Did you know the library is an interesting place? It is! In one of my local libraries I have recently discovered a treasure trove of graphic novels. Oh, not the graphic novels you might find in Barnes and Noble or Borders, although some of them most definitely are there. No, but old graphic novels. Old independent graphic novels! With characters I’ve never, ever heard of!

Case in point, the two I read today in one sitting at the Elizabeth Public Library in Elizabeth, NJ, Monkey vs. Robot and Monkey vs. Robot – The Crystal of Power.

Monkey vs. Robot is the creation of James Kochalka, possibly most recently known for the release of his Super F*ckers title released earlier this year.

In the two books, Monkey vs. Robot and the Crystal of Power, we follow the struggle of a group of jungle dwelling monkeys who have to deal with a factory of robots polluting, changing, and experimenting in their jungle who answer to Mother.

In Monkey vs Robot, the robots have begun to building their factory, collecting the material they need to build more of themselves and grow in number. But while doing that, they begin to release this tarry, oil like substance into the jungle which soon kills on of the monkeys. The monkeys discover this and are angered. Later, in what seems like a bit of retaliation, the monkeys cause one of the robots, carrying a massive boulder to slip on their excrement crushing it. The robot is discovered by its brothers, along with the cause of its demise, and all out war against the monkeys is declared. What follows is a knock down drag out brawl of monkeys being killed, robots being demolished and burnt and much of the forst and factory being destroyed.

The book ends on a hopeful note in its epilogue for the monkeys but as is seen in the second book, the Crystal of Power. The robots remain and are still up to no good.

In the second title, after being experimented on and escaping from the robots, we are introduced to a monkey who has gained a bit more intelligence than the average monkey and seeks to help the others rebel as the robots seek to find a crystal to restore mothers power. In this story, we follow a robot who has lost his ability to communicate with the others and seeks to complete his mission to please mother.  Later, we are introduced to new robots from Warrior Squadron Red, a vicious set of robots who merely roar and kill all that stands in their way.

The ending of this story has no epilogue, so we can’t be sure who wins this time, monkey or robot, even though we do learn the fate of the crystal of power.

Monkey vs Robot has been named one of the Top 10 Hottest Comics previously by Face Magazine and I think I can see why. Theirs a simplicity in the story, especially since much of it is told without words. The books almost feel too short because of that, because by the end, after watching monkeys and robot fall by each others hands in sometimes horrifying but not grotesque ways, I feel invested in them. I wonder what happens to them after the last page, if one side wins and accomplishes their goals or if the struggle continues, each trying to find another way to proceed with this cute yet still very real genocide they both pursue of the other side to survive.

Maybe Mr. Kochalka will bless us with another Monkey vs Robot in the future, but for now, check your local library and see if you can find it or grab it here at Amazon.