After reading Godzilla vs. Spider-Man #1, it’s safe to say writer Joe Kelly is having a ton of fun back at Marvel (he also said as much to me on the AIPT Comics podcast). We’ve seen it with Amazing Spider-Man, and now we’ve got a heck of a lot of fun in Godzilla vs. Spider-Man #1, out this week! It’s a throwback tale with Spider-Man newly in possession of the symbiote suit and a love triangle between Black Cat, MJ, and Peter in full force.
Right off the bat, you’ll notice this issue has stellar art by Nick Bradshaw. It’s detailed (look at the backgrounds), dynamic (it plays with background and foreground well), and in your face with simpler layouts that leave each panel nearly full-page splash worthy. It reads like it needs a treasury edition with extra-sized pages.
As for the story, it’s pretty clear Kelly and editor Nick Lowe are having a lot of fun. Lowe, in particular, inserts himself with a lot of editor’s notes, which ramp up and interact with each other at times. Setting the tale post-Secret Wars allows Kelly to play with a different era of Spider-Man, who is quippy and unaware that the symbiote is a living alien with weaknesses. Fans will enjoy the MJ and Black Cat dynamic, which reminds us that Peter has the worst luck with the women in his life.
Oh, and fans of thought balloons will enjoy the thoughts of Spider-Man. It gives the book a throwback feel, reminding us of how comics used to be written.
Check out that detail!
Credit: Marvel
Regarding Godzilla, Kelly and Bradshaw discover a clever hook in this issue that you may not see coming. Customary of the green beast, the monster is misunderstood and ultimately good, as is pointed out in a well-written way via captions in a cutaway with Knull. He’s a monster that rises when a cancer comes to the world, and that cancer is a surprise twist. The fact that this issue ends on a cliffhanger that makes you want more is a testament to the big swings the one-shot takes.
Any gripes you might have will be minor since this is all about fun and action. One I couldn’t get my logic head around was how the symbiote grows so much, but maybe it’s due to it feeding on Godzilla’s energy? There’s also the issue of Godzilla leveling buildings yet getting a pass to leave at the end, but what is anyone gonna do about handcuffing a 50-story lizard?
Godzilla vs. Spider-Man #1 is a joyful explosion of retro Spidey charm, kaiju chaos, and artistic spectacle. Joe Kelly and Nick Bradshaw craft a story that feels both nostalgic and daring. While a few minor logic leaps come with the territory, the sheer energy, humor, and big-hearted fun of this comic make it an absolute must-read for fans of both icons.
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