The Monkey King 1: Sun WuKong

The story of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, is a tale beloved by billions, both in its native China and all over the world. The Journey West is a retelling of the classic Ming-Dynasty novel Xiyouji (The Journey to the West) as a rhyming picture book and introduces the Monkey King, one of the towering figures of Chinese mythology and arguably the World's most popular superhero, to Western audiences.

Through cartoon and verse reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, it chronicles the rise, fall and eventual redemption of the globe's favorite simian superhero as he grapples with demons, dragons, and the ever-lurking specter of his own mortality.

In Book One, the Monkey King is born under unusual circumstances and quickly establishes himself as the ruler of his local primate fiefdom. He trains his mystical powers with a Taoist master at a secluded monastery. He visits the Dragon Palace, where he acquires his trademark iron staff. Finally, in the tradition of all great mythic heroes, he journeys to the Underworld.