El Rey Mono (The Monkey King) is a seminal graphic novel by the Italian master of erotica and sequential art, , written by Silverio Pisu . Originally published in the late 1970s, it reimagines the legendary Chinese character Sun Wukong from the 16th-century classic Journey to the West . Core Themes and Plot

Throughout the journey, the Monkey King's antics often cause trouble, but his bravery and cunning ultimately help the group overcome the obstacles they face.

Unlike traditional adaptations, Manara and Pisu used the character to critique the sociopolitical environment of 1970s China, specifically targeting the regime of Mao Zedong .