Many people balk at the idea that “comics” are a form of art. An equal amount of (not necessarily the same) people probably also consider depictions of sexual acts to not be a form of art. So what is it considered when an entire story is told solely through connected images similar to comics in structure, and a majority of those images depict sexual congress between a woman and a robot?
It SHOULD be considered some of the most intriguing, beautiful art available on the internet.
Jess Fink is the illustrator and author behind “Chester 5000 XYV,” a story set in the Victorian-era where a young scientist builds a robot butler to give to his wife, who is neglected in the name of his scientific pursuits. The robot, Chester, gives the wife, Priscilla, the adoration she needs and the loving touch she’s been missing…and Chester finds a warm heart and body who wholly appreciates the attention he lavishes upon her.
Through fleshed-out poses, simple-yet-expressive faces, and pictograph speech bubbles, Fink tells the love story of Priscilla and Chester without a single word spoken (although there is some onomatopoeia for when Chester’s… attachments are used), yet speech isn’t needed for the reader to be captivated and delighted by the sweet romance the two engage in. Before the story is outright dismissed because of the idea that a robot is part of this pairing, the viewer should see how much expression is conveyed in one of Fink’s simple arched eyebrows and body language; Chester may be a robot, but he’s a robot in love. The literal physical connection that is illustrated also demonstrates the emotional connection forming between the two characters. As the story progresses, the charm and beauty of Fink’s artwork and the slightly Steampunk styling of the setting draws one in, and before they know it, they’re rooting for this human/robot love affair.
Yes, sex is conveyed in the comic, in detail, but it’s intended as a celebration of sexual pleasure found through loving someone. While viewing the story might give someone a tingle in their nethers, it’s more of a pleasant side effect and not the main goal. “Chester 5000 XYV” is not porn in that its sole goal isn’t to be masturbation material. “Chester 5000 XYV” goes against the very setting it’s based in, in that it celebrates the act of pleasure as a means of connecting two “people” (depending on who’s involved) rather than adapting the Victorian attitude of sex is impure. All the sexual intercourse shown leads to a true love between the characters committing the act, which goes against the typical nature of that which is considered pornography in this day and age. To call this work “porn” and dismiss it as such is to mislabel a wonderful story and do one’s self a great disservice.
Ultimately, “Chester 5000 XYV” is able to simultaneously charm and stimulate the reader, but also accomplishes the difficult task of telling an entire graphic novel’s worth of story without using any dialogue. The words aren’t needed; the art tells the story, as the characters “speak” loud and clear through their actions and facial expressions. While the story is available for free still on the internet, TopShelf Comics sells a collected book that contains the entire “Chester” story with the art re-done for consistency. The book is available through their website, and the “Chester 5000 XYV” archive of original art is available through Jess Fink’s website, and there’s even an additional “prologue”-like chapter currently being updated.
WARNING: This story is definitely not safe for work!
Images are property of TopShelf Comics and Jess Fink.
