The innovative Sam & Max series continues to break new ground this fall with an unprecedented second season of episodic games, starting with the most ancient and powerful opponent the duo have ever faced: Santa Claus!

"The Telltale crew has been living with these characters for quite a while now and it shows in the work," says Sam & Max creator Steve Purcell. "First seasons are always the proving ground, so it's great that they get the chance to take Sam & Max through a new season of ever more bizarre and hilarious episodes."

"Ice Station Santa" puts a whole new spin on the season of giving, peace, and joy. With Christmas presents on the attack and carols of gunshots drowning out the bells, Sam & Max must storm the North Pole to bring down a less-than-jolly foe. Can they make sense of this Christmas conundrum in time to save the world's children from a holiday tainted by tears, turmoil, and Torture-Me-Elmer?

"Sam & Max was our first GameTap Original title and it proved that episodic gaming can be truly successful," said Ricardo Sanchez, GameTap's VP of Content and Creative Director. "We're excited to be working with Telltale again to bring another great season of Sam & Max to our subscribers."

Each new Sam & Max episode will launch on GameTap on the second Thursday of the month, followed one day later by its worldwide premiere on www.telltalegames.com. After "Ice Station Santa" in November, Episode 2 is scheduled for January 10 for GameTap subscribers and January 11 worldwide. Monthly releases will continue up through the season finale in April, for a total of five games in Season Two.

"Season One was a groundbreaking accomplishment, but it's only the beginning," says Telltale's CEO Dan Connors. "For Season Two, we have taken all the best elements of the first season and improved on them even more. Telltale is cranking the whole episodic experience up another notch and you can expect a very enjoyable six months."