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Sock Monkey #1
The Adventures of Sock Monkey
Follows the adventures and mischief of Uncle Gabby the sock monkey and his often inebriated fowl friend Drinky Crow.
96 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2000
167 people want to read
About the author
Tony Millionaire
105 books80 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 1, 2011
All Hail the Sock Monkey...Clever, smile-inducing warm and fuzzy book with just enough kick to make this more for adults than the kiddies.
I am very glad I found this thanks entirely to Karen, the goddess of Goodreads. You have Uncle Gabby, the titular Sock Monkey who has a big heart, a strong desire to help and a propensity to cause disasters when he does.
Gabby’s buddy is Mr. Crow, a stuffed bird with “I think I’m real syndrome” who has a bit of an alcohol problem...in that he keeps running out. Together they wander around creating adventures while talking like extras in a Dickens novel. Combine that with the understated black and white art, and it makes for a very original combination.
This first book featuring the less than dynamic duo has some neat stories and a couple of OUT OF THE STADIUM HOME RUNS. The home runs make me think that there is potential for gold to be found in future installments. Here is a page from my favorite story that I think gives an idea of the kind of dry, witty humor. Brief setup: Gabby and Crow are trying to match make for a recently widowed mouse by pairing her up with what they consider to be a large “flying” mouse (i.e., a mouse eating bat).
This is a tickler and will definitely improve your mood. Smart and original, I really enjoyed myself with this one and hope for more stories like the one shown above in the future. Recommended!!
I am very glad I found this thanks entirely to Karen, the goddess of Goodreads. You have Uncle Gabby, the titular Sock Monkey who has a big heart, a strong desire to help and a propensity to cause disasters when he does.
Gabby’s buddy is Mr. Crow, a stuffed bird with “I think I’m real syndrome” who has a bit of an alcohol problem...in that he keeps running out. Together they wander around creating adventures while talking like extras in a Dickens novel. Combine that with the understated black and white art, and it makes for a very original combination.
This first book featuring the less than dynamic duo has some neat stories and a couple of OUT OF THE STADIUM HOME RUNS. The home runs make me think that there is potential for gold to be found in future installments. Here is a page from my favorite story that I think gives an idea of the kind of dry, witty humor. Brief setup: Gabby and Crow are trying to match make for a recently widowed mouse by pairing her up with what they consider to be a large “flying” mouse (i.e., a mouse eating bat).
This is a tickler and will definitely improve your mood. Smart and original, I really enjoyed myself with this one and hope for more stories like the one shown above in the future. Recommended!!
November 7, 2008
Synopsis
: Just how much trouble can a toy animal really cause?! Follow a mischievous sock monkey and a bumbling crow as they try to find a home for a shrunken head, play matchmakers with a bat and a mouse, hunt salamanders, and try to get to heaven. Delights! Happy endings and random destruction are guaranteed!
Review : This is a graphic novel that I would most likely place in the YA section of the library. Beautifully illustrated and written, Tony Millionaire does a great job of leading his readers into a uniquely dark, sweet, ultimately well-meaning world of Uncle Gabby and Drinky Crow. Two stuffed animal characters I cannot help but imagine Tony Millionaire knows in real life and has engaged in a mischievous adventure or two. Dark humor and mayhem await.
Critical Reviews :One reader noted, "The illustrations are superbly executed, and the stories are truly unique. Throughout the tales runs an underlying theme ....that catastrophes can result from unsolicited attempts to 'fix' the problems of others. The humor is a bit grim but spirited, the characters beyond unique."
Review : This is a graphic novel that I would most likely place in the YA section of the library. Beautifully illustrated and written, Tony Millionaire does a great job of leading his readers into a uniquely dark, sweet, ultimately well-meaning world of Uncle Gabby and Drinky Crow. Two stuffed animal characters I cannot help but imagine Tony Millionaire knows in real life and has engaged in a mischievous adventure or two. Dark humor and mayhem await.
Critical Reviews :One reader noted, "The illustrations are superbly executed, and the stories are truly unique. Throughout the tales runs an underlying theme ....that catastrophes can result from unsolicited attempts to 'fix' the problems of others. The humor is a bit grim but spirited, the characters beyond unique."
July 11, 2011
Please note that I left this off of my children's shelf. Teenager, yes, Tween probably, 10 and under, probably not. Unless you have one of those delightfully dark children.
And while I would not have been one of those children, as a Teenager my stuffed toys probably had adventures like this when my younger sister wanted to play, if I even payed attention to her to begin with (poor thing, she turned out just fine though).
Sock Monkey has lots of adventures which usually ends in someone's demise (sometimes his own).
And while I would not have been one of those children, as a Teenager my stuffed toys probably had adventures like this when my younger sister wanted to play, if I even payed attention to her to begin with (poor thing, she turned out just fine though).
Sock Monkey has lots of adventures which usually ends in someone's demise (sometimes his own).
August 6, 2023
A collection of beautifully drawn but impenetrable short stories. Like many alternative comics of this period (or any period, really), I have a feeling most of these were drawn for as long as the author could be bothered to, and then finished off swiftly (and violently). Still, Sock Monkey and Mr. Crow possess an undeniable charm, like a fever dream from which you have awoken and yet kind of wish to return to.
May 9, 2019
Surrealistas aventuras de un mono hecho con un calcetín y otros peluches. El dibujo puede llevar a la errónea conclusión de que se trata de historias amables, pero nada más lejos de la realidad. Humor negro y salidas de tono divertidas y gamberras.
October 29, 2019
Excellent quirky atmosphere and Victorian characters reside in a timeless world. They have little adventures in a small world. Nice B&W pen work.
Adult violence adds to the quirky feel.
Nice... but not great.
Adult violence adds to the quirky feel.
Nice... but not great.
May 30, 2021
Eh, not so much. Even with a kitten on my lap I'm not disposed to like it. I know someone does and all, (they told me when I told them I was reading it) but that person is not me. The formal style and dialogue combined with the strange themes made for just a whole lotta ?....?.
October 20, 2021
Really cute in parts with a really wickedly dark sense of humor. I went into this loving Sock Monkeys and now I love them more. This is my first Tony Millionaire (I think), and it was definitely a good start. Real short but also real enjoyable :)
December 18, 2021
A playful collection of adventures between two mischievous friends, sock monkey (“gabby”) and crow (“drink”), based on Maakies comic. Interesting ink drawings of birds, bats and Victorian homes.
Used: 53 (Renaissance books)
Used: 53 (Renaissance books)
December 27, 2025
Such a wonderful little book! Has that enchanting, exploratory feeling that so many of my favorite childhood stories had. The artwork is gorgeous and has some suprisingly darkly humerous moments. Love it!
November 12, 2018
Just about everything Tony Millionaire puts out is great, but the sock monkey comics are a little more innocent and adorable in their delivery. I love them 🖤
August 1, 2019
Inventive saga of a sock monkey and his stuffed crow friend. Plus a few treacherous, armed model warships. Great drawings.
August 25, 2017
Synopsis
Uncle Gabby is a sock monkey; but, he's not just any old sock monkey, he's a sock monkey adventurer–many of them strange and all of them wonderful. With more than a touch of dark humor, this little gem of a unique cartoon collection tracks the travels of Gabby and his dear friend Drinky Crow.
The Adventures of Tony Millionaire's Sock Monkey (#1) by Tony Millionaire and John Flansburgh*
★★★★★
Genre: Gothic/Comics
Release Date: August 2000
Source: Library – Borrowed
On My Shelf: I Wish
I found this book at the Library and honestly picked it up because I kind of have a thing for sock monkeys. I just really like them and sort of collect them. So, when I saw this book I thought, "Hey, why not give it a chance?" I'm very glad I did.
The first thing I have to say about this is that I can't believe I found this in the Children's section! Most of these topics were rather morbid. I'm not complaining about this, I'm just a little taken aback is all. I guess it's not that surprising, though, since I used to read Goosebumps when I was young, so why not this? Still, some of the jokes in here felt pretty adult, which I guess also doesn't say much since so many children's books (tv shows, etc...etc) have many adult themes in them. I guess what I'm really trying to say here is that this book so interesting and fun to read.
I loved all Gabby's adventures...even the strange ones. This comic collection felt very Alice in Wonderland with a hint + a splash of Shakespeare meets Edgar Allan Poe, which, for me, worked. I liked the open-endedness of many of the tales and thought there was just enough madness to balance out the sanity. Everything about this worked for me, and I honestly wish there would have been so much more.
This collection was so bizarre, and fun, and just down-right brilliant in so many ways. I loved the art (those details!) and the story–it all left me wanting so much more!
I definitely recommend this for anyone with a taste for strange. You won't be disappointed.
*John Flansburgh wrote the introduction in the copy I borrowed. It was well-written and incredibly interesting to read. See if you can get your hands on a copy that has this.
Review originally published on my Wordpress blog Ashly Reads.
Uncle Gabby is a sock monkey; but, he's not just any old sock monkey, he's a sock monkey adventurer–many of them strange and all of them wonderful. With more than a touch of dark humor, this little gem of a unique cartoon collection tracks the travels of Gabby and his dear friend Drinky Crow.
The Adventures of Tony Millionaire's Sock Monkey (#1) by Tony Millionaire and John Flansburgh*
★★★★★
Genre: Gothic/Comics
Release Date: August 2000
Source: Library – Borrowed
On My Shelf: I Wish
I found this book at the Library and honestly picked it up because I kind of have a thing for sock monkeys. I just really like them and sort of collect them. So, when I saw this book I thought, "Hey, why not give it a chance?" I'm very glad I did.
The first thing I have to say about this is that I can't believe I found this in the Children's section! Most of these topics were rather morbid. I'm not complaining about this, I'm just a little taken aback is all. I guess it's not that surprising, though, since I used to read Goosebumps when I was young, so why not this? Still, some of the jokes in here felt pretty adult, which I guess also doesn't say much since so many children's books (tv shows, etc...etc) have many adult themes in them. I guess what I'm really trying to say here is that this book so interesting and fun to read.
I loved all Gabby's adventures...even the strange ones. This comic collection felt very Alice in Wonderland with a hint + a splash of Shakespeare meets Edgar Allan Poe, which, for me, worked. I liked the open-endedness of many of the tales and thought there was just enough madness to balance out the sanity. Everything about this worked for me, and I honestly wish there would have been so much more.
This collection was so bizarre, and fun, and just down-right brilliant in so many ways. I loved the art (those details!) and the story–it all left me wanting so much more!
I definitely recommend this for anyone with a taste for strange. You won't be disappointed.
*John Flansburgh wrote the introduction in the copy I borrowed. It was well-written and incredibly interesting to read. See if you can get your hands on a copy that has this.
Review originally published on my Wordpress blog Ashly Reads.
September 24, 2020
A joyous, whimsical, demented series that seems like it's almost making fun of old school children's books, but at the same time has a sweet, emotional streak that saves it from becoming just an edgey parody.
May 11, 2007
"I was reading the comic about the blue jay to my two daughters age three and eight. We were laughing and having a good time. Smiles faded as I showed them the final panel with the blue jay cackling and drooling. My youngest daughter asked if the blue jay was happy again. I said that he was. My oldest daughter looked at the panel again and asked 'Daddy, is the blue jay insane now?' I said that he was." -- Alan Travis, Sock Monkey reader
January 7, 2010
Got this out of the library after seeing it on either Kirsten or Kathyrn's feed..can't remember. ;) It is quite funny and random. I really liked the story when the monkey falls in the love with the old stuffed elephant..and also liked some of the random tiny comics..although had to put them really close to my face to read and I think the guy next to me on the train thought I was crazy, but that's ok.
May 3, 2009
No matter what, I suspect I'll always give the guy a good review.
Great artwork; ridiculous storylines and weird trajectories that lead to bizarre conclusions.
The man is more national treasure than Charles Schulz or Bill Keane in my estimation (yeah, that's broad and bold; but his output and his draftsmanship are to be envied).
Great artwork; ridiculous storylines and weird trajectories that lead to bizarre conclusions.
The man is more national treasure than Charles Schulz or Bill Keane in my estimation (yeah, that's broad and bold; but his output and his draftsmanship are to be envied).
August 1, 2008
The most enchanting, disturbing book encountered in years... This is a book for all of us who suspected our toys of mischief. The Gorey-esque drawings are gorgeous, the characters are engaging, and the book restores my faith in the graphic novel as literary art form.
January 17, 2010
Every so often a creator comes along with a truly unique vision. Tony Millionaire's writing and art are impossible to compare to anything else. I am amazed by the simplicity and the detail. It is reminiscent of art from the dawn of newspaper comics, but is completely unique.
November 29, 2014
The deepest philosophy develops in children's games. If you do not remember it, read this comic.
Plot: A monkey and a stuffed raven do strange things.
- See more at: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/blog/803...
Plot: A monkey and a stuffed raven do strange things.
- See more at: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/blog/803...
August 11, 2015
This is some strange stuff. I think perhaps I am not in the right mindset these days to appreciate this particular flavor of surreal and dark humor. Mostly I found myself thinking "wow this is weird." Pretty pictures though.
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November 1, 2015This book is very dark, but somehow also very endearing. I love the language that the author uses! And his drawings are fantastic. It's amazing to imagine how much time he's spent just drawing one frame with a beautiful old NYC house. I would recommend this to anyone with a dark humor.
April 3, 2007
Violent, irreverent, dry, and utterly brilliant. You'll laugh until you cry, then share it with someone who won't get it at all. Just like that boxed set of "Rex the Runt" DVDs I bought. Sigh.
November 20, 2007
Some of the simpler work from Tony Millionaire, though not without charm.
November 24, 2008
Pirates, monkeys, stuffed crows, shrunken heads-i think i lauged aloud. The drawings are really beautiful too-i like the detail-black and white but very real.
February 22, 2009
Amazing architectural drawings, among other things...
March 18, 2009
this guy is hilarious!
they have a new cartoon on adult swim.
they have a new cartoon on adult swim.
November 23, 2009
Makes me want to make a herd of sock monkeys....and mr. gabby crows.
October 28, 2010
Fascinating and different, with beautiful artwork of historical buildings and the zany adventures of stuffed toys. Sometimes humorous, sometimes bizarrely dark, but excellent all around.
September 28, 2011
Millionaire may be the only Windsor McCay that we deserve.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews