Satellite Sam #1

There's a lot of noir on the stands lately. There's a lot of good noir, even. But even amidst that particular bit of saturation, I'm going to predict that SATELLITE SAM is going to stand out as something special. Something dangerous is brewing, and we've only gotten a snapshot of it -- I'm fairly certain that the murder of Carlyle White is going to be nearly forgettable in comparison to what's next. Like a serialized TV fan, I'm hooked and want to see the next episode of SATELLITE SAM. Read Full Review

I say all this, because, the cliff hanger at the end is what makes this whole book worth it. This love letter to classic 1950s television leads to a build up of the real plot, which will be nice to see take center stage in issue #2. Read Full Review

There are elements of Satellite Sam #1 that you could point to and say "that's a Chaykin comic" or "that's a Fraction comics" but that misses the fusion of these two creators who are creating a true fusion of their two styles. Fraction has learned from Chaykin that glee in pushing comics boundaries. You would almost think a book by the two of them would be full of both of their excesses. Instead Satellite Sam #1 offers the best of both creators; a strong family story told through images that excite, that tease and that have so much energy in them that you can't help but get excited to see what's going to happen on each new page. Read Full Review

Satellite Sam delivers an invigorating first issue that warrants some serious attention from any fan who appreciates this medium. Fraction and company should be applauded for expanding the genre of Comic Books to a deeper extent seen here. The best part about this comic, is that it is experimental while still being completely enjoyable. Come to this series for the creative team, stay for the expansion of a medium. Read Full Review

While not much mention has been made of Fraction; his presence almost seems minimal in comparison to Chaykin's. The strength of the writer's storyline deserves kudos both for its intrigue and period setting, but also for its ability to bring out the absolute best of one of the industry's most talented and innovative artists. By publishing "Satellite Sam", Image Comics showcases an excellent example of its charter by giving the industry's best talent the opportunity to create their best work. Read Full Review

Satellite Sam is one of the most complex andhandsomelyconstructed debuts of the year, showcasing Fraction's ability to build big and interconnected networks of characters. On any given page, he gives us enough material to sustain an entire series worth of character development, and one of the joys of this book in the coming months will be the discovery of how all of the pieces fit together. We are spectators in this theatre of voyeurism, but Fraction and Chaykin have just invited us in for a closer peep. We would be wise to accept. Read Full Review

From beginning to end "Satellite Sam" #1 is ironic, irreverent, and impeccably engineered. Read Full Review

Even without the noir elements, which don't really make themselves apparent until the end of the story anyway, this makes for a wonderfully fresh and original comic, something unlike anything else on the stands right now. The golden age of television may be over, but comics are one medium that keep a little of its scrappy spirit alive. Read Full Review

Here writer Matt Fraction goes the crime story route, something I don't think I've seen him do. And, not knowing what to expect this totally caught me off guard. The first issue is all set-up and you leave the end wanting to go back and see who the suspects are and try to figure out the motivation. This is a hard-boiled detective/whodunnit that exudes fun. Read Full Review

Satellite Sam #1 is a killer opening. Sexy, vulgar and completely entertaining. Read Full Review

After the actor who portrays Satellite Sam is murdered (so we assume), his son stumbles upon a box of racy photographs -- his father, it would appear, was not the man he seemed to be. Fraction and Chaykin imbue this mystery with sex and violence -- neither of which is displayed graphically, but sometimes, what you don't see is more powerful than what you do. Unfortunately, this juicy plot is bogged down with an overload of exposition, but if Fraction manages to clean things up in the next issue, we might have an intriguing mystery on our hands. Read Full Review

For a first issue this is very promising. You have to remember with Image books that you're going to need to give them a bigger lease than Big Two books, as writers must work a heck of a lot harder to establish characters and worlds, into of stepping into the familiar sandbox and recreating the castle. Fraction does a great job here and introducing the world and setting the hook, expect him to heavily invest in his main character in the coming issues, which should really seal the deal for Satellite Sam. Expect this to be one of the hits of the summer, but with Fraction's current status as a Marvel superstar, one shouldn't be surprised about that. Read Full Review

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

If you want something new out of your comics, then you should definitely pick this up, because it promises just that. If you are a fan of Mad Men then this book was made for the likes of you. If the setting does not appeal to you, then do not even bother giving it a second look. Read Full Review

This book is reminiscent of Black Kiss, but its actually a bit tamer which I can fucks with because its also much more realistic and the realism totally makes up for the mildness. Read Full Review

Overall, this new series is unique and compelling. I'm so used to the standard superhero genre, that Satellite Sam is a welcome break from fantasy back to reality, well, of the 1950"s. The end of the issue leaves a lot open to speculation and I do not wish to spoil anything here but Fraction and Chaykin have created a very complex world. There is definitely a lot more going on than a simple sci-fi show and placing the series in the 1950"s opens things up for your classic gangster and detective stories. Even with the at times confusing dialogue due to format, Satellite Sam #1 is a must read for anyone looking for a unique, fresh and adult level comic book series. I look forward to #2! Read Full Review

You may have noticed I didn't mention "good" in that list largely because I'm still not sure if I liked Satellite Sam or not, maybe if you're a fan of more adult and mystery oriented comics like this you'll like it but for me" I don't know maybe if this story was being told through a film or a TV show on HBO I would be into it more but in this format I don't think I would pick up a second issue. Read Full Review

I am interested to see where the murder mystery goes but for everything else I am already tuned out. I can appreciate creativity and learning about new things but Satellite Sam isn't the comic for me. I think it only takes one issue to know if you like it or not, so check it out and see for yourself. Read Full Review

This is going to be a matter of personal preference: Do you like Matt Fraction when he is being really wordy? Are you unbothered by Howard Chaykin's faces on the sides of heads? If so, you might like this comic a lot. However, if you DO like it, we probably just shouldn't give each other comic advice anymore… Read Full Review

GreyMouser

Jul 03, 2013

. . $3.50, 24b&w pgs. Almost no ADs! Sexy B cover. . . Howard Chaykin is a real draw for me, his line work and design are incredible. I have enjoyed Matt Fraction's Marvel work, but am not sure what to expect from him here. Satellite Sam is set in 1951's early TV era, and gets the feel down immediately. While this issue doesn't present much plot or storyline, its structure and pacing are fantastic. Its an amazingly well crafted single issue. Hard to rate, not a lot of meat but so well prepared the few bites are so good.

DarioV

Feb 17, 2015

Say whatever you want about "Satellite Sam" #1, except it isn't original. And I guess this is the line of work Fraction is taking after his Marvel era: he's trying to try every possible weird combination in comics, and does a hell of a job in the process. This book reminded me of another noir, movie related series, "The Fade Out", which also shares the episode title. Only problem, this one was out like an year before the other. So we have a comic book about a TV station and a TV show, something I honestly never heard of in comics, and a murderous case very well presented. So, all in all, the Fraction factor is here. What might become a problem, though, is Chaykin. Obviously, Matt loves him 'cause he's weird, but his pages are too stuffed, h is drawings aren't always perfect and the balloons are sometimes hard to connect to the characters. That said, it's so different from the rest of what the comic industry offers that I want to give it a chance, in spite of this mild flaw. more

Sofai

Aug 03, 2013

The story itself was interesting enough, but nothing happened. There was nothing that makes me want to come back and read another issue (which I definately won't) and the art wasn't very good. The pages all feel very cluttered, with the exception of a few, which allow the art to be seen clearly. I wish that there would have been a better sense of pace, spending almost the first 10 pages entirely in the control room made for an extremely boring start.