After 70 years, Godzilla has become a familiar friend. Sure, he still stomps all over cities. But he’s a good guy as much as he’s a destructive force of nature. But soon, IDW will remind us just how scary Godzilla really is in the new series The Horror of Godzilla. This is the Godzilla of old, who terrified Tokyo residents into submission. This new four-issue miniseries serves as a prequel to the Kai-Sei era. And it’s ideal for fans of Godzilla: Minus One, Shin Godzilla, and the original 1954 classic. Written by Griffin Sheridan and Ethan S. Parker (Marvel Zombies) and illustrated by Tristan Jones (Aliens), this comic puts you on the ground during the King of the Monsters’ first attack. You can check out six different covers for issue one, as well as an interior page from Tristan Jones, below:
Here’s the official synopsis for The Horror of Godzilla from IDW Entertainment:
A terrifying look at Godzilla’s first attack! Tokyo, 1954. As the country begins to look toward its postwar future, two scientists start an experiment in the Pacific Ocean. It is meant to change everything…and it will. Come now, reader, and bear witness to the incredible horror of the King of the Monsters. There are no heroes. There are no survivors. There is only the wrath of Godzilla.
Co-writer Ethan S. Parker: “The teams behind the Kai-Sei Era of Godzilla books have had such an amazing opportunity to build out a rich, living universe full of kaiju and mutants alike. Now, Griffin and I are lucky enough to step outside the Deadzone and tell the story of the events that started it all. This is ground zero for the world of Godzilla. And not only will you see the truly terrifying first attack by the King of the Monsters, but you’ll also find out who is responsible for unleashing the chaos that will overtake the world. This team is no strangers to horror stories, and you’ve never seen one quite like this…”
Artist Tristan Jones: “I don’t even know where to start with how in my element I am on this thing. Before anyone starts with the “Godzilla has always been a horror thing” thing, not like this. I’ve drawn for Alien, was told “that’s too much” on Batman, and have just come off Event Horizon. And the way Godzilla lets us convey terror and horror here goes beyond those things in so many ways, and in a way that Godzilla specifically can only really do. The scale and scope, as well as the psychological and collateral impact. It’s everything I love about Shin Godzilla, Return of Godzilla, and Gareth Edwards’ 2014 film, along with all these other great elements.”
“Nikola’s design for the Kai-Sei Godzilla is such a brutal, primal thing. And being able to put my own spin on that and make it feel like my own in a way is incredibly fulfilling. And having all this room to draw from EVERY influence has been even more so. I don’t think I’ve been happier working on a project. And I’ve led a privileged career when it comes to working on things that’re important to me on such a deeply personal level.”
Co-writer Griffin Sheridan: “The Horror of Godzilla is a real dream project, so naturally, it is also incredibly daunting. IDW is taking a big swing by wanting to reimagine this particular part of the mythos. Ethan, Tristan, and I are eager to rise to the occasion and deliver something distinctly terrifying for fans of the character and horror comics alike. The themes of Godzilla, unfortunately, remain as resonant as ever. I have been very grateful to have the King of the Monsters to paint all my existential fear onto over this past year. And this series is the truly grotesque result.”
Editor Jake Williams: “The Horror of Godzilla has all of the makings of an evergreen project. This is IDW’s attempt to plant our flag on the Godzilla mythos and deliver the most incredible version of the first Godzilla attack the comics medium can offer. It’s brutal…it’s shocking. And it follows in the footsteps of Godzilla: Minus One by containing real emotional depth that will break readers’ hearts. Like all great comics, this book is packed with genuine surprises that you’ll have to pick up the issues to discover.”
We here at Nerdist love Godzilla in all his forms, from “friendly monster” to animated dad to Godzooky. But our favorite version remains the kind that levels cities with his atomic breath. We can’t wait to dig into The Horror of Godzilla #1, which arrives in comic shops on July 29.