Monkey King Comics: The More, The Merrier!

A few days ago, a good friend asked me, “There are other Monkey King-inspired books out there. Are you worried that will hinder your book’s sales?”

Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze. (Book 1). Now available where books are sold!

There were concerns in her eyes. She was sincerely asking and truly worried.

To be honest, I wasn’t worried at all.

In fact, it’s the opposite. I’m excited!

I hope the story of Monkey King can help readers generate more interest in world mythologies. I hope when I refer to Monkey King, it is as if I am referring to Hercules, or Thor, or Osiris. Everyone would be like, oh, I know who he is!

There is something beautiful about mythologies and folklores. They touch the core of our collective humanity. They are a part of a specific culture, and yet their stories transcend cultures.

“Myths are clues to the spiritual potentialities of the human life.”~Joseph Campbell

There are so many great books out there about the Monkey King, or they are inspired by the Monkey King. We each tell the story in our unique ways.

I hope readers will get to know the story. Perhaps make a spin-off or a remake to the original tale, just as I did.

Here are some of my favorite Monkey King stories:

Picture Books

(This is a classic created by picture book legend Ed Young. Too bad it is out of print today. But I’m sure you can find a copy in your local library.)

Graphic Novels for the Young

Graphic Novels for Slightly Older Readers

And My Favorite Manga Inspired by the Monkey King Story

I grew up reading so many variations of the story, and I loved all of them. Reading a monkey story didn’t stop me from reading another. It’s the opposite! Once I read one version of the story, I wanted to know how another author would make his/her spin on it! It made me want to learn. More please!

Some of the Monkey-King-inspired manga and comics I read when I was a kid.

I hope you will find the joy in reading all these wonderful Monkey King stories.

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On a side note, if you happen to be in Los Angeles this weekend, check out the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books! I will be signing there on Sunday!

April 21st, 2024 (Sunday), 10:30am-11:00am

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, Booth #368

USC Campus

Los Angeles, CA 90007

Come say hello! Also, if you purchase Monkey King and The World of Myths at the booth there, I can autograph the book, and you get a high-quality sticker as a gift!

My very talented friends, Benson Shum and Naz Kutub, will also be signing there! Check out their wonderful books as well!

Hope to see you there!

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Have you read Monkey King or Monkey King-inspired stories? I would LOVE to know! Please share in the comments below.

Book Birthday: "Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze" is out today!

Happy birthday, MONKEY KING Book 1!

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Today marks the book birthday of my debut graphic novel series Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze (Volume 1). Yaaaaaay!

I am grateful for all the support, from the publisher, to fellow creators, bookstores, friends, family, librarians, educators, and, of course, my dear readers.

Thank you for all the kind words and compliments!

Truly, wholeheartedly, a BIG THANK YOU!

The idea of the Monkey King series was a long-time in the making, but it solidified into a story during the lock-down period of the global pandemic. In fact, three stories came bubbling in my head during that time, and I chose to work on the Monkey King story first.

Why did I work on Monkey King?

Over the years, I discover that the myth of a muse magically landing in a creator’s head does happen, but it is far and few in between.

Ideas are easy and a-dime-a-dozen, but molding the idea into an compelling story is an art that involves time, dedication, and the crafts of storytelling.

It is much more common for a project to brew for years, even decades, before the idea percolates into something tangible that we can work on.

This is horrible news for someone who has an attitude of “I want it and I WANT IT NOW!”, but it is fantastic news for those who much prefers the long game.

And I really enjoy a long game.

For Monkey King, I’ve wanted to do this story forever – since my middle grade years, to be honest. I just didn’t know how to deliver the story until now.

I have always enjoyed reading folklores and mythologies. They are like nuggets about the wisdom of life, but they are wrapped in fascinating, imaginative tales. Creators over the centuries use myths as springboards to reflect upon our collective human values.

As someone who grew up in both Hong Kong and Los Angeles, I loved stories from both the East and the West.

“Read myths. They teach you that you can turn inward… Read other people’s myths… because you tend to interpret your own religion in terms of facts – but if you read the other ones, you begin to get the message.” ~Joseph Campbell

With that in mind, I started thinking about how I can incorporate a fun, action-packed and humorous graphic novel series that also draws an interest in world mythologies to young readers.

I hope my reader will look at a bookshelf and go, “I enjoy these books, and I can’t wait to read more that’s along the same line! Oh hey! This Monkey King book looks fun!”

It’s a long time in the making, and I hope readers will enjoy it.

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Celebrate Monkey King and the World of Myths (Book 1) book birthday with me at upcoming events!

April 7th, 2024 (Sunday) , 2:00pm

Once Upon a Time Bookstore

2207 Honolulu Ave.,

Montrose, CA 91020

April 10th, 2024 (Wednesday), 7:00pm-8:00pm

Southern California Radio Station KMRB AM1430 (Live radio interview in Cantonese)

April 13th, 2024 (Saturday), Panel & signing time TBD

Grand Rapids Comic-Con

Kalamazoo County Event & Expo Center

2900 Lake St.,

Kalamazoo, MI 49048

April 21st, 2024 (Sunday), 10:30am-11:00am

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, Booth #368

USC Campus

Los Angeles, CA 90007

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See you! 🙂

MONKEY KING AND THE WORLD OF MYTHS, my debut graphic novel series, coming soon!

If you tell the middle-school me, the kid who swam in comics and drawings and stories, that I would one day become a published graphic novelist, I think my heart would explode with joy and disbelief.

How it that possible? I don’t even know where to start?

And, yet, here I am, ready to kick off the launch of my debut graphic novel series Monkey King and the World of Myths: (Book 1) The Monster and the Maze. (Publisher: Penguin Putnam. Release date: April 2, 2024)

American Edition. Coming April 2, 2024!

And if you live in the UK, the UK edition of the book will come out April 9, 2024! (Publisher: Hachette Hodder.)

UK Edition. Coming April 9, 2024.

How exciting!!!

A few days ago, I turned on an antique computer I used in college to locate a file, and I stumbled upon some forgotten artwork I made back then.

Monkey King artwork when I was a Freshman in UC Irvine.

Monkey King artwork when I was a Senior in UC Irvine.

Ah, life full-circling! How cool is that!

There are so many things, from process to challenges, that I want to share with you. I will share them one at a time, sometimes via this wonderful Substack space, and other times via physical or online workshops, school and library visits, conventions, panels, etc.

If you have any particular questions, whether if you are a creator who wants to learn more about specific process, or an educator/parent who wants to know how to integrate graphic novels into the young one’s reading habit, or a reader who wants me questions about the story, please feel free to leave a comment below! The best part about Substack is that I have a very centralized place to interact with you, and I get to answer your questions in future Substack posts!

If you live in Southern California, please come to the Monkey King book launch party on Sunday, April 7th, 2024 at 2pm at Once Upon a Time Bookstore (2207 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, CA 91020). I will share my creative process and little trivia in making the book, and I will sign and make a small drawing in your book!

Pre-order the book to get a special sticker!

If you live in Michigan, I am honored to be invited to Grand Rapids Comic Con on Saturday April 13th, 2024, where I will share in a workshop panel the graphic novel process from proposal to publication. And I will be signing books after.

Come say hello!

More to come soon!

In the meantime, happy reading comics and graphic novels!