Did you have a favorite animal growing up? There are so many different kinds of primates: chimps, monkeys, gorillas, and so on. Chances are at one point you have been fascinated with one of these human-like creatures. Comic artists are not immune to the powerful draw of primates; monkeys have played an important role in comics since the Golden Age. Primates have played the parts of villains, heroes, morally gray babysitters and everything in between. Celebrate World Monkey Day by picking up one of these monkey centric comic books, or perhaps commissioning a custom comic book gift from Your Comic Story?

Pogo, Umbrella Academy

Maybe more well known as a popular Netflix show, Umbrella Academy is an offbeat comic about a family of failed superheroes coming together to stop an apocalypse that they caused themselves. Actually, they caused the apocalypse a few times. Not important. The superhuman siblings were adopted by billionaire bad guy Sir Reginald Hargreeves, who had more interest in training them to fight than caring for them as a father. Pogo is also a victim of Hargreeves’ bad intentions. He starts out as an ordinary chimpanzee but is almost killed by Hargreeves on a botched space mission. Hargreeves heals Pogo and gives him human-like intelligence in the process. And then sticks the poor primate with the task of caring for SEVEN children with super abilities and behavioral problems. No wonder he eventually turns his back on the whole operation, going at it alone as the world’s only talking monkey tattoo artist.

Earth-8101

What if your favorite superhero was a monkey? Or a gorilla or a baboon? This important question is answered in a run of comics called Marvel Apes, in a universe very similar to Earth 616 (the main marvel universe) except for one key fact. It makes for some pretty cool art and great puns. SpiderMonkey is both a monkey in a Spiderman costume and a literal spider monkey. It’s awesome.

Detective Chimp

The most famous comic characters are named in a very obvious way, Batman is a man in a bat costume, Iron Man is a man in an iron suit, and so on. But rarely are they THIS literal. Detective Chimp is exactly what he sounds like. A detective chimp. Originally featured as a background character in Adventures Of Rex The Wonder Dog during the golden age of comics, this monkey sleuth has had quite the run. He appears in many different DC titles, including the famous Crisis on Infinite Earths. While his origin story has been retconned a few times, a few key details define the character. His name is Bobo, he wears a Holmesian getup complete with a deerstalker hat, and he’s a very heavy drinker. Like many other super genius characters, Bobo is prone to depression and sometimes turns to the bottle to drink his troubles away.

Monsieur Mallah, Doom Patrol

The world of Doom Patrol is defined by its unique characters. A robot man, a brain in a jar, and of course a super intelligent talking gorilla. Monsieur Mallah is a key part of Doom Patrol, causing a rift between two scientists who eventually become Chief and The Brain. Monsieur Mallah teams up with The Brain in his efforts to defeat the Doom Patrol, toting a gun and maintaining the Brain’s delicate ‘brain in a jar’ ecosystem. He has all of the physical prowess of a regular gorilla, superhuman intellect, AND a gun. Pretty impressive. But he’s also depicted as a gentle lover, sharing a tender kiss with The Brain in Grant Morrison’s famous Doom Patrol run that, of course, ends in an explosion. God I love comic books.

Gorilla Grodd and Solovar, The Flash

Gorillas seem to get a bad rap in the comic world. Portrayed as brutes and usually on the side of the baddies. But in The Flash, there is a race of super intelligent, telepathic gorillas that live in a secret highly technologically advanced city. This city is, of course, called Gorilla City. The two main recurring characters are Solovar, the kind leader of Gorilla City and Gorilla Grodd, his rival who eventually starts a beef with Barry Allen. Solovar can communicate with Barry telepathically and let him know when the evil ape is on his way, which is very helpful.

So, we’ve seen some pretty awesome monkey characters in comics, right? But hey, why not make your own mark this World Monkey Day? Grab a pencil, or better yet, let Your Comic Story do the heavy lifting and bring your own monkey superhero or sidekick to life. Our team specializes in transforming your ideas into a custom artwork. From a comic book cover to an entire custom comic book featuring your very own character, we’ve got you covered.

It’s your turn to swing into the spotlight and create something totally bananas!

FAQ about World Monkey Day

What is World Monkey Day?

– World Monkey Day is an unofficial international holiday celebrated on December fourteenth. It aims to raise awareness about monkeys and other primates, their role in ecosystems, and the threats they face.

When was World Monkey Day first celebrated?

– World Monkey Day was first celebrated in 2000. It originated in a comic art lab at Michigan State University when artists Casey Sorrow and Eric Millikin jokingly scribbled “Monkey Day” on a friend’s calendar.

How is World Monkey Day celebrated?

– People celebrate World Monkey Day in various ways, including donating to primate conservation organizations, educating others about primates, wearing monkey-themed attire, and sharing primate-related art and stories.

Why is World Monkey Day important?

– World Monkey Day raises awareness about the diverse species of monkeys and their habitats, addresses conservation issues, and encourages actions to protect these primates and their environments.

Can anyone participate in World Monkey Day?

– Yes, World Monkey Day is open to everyone. It’s a day for primate enthusiasts, conservationists, educators, and the general public to celebrate and advocate for these animals.

Are there specific events or activities organized for World Monkey Day?

– Yes, various events and activities are organized globally, including educational programs, conservation fundraisers, social media campaigns, and special events at zoos and wildlife centers.

How can one contribute to monkey conservation on this day?

– Individuals can contribute by donating to primate conservation funds, adopting a primate through a wildlife organization, participating in local events, and spreading awareness about primate conservation issues.