Chester 5000
by Jess Fink.
2011, Top Shelf Productions
When I hear the phrase “human-robot sex,” I usually wait for a tasteless punchline, or an unfortunate story about the depths of human loneliness. Jess Fink’s 2011 graphic novel Chester 5000 upends those expectations: it’s billed as an “erotic, robotic, Victorian romance,” and delivers on all promises.
The story opens with unnamed newlyweds enjoying their first matrimonial romp in the hay, a passionate bit of delight that’s interrupted when the groom unceremoniously abandons his bride mid-thrust. From his coitus-interrupting brainwave, he creates Chester 5000, a mustachioed tin man with a bowtie, French cuffs, and a soulful gaze. Fink’s colour palette is limited to grayscale, and the story has no dialogue, but she plays with many typical comic conventions: instead of straight edges, her panels often swirl and are decorated with tendrils and little hearts, especially during the sex scenes. It’s a lovely introduction to the book’s interior world, where a heart in a dialogue box means “orgasm!” and a mechanical schematic will occasionally interrupt the story’s flow.
Despite her initial misgivings, the bride soon begins to enjoy Chester’s attention. Chester 5000 is a responsive, inventive lover: his extendable robot arms can perch his human lover in a tree, he can tickle her naughty bits with his vibrating fingertips, and he introduces the young bride to the pleasures of cunnilingus with a special attachment. Fink shines in the sex scenes – the graphic display of body parts is always touched with a sense of humour and genuine affection, and despite the illustrated look of the characters, the vaginas and penises – man-made or otherwise – are rendered in arousing, lifelike detail. Fink gives a lot of attention to perspective, offering close-ups of bums and breasts, and readers can linger as long as they like on each panel.
Though his true talents lie in the bedroom, Chester’s companionable qualities were never meant to go there. When his bride sneaks out one night for a bit of midnight fun, the groom follows. His peeping reveals that his wife and his robotic creation are having sex – a sight that both arouses and horrifies him. In the aftermath, he sells the robot to another young lady, but the damage has been done. His wife now rejects his sexual advances with disgust. Chester, meanwhile, finds himself in a new home, undressing a new woman…but his heart isn’t in it. He returns to his maker, and a knock-down brawl ensues. Both man and robot are badly hurt. The bride tends to Chester, and the new young woman takes care of the groom. The groom, in another woman’s arms, realizes for the first time what love truly is.
A reconciliation happens. The couples make amends. And, of course, another round of sex begins.
The book is terrific – exciting to read, sexily drawn, and unabashed in its frank depiction of equitable sex and female pleasure. The book isn’t flowery or overly romantic, but love and mutual respect are a definite part of Fink’s equation. A lot of comic book porn is a quick and dirty read (and no judgement on those, because sometimes, we need a quick and dirty read), but it doesn’t always do justice to the relationship at the heart of the sex. Chester 5000, despite not being human, is endearing and talented, and his lovers and rivals are sexy and funny . Fink’s book is loaded with little jokes and tender moments – Chester ejaculates oil, and he’s embarrassed! – but there are also long and intricately illustrated sex scenes that get the blood pumping in all the right places. Fink doesn’t shy away from drippingly exciting sex, and the long set piece that finishes the book is supremely satisfying: fellatio, cunnilingus, threesomes, cuckoldry, lesbianism and good old fashion fingerbanging are all present and accounted for.
The comic can be read for free here, but I highly recommend buying the book. At $14.95, it’s a steal, and the endpapers are just too cute (screws! Get it?). Chester 5000 is a solid addition to your growing library of robo-smut. Or steampunk porn. Or just your shelf full of high-quality erotica.
