XIN: JOURNEY OF THE MONKEY KING #1

[MattBrady]

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Jay_Stephens_Cover_2_Xin_J.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Jay_Stephens_Cover_2_Xin_J_t.jpg" width="175" height="269" border="0" alt="issue #2 cover by Jay Stephens" align="right"></a>Usually, “If sales warrant, ___ will return” is lip service, an easy out for publishers to test waters with non-conventional making a long-term commitment. Nine times out of ten, the project doesn’t return – but not with Anarchy Studio’s Xin: Legend of the Monkey King, which returns in April. Newsarama has a sneak peek…

The first series, which debuted last year retold the classic Chinese story of the Monkey King, and introduced the re-envisioned characters by Kevin Lau and Erik Ko.

According to Anarchy:

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Xin_cover.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Xin_cover_t.jpg" width="165" height="248" border="0" alt="Issue #1 cover by Lau" align="left"></a>After the success of the initial miniseries, Xin: Legend of the Monkey King, Anarchy Studios is happy to bring Xin and company back for new adventures!

The continuing story, Xin: Journey of the Monkey King begins this April and reunites the creative team of creator Kevin Lau, Erik Ko, Jay Faerber and Omar Dogan with the characters they brought to live this winter.

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/xin04newcov150col2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/xin04newcov150col2_t.jpg" width="165" height="248" border="0" alt="Issue #12 cover by Lau" align="right"></a>Xin: Journey picks up where the original story left off -- but readers needn't have read that to figure out what's going on! -- following Xin, Sanzen and General 2 as they head west to collect the evil that Xin unintentionally unleashed on the world.

Fans can expect the same high-adrenaline rush that the original story contained, but with the added bonus of new characters and fantastic places. One of the first new faces to meet our team is Captain Tenpo, someone who may be just as arrogant as Xin, but is in for a rude awakening as the story unfolds.

Out this April, Xin: Journey of the Monkey King #1 will have covers by Kevin Lau and UDON Studios, issue #2 will have covers by Lau and Jay Stephens (Tutenstein, Jetcat).

Click on the thumbnails for larger versions.

<center><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Xin_JOurney_1_page_1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Xin_JOurney_1_page_1_t.jpg" width="140" height="210" border="0" alt="Issue #1, page 1" hspace="2"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Xin_Journey_1_page_2.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="140" height="210" border="0" alt="Issue #1, page 2" hspace="2" src="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Xin_Journey_1_page_2_t.jpg"></a></center>

<center><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Xin_Journey_1_page_3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Xin_Journey_1_page_3_t.jpg" width="140" height="210" border="0" alt="Issue #1, page 3" hspace="2"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Xin_Journey_1_page_4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Xin_Journey_1_page_4_t.jpg" width="140" height="210" border="0" alt="Issue #1, page 4" hspace="2"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Xin_Journey_1_page_5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/Xin_Journey_1_page_5_t.jpg" width="140" height="210" border="0" alt="Issue #1, page 5" hspace="2"></a></center>

[L'Zoril]

didn't read the 1st miniseries, but the art looks good

[jasinmartin]

The first series felt like mostly setup, but was enjoyable. Especially the art, when Lau is on his game it's great stuff (and the Udon colors go nicely with it).

Looking forward to the continuing story!

[American Caesar]

A pig with a dirt rake? OK...

[MattBrady]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by American Caesar:
<strong>A pig with a dirt rake? OK...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">no, no, no....you gotta say it with Homer Simpson inflection..."it's a pig...with a dirt rake...standing...over other pigs!"

Not that it makes any more sense, but it plays better.

MattB

[hjcho]

Didn't Ron Lim do a creator-owned series for Epic's Heavy Hitters line based on the Monkey King legend? I only have a vague recollection of it.

[moebiustrip13]

I think the fact that Jay Stephens is doing a cover says all that needs to be said. Quality work here; it's nice to see a studio taking a stab at chinese-style comics. :D

By, the way, Matt, none of the page images in this article are loading, and neither is the cover graphic for themanga X-men article.

[Jason Carpenter]

I bought Xin no.1 on a whime, I had seen the Wizard preview but I was not too sure having read these retellings of the Monkey King a few times. I decided to go ahead and get it, now all my friends are fuming for it, I bought the last copy after telling them to buy it and they didn't listen. Lau is now one of my favorite artists. The story was a little lacking, though not overwhelmingly so and you can tell it was 100% set up for a project that you can tell Kevin really wanted to do, like his heart was in it. Just amazing and definitely a creators book. Should help revitalize Harris a good bit.

Jason

[Hunter Zero]

I bought the first mini because I knew the guys from UDON were involved, and I haven't been disapointed with anything I have seen from the so far. I really enjoyed the mini even more than I thought I would, and can't wait for the ongoing.

[Darth_Yoda]

Eh, wasn't there a TV series about this years ago?
It was pretty much a cult show here in the UK if its the same one I remember.