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Kenneth Lillie-Paetz
Prolific Comics Writer in the Making  I recently came across the web site of Ken Lillie-Paetz, Monkey Pharmacy, while investigating the Charles Brownstein-Taki Soma story. Ken has been named as Taki's friend, who came to her aid and forcefully pried Brownstein from her, releasing her from his bodily grip, at the Mid-Ohio Con incident. I'll not discuss this issue in this item and prefer to leave it to an upcoming entry. For now, let's simply get to know Ken a little better, shall we?  As it turns out, Kenneth Lillie-Paetz is quite the comics writer in his own right. Two projects he nurtures, Monkey In A Wagon vs. Lemur On A Big Wheel and Elsinore, first published by Alias Enterprises and Devil's Due, respectively, have received very favorable commentary from industry reviewers. Below are a few:
Monkey: Buzzscope - Chud Elsinore: Silver Bullet issue #1 - Buzzscope - Silver Bullet issue #3
I haven't yet seen either of these works, but the ideas put forth in the reviews and promotion, combined with the imagery from Elsinore, show a prolific and innovative approach to a subject very dear to me. I did, however, peruse his web site and found Ken to be a creative soul struggling with the basic issues of survival in a situation that may not appear to have dealt him a very good hand to begin with. The following is from the about section of his web site: Monkey Pharmacy was formed, during breakfast, in 2003, when MP's Prime Minister (Canadian for "President") Ken Lillie~Paetz decided that he was not in nearly enough debt and wanted to free himself from the last remaining vestiges of optimism he had about the future. Under the assumption that the Apocalypse would surely happen before the banks and credit unions caught on to what he was up to, Lillie~Paetz quickly threw an enormous amount of borrowed money into what would surely be a never-ending sinkhole for cash.
Thus Monkey Pharmacy was born and miraculously brought into creation (and, even more surprisingly, publication) the comic books "Elsinore" and co-creation "Monkey On A Wagon vs. Lemur In A Big Wheel" (in partnership with the incredibly funny, and ever so dreamy, Chris Moreno). Astounded by the shocking news that some people actually might enjoy his cryptic and entirely incoherent ramblings about the evolution of madness and the destructive capabilities of amusing animals on stolen kiddy wheels, Mr. Lillie~Paetz immediately fell into a deep depression and decided to become a recluse and hide from the world. Sightings of a strange creature roaming the remote areas of Northern Ontario, Canada, wearing a straw cowboy hat and a bathrobe, awkwardly trying to maneuver across the frozen tundra with a miniature dachshund and a two-four of Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale, are most likely just a hoax.
For the purposes of sales and promotion at comic book conventions, however, an almost-realistic human automaton was created and sent out to replace the real Mr. Lillie~Paetz. Armed with the prime directive of bringing Canadian beer to deprived Americans, the "Kenbot" has become beloved by all within the industry.
Monkey Pharmacy will continue to produce virtually undecipherable works until its inevitable and long over-due demise. But of course all of those involved with Monkey Pharmacy are pleased to have you along for what should be an incredibly short ride.
CAVEAT: Purchasing the products produced by Monkey Pharmacy will not in itself lead to the end of humankind. While this is surely a sign of the upcoming Apocalypse, Monkey Pharmacy and its affiliates can not be held responsible for life continuing without some catastrophic event to obliterate us from existence. The hand that Kenneth Lillie-Paetz has been dealt, which also enshrouds him in controversy over the Brownstein-Soma incident, appears to include a witty ability to express himself, a clearly evident talent in comics storytelling and a fresh approach to writing that makes for an enriching reading experience. It's slightly evident that he has suspended activity on his web site since the recent publicity. I would only hope that this unfortunate incident, which is far from being resolved, doesn't impede the inspiration and development of this very talented writer who brings such wit, humor and prolific creativity to the comics.
The comics craft would suffer a terrible and immeasurable loss if this were to truly be the case.
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Posted: 5:52 PM EST
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