Warning : The following post contains adult content.
Monkey King ( Saiyukiden Daienou ) is a graphic novel by Japanese concept artist/illustrator Katsuya Terada. It’s a loose retelling of the Chinese classic novel “Journey to the West”, where Sun Wukong the Monkey Deity protects the monk Tripitaka as he makes his way to India in search of enlightenment. The journey is perilous, fraught with danger on every turn as powerful demons seek to capture Tripitaka, for his flesh, once consumed, grants immortality.
First published in late 1998, it quickly secured Terada’s reputation as a manga artist. After some 12 years of waiting, Terada finally released volume II last year. ( read the review here. )
(above) Perhaps Terada-san was paying tribute to the Spanish Old Master Francisco Goya, in his painting Saturn Devouring His Son. (below) Goya is an amazing painter, but he created some pretty disturbing work in his time. *shudders*
Katsuya Terada’s “Monkey King Vol 1” graphic novel details :
– Dimensions – 21 x 15.2 x 1.2 cm
– Softcover, 128 pages
– Full color, in Japanese language
Buy From Amazon.com | Buy From Amazon CA | Buy From Amazon UK
Also check out these art books by Katsuya Terada :
Monkey King 2 – Katsuya Terada Graphic Novel Book Review
Dragon Girl And Monkey King – Katsuya Terada Art Book Review
Rakuga King – Katsuya Terada Sketches Art Book Review
Katsuya Terada : Jyugoyamonogatari Art Book Review
Gasoline Life – Katsuya Terada Manga Book Review
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:22 pm
i still don’t understand why Darkhorse Comics does not hire this guy to draw and/or write a Conan story. there is really not too many things in the comic book world i would like to see more than that.
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:39 pm
This guys is really good at boobs. 🙂
February 27th, 2012 at 1:22 am
Zack – All in good time, I’m sure.
Roy – It’s been a while, how are you ? Yeah, he’s definitely an expert. :]
February 28th, 2012 at 6:45 am
After reading your review of volume 2 japanese version, I bought the english translation of volume 1 from dark horse a while back and I really loved it. It comes with some extra history on the story and a glossary on all the symbols in the artwork which is a cool bonus. Part 2 will is probably released this summer.
February 29th, 2012 at 7:25 am
yes, volume two is going to be released this Summer by Dark Horse, so that is exciting.
Vong, do you know something i don’t, or is that just a hopeful comment?
March 1st, 2012 at 1:33 am
fluppeco – Glad you like it ! :]
Zack – I wish I had such exciting insider information ! But nope, just being hopeful there.
March 13th, 2012 at 6:01 am
There’s also a loving tribute to Moebius’ Arzach in the scene where (spoiler) Wukong climbs up the tower after he glanced at a beautiful lady, who turns out to be half-fly.
In one of the first appearances, Arzach flew around a circular tower, spotted a topless maiden changing and took the trouble to enter the tower. After he did, turns out she has a grotesque ape-ish face.
November 26th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
I have been looking at the pictures of the japanese volume here and comparing to my own american copy and it looks like the colors might be darker or something in the dark horse version. Is it just my screen or might there be something to this?
November 27th, 2013 at 10:45 pm
dawwe – I do not own the US version and cannot make the comparison, but the pictures shown in the post are pretty accurate reproductions of what you see in the Japanese version.
Maybe Dark Horse made some contrast changes to the comic ?