Godzilla #1 Advance Review: A Bold New Era Begins

It would be pretty easy to dismiss IDW’s new Godzilla #1. Not only is there a glut of Godzilla comics on the market, including Marvel’s crossovers and DC’s crossovers. But there has nary a break between IDW’s previous Godzilla comics, and their new Kai-Sei Era books… To the point that there’s even an overlap. Add in that building a line around a mysterious energy source seems like a direct rip of Skybound’s massive Energon Universe, and the idea of a rebooted universe in general that is SO HOT right now, and you have what could be an easy cash grab.

…Except for the fact that, at least based on Godzilla #1, it’s fresh, fun, and full of over-the-top kaiju action.

That’s the “trick,” right? That even if you’re coming into a crowded marketplace with something that seems similar to another thing, it doesn’t matter if it’s good? And thankfully, that’s exactly what the team of writer Tim Seeley and artist Nikola Čižmešija delivers with the first issue of the new series. And as a bonus? It feels entirely unlike any Godzilla series — or movie — that has come before.

The concept is that after humanity discovered an energy source called Kai-Sei back in 1954, it not only woke up Godzilla and other kaiju — it also completely changed the way war is fought. In the modern day, that means a team of superheroes called G-Force, who are ready to take on Godzilla and the rest of the monsters. Basically, think G.I. Joe meets The Avengers, with a healthy dose of cheeky humor, a lot of intrigue, and giant monsters.

Seeley cleanly sets up a whole cast of fun characters, hooked around a boy named Jacen who might be able to take down Godzilla single-handedly — if he can rein in his temper. And Čižmešija draws the heck out of the issue, including enormous monster battles, and plenty of delightful character-focused scenes, as well.

So, is there too much Godzilla on the stands? Perhaps. But if IDW can keep delivering on its new Kai-Sei line at the level Seeley and Čižmešija do in this new series, then we’re in good hands. Skreeonk!

Godzilla #1 hits stores on July 23, 2025, from IDW Publishing.

Godzilla #1 Rating:

Godzilla #1 Official Synopsis:

In 1954, experimentation with a mysterious energy source known as Kai-Sei awakened Godzilla and a host of immortal kaiju. In the years that followed, humanity has been pummeled by near-constant monster attacks. While Japan has begun to treat the kaiju like natural disasters–understanding that their attempts to fight Godzilla only make the threat worse–the American G-Force is going to FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT.

The Americans have just discovered the ultimate tool in the fight against Kaiju–a young boy named Jacen with the POWER OF GODZILLA. Able to harness the mysterious Kai-Sei in the same vein as the King of the Monsters, this boy will either save the world…or bring about its doom.

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