IDW has been on a tear this year with new developments like a horror line of comics, but kaiju fans can’t miss the three new series tied to one universe, starting with Godzilla. That series launches the new Kai-Sei universe on July 23rd from creators Tim Seeley and Nikola Čižmešija. The new ongoing series sets up a new mythology, new powers, new designs, new characters, and plenty of twists, which is evident from the first issue. With an advance look, I have to say fans of the Power Rangers and generally younger heroes with immense power they may not be able to control can’t miss this.
It’s evident when you put Godzilla #1 down, readers who grew up with manga are going to love this. That’s in part due to the art by Čižmešija, which gives our lead long limbs and a lot of attitude, and also to the dynamic design of Godzilla in the opening scene. There’s a full-page splash of Godzilla’s foot getting blocked that’s a showstopper. You also see the manga influence in the effects and sound effects.
The big hook of this series involves a younger man who gains the powers of Godzilla, which somehow ties him to all of the kaiju. With these powers, he joins a super team with different skills that act as the first line of defense against kaiju. By the end of the issue, it’s clear this isn’t just a super team that fights kaiju, but a deeper mystery is hinted at.
Run!
Credit: IDW
Seeley smartly combines Americans on the team with folks from Japan with a different perspective on Godzilla, adding a layer of cultural differences to the mix. The team’s mechanics and the organization that funds it harken to something like Pacific Rim, which should please general audiences. Drama is afoot and established in this first issue; the team’s personalities and values go in different directions, like one who clearly values social media interactions even when in the middle of a battle.
As far as the dynamic between team members, it’s a bit too early to say. Jet Jaguar’s vocalization through a theme song is a silly gag that doesn’t seem to bother anyone, for instance. The design of the costumes has some synergy, which is appreciated — they all wear red — but they come off as more heroes for hire than a team.
Godzilla #1 (Kai-Sei Universe) kicks off an exciting new era of kaiju storytelling with strong visuals, a compelling twist on the Godzilla mythos, and a fresh international cast. It struggles slightly with shallow team dynamics and an uneven tone, but makes up for it with a complex start with many areas to explore.
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