Advanced Review: ‘Godzilla’ #1 is a Roaring Start to the Kai-Sei Era

The Kai-Sei Era, IDW's new Godzilla Universe, gets off to a roaring start thanks to an engaging script and high-octane art. This debut issue doesn’t shy away from being a Godzilla story – there are kaiju monsters aplenty – but the entire creative team injects the franchise with a fresh, modern take. The art style is a nod to shōnen manga, which will undoubtedly resonate with younger audiences and fans of Japanese pop culture who may not have pulled this book on name alone.

While the issue is loaded action, Tim Seeley introduces a cast of intriguing characters with ease. The new G-Force team is well-defined, with each member getting enough story to make an initial impression. Seeley adds another twist to the Godzilla lore with the character Jacen, a G-Force recruit who has acquired the power of Godzilla. It adds a new layer of complexity to the story and raises the stakes of humanity’s attempt to defeat these monstrous threats. I'd love to see more backstory for each character as the series progresses, but for now, I'm hooked. The inter-team dynamics are already starting to show fractures, and I'm eager to see how they play out.

The visuals are nothing short of spectacular. Nikola Čižmešija's angular illustrations paired with Francesco Segala's vibrant colors make for quite the combination. Motion is palpable, facial expressions are exaggerated, and Nathan Widick's onomatopoeia lettering creates an additional dimension that makes the visuals leap from the page. It's a truly immersive experience, and I couldn't help but feel like I was right there in the midst of the action.

With its fresh take on the Godzilla mythos and absolutely stunning visuals, this series is a must-read whether or not you’re a fan of the franchise. Add it to your pull list now before you get stomped on!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Credits:

Publisher: IDW Publishing

Writer: Tim Seeley

Artist: Nikola Čižmešija

Colors: Francesco Segala

Letters: Nathan Widick