Discovery Press Web Asia-Pacific

• Print

EVERY MONKEY KNOWS HIS PLACE... UNTIL HE'S PUSHED TOO FAR
- DARK DAYS IN MONKEY CITY reveals the intense tales of love, treachery, betrayal and triumph among a troop of toque macaques in an ancient temple city -

Deep within the jungles on the magical isle of Sri Lanka is the deserted city of Polonnaruwa, also known as "Monkey City." There, amidst the crumbling temples, large populations of toque macaques have turned the ruins of this once great and powerful civilization into a savage battlefield. Once ruled by Buddhist and Hindu kings, the ancient temple city is now home to myriad monkey gangs that fight for supremacy. DARK DAYS IN MONKEY CITYblends live-action with graphic novel-style animation and delves into the kingdom of the toque macaques that inhabit Sri Lanka's deserted temple of Polonnaruwa, also known as "Monkey City." 

The mightiest tribe in Monkey City is the Temple Troop, led by Lear and his queen Gemini. They are the staunch defenders of the best territory in the area - Fig Tree Vale. Their ancient foes are the neighbouring Black Claws, who will stop at nothing to conquer that territory so they no longer have to feed on a diet of human rubbish. A bloody conflict is brewing in Monkey City; now, more than ever, the ever-increasing tension between these two groups is teetering on the precipice of an all-out war.

DARK DAYS IN MONKEY CITY is a 13-part series is based on the Smithsonian Primate Project, the longest-running study of primates in the world conducted by Wolfgang Dittus, Ph.D. Comic writers Joe Kelley and Joe Casey from Man of Action Studios, who have written for titles such as Uncanny X-Men, Justice Leage of America, The Adventures of Superman and Action Comics, have brought their writing expertise to the series along with Emmy Award winner Ian McGee. And lending his tremendous voice to the series is Welsh actor John Rhys-Davies, known best for his role in the Indiana Jones and Lord of the Rings movies.

DARK DAYS IN MONKEY CITYepisode descriptions:

Episode 1
The Temple Troop has dominated Monkey City for years, but times are changing. The crown rests uneasily on the head of the aging King Lear, sending ripples of uncertainty throughout the tribe. The upstart Hector is impatient for power, which spells trouble for lowly Portia and her unborn baby. She must find food if her infant is to survive. Watching them all is Pandora, the cunning old queen of the Temple Troop's ancient foe, the Black Claws. With her enemies distracted by their fight for the throne, Pandora dreams of war to overpower the Temple Troop.

Episode 2
The Temple Troop is the staunch defender of the best territory in Monkey City, but the aging King Lear has reason to fear male monkeys with full stomachs. The less time the upstart Hector spends feeding, the more time he has to plot rebellion. Lowly Portia worries that while Lear will defend his Troop to the death, can he fight off the challenge to his throne? Meanwhile Pandora's army is streetwise, strong and thirsting for battle.

Episode 3
The aging Lear's benign leadership has come to an end. The brutal new King Hector is using any excuse to exert his authority. Lowly Portia lives in fear that Hector will kill babies fathered by the old leader to make room for his own offspring. Down at Temple Lake, the aristocrats eat lilies in easy reach, leaving the low-caste monkeys to wade into deeper water where predators lie in wait. Meanwhile, a Black Claw raiding party enters the heart of Fig Tree Vale.

Episode 4
The Temple Troop is shaken by how easily a Black Claw raiding party defiled the sanctuary of Fig Tree Vale. Haunted by the memory of the invaders, the new King Hector and the aged Lear prepare for war. But it's no raiding party gathering on the border. Pandora and the Black Claws launch a full-scale invasion. Fig Tree Vale becomes a savage battleground, where heroes meet their bloody end. Only one tribe will remain...

Future episodes TBC.

Press Materials

• Photo Gallery (7)