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Sock Monkey Treasury HC
Tony Millionaire s Sock Monkey is one of the great all-ages comics properties of the new millennium, spawning plush dolls, TV appearances, lunch boxes, Zippo lighters and more. Now, for the first time, all twelve of multiple Eisner Award-winner Tony Millionaire s acclaimed Sock Monkey all-ages comic books (1998-2007, originally published by Dark Horse Comics) are collected under one cover, as well as the full-color graphic novella Uncle Gabby (2004) and the full-color illustrated storybook, The Glass Doorknob (2002), ready to be devoured by a new generation of young readers. The precocious sock monkey Uncle Gabby and his innocent pal Mr. Crow are the heroes of this funny, unsettling and endearing collection. Follow them as they try to find a home for a shrunken head, play matchmakers between the bat in the doll s house and the mouse in the basement, unlock the mysteries of a glass doorknob, hunt salamanders, try to get to heaven, and much more. The book also includes the only full-length Sock Monkey graphic novel, The Inches Incident. Inches the doll was the cutest in the whole house and loved by everyone. Then one day... Inches turned EVIL! What will Mr. Crow and Uncle Gabby do? Beloved by adults and children, Sock Monkey harkens back to a time when comics actually were for kids."
328 pages, Hardcover
First published November 10, 2013
9 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Tony Millionaire
104 books79 followersTony Millionaire was born in Boston and grew up in Gloucester, Massachusetts, by the sea. He attended the Massachusetts College of Art for three and three quarters of a year and resigned.
He writes and draws the ongoing adventures of Sock Monkey, published by Dark Horse Comics since 1998.
He is the creator of the syndicated comic strip, Maakies, which has run in weekly newspapers across the country begininning with The NY Press in 1994 and has been collected by Fantagraphics, who also published his graphic novels, Billy Hazelnuts and Billy Hazelnuts and the Crazy Bird.
His work has garnered him five Eisner Awards, three Harvey Awards, and an Ignatz Award.
His comic strip Maakies was adapted to the small screen in 1998 for SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and in 2008 as THE DRINKY CROW SHOW for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, which is now in repeats and available at www.adultswim.com.
His illustrations appear in publications around the globe including THE BELIEVER, THE NEW YORKER and THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. He illustrated many record covers including THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS “Then; The Earlier Years,” JON SPENCER’S “Going Way Out With Heavy Trash,” JOLIE HOLLAND’S “Pint of Blood,” and ELVIS COSTELLO’S “Secret, Profane and Sugarcane,” and recently ELVIS COSTELLO’S “National Ransom,” to be released in the US in November.
He now lives in Pasadena, CA. with his wife, the actress Becky Thyre and their two daughters.
He writes and draws the ongoing adventures of Sock Monkey, published by Dark Horse Comics since 1998.
He is the creator of the syndicated comic strip, Maakies, which has run in weekly newspapers across the country begininning with The NY Press in 1994 and has been collected by Fantagraphics, who also published his graphic novels, Billy Hazelnuts and Billy Hazelnuts and the Crazy Bird.
His work has garnered him five Eisner Awards, three Harvey Awards, and an Ignatz Award.
His comic strip Maakies was adapted to the small screen in 1998 for SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and in 2008 as THE DRINKY CROW SHOW for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, which is now in repeats and available at www.adultswim.com.
His illustrations appear in publications around the globe including THE BELIEVER, THE NEW YORKER and THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. He illustrated many record covers including THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS “Then; The Earlier Years,” JON SPENCER’S “Going Way Out With Heavy Trash,” JOLIE HOLLAND’S “Pint of Blood,” and ELVIS COSTELLO’S “Secret, Profane and Sugarcane,” and recently ELVIS COSTELLO’S “National Ransom,” to be released in the US in November.
He now lives in Pasadena, CA. with his wife, the actress Becky Thyre and their two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 1, 2021
El Tío Gabby y el Señor Cuervo son dos muñecos de peluche que viven alocadas y tiernas aventuras que suceden en casas victorianas, galeones piratas o islas desiertas. Una docena de sus persecuciones, hazañas y desvaríos se recogen en este precioso volumen de lujo en el que se intercalan historietas en color y en blanco y negro.
Aunque el lenguaje de los animales protagonistas, la arquitectura y el tipo de dibujo (que, a ratos, más que ilustraciones parecen grabados) podrían hacer pensar que este cómic es de otra época, en realidad es un trabajo contemporáneo que utiliza estructuras, estética y situaciones del cómic clásico para construir historietas irónicas, alocadas y, a veces, inquietantes absolutamente atemporales.
Este es un cómic con estética infantil pensado para el disfrute adulto, en el que lo metaliterario tiene un papel primordial y en el que el autor juega con el lector con artificios, espejos y piruetas mortales que hacen que nunca se sepa si lo que se lee es real, imaginario o producto de un viaje psicotrópico.
‘Mono de trapo’ es una delicia en el que la exquisita edición (la traducción, el gramaje del papel, la presentación) hace inevitable que la lectura sea un placer y el libro una joya.
Aunque el lenguaje de los animales protagonistas, la arquitectura y el tipo de dibujo (que, a ratos, más que ilustraciones parecen grabados) podrían hacer pensar que este cómic es de otra época, en realidad es un trabajo contemporáneo que utiliza estructuras, estética y situaciones del cómic clásico para construir historietas irónicas, alocadas y, a veces, inquietantes absolutamente atemporales.
Este es un cómic con estética infantil pensado para el disfrute adulto, en el que lo metaliterario tiene un papel primordial y en el que el autor juega con el lector con artificios, espejos y piruetas mortales que hacen que nunca se sepa si lo que se lee es real, imaginario o producto de un viaje psicotrópico.
‘Mono de trapo’ es una delicia en el que la exquisita edición (la traducción, el gramaje del papel, la presentación) hace inevitable que la lectura sea un placer y el libro una joya.
June 27, 2023
A dang good time. Yet to find a more enjoyable way to spend time with friends than to read this and find out what voices they assign each character (Mr. Crow had the most variety)
August 28, 2018
Incredible! SOCK MONKEY is a series that is difficult to explain; it's one of those things you just have to see. Unusual animal and toy characters populate a world of meticulously drawn Victorian homes and ships, giving the stories a classic feel. I don't consider this book to be "all ages," as the description says; some pretty dark themes are explored here. That said, the artist does reign in some of his natural tendencies toward nasty and gross-out humor, and I think SOCK MONKEY is the better for it. When there isn't as much shock value to fall back on, the comics take some pretty interesting and unexpected turns.
Currently reading
July 25, 2017Random from the Library: the premise of this books appears to be the philosophical intellectual musings of a sock monkey on his surrealistic adventure. I should probably be taking altimeter measurements while reading this, for sciency reasons.
April 18, 2019
I am a huge fan of the original Raggedy Ann and Andy books by Johnny Gruelle, especially Gruelle's artwork. So is Tony Millionaire, and "Sock Monkey" is like an extended homage to Gruelle. For that, I enjoy it. But just like with Millionaire's other creation, "Maakies," the quality of work rises and falls drastically from story to story. The artwork sometimes seems rushed and clumsy, panels larger so he has to draw less per page. Then he'll do some great nuanced detail work, particularly with the Victorian architecture, and I love that. The final story, "Uncle Gabby," which is even in full color, is a beautiful high point of this collection. Fantastic and melancholy, almost enough to bring a tear to your eye. If you like that particular mixture of classic children's stories with living dolls and high fantasy, punctuated by a melancholic awareness of mortality, you might like "Little Sophie and Lanky Flop" by Els Pelgrom, and "Amy's Eyes" by Richard Kennedy. "Little Sophie" is an illustrated picture book of unusually long length, with chapters, very European, and "Amy's Eyes" is an illustrated novel, also satisfyingly long. I sort of wish Millionaire put the same amount of effort into his work that Gruelle, Pelgrom, and Kennedy put into theirs. Just sayin'.
January 1, 2020
Questo volume raccoglie le avventure della scimmia di pezza Zio Gabby e del suo amico Sir Corvo. Sono storie ambientate nel mondo dei giocattoli in una grande casa di epoca vittoriana. Non hanno niente in comune però con le liete avventure di Toy Story. Qui si respira un'atmosfera molto più underground, dove il mondo non è solo bello e fiabesco ma fatto anche di rabbia, scelte sbagliate e tragiche conseguenze. In effetti la maggior parte delle storie non ha neanche un lieto fine. I disegni sono pazzeschi e hanno uno stile classico che ricorda delle illustrazioni ottocentesche. Il mondo assurdo di Gabby ricorda le fantasie assurde dei bambini piccoli, quelle che noi adulti abbiamo dimenticato da tempo, e sono fatte di esperienze anche violente e scioccanti proprio come è scioccante per i bambini scoprire certe verità. La prima metà del volume contiene storie brevi e sono le mie preferite. La seconda metà presenta scelte grafiche più ricche e, fra le altre, una storia più lunga che richiama i classici dell'avventura. La conclusione è un omaggio alla fantasia e ai vasti mondi racchiusi nella nostra mente.
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August 19, 2025Una especie de versión underground de Raggedy Ann and Andy del gran Johnny Gruelle, pero también como si al trabajo de Elzie Crisler Segar (historietista creador de Popeye) le hubieran metido un chute de Robert Crumb. He adorado cada página del comic que incluye 11 macabras historietas de estos personajillos y sus diversas aventuras.
Por encima de todo, es un manifiesto potentísimo sobre el poder de la palabra y la importancia de excitar la capacidad de imaginar mundos y, sobre todo, nombrarlos... Primero fue la palabra, luego vino el dibujo. Que su enmarcado de historia infantil no impida disfrutar de esta obra adulta, genial maravillosa. Lo único que lamento es que no incluyeran es este recopilatorio la historia de Into the Deep Woods.
Por encima de todo, es un manifiesto potentísimo sobre el poder de la palabra y la importancia de excitar la capacidad de imaginar mundos y, sobre todo, nombrarlos... Primero fue la palabra, luego vino el dibujo. Que su enmarcado de historia infantil no impida disfrutar de esta obra adulta, genial maravillosa. Lo único que lamento es que no incluyeran es este recopilatorio la historia de Into the Deep Woods.
January 29, 2020
A fun read, and it's enjoyable, the lofty language, and the pretty landscapes. But at the end of each story, your left desiring more resolve.
For those looking to read this, I may actually recommend reading a few strips of Millionaire's comic strip, Maakies, first. It will give you better context for Millionaire's story telling style, and more appreciation for his adaptation of his characters and how he develops them here.
There are definitely good thoughts, and clever writing at times, but for the most part I wasn't enamored by the book.
For those looking to read this, I may actually recommend reading a few strips of Millionaire's comic strip, Maakies, first. It will give you better context for Millionaire's story telling style, and more appreciation for his adaptation of his characters and how he develops them here.
There are definitely good thoughts, and clever writing at times, but for the most part I wasn't enamored by the book.
November 19, 2014
Cos'è una Sock Monkey?
Si tratta di un pupazzo a forma di scimmia ottenuto da vecchi calzini, un giocattolo dei tempi andati tipico nella cultura statunitense e canadese più che nella nostra.
Detto questo, però, cos'è invece "Sock Monkey"?
Si tratta dell'ultimo volume uscito in Italia per la collana Psycho Pop curate per Edizioni BD da Micol Beltramini, di cui ho già avuto modo di parlare qui.
Sono giorni che rimando questa recensione perché, davvero, parlare di questo volume è difficilissimo senza cadere nel banale o senza rilevare troppo e rovinare pertanto la lettura.
La struttura di Sock Monkey è apparentemente quella dei vecchi fumetti che comparivano sui giornali statunitensi, quelli che alla fine di ogni pagina aggiungevano poche parole a mo' di riassunto/titolo della pagina stessa.
Si apre il volume, si cominciano ad ammirare le prime meravigliose, dettagliatissime, tavole e lo si affronta pensando di leggere la classica storia per bambini.
D'altronde abbiamo una scimmia fatta di calzini (Zio Gabby), abbiamo un corvo di pezza con occhi di bottoni (Sir Corvo), abbiamo giocattoli e animali parlanti.
Cosa può essere se non una storia per bambini?
Dipende da cosa intendete per "storia per bambini".
Se vi riferite alle favole Disney, alle versioni edulcorate della favole dei fratelli Grimm, allora no. Sock Monkey non è una storia per bambini.
Se invece la paragonate a com'erano in origine le storie dei fratelli Grimm, a come erano in origine, prima del buonismo, prima del revisionismo, tutte le storie, allora forse sì.
Ma etichette a parte, Sock Monkey è una storia.
Anzi, Sock Monkey è tante storie.
Tante storie diverse, in cui l'ambientazione stessa sembra contraddittoria, in cui i personaggi sono sempre gli stessi eppure sempre diversi e in cui la vicenda prende pieghe costantemente inaspettate.
Come la vita.
O come le storie migliori.
Senza edulcorare, senza ripulire, senza avere l'obiettivo di spiegare tutto o di rassicurare; tutt'altro, l'inquietudine è costantemente dietro l'angolo, in un'immagine, in una battuta, in una scena, in un'inquadratura.
L'obiettivo è solo raccontare, far vivere i personaggi e, attraverso le emozioni di essere di pezza, trovare piccole o grandi parti di noi.
E sfido chiunque a non provare emozioni contrastanti leggendo "Baby Bird" o a non capire ed empatizzare sfogliando "Heartbreak".
E parte delle emozioni nasceranno anche dal sentirsi presi alla sprovvista: come possono personaggi di pezza e disegni tanto belli dare certi pugni nello stomaco? Come fanno a descrivere così bene la vita, i sogni e gli incubi?
E quando arriverete all'ultima storia, "Uncle Gabby", capirete. Sentirete un sapore amaro dalla prima pagina, pur non capendone il motivo. Sentirete l'approcciarsi della fine del volume, ma anche dell'epilogo delle avventure, con quel sapore di "è stato bello" che ci giunge prima ancora di finire.
Avrete (non tutte) le spiegazioni.
Capirete.
Ma a quel punto vi importerà poco, perché alla fine non tutte le storie vanno capite.
Spesso vanno solo vissute.
Come i sogni migliori.
Come le vite migliori.
Si tratta di un pupazzo a forma di scimmia ottenuto da vecchi calzini, un giocattolo dei tempi andati tipico nella cultura statunitense e canadese più che nella nostra.
Detto questo, però, cos'è invece "Sock Monkey"?
Si tratta dell'ultimo volume uscito in Italia per la collana Psycho Pop curate per Edizioni BD da Micol Beltramini, di cui ho già avuto modo di parlare qui.
Sono giorni che rimando questa recensione perché, davvero, parlare di questo volume è difficilissimo senza cadere nel banale o senza rilevare troppo e rovinare pertanto la lettura.
La struttura di Sock Monkey è apparentemente quella dei vecchi fumetti che comparivano sui giornali statunitensi, quelli che alla fine di ogni pagina aggiungevano poche parole a mo' di riassunto/titolo della pagina stessa.
Si apre il volume, si cominciano ad ammirare le prime meravigliose, dettagliatissime, tavole e lo si affronta pensando di leggere la classica storia per bambini.
D'altronde abbiamo una scimmia fatta di calzini (Zio Gabby), abbiamo un corvo di pezza con occhi di bottoni (Sir Corvo), abbiamo giocattoli e animali parlanti.
Cosa può essere se non una storia per bambini?
Dipende da cosa intendete per "storia per bambini".
Se vi riferite alle favole Disney, alle versioni edulcorate della favole dei fratelli Grimm, allora no. Sock Monkey non è una storia per bambini.
Se invece la paragonate a com'erano in origine le storie dei fratelli Grimm, a come erano in origine, prima del buonismo, prima del revisionismo, tutte le storie, allora forse sì.
Ma etichette a parte, Sock Monkey è una storia.
Anzi, Sock Monkey è tante storie.
Tante storie diverse, in cui l'ambientazione stessa sembra contraddittoria, in cui i personaggi sono sempre gli stessi eppure sempre diversi e in cui la vicenda prende pieghe costantemente inaspettate.
Come la vita.
O come le storie migliori.
Senza edulcorare, senza ripulire, senza avere l'obiettivo di spiegare tutto o di rassicurare; tutt'altro, l'inquietudine è costantemente dietro l'angolo, in un'immagine, in una battuta, in una scena, in un'inquadratura.
L'obiettivo è solo raccontare, far vivere i personaggi e, attraverso le emozioni di essere di pezza, trovare piccole o grandi parti di noi.
E sfido chiunque a non provare emozioni contrastanti leggendo "Baby Bird" o a non capire ed empatizzare sfogliando "Heartbreak".
E parte delle emozioni nasceranno anche dal sentirsi presi alla sprovvista: come possono personaggi di pezza e disegni tanto belli dare certi pugni nello stomaco? Come fanno a descrivere così bene la vita, i sogni e gli incubi?
E quando arriverete all'ultima storia, "Uncle Gabby", capirete. Sentirete un sapore amaro dalla prima pagina, pur non capendone il motivo. Sentirete l'approcciarsi della fine del volume, ma anche dell'epilogo delle avventure, con quel sapore di "è stato bello" che ci giunge prima ancora di finire.
Avrete (non tutte) le spiegazioni.
Capirete.
Ma a quel punto vi importerà poco, perché alla fine non tutte le storie vanno capite.
Spesso vanno solo vissute.
Come i sogni migliori.
Come le vite migliori.
December 16, 2021
7/10
From a superficial reading, you may think that Sock Monkey is a parody of children literature, with dark humour and violence injected here and there for the sake of amusing adult readers. But that is not my take. Sock Monkey is more sophisticated than that. It really and unironically follows the tropes of the best literature for children. It does have a genuine fantastic vibe. It is heartwarming and full of childlike sense of wonder. Tony Millionaire decides however to cover the full range of sense of wonder, even the horrific part of life - the side you would normally hide in children books. So, along their surrealistic adventures, the naive Uncle Gabby - the sock monkey of the title - and his toy friends discover not only the beauty of nature and life, but also the horror of death, violence, randomness and culpability. The book is somehow suitable for kids, but read it yourself before passing it to your child: it contains a lot of misery. The art is appropriate for the gentle tone of the series. Last, but not least, the vaguely Victorian setting is one of the best things of the book!
This beautifully designed anthology from Fantagraphics contains all the Sock Monkey material originally published by Dark Horse, that is:
- the eight black and white stories appeared in the comic book issues Sock Monkey #1-4;
- the 80-page long black and white story The Inches Incident;
- the 38-page long coloured story Tony Millionaire's Sock Monkey: Uncle Gabby;
- a picture book featuring Gabby's gang, called Sock Monkey: The Glass Doorknob.
Let's be clear, from a storytelling perspective, this book is so far from being perfect. Some stories left me a bit unsatisfied. Others were more well-rounded, and ended in a touching way. The best stories are definitely the delicate and tragic A Baby Bird (from the Eisner award winning issue #3 of the comic book) and the final coloured phantasmagoria of Uncle Gabby.
From a superficial reading, you may think that Sock Monkey is a parody of children literature, with dark humour and violence injected here and there for the sake of amusing adult readers. But that is not my take. Sock Monkey is more sophisticated than that. It really and unironically follows the tropes of the best literature for children. It does have a genuine fantastic vibe. It is heartwarming and full of childlike sense of wonder. Tony Millionaire decides however to cover the full range of sense of wonder, even the horrific part of life - the side you would normally hide in children books. So, along their surrealistic adventures, the naive Uncle Gabby - the sock monkey of the title - and his toy friends discover not only the beauty of nature and life, but also the horror of death, violence, randomness and culpability. The book is somehow suitable for kids, but read it yourself before passing it to your child: it contains a lot of misery. The art is appropriate for the gentle tone of the series. Last, but not least, the vaguely Victorian setting is one of the best things of the book!
This beautifully designed anthology from Fantagraphics contains all the Sock Monkey material originally published by Dark Horse, that is:
- the eight black and white stories appeared in the comic book issues Sock Monkey #1-4;
- the 80-page long black and white story The Inches Incident;
- the 38-page long coloured story Tony Millionaire's Sock Monkey: Uncle Gabby;
- a picture book featuring Gabby's gang, called Sock Monkey: The Glass Doorknob.
Let's be clear, from a storytelling perspective, this book is so far from being perfect. Some stories left me a bit unsatisfied. Others were more well-rounded, and ended in a touching way. The best stories are definitely the delicate and tragic A Baby Bird (from the Eisner award winning issue #3 of the comic book) and the final coloured phantasmagoria of Uncle Gabby.
January 2, 2019
Krazy Kat meets Beatrix Potter and Popeye (and they all pay a visit to David Lynch)
Difficile definire il mondo di Tony Millionaire: una casa vittoriana popolata da una scimmia ottenuta da una calza dal forbito eloquio, da un corvo di pezza che alza il gomito e da un bambolina di porcellana posseduta da un esercito di formiche.
Forse si può solo ricorrere a quanto dice lo stesso Millionaire del proprio lavoro: una rappresentazione delle fantastiche avventure vissute nell’infanzia e del loro scontro con la dura realtà.
Unico, indescrivibile e assolutamente consigliabile!
Difficile definire il mondo di Tony Millionaire: una casa vittoriana popolata da una scimmia ottenuta da una calza dal forbito eloquio, da un corvo di pezza che alza il gomito e da un bambolina di porcellana posseduta da un esercito di formiche.
Forse si può solo ricorrere a quanto dice lo stesso Millionaire del proprio lavoro: una rappresentazione delle fantastiche avventure vissute nell’infanzia e del loro scontro con la dura realtà.
Unico, indescrivibile e assolutamente consigliabile!
March 5, 2020
A collection of varying quality but lots to like here. The art is fantastic with lots of details and the writing is often fun. Sometimes the stories feel unfinished but that didn't bother me too much.
December 22, 2023
Joya absoluta. Millionaire es un genio.
December 3, 2020
El dibujo es una maravilla, pero me ha costado entrar en el tono (muy peculiar, surrealista y ligeramente grotesco) en algunas de las historias. Con la que pone fin, sin embargo (además, a color, es espectacular en las ilustraciones) si he conectado, así que la sensación final es de bastante buen sabor de boca.
En cualquier caso merecería la pena solo por el dibujo, y la edición está cuidadísima y es preciosa.
En cualquier caso merecería la pena solo por el dibujo, y la edición está cuidadísima y es preciosa.
June 12, 2021
El capítulo del mono poeta que "desnombra" cosas, sin duda el mejor.
February 28, 2024
Absurdamente maravilloso.
August 25, 2022
4,5
Empieza con una historia que acaba como el rosario de la aurora y termina con una búsqueda metafísica que es capaz de encogerte el corazón. La mezcla del dibujo de estética 'antigua' y las tramas que se desenvuelven entre lo absurdo y la crueldad funciona de maravilla. Para releer.
Empieza con una historia que acaba como el rosario de la aurora y termina con una búsqueda metafísica que es capaz de encogerte el corazón. La mezcla del dibujo de estética 'antigua' y las tramas que se desenvuelven entre lo absurdo y la crueldad funciona de maravilla. Para releer.
January 28, 2022
Uno de los cómics más agudos, inteligentes y ácidos que he leído en mucho tiempo. La primera parte del libro es especialmente brillante, con situaciones y reacciones por parte de los personajes divertidísimas y muy sagaces. Y, sobre todo, las frases-resumen lapidarias de debajo de cada página. Una absoluta genialidad. Una lástima que el resto de la antología, en formato de historias más largas y coloreadas en algunos casos, no sea tan inspirada.
March 22, 2015
Tony Millionaire is one of my favorite "cartoonists" working today and this beautiful hardcover collection of his Sock Monkey stories represents his consistently best work. First, calling Millionaire a cartoonist doesn't quite cut it. The guy is a fine artist and his abilities are at their best in these wonderfully drawn stories. This collection showcases Millionaire's unique talent for creating entertaining children's lit type stories but with a dark, humorous edge that gives them an undeniable adult sensibility. Smart writing coupled with great characters operating in situations that range from silly and enchanting to distressing and grim is the hallmark of the Sock Monkey world. This fantastic collection of stories in a gorgeously designed package is a fine addition to the bookshelf as this is one I will certainly pull out and read again many times over. And for those not familiar with Millionaire's work, this is the best place to start your journey into the world of Tony Millionaire. Then, of course, you'll want to follow up by reading his "Maakies" strip (available online and in printed collections), which plunges many of the Sock Monkey characters into an unapologetically raunchy adult world of hard drinking, politically incorrect, and hilariously disgusting humor. Millionaire is a genius!
July 22, 2015
Why has it taken me so long to discover Uncle Gabby and Crow? They are as lovable as the stories themselves are fantastical yet disturbing. From one story where Baby Inches is horrifyingly zombified by an army of ants, to the next story where Uncle Gabby heartbreakingly learns of the death of his elderly creator just before he was finished being sewn up, to another story where Uncle Gabby and Crow undertake a hunting adventure and decide upon a salamander as their prey because as Uncle Gabby states, "they have very soft claws and a mouth lined with slippery gums", this book had me laughing one minute and cringing the next. I happened to discover this book as it was on display at the local library, but I will now be seeking out copies of the stories to have for my own library at home.
November 14, 2021
if you like this review, i now have website: www.michaelkamakana.com
200621: absolutely the best medium for this work. fantastic, funny, adventures of ‘sock monkey’ and his equal doll crow, the visuals are excellent, set in some sort of undefined late 1800s. the characters change in scale, in consciousness, in magic, comic ways according to each story. the first eight are graphic short stories, then purely visual piece, then tall-tale of marine sort, ending in affecting meditation on naming, memory, dreams. as in some best graphics there is little need of explanation or dialogue. everything is in the images...
200621: absolutely the best medium for this work. fantastic, funny, adventures of ‘sock monkey’ and his equal doll crow, the visuals are excellent, set in some sort of undefined late 1800s. the characters change in scale, in consciousness, in magic, comic ways according to each story. the first eight are graphic short stories, then purely visual piece, then tall-tale of marine sort, ending in affecting meditation on naming, memory, dreams. as in some best graphics there is little need of explanation or dialogue. everything is in the images...
September 10, 2016
Truly strange, darkly humorous, never short of imagination, and definitely not for kids: I almost forgot how much I love the adventures of Uncle Gabby and friends. This is a great collection, beautifully presented. The artwork is wonderful and the stories often poignant.
Really a 4.5 but something truly weird and wonderful like this deserves to be rounded up rather than down. I mean, the end papers alone rate 5 stars!
Really a 4.5 but something truly weird and wonderful like this deserves to be rounded up rather than down. I mean, the end papers alone rate 5 stars!
March 23, 2020
This is one of the most wonderful comics volumes I've ever read. The artwork ---whether inked or pencils, black and white or color--- is absolutely exquisite. The stories are by turns whimsical, hilarious, weird, philosophical, poetic, deranged, and heartbreaking. Outstanding! Uncle Gabby the titular sock monkey, Drinky Crow, Inches the doll, and the other characters are a strange and engaging crew, a great group to spend some time with.
November 17, 2025
Guarda qua di quanto amore e di quanta meraviglia è capace colui che ti ha mostrato il marcio e che tu hai confuso con esso.
È stronzo e fa male, certo; riesce a colpire in maniera più incisiva di Maakies -da cui i protagonisti sono presi e reinterpretati- proprio per quelle variabili aggiunte: infanzia, innocenza-mai-completamente-innocenza, amore appunto.
“Fuggendo dallo sguardo di Dio” è una tavola che mi rimarrà in testa.
È stronzo e fa male, certo; riesce a colpire in maniera più incisiva di Maakies -da cui i protagonisti sono presi e reinterpretati- proprio per quelle variabili aggiunte: infanzia, innocenza-mai-completamente-innocenza, amore appunto.
“Fuggendo dallo sguardo di Dio” è una tavola che mi rimarrà in testa.
January 8, 2019
A compelling adventure packed in a beautifully drawn comic book. The unusual combination between the romantic element and nightmarish fuel creates a distinctive atmosphere in this peculiar comic book. The character design is fun and lively. Though the conversation is a little hard to understand, this is a must read for everyone who enjoys the comic genre.
October 1, 2018
Beginning the book, I instantly fell in love with the art. The writing on the other hand was a bit iffy in those early chapters. However, by the end of the book the writing had caught up with the art (at least to my taste) and everything was exquisite.
October 13, 2017
From beginning to end, this anthology was absolutely perfect. I didn't expect to like this because graphic novels aren't really my thang, but this one really surprised me. I picked it up mindlessly one day while at the library and was immediately drawn in by the endearing central characters: a sock monkey and a stuffed crow. The illustrations are beautiful, and there is both an innocence and a darkness to the humour that makes this a great all ages read.
The story lines are hilarious, and there is a lot of imagination and ridiculousness to this. Also, they all talk like old English gentlemen (ex there is a lot egads! etc).
Finally, this book got glowing reviews by hilarious celebs like Conan O'Brien, and I totally agree with how much praise the book got! It's a surprise at the end to find out that a graphic novel about a sock monkey's adventures can be so funny and engaging.
The story lines are hilarious, and there is a lot of imagination and ridiculousness to this. Also, they all talk like old English gentlemen (ex there is a lot egads! etc).
Finally, this book got glowing reviews by hilarious celebs like Conan O'Brien, and I totally agree with how much praise the book got! It's a surprise at the end to find out that a graphic novel about a sock monkey's adventures can be so funny and engaging.
August 30, 2020
An amazing accomplishment. Profound, poignant, hilarious, blasphemous, full of genuine love for his characters.
This magnificent, beautifully-bound and -designed volume should be on the shelf of anyone who loves the work of classic cartoonists.
Some pages bring tears to your eyes with their touching strangeness and intense beauty.
Highly recommended.
This magnificent, beautifully-bound and -designed volume should be on the shelf of anyone who loves the work of classic cartoonists.
Some pages bring tears to your eyes with their touching strangeness and intense beauty.
Highly recommended.
June 28, 2024
Son cuentos infantiles muy entretenidos y la lectura se hace muy entretenida. La trama y la estética parecen de época victoriana.
Cada cuento es de un estilo distinto y los personajes que aparecen son fáciles de conectar con el lector.
Me lo leí casi de un tirón y seguramente le dé varias lecturas más en el futuro.
Cada cuento es de un estilo distinto y los personajes que aparecen son fáciles de conectar con el lector.
Me lo leí casi de un tirón y seguramente le dé varias lecturas más en el futuro.
July 4, 2017
Oops this book is one of the most painfully profound graphic novels I've read oops
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