The Monkey King

This graphic novel retells the Monkey King, a figure from old Chinese legend, in a single complete volume. It was a 2024 Eisner Award nominee.

The story follows a monkey who gains supernatural powers and sharp intelligence. He spends them on pranks and on chasing fame, and eventually provokes the wrath of Heaven. Captured and held by the Buddha himself, he makes a bargain: he will earn his freedom by escaping and bringing back the sacred sutras on a demanding journey.

Artist Chaiko draws the tale in a bold, expressive style with a strong comic sense. The result blends action and a fantasy quest with satire aimed at bureaucratic red tape, passages that touch on spiritual ideas, and an allegory that stretches across the whole narrative. It is written to amuse readers of all ages.