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Monkeytale
From Comixpedia
| Monkeytale | |
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| Creator(s) | Rachael Hirt |
| Website(s) | Monkeytale |
| Update Schedule | Random updates, usually once a week |
| Launch Date | 15-Jun-2002 04:24:25 UTC |
| End date | Still in Progress |
| Genre | Humor, Shoujo, Manga, Experimental |
| Format | Multiple Panel Page |
| Publisher | Self Published |
| Price | Free |
Monkeytale is an English webcomic created by Rachael Hirt. Rachael came up with the idea during high school of her senior year [1]. Once she bought a computer, she was able to start publishing the comic online. "Monkeytale" is freely available online for anyone to read. It does not have a set day for updates. Updates of a new page are random but usually once a week.
The story is set in present, fictional America. Katie, who is a 20something girl who lives with her parents, with no goal for her future.[2] The comic often has references to the operating system, Linux which is what Bubba uses while Katie's brother [3], is dumbfounded to find it on his sister's computer.
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[edit] History
"Monkeytale" began forming in 2001, however it was never online till 2002 when the domain was registered. Artwork for the characters Maggie, Bubba, Maggus and Katie were submitted on Rachael's Deviantart site before the domain was registered. [4]
[edit] Production
Monkeytale is written and drawn by Rachael Hirt. All pages are drawn in pencil, then inked. [5] Monkeytale originally was drawn all in pencil, with font added in digitally. However the comic evolved to different styles from just inked, to inked & colored. The recent pages are drawn on paper and then finished digitally with screentones in the Gimp. The panels have a "manga style" format, however the book is read in English format, left to right.
The first 7 pages are in b&w format which was made around 2002-2003. Monkeytale was then started again around 2006 - present.
[edit] Main characters
[edit] Katie
D.O.B.: June 4, 1980 Gemini
Just an ordinary girl who develops a relationship with Bubba who was supposed to do his job. A fan of anything carbonated and caffeinated, especially Pepsi! She's a bit on the lazy side but easy going. Katie lives at home with her parents and younger brother. She works as an "sales associate" where she feels that she has already developed an OCD from having to straighten so much. Bubba is an invisible monkey that Katie can only see.
Katie can be the blonde joke kind of girl but more alternative. She likes to wear the same clothes more than one day since she's kinda lazy. Slightly selfish, will buy whatever she wants when she sees it but then realizes she has no room to put it. "Page 29, Monkeytale vol. 1"
[edit] Maggie
D.O.B.: August 17, 1980 Leo
A born leader, a problem solver and trouble maker. This gal's got it! Loves the attention she naturally gets whenever she shows off her programs. Did I mention she's the top programmer of her corporation?
Programmer and owner of her computer corp (who is a lower rank than Maggus) to install her program she just wrote. Maggie developed a program called OPERATION POP-UP. It can fit on a floppy disk (hm who has a floppy drive now a days?). Katie's the first beta tester who unawarenly knows. Bubba is the "executor" of the program. Other info: Likes to program, also similar to Maggus's personality but dominant. At first Katie seems to be an easy host and is concerned about Maggus being so jealous of Katie and Bubba. Then she starts to grow hating Katie and gives Maggus more taks to get rid of Bubba. Realizing she didn't look over her script she made that was installed on Katie's computer, she consults a higher person in her organization.
[edit] Bubba
D.O.B.: September 4, year unknown Virgo
Bubba is employed at Maggie's corp. He has a special ability to become invisible to anyone except his owner. He's Katie's companion. He ends up choosing her. Katie at first thinks it's really cool to have him, but realizes he's more trouble than he's worth. Talks a lot, kinda like Aladdin's genie. A slight pervert, only when a joke or opportunity is open. Doesn't like the word "no". Doesn't like rejection, was laid off at the UNC (Underground Corporation) because of abuse to equipment thanks to Maggus.
Bubba worked for Maggie's UNC (Underground Corporation) til he got layed off since he had a habit of excess use of his powers. Maggie had Maggus watch Bubba to confirm that he was not doing his work properly. Making Bubba mad at them both. Bubba, not having no where to go, ends up being a janitor for the U.N.C. which also gives him acess to all rooms. Giving him the ability to get revenge on Maggie and Maggus by messing with Maggie's latest project.
[edit] Maggus
D.O.B.: September 23, year unknown Virgo
He's Maggie's close worker and friend. He has a soft spot for Maggie but doesn't pay any attention to him because she's too busy being jealous of Bubba & Katie's relationship. Maggus develops a hatred against Bubba because he feels Bubba is the root of the problem. Maggus also develops a mistrust in Maggie because she uses him for her own personal goals. He lets this go on for awhile because he's used to doing her slave work. Maggus and Bubba are the same race but, Maggus is a higher class. Wonky is what their race is called. They are genetically engineered from Maggie's corp. They have special abilities. One ability is to become invisible to everyone but their owners. Maggus's owner is Maggie. Other info: Life long companion of Maggie. he adores her...if you ask Maggie, she considers him as a slave, but she gets finicky if she can't find him..for a task! He likes to give advice. Kinda shy but likes chaos and being evil. Doesn't like Bubba. On his free time he'll spy on Katie and Bubba.. and is kinda jealous of their growing relationship.
[edit] Plot
The story begins with Bubba opening Katie's window with this tail talking to himself out loud. The panel is zoomed out showing Katie's room, messy which shows her personality. Maggie, Bubba's boss calls him by cell phone to make sure he is at Katie's house and confirms he has the floppy disk. Maggie then threatens Bubba that he will be fired if he forgot it. Maggus arrives during Maggie's conversation who offers her some tea. Who's goal is to mess up Bubba's job to get him fired.
During this entire time, Katie is sleeping on the floor, probably tired from playing video games or another activity all night long. She eventually wakes up but in a daze wanting a drink. Bubba alarmed, hands her a pop in hopes to kill time while he loads the program on her computer. However his plan doesn't work too well because Katie is now fully awake asking him what he is doing to her computer. Bubba is confused at how calm she is but realizes she's ditsy, however Katie is playing stupid thinking it's some weird dream or someone is messing with her. Eventually they start to talk and Katie learns she is the only person who can see Bubba at all times. Bubba explains he has a special ability that only allows his "owner" to see him but he can become invisible at will to anyone else, including animals.
Eventually Bubba downloads the program but accidentally removes it from the server because Katie distracts him. They argue a bit but are inturpted by Katie's brother, who needs to borrow a pencil. This also confirms that fact that Bubba can voluntarily make himself disappear, and it not "owned" by Katie..yet.
[edit] Books
Monkeytale was first self published by Rachael. The book is called Monkeytale Volume 1, features cover artist Yasha. The book includes comic 1 - 18, old sketch pages of Maggus and Maggie, fan art & biographies of the artists. The book is available online at her store and on Lulu.com. A small summary can be read on the back of the book:
"On a lazy summer day, Katie wakes up to finding an invisible monkey trying to install something on her computer. On top of that, he's using a floppy disk! She discovers he can talk when he tells her tales of his evil boss, Maggie. Poor Bubba only has one chance left to do this job right or he's fired. It doesn't help when Maggus, another similar creature but a higher job status is jealous of Katie and Bubba's developing relationship."
[edit] References made in the Comic
- The floppy disk Bubba carries is similar to Tom's Damn Small Linux
- Chocobo sticker on computer where Bubba is setting up the floppy disk.
- Daria and Rabi en Rose on posters in Katie's room. Sometimes the characters move.
[edit] References
- 1: MT created in high school
- 2: Stagnant life
- 3: Dumbfounded Brother
- 4: Before owning a domain
- 5: how a page is made
![[5]](http://www.kittytreats.org/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/dsc00042.jpg){kind=link}