Grease Monkey [Hardcover]

Tim Eldred (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 2006

Caught in the crossfire of an interstellar war, our Earth was bombed to flinders--and then repaired. The mysterious alien Benefactors who healed the planet also offered "uplift" to our dolphins and gorillas. The dolphins turned them down. The gorillas said yes. As a result, we're now sharing our world with language-using, tool-making simians. Tensions are inevitable, in both directions, but it's gradually working out.

Decades later, teenage cadet Robin Plotnik has been assigned to Fist of Earth, a defense station high above Earth, keeping watch against further attacks by the interstellar Horde. Robin's a spacecraft mechanic-in-training, apprenticed to Chief "Mac" Gimbensky, a cranky but basically benign gorilla with issues of his own.

Fist of Earth is a challenging place to grow up. Robin and Mac maintain fighter craft for the all-woman "Barbarian Squadron", which constantly competes for prestige with the other squadrons based on Fist of Earth. Robin's trying to romance a young librarian, and he's far from sure he knows what he's doing. Most of all, he's constantly struggling to figure out his moody, mercurial boss.

Then he and his best friend become entangled in a burgeoning scandal over betting on the squadrons' standings. And just when things look like they've hit rock bottom, the worst thing imaginable arrives at Fist of Earth: an efficiency expert from Earth, determined to reorganize Robin's hard-won life, and the whole squadron system, out of existence.

Fresh and engaging, crammed with likeable characters and science-fictional inventiveness, Grease Monkey is like a classic "Heinlein juvenile" in sequential-art mode.

Introduction by Kurt Busiek, author of Astro City

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

First impressions can be deceiving. This tale, set in a postapocalyptic future, starts out by introducing young space cadet (and science fiction buff) Robin Plotnik as he reports for duty as a mechanic aboard the spaceship Fist of Duty. There he meets his superior, Mac Gimbensky, a talking gorilla who is rumored to eat people, and the Barbarians, a squadron of gorgeous female fighter pilots. It would seem that we are in the realm of juvenile sci-fi, bursting with undiluted adolescent male fantasies. But beneath the fantastic trappings, this is really a coming-of-age story that takes the form of a charming romantic comedy. While learning how to fit into shipboard society, Robin cautiously seeks to court a young librarian named Kara. As for the allegedly fearsome Mac, the gorilla not only becomes Robin's mentor and protector, but is something of an overgrown kid, who has a surprisingly touching romance with a female gorilla space fleet admiral. Eldred's writing is filled with gentle comedy and wise personal insights. His artwork is traditional in the best sense: not flashy but clear, efficient and handsome, and particularly good at conveying his cast's personalities. While swimming in some time-tested waters, this work should appeal to readers who appreciate a universal story and nuanced characterization with their space battles. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up–Cadet Robin Plotnik is assigned to work under Mac Gimbensky, feisty ace mechanic for a crack squadron of pilots preparing for the return of extraterrestrials whose first attack eliminated 60 percent of human life. Mac is a gorilla, one of millions that were accelerated with rapid evolution in order to replenish Earth's defensive numbers, should the attackers return. Through Robin's introduction to Mac, readers learn about the workings of the space station and the future world in which the stories take place. The original comics collected here were published by three different companies over the course of 10 years. What's remarkable is that the presentation retains a focus and a consistency throughout that period. The occasional broad humor lacks punch, and the 12-page stories partially limit the canvas upon which the characters can develop. That said, the short cadence of the chapters does leave readers desiring more, and so the book quickly becomes a compelling, addictive read. The lack of depth with which the high concept of human/gorilla relations and the characters' emotions are explored prevents the story from moving beyond a well-constructed spectacle. However, most teens will be unlikely to notice, as it is both enjoyable and emotionally effective.–Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; First Edition edition (May 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765313251
• ISBN-13: 978-0765313256
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,163,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engrossing surprise, September 11, 2006

By 

Anthony Sword - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grease Monkey (Hardcover)

One would expect a story set in space to be about Humans verses aliens with epic battles and personal loss. Grease Monkey delivers all of that and more, but not in the way one would expect.

There is, of course, the alien threat, but in stead of it being in your face, it is a constant, set in the background leaving one to wonder what would happen should the big battle occur. Imagination for the reader at it's finest. The epic battles are man's classic struggles; man vs authority, finding one's place in the universe, understanding one's self. Themes subconsciously ingrained in all of us, brought to life in what starts innocently, but culminating into moving, emotional events that everyone, of all ages, can relate to. No one dies a heroic or violent death in this collection, but people move on, whether being forcibly removed or leaving to find a better life, each person and their absence affecting us as if our best friend has moved across the country. We know life will never be the same and we can see this effect on the main characters.

The stories are not entirely devoid of cool action and fights though. Well designed Space Fighters engage in trilling dogfights and the occasional punch is thrown because we are dealing with complex, goal driven characters after all. The artwork is top notch, bring us a full spectrum of emotions and swear words are thankfully absent making this a perfect story for everyone.

Grease Monkey is certainly not what you would expect it to be, it's even better.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Work of YA Science Fiction, June 6, 2006

By 

Jeremy Tolbert "SF writer" (Laramie, WY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Grease Monkey (Hardcover)

Tim Eldred began work on the Grease Monkey project in 1992 as a project for an audience of one: himself. Thankfully, he found a publisher with Tor in 2004, and now we can all enjoy this wonderfully written and illustrated graphic novel.

The book follows the first year of a tour of duty by Robin, an assistant mechanic assigned to the Barbarian Squadron on the flagship of Earth's space fleet, the Fist of Earth. When Robin first learns that his boss is an uplifted gorilla named Mac, and that Mac's previous assistant departed under supposedly frightening circumstances, he fears for his life. However, Robin soon finds in Mac a kindred spirit--a fellow man with imagination and heart. What follows is a series of short stories of the two's growing friendship set against the larger picture of life aboard The First of Earth, and slowly revealing the backstory of the attack on Earth by aliens and the rebirth and rebuilding with the assistance of the mysterious Benefactors. Throughout it all, Robin grows and matures, experiencing joy and heartbreak.

The storyline is similar to Busiek's Shockrockets, but where Grease Monkey surpasses that book is in heart. This book is bursting with fun and joy. The content is excellently suited for younger readers, and could easily be gifted to a younger relative as a gateway book into non-superhero comics.

On the art, as the project evolved over a decade, the style slowly changes as well. I found this appropriate to the story. As the protagonist of Robin grew up, so too did the artist.

Overall, a highly recommended book, especially for anyone with pre-teens, but enjoyable to adults as well.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun science fiction for novel fans and TV fans alike, December 6, 2008

By 

R. Kelly Wagner "[e-mail]" (MD, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Grease Monkey (Paperback)

In brief: those who are used to reading old-fashioned text-novel science fiction will find that this has enough plot, character development, and dialog to satisfy, and those who watch sci-fi on TV will find that this is more fun than BSG - imagine a season of BSG, only without the excessive angst and religion.

The plot starts with a written introduction - aliens attack Earth for no good reason (and there are lots of novels, from the grand masters and classics to today, where we never find out the reason, either, so it's not a weakness here); other, more helpful, aliens try to fix things up for us and enlist us in their interstellar wars. Part of the fixing up includes bringing gorillas to full sentience and equal-to-human intelligence. And, as it seems to be, equal to human in sense of humor, especially practical jokes. The old banana peels take on a whole new meaning...

Although many of our characters, including our human protagonist, are teenagers, this is not just for young adults to read. I, as someone who grew up reading Asimov and Heinlein in the 60's, enjoyed every page of this. The drawing style is accessible even to those who don't normally read graphic novels - it's pretty linear; no manga panels scattered haphazardly, no dark and scratchy hard-to-decipher noir images.

I would have trouble listing my favorite parts, because they are all good. I think I liked Beer Night (Apes Only) the best - but certainly Mac's mother's visit is a hoot, any scene where Admiral Stettler appears is great, and I enjoyed the brief appearances of Reg's pet hamster, Dewey.

And for the librarians among you, wondering whether to add this to your collection - if you don't normally read SF or graphic novels yourself, you might still want to read this one, along with acquiring it - because Robin's attempts to sneak books INTO the library are a pivotal point. The view of librarianship as a career is a bit cynical (the head librarian is Ms. Ann Thrope), but Eldred makes sure we all know that libraries, and books in general, are important.

Family reading alert: safe for all ages - only veiled hints at sexuality, no excessive bad language - the only reason the younger teenagers might not enjoy it as much is that possibly they won't get the political allusions or nods to history, not to mention nods to older SF themes. Best for people old enough to at least have heard of Dian Fossey.

In short: a humorous coming-of-age tale enjoyable by anyone who likes SF.