SKY APE

Writers: Phil Amara, Tim McCarney
Art: Richard Jenkins
Spiritual Guidance: Michael "Not Canadian" Russo
Published by AiT/PlanetLar, 2001 $12.95
Reviewed By Paul Hanna

Trying to aptly describe SKY APE is like ... well, it's hard enough to describe that it defies analogy. To be sure, this funnybook's humor is offbeat, its sheer quirky and dark humor resembles in-jokes you might overhear on a really good night out at the pub. That's what SKY APE is like, really; it's like a really good night out at the pub -- kind of pointless, but definitely entertaining. It's MIGHTY JOE YOUNG meets PEE WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE.

What is SKY APE about? A loftier reader might try to explain how it is a classic tale about our protagonist's quest for identity, for the sense of self. And our protagonist's quest may or may not be in response to rejecting the identity put upon him by the media and society, blah, blah, etc.

Forget the pontification. SKY APE is about a millionaire gorilla with a jetpack. Dubbed "Sky Ape" by the world around him, our hero might prefer to be called -- quite simply -- Kirk. Kirk Madge has everything a millionaire could want, except any memory of his own origin. After getting wind of an enchanted sport coat that allows the wearer to see into the past and future, Kirk begins his quest for the coat in order to learn about his past. Hijinks then ensue. Lots and lots of hijinks. And pancakes. And Spanish bicycles. And Niacin!

The story travels in no particular direction save for the last several pages of the book. However, this lack of structure actually makes the book more enjoyable. SKY APE, after all, is all about the periphery -- one-liners, non-sequitur strangeness, and superheroes named Mr. The Fake Lion and Paper Bob.

Artistically, SKY APE's panel to panel progression is solid. Jenkins' style really jibes with the sheer oddness the story embraces. Several times, experimental layouts -- such as a splash page littered with smaller panels -- are utilized to give an appropriately dreamlike and timeless effect. The book also has a fair share striking blend of goofy action sequences and sight gags (I have never seen the act of pancake cooking used as an action scene, not until now). An otherwise "serious" action scene might be offset by some of the most fun and non sequitur dialogue ever. Or, an army of Spanish bicycles will appear. All this, and Richard Jenkins drawing one mean monkey, to boot.

The only foreseeable problem with SKY APE is its shelf life. Full of American pop culture references and digs, SKY APE is a title that will consistently need to reinvent itself in order to keep abreast of our constantly moving culture (a little bit like Weird Al Yankovic).

SKY APE is very funny. It's what SAVAGE DRAGON could have been, before becoming mired and entangled in it's own continuity. It's a comic that knows when to stop taking itself too seriously. It could very well be comics equivalent of a cult movie. And if that doesn't convince you to at least give the book a glance, then maybe the fact that the narrator's cousin can drink milk from his ass will.

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Paul Hanna is a regular contributor to PopImage.

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