toybox game.

[Irishmile]

He should introduce the right people to get a Telltale Games Hellboy adventure game made.

[syntheticgerbil]

There actually already was a Hellboy adventure game, possibly it had some action, called Dogs of Night made by Cryo. I heard it wasn't very good though, so I have not ever played it.

[Zeek]

Originally Posted by syntheticgerbil

I would actually like some more Toybox stories. Hell, it would be great if Telltale made a one off Toybox game.

I'd actually like to see if Telltale can make a game featuring the Toybox gang as well. Suda's design matches rather nicely with the TTTool's capabilities from what we've seen so far. Question is, what would be the plot?