Bananas Gone Monkey!

Bananas Gone Monkey! - The Penny-Farthing Bicycle Experience

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:41:27 -0700

Banana Slip!

9/16/2008 - Joe

It's the second comic in a row with TJ beat up and slumped on the ground. I'm pretty sadistic to his character these days. It was only a matter of time before the dreaded "banana peel" joke would appear. Funny it should include the appearance of a Penny-farthing bicycle. I just find those things so strangely amusing.

Next up, the climactic conclusion of "Banana Samurai." More monkey on robot violence!

I Like to Ride My Bicycle

9/16/2008 - Jessica

Joe actually doesn't know how to ride a bike, so I don't know where he gets off drawing violent monkey biking accidents. What a jerk. But yes, a Penny-farthing. Those things are crazy. How do you even get on one? It boggles the mind.

I didn't even realize Joe was continuing the "Banana Samurai" saga. Actually, I don't even remember the last "Banana Samurai" ending on a cliffhanger. Now that says something about the gap between these installments. Yargh.

Bananas Gone Monkey! - Zorbing, Yeah!

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:29:55 -0700

Bawabawa!

9/6/2008 - Joe

I'm not really a sports person. Nor do I identify myself as someone who's into outdoor physical activities. But I do find people rolling down a hill in a large transparent ball amusing. Adding monkeys in the mix just makes them better. The more absurd the activity, the more it interests me. Curling is a good example. Two teams, some mop brooms, and a giant spinning top like thingy. Awesome.

Truthfully, TJ doesn't look the type to go zorbing, and the outcome of the comic reflects that. I personally think he was lying when he said that he practiced for weeks. Silly monkey.

Next time, Penny-farthing bicycling will be the featured theme. Google it. Yeah.

Dondochakka!

9/6/2008 - Jessica

Today is Joe Joe's birthday. I had to work, but we did end up getting Lou Malnati's pizza. Mmm... To be honest, it's not too different from most of our other lackadaisical weekends. The fact that we have cake isn't unusual either. We are cake hos. Hoes? Anyway, we like cake.

Apparently, partying like it's our birthday is a pretty low key activity. I blame it solely on laziness and the promise of sweet, sweet naptime. Mmm...naptime.

I'm not sure why TJ would want to go zorbing; it's more of a Chi activity. I do know that he says OMG a lot though. It's cute coming from a monkey. Not so cute when said by the general human population.

Bananas Gone Monkey! - Banana Fury vs. Italy's #1 Racer

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:57:47 -0700

The Need for Speed

8/23/2008 - Joe

This comic has no affiliation to the new "Deathrace" movie that's out now. It's more of a "Fast and the Furious" meets "Initial D" kinda vibe.

"Initial D" is a popular manga about a young dude who gets into street racing and is an expert drifter. The story bounces between his personal life (family, girlfriend, etc.) and his emerging racing exploits. The art is kinda whack, it gets soapy with the girlfriend stuff, and overall, it's a bit repetitive. But somehow, despite all its faults, "Initial D" is a charming, guilty pleasure. Good times.

So this comic was done sometime ago. I logged in a lot of hours on the details of the cars. I think it sat around because I couldn't find a way to wrap things up. I think it was hot during the week I finished it, so I thought of ice cream and that became the hook of the comic. Even enemies can lay down their weapons for a refreshing cold treat. I think that's why G.I. Joe and Cobra ended their war.

#7: Too Fast & the Furious for Heaven

8/2/2008 - Jessica

Okay, so yes, back to "The Fast and the Furious." Over two years ago, my friend Melody and I had an ongoing listmaking extravaganza of future "Fast and the Furious" movie titles. Enjoy.

The Fast and the Furious Three's a Crowd
TF&tF 4 Pedal to the floor
TF&tF 5 Alive (like the juice! Has anyone else every had five alive?)
TF&tF 6 Get your kicks
TF&tF 8 Meet your fate
"" Through hell's gate
"" Don't be late
"" Racers don't wait
TF&tF Eight's enough
(Eight rhymes with everything! Awesome!)
TF&tF 9 Pride on the line
TF&tF 10 Kicking ass again

Melody's lovely rhyming list

Be all that you can be in TF&tF 3
Back FOUR more in TF&tF 4
Still Alive in TF&tF 5
TF&tF 6. Y'know you need your fix
#7: Too F&tF for heaven
Can't hardly wait for TF&tF 8
This ride's mine. TF&tF 9
At this point Paul Walker & Vin Diesel are now old men in TF&tF 10

That kid at the ice cream shop is totally desperate looking. He's the equivalent to gluttonous Mitsuwa kid.

On a random side note, I've tried marmite. I forgot about the Marmite Incident comic from long ago. Well, now I must agree with TJ. I was not into the marmite. I only had a tiny bit, and it was traumatic. Not an experience I'd like to repeat.

Bananas Gone Monkey! - Monkey Days of Summer

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:53:53 -0700

Hot Days of Summer

8/12/2008 - Joe

This comic has been gestating for a long time now. Initially it was meant for a few summers ago. But somehow it slipped through the cracks. It's been updated and remixed for your viewing pleasure. Here's the original version of the comic. Most changes were the inclusion of Baron and the view perspective. Lots of lighting effects were thrown in to give that "Oh, so hot" feeling. Good stuff, indeed.

The next episode is an update/continuation of the "Fast & Furious" inspired comic. P.S. It's already completed so there should be less delay for the next posting. Yeah!

So hoooooot....

8/12/2008 - Jessica

This was originally made a long time ago. It's when we were still in central IL. Man, was it hot in that apartment. Plus, during the summer it smelled like cat pee. Mmm, memories. Anyway, it's not really hot anymore, so it doesn't really apply right now. Joe should've posted this a few weeks ago when it was 90 degrees. Ugh.

This was pretty much the most boring commentary ever. Seriously, I wrote about the weather. Lame.

Bananas Gone Monkey! - Dark Simian

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 21:13:44 -0700

Fear my Dark Justice of the Banana

8/2/2008 - Joe

"Dark Knight" totally kicks ass. But seriously, how could it not? I rewatched some of "Batman Begins" the other day and man, it's completely different from the new one. I still think it rules but "Dark Knight" is leaps and bounds better in every which way. But enough fanboy gushing already. TJ personally fits more of the Joker template but I thought he'd be cuter wearing a Batman suit. He does have the superhero personality of Monkeyman, which is based off Superman. But, I'm more of a Batman person myself. He also has a Marvel based superhero personality called Captain Banana. The obvious basis is Captain America. I do have some sketches of them but they're really crude and unfinished. Perhaps in another comic. Or in a rogues gallery of the monkeys in superhero attire.

Superhero Stuff

8/2/2008 - Jessica

We saw "Dark Knight" in IMAX. It was super cool. Yeaaah...Anyway, I don't really have too much to write. Joe was the one who really wanted to do a Batman inspired comic. I think I just read a book while he was making this comic. I'm lazy like that. He also worked on updating the comment avatars. Back to the monkeys!

Bananas Gone Monkey! - The Great Papasan War

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:06:18 -0700

The Monkey Days of War

7/14/2008 - Joe

Wow, another long gap of time has passed since the last post. Well, this comic is based on another childhood past time, the dreaded pillow fight. I thought the inclusion of papasans and a war theme was most appropriate. Also this episode ties in nicely with an earlier comic, "Saving Private Puggy." Check it out, it's like a hundred comics ago. To the uninitiated or those born after 1982, the final line that TJ utters is a reference to the film "Red Dawn." It's at a pivotal moment when the boys meet up with their father in the internment camp, where he solemnly accepts his impending death and then parts with that very quotable line. That scene brought me to tears and this is from a cheesy 80's movie about the Evil Commie Russians invading America starring C.Thomas Howell and Patrick Swayze. Wolverines, indeed.

OMG, War is Hell

7/14/2008 - Jessica

Papasans are so dangerous. Some of our friends had them and those things were major hazards. It didn't help that one of their papasans was sorta broken, so the frame tended to move until you/it tipped over. Very bad.

I have never seen the movie "Red Dawn" and now Joe is insisting I watch it. Ugh. That description up there (and my forced YouTube viewing of said clip) does not sound encouraging.

Bananas Gone Monkey! - TJ Presents: Amazering Zomby Fighturs

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:30:04 -0700

Kicking Zombie Butt 101

6/23/2008 - Joe

This comic is a mash up of superhero crack squad (e.g. The Avengers, X-men, A-team) and zombie/ghoul apocalypse fantasy. The art style is supposed to reflect TJ's rough art look, so it's intentionally sloppy and slapdash. Although the last panel wasn't so much. Whoops. Jessica and I debated as to who would be the fourth squad member. Penny was a likely candidate. Even Puggy was considered. But the right choice for the team wildcard was Vincenzo. TJ's nemesis was a perfect foil and plus he really fit the mold for a Hulk-like character. Vincenzo (aka Meatball) is sadly only in one panel, not including the character introduction. Perhaps a spin off comic is in the works. TJ's design is a distillation of Nick Fury, Punisher, Snake Plissken, and Captain America. The Juicer idea came to me from my love of the Evil Dead series and Peter Jackson's Dead Alive (aka Braindead) where an unusual garden tool becomes a defining weapon of choice. Ash from Evil Dead had his chainsaw hand and the hero of Dead Alive utilized a lawnmower strapped to his chest to take out a crowd of zombies. The blender seemed like a wacky, yet appropriate tool for mass carnage. I had envisioned the last panel being Kaptin Kickass holding up a glass of zombie smoothie, but ultimately nothing is better than a wicked lawnmower thrust. Try it.

Zombies and Stuff

6/23/2008 - Jessica

I said Penny should be the fourth member, but she'd be totally ineffectual. She'd basically shoot rainbows or have some other useless magical girl power. Joe decided to go with the ape angle though. Go figure.

And yes, the lawnmower thrust is a classic move. I personally prefer the sprinkler, but I guess it doesn't give off that same feeling of victory. Oh well.

Bananas Gone Monkey! - It's Raining Monkeys, Hallelujah!

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:29:27 -0700

I'm So Scared

6/13/2008 - Joe

It's a milestone for us. One hundred comics and counting. The TJ gets another featured comic once again. The weather lately has been pretty fickle; one minute it's raining and the next it's sunny and bright. This is all in the same day, so you're left toting around a soaked umbrella as the sun blazes later in the day. I personally think TJ should be wearing some protective footwear in the rain. Little booties. But Jessica insisted that he shouldn't be wearing a complete raincoat, but a poncho type jacket with no shoes. It works, I guess. Still cute.

The Big One Oh Oh

6/13/2008 - Jessica

So, it's here. The 100th comic. Wow. Sure, we only update every two weeks now or so, but we reached the 100 mark. Wow.

So this time, we have a rain themed strip. I requested the Totoro cameos. TJ doesn't enjoy rainy weather, especially thunder/lightning. And lately, it's been raining raining raining. Argh. P.S. Joe lies about the booties. I think he should have them. So there.

Bananas Gone Monkey! - Punchfest 2008!

Sat, 24 May 2008 17:00:52 -0700

Jerkface Without a Cause

5/24/2008 - Joe

This comic is based on the TJ's affinity for punching everyone in the face. Lately, he's been extra punchy and going around stating the phrase "Do not think I won't punch you in the face!" He's indiscriminate as to who'll he'll punch, whether it's cute little kittens, harmless old ladies, or even his best friends. Everyone is subject to his wrath. I thought it would be funny to illustrate TJ's misbehavior. Mimes are kinda creepy so them getting socked in the face is pretty funny. The goose idea arose from Jessica's divine hatred for them. They're just loud and obnoxious and apparently the stupidest animals in all of existence. Puppets are evil according to TJ, so Elmo was a prime candidate for the knuckle sandwich du jour.

Down With Geese

5/24/2008 - Jessica

I wouldn't say I hate geese, but I do find them incredibly annoying. They poop everywhere, have no sense of impending doom (move out of the way of cars, geese), or quack at 2am. I'm not even drawn in by their more adorable geesling young. So there.

Actually, I think many people find puppets weird. There's just been too many horror related TV episodes, movies, etc. about them running amok and killing people. Maybe they've gotten a bad reputation, but it's their own fault for being exploited by the horror industry. This sorta excludes cute animal hand puppets though. They get a pass.

Bananas Gone Monkey! - Lots and Lots of Tents

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:50:41 -0700

The Tent of Doom

5/12/2008 - Joe

Here's another long overdue comic update. I have to get back into the swing of things and draw a little faster, I guess. This comic is based on the old childhood past time of playing tent. I fondly remember arranging the kitchen chairs in a circle and draping a huge comforter over it in order create the ultimate tent fortress. An hour or so was the maximum time that you could stay in there as it got really hot and cramped. Good times.

The rivalry between TJ and Vincenzo is on full display here. TJ really looks cute in scared to death all white.

Tent Time

5/12/2008 - Jessica

Whoa, we are getting bad at doing these updates. I am blame it on video games and the end of the writers' strike. Yeeaaah...Anyway, the tent comic. Why is tent such a common part of childhood? I don't know anyone who hasn't played tent or some variation. I even have a friend who had a real spaceship tent that went over her bed. She still has it, but it's missing a part. She says that only one adult sized person can fit in it at a time though. Sadness.

Bananas Gone Monkey! - Living in a Material World, and I'm a Material Monkay

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:18:03 -0700

Fancy Pants Monkey

4/20/2008 - Joe

TJ is totally on a Liberace trip in this comic. It all stems from his pompous and grandiose nature of being. He's all "I'm Emperor Lord King Monkay!" and "I'm numero uno." So what better way than taking it to the extreme by aping the most over the top beyond ridiculous style of Liberace. More diamonds and gold than any man, woman, or high class tranny hooker could ever dream of.

The elaborately colored capes are based on actual Liberace costumes. TJ loves the capes, man.

A Beautiful and Natural Process

4/20/2008 - Jessica

TJ is a rather flamboyant and narcissistic monkey. He loves being the center of attention in the most extravagant ways possible, hence the Liberace homage. I actually think the Liberace museum in Las Vegas is pretty cool. Definitely worth a look, especially if you're into jewel encrusted items or ridiculously large rings. How did he even play the piano wearing those rings?! It's a mystery of the ages.

Bananas Gone Monkey! - More Than Meets the Eye

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:50:38 -0700

Monkeys, Trains, and Robots

4/12/2008 - Joe

This comic is based on TJ's idea of for a Tranformer robot, Conductor Choo Choo. Yep, obviously playing off his love for the locomotives. Jessica finds Conductor Choo Choo (CCC, for short) a little off, kinda like those junky knock offs of the real thing. You know like the Go-bots. The sad R/C cola to the Pepsi that is the Transformers. I think I've seen a few episodes which were pretty sad although I remember they had female robots in it, which Transformers didn't have until the later seasons. Oh Go-bots, you guys were the undiscovered pioneers of robotic gender equality.

It's all About Proportions

4/13/2008 - Jessica

Sorry, but Conductor Choo Choo's proportions are all off. His legs are too skinny and his head is too big. I guess that plays to his knockoff status though. In TJ's story about Conductor Choo Choo, he is way more badass than Optimus Prime. He's not a sissy intent on protecting the human race. Choo Choo is more concerned about kicking Decepticon and/or (insert knockoff enemy name here) ass. If some humans get in the way while fighting, it's just collateral damage. Oh yeah! *TJ pumped his fists into the air dramatically after yelling this*

Bananas Gone Monkey! - Baron...James Baron

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:57:35 -0700

Banana Royale

4/1/2008 - Joe

I'm not sure how I got the idea of making a parody of James Bond. I guess the spy genre hasn't been mined for comedy lately. Ever since the Bourne films all spies on film have been presented with an overwhelming sense of gravitas, that cracking a joke every once in awhile is out of the question. Heck, even Bond is all serio-tragic in "Casino Royale." Don't get me wrong I liked that movie, but when I think of Bond he should be all suave and debonair. I grew up with the Roger Moore version of Bond, so it was all cheesy lines and hot chicks. It all got a bit ridiculous when Denise Richards became a Bond girl (cast as a scientist, no less) and Halle Berry showed up. I don't think I've watched the four or five films leading up to "Casino Royale." I like the direction they're going with the Bond franchise. You know, make it all gritty and trim away all the wacky gadgets and pompous swagger. I thought Daniel Craig was perfectly cast and I recommend the film "Layer Cake" which shows why he got the part. Now "Tomb Raider 2" that is another story. I think he was just collecting a paycheck.

TJ, Mad Scientist Supervillain

4/1/2008 - Jessica

Wow, Joe really went into his analysis of the Bond films. It's weird, because it almost sounds like he misses the cheesy days of Bond. Maybe it's just nostalgia. I've actually only seen the Brosnan and Craig Bonds, so I can't really give a comprehensive opinion on the Bond series.

So, TJ is cast as the supervillain with a monocle. Very fitting. I like that the Baron looks all alarmed about the laser slicing him in half. Good times.

Bananas Gone Monkey! - One Step for Monkey Kind

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 10:08:43 -0700

Oh Yeah!

3/23/2008 - Joe

The TJ is back and taking over the moon. The quote at the end is something we had floating around and it just seemed appropriate for the theme. Jessica wanted TJ to be stomping out the previous footprints of the famous moon walk, but I'm like "Eh? Whatever."

TJ's space suit went through a redesign. It's a bit sleeker and the helmet fits more to his head. I think he's totally wearing a girdle underneath the suit. Heh heh heh.

The Wrong Stuff

3/23/2008 - Jessica

This strip is based on one of TJ's ridiculous stories. It included the footprint stomping, which I think would've been totally cute. Of course, TJ has no respect for historical sites, so his claiming of the moon is no big surprise. Mosley isn't shown in this strip, but he'd be one of TJ's fellow space animals. TJ's role is more figurehead/spokeperson, rather than actual scientist/astronaut.

Bananas Gone Monkey! - The Origins of Mosley

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:14:52 -0700

We're Back!

3/16/2008 - Joe

Sorry about the long delay. I blame the God of Laziness for what has transpired. Also I needed to recharge my creative batteries and whatnot. So here is Mosley's origin story. We've figured that he's probably Romanian, considering his accent. He's definitely older than TJ but for the sake of the comic I stated his age as ten years old. It just worked out nice in order to show a progression of time. All right peace out and the comics will hopefully roll out quicker.

Lazy Bums

3/16/2008 - Jessica

See what us having full-time jobs does? It makes us all slow on updating the comic. Sadness. I was never that good at encouraging regular updates anyway. I haven't even finished my state taxes yet, which is shocking considering I'm usually done with all my taxes (and Joe's) in late January. I blame the job. Really though, I probably have more free time now than when I was a student. It's just now I spend all my extra free time reading, playing video games, or watching TV. Ah, the good life.

Anyway, the Mosley origin story. It's another one of TJ's elaborate fantasies. I suppose eventually he may do origin stories for everyone. Scary.