In 2021 I self-published a graphic novel “Seed of Sam” that I have been working on for over four years. It had been a ridiculous story I wanted to tell for a while but I just didn’t get serious about it as a comic until 2017.
The book synopsis is as follows:
“SEED OF SAM follows the barbaric journey of Sam Burton’s sperm on the eternal quest; IMPREGNATION! Behold the trials and tribulations of the testicles, vagina, and fallopian tubes. It’s a terrifying place filled with biological beasts and malicious molecules looking to murder you at every turn. Arouse your sense of adventure and engage with the reproductive trek in this epic tale of human drama!
Written and drawn by Erik Reichenbach, Seed of Sam is a full-color 218 page lowbrow misadventure in 6 absurd Issues. It is not for the faint of heart, weak of will, or young of age (definitely some 18+ content).”
Everyone learns about human reproduction in school, assuming you don’t live in some crazy backwards US state where they no longer teach basic human biology and the clinical mechanics of sex. As a kid you hear the words and see the diagrams, but you don’t really understand what they’re saying. You hear about the various organs, how they work, and some times get some information about practicing safe sex and those types of things.
During these classes I remember I giggled because someone said a funny comment and I had to leave the class and wait in the hall. It is one of the few times I was removed from a classroom for bad behavior and it sticks with me to this day; I believe someone said something about the idea that you can’t urinate and shoot sperm at the same time and I laughed about it. Immediately the teacher got red in the face pointed at the door and demanded I leave, and that there was a strict zero tolerance policy about laughing about anything in the sex education class.
Comic panels from “Seed of Sam”.
I think that incident signaled for me a discontinuity with sex within the United States. There is a need for education of these biological processes and that includes discussion, understanding, humor, and empathy. There is also an antiquated shame tied to sex, that persists, and it limits what expression is acceptable with respect to these topics. We as a society have become far more liberal with these concepts, while at the same time enclaves have tightened restrictions on sexual expression and discussion in response. In America, it’s a surprisingly tough topic to address without someone being,”rubbed the wrong way”.
“Seed of Sam” looks at sex with a lot of humor, absurdity, and crudeness. American culture has always been a place where sexuality is under constant scrutiny and judgment, and this comic invites that rabid critique so the reader can witness its presence. The underlying mechanics of our biology are incredible, unbelievable, and at times impossible to understand. In personifying them I hoped to share my sense of awe over the miracle of human reproduction. That’s really what this comic is about, making fun of an incredible cellular duplication system that we take for granted.
World Map from “Seed of Sam”.
Steve Scar, August 25, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rated 5 out of 5
Listen…do you like low brow humor? Ever wonder what the mind of a hormonal dude is like? Yes? Then this fun little guy is exxxactly what you you’re looking for! It had me smiling the entire time at the dumb humor (I say that in the most sincere of complimenting fashion!) and even *poked* me with a few surprising twists during it! I read the first and second issue and I’m very confident any future issues will be equally entertaining. If you’re into laughing, crude humor and combing through some super fun art, I highly recommend this issue AND the second issue!
Adam W, August 25, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rated 5 out of 5
So, as a huge Survivor fan I knew star Erik Reichenbach created his own comics. Not knowing much about Seed of Sam but reading the summary I was intrigued to see what this actually was. I have been reading and collecting comics for decades and this is one of the only times I ever genuinely laughed out loud reading a comic book. Not just once, multiple times. The book is extremely adult, completely hilarious, and a great read. The art is super colorful and incredibly engaging. I have read the first two issues and it was absolutely wonderful. If you enjoy adult “American Pie” style humor, PLEASE do yourself a favor and pick up these books…. I cannot wait to see what is next for these characters!!!
Cam R, August 26, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rated 5 out of 5
Teen angst, adolescent hormones, and testicles – Erik’s comic book broached this impressive list of topics in a way my 5th grade health teach Mrs. Johnson never could have. A true page-turner, I left the comic book with not only a refreshed sense of my own anatomy, but also a renewed sense of sympathy for the armies of swimmers unceremoniously cast aside in napkins, and hotel bed sheets, and banana peels all across the world each night. Read this on the toilet, in the library, or whenever you’re in need of a chuckle and a raunchy reminder of what life use to be like in junior high.
Abby, August 31, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rated 5 out of 5
I wanted to provide a gal’s perspective on this comic. I read it with my boyfriend and I think I actually laughed out loud more than he did. Each page was filled with humor and details that kept your eyes really taking time on each page and wanting to read it again right after you finish.
Robert Ruport, September 1, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rated 5 out of 5
Seed of Sam is a lowbrow, very funny comic. So far it appears to be about Sam’s inner body which is made up of little dudes who operate his body like a machine. Every part of the body has its own sort of team that keeps it going and makes it work, from the brain that operates like a group of politicians, to the heart with scientists and engineers, to the intestines with blue collar construction workers, or the stomach with fisherman, but above all is the balls, which is where Sam’s future warriors train for the day in which they will need to impregnate a women. This concept, while it has been done before, has not been done in this sort of manner as far as I’m aware and I found it quite engaging, especially the bickering between the brain and balls and what they believe to be best for Sam, it’s quite relatable honestly. The main sperm cell from the cover is rarely even seen in the first issue, which I found sort of odd, but it helped set up the worldbuilding I think as there will be plenty of time to focus on the main sperm cell once they’ve entered the vagina. This is important because it allows us to see what leads up to the grand moment when Sam finally does the act. The humor throughout the first issue is very funny and relatable, Sam reminds me of myself a little bit because I am also a bumbling idiot around women, but the perspective of Sam’s brain trying to figure everything out while Sam just sits there blanked face is hilarious and makes me think how many times I’ve looked like that. The art is also quite interesting, it sort of reminds me of some of the older cartoon shorts that would play on Adult Swim. It’s disturbing, but in a cool way!
Rob, May 31, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rated 5 out of 5
Seed Of Sam is a great and witty comic that does not take itself too seriously while while giving a look inside the mind of the teenage and adult men alike. You’ll get a real view of the male mind that is hilarious without relying on hacky jokes, or tired cliches about teenage hormones. It’s a fun and enjoyable read that flys by. It’s definitely a page turner, and I look forward to following more stories about Sam. I give this the highest recommendation, and feel anyone would enjoy the Seed of Sam!
Darrell Walker, June 17, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rated 5 out of 5
I am in awe of this project.
Erik has a unique artistic style that comes across well in comics. The story is well paced & witty as well.
I would recommend this book to anyone into independent comics, sexual reproduction and/or a fan of Survivor.
Great job Erik, I look forward to more.