In Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze, published in 2024 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, author and illustrator Maple Lam gives readers a colorful action packed graphic novel with an international twist.
Sun Wukong, the Monkey King and protagonist from the legend Journey to the West, is portrayed as a cute chubby brown monkey that bursts from Fruit Mountain. In this retelling, it is a rock on top of a hill. Seeking to become a god, Wukong goes into heaven, eats the heavenly peaches, and fights everyone until he is thrown in jail. There, an offer is made to Wukong. He will be given godhood if he first serves as a monster hunter. An ancient evil energy Yao-Qi is possessing souls worldwide and turning them into monsters. Wukong accepts and is given a headband that tampers his powers just in case he becomes possessed. This is where the biggest divergence of the original storyline takes place. Instead of guarding a monk and the sacred scripture across the land, he instead goes to Greece. There he is tasked by the gods Hades and God Venus with babysitting Cerberus, the adorable three headed dog that is not quite housebroken, and ridding Crete from the monster the Minotaur.
When Wukong confronts the Minotaur, he quickly figures there is something off. Wukong himself has had to deal with assumptions of being a monster simply because he is a “beast.” When he gives the Minotaur the chance to tell his side of the story, it is quickly revealed that there is indeed a larger evil spirit at play within the kingdom. While Wukong has plenty of physical battles, it is refreshing to see communication and considering different paradigms modeled as the best ways to solve a problem.
The full color panels bring a natural flow to the story while still maintaining the quirky tone of Wukong’s personality. There is plenty of action and exaggerated expressions that highlight the slapstick comedy. As Wukong is welcomed back by Hades and God Venus, it’s not long before he is sent on another quest. A guide to characters follows. This initial volume to a promised series is not a traditional retelling, but it is an amusing one. It would be a solid choice for reluctant readers and graphic novel lovers alike.
Maple Lam is a Chinese American author and illustrator who has lived in both Hong Kong and Los Angeles. She first started at an event art firm eventually fulfilling the role of art director. She has since changed her focus to being a children’s author and illustrator. She already has published seven picture books with Money King being her first foray into graphic novels.
