A scary shrunken head discovered on the bookcase? A devilish bat trapped in a doll house? An ornery gnome living in a grandfather clock? It must be the magical, mischievous world of SOCK MONKEY! Created by cartoonist Tony Millionaire and first published by Dark Horse in September 1998, Sock Monkey has captured the childlike hearts and demented minds of readers. Call it what you will: a "cult" favorite, a"sleeper" hit. No matter. Savvy fans know when they've got their hands on something good! If you've missed out on the first four comics...SHAME! But never fear! Sock Monkey's odd adventures will be available in one collection, due out at the end of July. Recently, we caught up with Tony (and his very own Sock Monkey!) to find out more about the man behind this cool (silly!) comic!

HORSEPOWER: I've heard Sock Monkey described as "Winnie the Pooh with a book of matches." How do you respond to that?

MILLIONAIRE: As I consider "Winnie the Pooh" the greatest book I have ever read, I am deeply flattered by the comparison. Ernest Shepard, Beatrix Potter, and Johnny Gruelle are my three favorite illustrators.

HP: The dialogue in Sock Monkey has a singular quality and rhythm to it. How much are you inspired by sea chanties and the kind of books that nobodyreads anymore?

M: Those idiots should stop reading whatever books they are now reading and pick up a couple of classics, the fools. The best thing about reading the classics is that no matter what book you start reading, you know it's going to be good. Otherwise it wouldn't be a classic, see? As for sea chanties, my grandfather used to sing them when he was taking me around the wharves of Gloucester (he was a painter and illustrator). But I can't say that the dialogue of Sock Monkey had much to do with that, because I couldn't reallymake out the words as they were mumbled mostly, my grandfather being a drunk.

HP: You must have had a Sock Monkey doll as a child. Can you remember the first fever dream that inspired you to start creating the comics?

M: Since I picked up my grandfather's habit of boozing at a young age, the only fever dreams I remember are images of hideous writhing snakes, but yes, I did have a beloved Sock Monkey that my Grandma made for me. His name was Joe.

HP: Sock Monkey and his stuffed animal pal Mr. Crow are constantly getting into mischief. Why? Wouldn't it more fun to have them sitting in a grassy field drinking tea?

M: If you look at page two of Sock Monkey Volume 2 #2 you will see them doing exactly that. And it is indeed much more fun than getting into mischief.

HP: Sock Monkey has had some gloriously misguided adventures. He's helped the Trumbernick play a joke on a blue jay. He's helped a shrunken head back home to Borneo. He even helped a bat and mouse find love. What exotic ports of call will he travel to next?

M: A good question! Joe has told me some stories about weathervanes, pantries, wooden rocking horses, tin soldiers, goldfish ponds, taffy, fire engines, moth balls, dominoes, cuckoo clocks, and a giant squid that I believe one day I will be forced to tell you.

HP: Last question: There was a pie left to cool on the window sill. Did Sock Monkey take it?

M: No, my dear sir, the Sock Monkey did not take it, he is nothing but a cleverly cut and sewn sock stuffed with fresh white cotton. I took that pie.