Monkey vs. Robot

Monkey vs. Robot #1

by James Kochalka

An exciting action-packed rumble-in-the-jungle! A factory of self-replicating robots is stripping the jungle of its natural resources, threatening the territory of a colony of nearby monkeys. A series of encounters between the two groups quickly escalates into all out war.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Young Adult, Fantasy, Comix

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

James Kochalka is an American comic book artist and writer, and rock musician. His comics are noted for their blending of the real and the surreal. Largely autobiographical, Kochalka's cartoon expression of the world around him includes such real-life characters as his wife, children, cat, friends and colleagues, but always filtered through his own observations and flights of whimsy. In March 2011 he will be declared the cartoonist laureate of Vermont, serving a term of two years.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

MvsR has been on my to read list for years; most of my friends who like comics have told me it is a great book. I finally got around to reading it and am very happy I did! Robots take over a part of the jungle and start to pollute everything - because they think the monkeys are inferior. This leads to a series of skirmishes between the two groups. The perfect analogy for proxy wars that occur to this day.

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah.. No.

[Margot · Rating 4 out of 5]

OR: How the industrial revolution destroyed nature.

[Alex Sarll]

Between that title, and the fact the main thing I know of Kochalka's is Superf*ckers, I was expecting a big dumb smackdown. But turns out this is a surprisingly affecting story about thoughtless pollution and despoliation, though granted that does then take us into technology versus nature as expressed by way of a big dumb smackdown, albeit a slightly less dumb and more melancholy one than Superf*ckers.

[Daniel Kibblesmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quiet masterpiece.

[Sophie Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an amazing book! This was an entire story told with almost no dialog. This graphic novel depicts a group of monkeys fighting with a group of robots slowly killing each other until an entire forest and factory are on fire. The monkeys feel threatened by the robots and the robots feel threatened by the monkeys and it all goes downhill at a fast pace. I like this book for a lot of reasons but there are two main reasons that I like this book. The first reason is that this graphic novel requires more from the reader than a book usually does. You have to search the pictures to find the story. You can't just flip through the pages and glance at the pictures and immediately understand what is going on. You have to think. The second reason is that this book may seem short or just a silly story about monkeys and robots getting into trouble, but it can also be seen as much more than that. I feel like this would be a good book to use in the classroom to start the discussion on things like the importance of understanding others rather than just judging them immediately. It can also be used to discuss how humankind has idolized technology and advancements so much that it is ultimately hurting the universe and its inhabitants rather than helping it. I am very glad that this book is a part of my classroom library!

[Magnus Balander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Qt Af <3

[Denisse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prácticamente mudo.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well who knew James Kochalka had a literary life before Pinky & Stinky? He did. And he had this amazing graphic novel, Monkey Vs. Robot, which is every bit as good as Pinky & Stinky but in a completely different way. Whereas Pinky and Stinky were adorable pigs in space just trying to make friends, the titular Monkey and Robot in this book are at odds with each other after a fatal misunderstanding.

The book opens with a monkey slinking across the page looking forlorn and maybe a little suspicious with the sentence: “Why can’t we all love each other, Monkey and our Robot brother?” With that sentence, you can probably guess where this book is headed.

One night a monkey is in the jungle minding his own monkey-business while a robot is farther away being built in a factory. The robot wanders out into the jungle to get a rock, and the monkeys watch in shock and awe from afar. The robot takes the rock back to the factory where it is turned into a thick sludge that pours out of a tube into the jungle. Sadly, one of the monkeys is in the wrong place at the wrong time and gets doused in the black sludge and dies. The other monkeys see this and spread the word that it’s the fault of the robot and his sludge. Things get out of hand from there.

Angry feelings and language barriers lead to more death and suffering for the rest of the book. Robots attack monkeys, monkeys attack robots. Neither side is willing to back down because each sees his own cause as the just one. The book concludes with one of the monkeys in the remains of the destroyed former robot factory. Is there hope after all that has happened? Possibly. Chances are good because I’ve seen there is a sequel to this book.

It’s not warm and fuzzy like Pinky & Stinky, but it’s well drawn and thoughtful and every bit as enjoyable.

Taken from my blog: http://libchickreads.wordpress.com/

[Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comic was part of the Reading Online: Web Originals segment on my BookLikes blog, discussing comics that orignated on the internet before being published in book form.

Probably the first "viral video" I ever encountered back in the early '00s, Monkey vs. Robot was also my introduction to both the music and the art of James Kochalka. His comic version, which I read for the first time recently, was a great introduction to his style, both comic and sad. Expressing so much emotion through a very minimal use of dialog, the conflict between "nature" and "technology" has rarely been so amusing. A quick read, Monkey vs. Robot is a fun comic for kids and adults alike.

[Gabe Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monkey Vs. Robot is an almost wordless book that follows the story of a family of monkeys in their nonstop battle against robots. The only thing I can really say about this book is that, I'm having a difficult time reviewing it because I don't remember much about it, which is exactly what this review is getting at. It's not a very memorable piece. While the characters are cute and the action is neat, the artstyle is really one of the bigger pulls into the novel. However, the story, and any individual characters are completely lost on me, making it more of a just a visual piece showcasing the artists ability to draw cute monkeys and silly robots.

[Steve Chaput · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book by Kochalka which is perfectly summed up by its title. In an unidentified jungle a group of monkeys awaken a team of robots. The pollution brought about by the robot's machines cause death and the monkey decide to seek revenge. You can read many things into the book and also just read it as a simple morality tale.

There is very little dialogue, but Kochalka tells his story through his art very well.

[Dave Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

For something that seems simple, even infantile, this comic is deceptive. There is drama and a strong POV being advanced in this story of conflict between.... well, robot and monkey.

The panels are pitched just right so that there is a thrill in the way the story unfolds almost wordlessly. En route there is immense tragedy despite the cartoonish packaging.

A surprise read. Loved it.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

For such a silly premise there is a surprising amount of depth to these characters. I could see this being an excellent children's book, for kids prepared to talk about death and our impact on the environment. For adults, it's charming and funny. The deceptively simple artwork has a lot of sophistication behind it-the shadows alone will have you wanting to re-read it.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this way back when it first came out and wanted to see if it was as strange and intense as I remembered it. Yes, yes it is! And gloriously so! What starts as a silly idea turns dark really fast. And while there is a hopeful ending, it's on the back of a lot of death and destruction. Probably a little edgy for my kids' collection, but I haven't gotten any complaints yet...

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kochalka says it best in his song of the same name:

Monkey mate in the jungle.
Robot replicate in factory.
They both love their mother.
Why must they hate each other?
Monkey vs. Robot!

p.s. "Date read" is a loose term for this wordless-but-for-sound-effects graphic novel.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting project/creation. The artist/author took something that at first blush looks rather silly and made it into something with a message - I am still working out what all that encompasses.

I expected something like Spy vs Spy, but this is much more interesting.

[Tama Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monkey vs Robot! Who will win? Loved the clean and concise graphic style of this one, not to mention the concept and content is funny as all heck!

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first true graphic novel I was introduced to, yet still one of my favorites. The epitome of primitive nature being intruded upon by technology. It says so much with practically no words.

[I Hate · Rating 5 out of 5]

da monkey looks lyk jarrod
!!!!!!!!!
and da robot is connor
!!!!!!!!!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and sad graphic novel.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's about monkeys fighting robots. go on, guess - who do you think wins?!

[JohnS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic match-up, a 15 minute read, a joy to behold.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Monkey excrement!"

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good it should win an Oscar! LOL!

[John]

Tis book is pretty good, I don't really like the plot, it leaves you asking questions like " what are they doing?" and " How did they get there anyway?" This book isn't really for me.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

huh. what an amazing, little, violent book. there was some serious asskicking in black & white cartoons. in the end.......oh I won't spoil the ending for ya!

[Jeremiah Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book my daughter ever read to me. A good story, too.