Pre-Order Free Monkeys
At the beginning of March 2024, Ben Sullivan and I sat down to discuss our careers in the creator space and how similar our goals were. We are both full-time artists and full-time Dads, both chasing dreams. We found that some of those dreams may be best chased together. And just quietly, I think we make a hell of a team.
My favourite part of jamming on ideas with Ben is when I throw something silly into the ring and he laughs before adding a philosophical undertone that I didn’t anticipate, which takes my suggestion from silly to strong. He’ll add an emotional weight that will then become the focal point of my writing.
When we jam, there are no wrong answers. The genesis of our first all-ages graphic novel together came from our very first sit-down. I asked, “What do you want to draw?” and Ben replied, “I’ve always wanted to do a story about monkeys that have been experimented on.” Our story got dark quickly, as many of our ideas tend to do. The fun was then trying to shave the rough edges off and turn the story into one for kids.
By the end of March, our characters were fully formed, and our story was plotted out. The pitch was put together and sent out into the world. Our first no came pretty quickly. But Ben and I have played this game for a long time. The no’s are not only accepted, they’re damn near celebrated. At least they took a look. Nothing worse than just throwing your hopes and dreams into the void, to not so much as an echo.
I got an early morning phone call in June 2024 and let it go straight to voicemail. I fell back asleep and actually forgot to check the message till the following day. It was Redback Publishing with a YES!
256 pages of sequential art was no mean feat. When Ben first started drawing, the script wasn’t even complete – such was the pressure of the impending deadline. But we found our groove pretty quickly, and our skills seemed to complement each other.
July 2025, almost a year to the day after signing the contract, a box landed on my doorstep…
Free Monkeys by Rob Lisle and Ben Sullivan comes out September 1st, 2025 and is available for pre-order right now at the following places…
What’s it about tho…?
Archibald Templeton is looking to revive his family’s fallen empire with the help of his loyal monkey butlers. But things quickly spiral out of control when he creates Frankenstein’s Monkey. Now he must deal with a chaotic, rampaging creation while his trusty apes spring into action to save the day.
Meanwhile, on the weird side of town, Monty, a mischievous monkey trapped in a run-down animal rescue, is plotting his escape. His plan is working when his dream of freedom is suddenly dashed. Soon, Monty finds himself at Templeton Manor leading a monkey butler revolution.
Free Monkeys is full of heart, action, and silly jokes. It is about overcoming disappointment, chasing your dreams, and never giving up.
THE MIDDLE AGES
I’m thrilled to announce that today I’m signing the contract for the publication of The Middle Ages. The contract is long and full of words I barely understand, so I’m not sure I’m allowed to say where it will end up just yet. But it’s going to be in front of lots of eyeballs and be put smack bang into the hands of its core demographic – kids all over Australia.
The thumbnails (rough layouts) are due at the end of next month, and the first bunch of pages the month after that. So the Psycho Janitor offices will be humming for the next little while.
Thanks again for following along, and for letting me share this stuff with.
Rob/Spedsy
The upward trajectory is palpable! I’m so happy for you and Ben and you! Keep a level head and an even keel…