Part of the fun of IDW’s “Kai-Sei” era of Godzilla comics is how it’s expanded beyond the King of the Monsters, or even the other kaiju he’s battled over the years. Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone, out this August, is a great example of this, as it showcases just how utterly changed the world was in the wake of the kaiju’s emergence. The titular “Deadzone”, once the thriving city of Seattle, Washington, is now a desolate wasteland populated by monsters and the remaining survivors who weren’t lucky enough to escape the fallout.
The person who’s undergone the biggest change is the man only known as “the Wanderer.” He’s the only one brave enough to walk through the Deadzone, and if you have the right amount of money, you can get him to fight on your behalf. But the Wanderer’s ability to face off against the monsters populating the Deadzone isn’t born out of revenge or altruism; through some unknown means, he’s gained kaiju-like abilities that allow him to fight the monsters that come his way. In the aftermath of one of his battles, he discovers a shocking secret that threatens to upend his world.
From beginning to end, Godzilla: Into the Deadzone #1 is a compelling read. Part of that’s due to the idea of someone who’s half-man, half-kaiju, but the majority of it is due to the book exploring something you rarely see in a Godzilla movie; what exactly happens to a city after a monster attack? More to the point, what happens if you can’t rebuild? Everything about the Deadzone, from the various state of certain survivors to the monsters that inhabit it – and the final page, which sets up a mystery that will no doubt drive future issues – is the best kind of world-building; it gives readers enough to hook them for future issues, but keeps most of its cards close to the chest.
IDW Publishing
Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1 works as well as it does thanks to the writing skills of Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan. The duo previously scripted the dark fantasy Kill Your Darlings for Image, and it hooked me from beginning to end thanks to some strong character work, not to mention a great mystery that unfurled issue after issue. Escape the Deadzone #1 has most of the same vibes, especially with that last page (I keep bringing it up because it’s the kind of reveal that makes you immediately want the next issue, then get frustrated that the next issue isn’t in your hands.) Griffin and Sheridan also know how to balance tension and action, as a funny scene where the Wanderer reveals his true nature to a group of survivors is following by a bloody kaiju smackdown.
Such a great script deserves a great artist, and Pablo Tunica makes Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1 feel visually distinct. His design for the Wanderer stands out; most of his body is covered by layers of clothing, but you can still see a tail poking out of the back of his jeans, and a hint of green scaly skin. When he triggers his kaiju abilities, his hands elongate into claws while his eyes grow reptilian, making him look like a human version of Godzilla. Tunica also populates the Deadzone with a variety of characters and locations, making it look unlike any post-apocalypse you’ve ever seen. Some of the survivors possess cybernetic limbs that are reminiscent of Akira.
Finally, Nathan Widick develops a unique style of lettering throughout the issue. The Wanderer’s speech bubbles are an irregular shape, hinting at the fact that he’s not human. His inner monologues are given a stony orange hue, which fits perfectly with the wasteland aesthetic. And whenever a kaiju appears, their roars literally fill the page.
Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1 expands the Kai-Sei era in style, as its creative team delivers a post-apocalypse unlike any other. But it also shows that there’s plenty of room for IDW to explore its new Godzilla universe outside of Godzilla, and hook a few new fans in the process.
Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1 is available wherever comics are sold on August 6, 2025.
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