A 6-foot tall dog and a 3-foot tall rabbity-thing. If there was ever a better basis for a comic book, I don’t know what it is.

The Collected Sam & Max by Steve Purcell is, as the title states, a collection of various Sam and Max comics that have appeared over the years, and a few extras, like a board game and several interesting how-to guides. Like, how to eat at a backwoods diner and live, and how to make a, “loveable paper bag Max-head puppet,” just to name a few.

For someone to truly appreciate Sam and Max, you definitely have to have a very skewed sense of humor.

That said, the comics are hilarious.

One of the best things are the illustrations. Sam and Max could be going about whatever business, while off in the corner is a pack of rats dressed up like pirates trying to harpoon a small dog.

But where the book truly shines is in the dialogue. While Sam (the giant dog), generally stays on track with the plot, Max (the giant rabbity-thing), is always off saying random things, such as throwing a typewriter out a window while screaming, “Death from above!” Funny stuff.

Sam and Max have made numerous other appearances, including Sam & Max Hit the Road for PC. The game was originally released in 1993, but if you can manage to find a copy on eBay, buy it. The game is just like the comic book come to life.

And besides, name another game where you get to use Jesse James’ severed hand to steal stuff?

Also, there was a short-lived television series, Sam & Max: Freelance Police, which was a loose adaptation of the comic book.

While it was still funny, enough little changes were made that kept the show from being as funny as the book or game. But what do you expect, the target audience was kids watching Saturday morning cartoons?

And, for those eagerly awaiting a new fix, Sam and Max are set to return to the PC in early 2004 for a follow-up to Sam & Max Hit the Road. And all I can say is it better not get screwed up, or heads are gonna roll.

The Collected Sam & Max is for anyone with a sense of humor and a love for the bizarre. If you’ve never heard of Sam and Max, go out and buy the book now. (You’ll probably need to go to an online bookstore to get it.)

And buy the game, too. It’s worth every penny.