Last updated: 01-05-2026

I commissioned two artists to draw Heracles fighting Sun Wukong (孫悟空), the immortal monkey hero from Journey to the West (Xiyou ji, 西遊記, 1592 CE). Both were instructed to draw the characters as if their combat was recorded by an ancient Greek vase painter. The images are for a DEATH BATTLE! response article on my alternate blog where I describe a more natural reason for the two warriors to come to blows.

First up is Dario Virga (Onibotokemaru on Instagram). Each figure is labeled in Greek: Heracles is “Ἡρακλῆς,” while Wukong is aptly called “Pithekos” (πῐ́θηκος), meaning “ape, monkey, trickster, or dwarf.” The latter is related to the Kerkopes, and it makes up part of the modern scientific name for Old world monkeys (Cercopithecoidea).

Here is an AI-enhanced version. It’s not perfect, but it’s a good proof of concept.

Second is Jacob King (Twitter, Instagram, & Tumblr). Again, the names are labeled—in this case Herakles and Sun Wukong. I suggested that the monkey be drawn in Greek armor since the scene is being viewed through a Greek lens. I love the cracks.

And here is an AI-enhanced version.

---

Update: 01-05-26

I came upon an interesting coincidence: Heracles and Sun Wukong in double-feather hats. The Son of Zeus is shown wearing a double-plumed hoplite helmet in the “Madrid Krater” (sometime between 350 and 320 BC) by Greek vase painter Asteas.

(Image found here)

And Sun Wukong has been associated with the “purple cap with phoenix wings/plumes” (fengchi zijin guan, 鳳翅紫金冠)” for centuries:

(Sun Wukong from the 1986 TV Series; image found here)