A comic page with three panels:
panel 1 depicts a river flowing through a forest with towering mountains in the background. From one mountain shooting skyward are two great beams of light. The narration box reads: Long ago when the world was young and the gods had not finished assigning order to the world..."
panel 2 depicts monkeys running wild under a forest canopy with a boulder in the center of the frame emanating some strong, mysterious light. The narration boxes read: "This monkey grew as wild as the nature that surrounded him." "And as strong as the rock that birthed him."
panel 3 depicts a clothed monkey standing upright as a human would and pointing a ball-tipped staff at a moustached and bearded wizened figure surrounded by curious fish, suggesting they're under water. The narration boxes read, "But as to be expected from a monkey, he made great mischief upon the earth." "Until the gods could ignore him no longer!"
A comic page of four panels:
The first panel seems to be in a royal chamber with dragon sculptures on a wall behind a vivid red dias. A man in gold with a great sun over his red throne is stroking his beard thoughtfully. In the foreground, our protagonist Monkey (Sun Wukong) standing in full armor seems to be surprised by what he is being told. The narration box reads, "After consorting with powerful demons, extorting dragon lords, and defying death itself," "The Jade Emperor, Lord of Heaven, decided to bring this monkey to heel!"
Panel 2 depicts Monkey out of his armor, in clothes more befitting a servant proudly leading a dark gray horse through a stable. The narration boxes read, "Trickster though he was, Monkey was so susceptible to flattery that being offered an office in heaven won him over in an instant." "Little did he realize this made up position was the lowest ranking office in the empire."
Panel 3 shows Monkey in the same servant's guard boasting to a group of well-dressed young women. Further in the panel he looks befuddled. The narration states, "He only discovered this the night of a great fete." "When he offered well-appointed maids his company they cruelly mocked him." ""Oh ho ho, t his stable boy thinks he is just one of us just because he is in heaven." They tittered as they floated on."
Panel 4 shows a herd of gray horses panicked and stampeding, kicking up a great thunderstorm as they do. All around them are mischievous, laughing flies with Monkey's head. The narration explains, "Outraged at the betrayal, he used his magic. He became a plague of biting flies and drove the cloud horses out of heaven, causing great chaos!"
A four panel comic page:
Panel 1 shows Monkey pontificating on a tall rock surrounded by other monkeys of all kinds. He is once again dressed in his armor. "When Monkey returned to earth he boasted that heaven finally recognized him as an equal and to avoid the pain of rejection said he returned "Because he became bored there.""
Panel 2 depicts the Lord of Heaven and his advisor speaking in hushed tones. "When word reached the Jade Emperor of Monkey's betrayal, he became incensed!" "He was about to prepare for war when a wise advisor suggested he appeal once again to Monkey's ego." ""Give him his meaningless title and a position with more prestige. Surely he will be more compliant.""
Panel 3 shows Monkey once again in armor before the Jade Emperor but this time with other members of Court behind him and a guard before him barring his advance on the emperor with a long bladed spear. "Monkey was indignant at being summoned before the Heavenly Court. But the wise Emperor aimed for Monkey's one weakness." "And thus, "Sun Wukong, The Great Sage Equal to Heaven" was again snared by his own pride."
Panel four shows a court attendant and Monkey in his armor and looking very pleased strolling through a grove of peach trees. "This time, he was appointed to position of "Manager of the Empresses' Peach Orchard" a position that gave him a title, staff, and an office (a small shack) to call his own!" "Impressed with himself, he visited several heavenly nobles to boast and under orders they tolerated him." "Alas, he quickly grew as bored with them as they were of him which became evident as the Great Peach Festival grew near."
A comic page with five panels
Panel one depicts Monkey in servant's clothes lounging boredly in a peach tree and eating the peaches of immortality. "With enthusiasm Monkey tackled his new job and frequently visited other denizens of heaven to make connections (which often involved boast of his conquests)." "Soon he came to realize how dull his job was, he felt bored and trapped." "Who would really blame him for disappearing for days at a time, or being found making innocent mischief in the various departments of heaven?" "Those who were under his command in the royal grove complained how he shirked his duty and would make trouble for them. One day, when they were commanded to harvest peaches for a banquet, they found the trees picked clean of ripe fruit. Panicked workers located Monkey lounging in the limbs of the sacred trees. When they lamented their predicament, Monkey saw a chance for entertainment and opportunity to finally attend a big party!"
Panel 2 depicts men in courtly robes glowering or openly mocking Monkey who has arrived with armfuls of peaches. "Surely, he would be welcome as a hero, he reasoned, if he managed to secure a good harvest of peaches!" "He announced his own arrival, dressed in his finest regalia and proclaimed he had found the fruit, despite a thief stripping the grove." "And how they mocked him for not being able to do such a simple job! "Foolish Pest" they called him, and "Glorified Gardener"...
Panel 3-5 show Monkey in sequence devouring peaches, chugging wine, and marveling at magical medicinal tablets. "Realizing he had been tricked yet again, his revenge was swift." "This time, he gorged himself on the peaches he brought." "He fled the party and stumbled on the emperor's own stash of royal wine! He drained the entire stores in one sitting." "Drunk and aggrieved, finally he broke into Laozi's lab to purloin the pills of immortality!"
Page 4 of the Ninja Monkey Comic Prologue is live on my site www.ninja-monkey.com. You can also support the comic on Patreon.com/NinjaMonkey or www.ko-fi.com/TheDashZ
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