Satellite Sam #1 Review


Is the world ready for a satirical but dark look at live television in the 1950s? Read on to find out.

The official description from Image:

SEX – DEATH – LIVE TV!NEW YORK CITY, 1951: The star of beloved daily television serial “Satellite Sam” turns up dead in a flophouse filled with dirty secrets. The police think it was death by natural causes but his son knows there was something more? if only he could sober up long enough to do something about it. This noir mystery shot through with sex and violence exposes the seedy underbelly of the golden age of television. By MATT FRACTION (CASANOVA, Hawkeye, FF) and HOWARD CHAYKIN (BLACK KISS I & II, AMERICAN FLAGG!).

There are many reason why someone should give this comic a chance. For starters the two creators are well known but there’s more to this collaboration than something so superficial as prior accomplishments.  Truth be told the book in your hands is simply: quality storytelling.

I’m not going to lie the script by Matt Fraction is both challenging and engaging.  He takes some outlandish ideas and throws them into a mixing pot in order to create what can be described as an off-putting but compelling first act in a story revolving around a son and his father.  There are classic tropes that exist when it comes to that dynamic but for the most part the author sees fit to give us front row seats to a live television production, while avoiding the key problem all the way to the finish.

Howard Chaykin may be best known for his controversial entries in his career, but let’s be frank, at the root of it all is an artistic powerhouse that’s rarely outclassed.  His in depth research of the era and the skill that he brings to the panel work breeds a level of authenticity that is unparalleled.  There were some stiff emotions displayed all over the players found here as some witty and offensive occurrences cultivated.

Satellite Sam #1 is sure to be a good beginning to something that will hopefully grow into a great franchise.  Recommended.

4/5

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