| "Last
came the most remarkable
character of all. Only a few inches over five feet tall, he weighed
better
than two hundred and sixty pounds. He had the build of a gorilla, arms
six inches longer than his legs, a chest thicker than it was wide. His
eyes were so surrounded by gristle as to resemble pleasant little stars
twinkling in pits. He grinned with a mouth so very big it looked like
an
accident. "Monk!" No other name could fit him!"
(from Doc Savage, The Man Of Bronze, by Kenneth Robeson) |
 |
Like
Long Tom, Monk is heavily involved with
the research and development end of the Doc Savage organization. He
spends
most of his non-adventuring time in his personal lab, or with Doc at
the
penthouse lab. Monk has a great love for the science of chemistry, and
he often spends weeks on end working on some new concoction. Monk
invented
the anesthetic gas and countless other chemical tools used so
frequently
by Doc. The anesthetic gas was first used in "The Man Of Bronze"
adventure,
to put red-fingered mayans out of commission. Later, Doc invented the
glass
balls for the gas, which enabled him to get out of jams on countless
occasions.
Monk is kind. In fact, he has a small child-like voice, but when he fights, he roars. It is amazing that one man can make so much noise in a fight. Over bedlam, Monk's roaring can be heard. He has been know at times to stand in the middle of a fight and yell bloody murder merely for the sake of the noise.
Monk can also be cruel. He has no qualms about hurting or even killing villains. But deep down, we all know he is a kid at heart. Without a doubt, Doc Savage is his idol. He and Doc share a closer bond than do any of the other four aides. One gets the feeling that they really do love each other as brothers. Monk would die for Doc if it were necessary to save the Bronze Man. Yet, Monk is the only one who can go directly against Doc's orders and get away with it.
Monk is a connessiour of feminine beauty. To most Monk is the homliest man they have ever met. He has a face that can make babies cry. Monk's homely looks has an opposite effect on some women. The mother would probably find Monk charming. Certain women were attracted to him either by sheer animal attraction, or pity. But Monk doesn't care why a girl likes him, he isn't particular, especially if the girl is a looker. And Monk knows how to pick 'em. He boasts that he has the prettiest secretary in New York in Lea Aster.
Of course, Monk's favorite past-time is getting Ham Brooks' goat. All Monk needs to do is mention anything having do with the subject Pork. In one adventure Monk sits quietly in Doc's office across from Ham reading a pamphlet titled "How To Raise Hogs". This is just another episode of the never-ending quarrel between Monk and Ham, dating back to when they met during The War. See the link below for the whole story-
"Monk & Ham and Their Private War" (from Fear Cay Sep-1934)
