Godzilla has had a long life in the world of cinema, but his history in comic books is almost as storied and complicated. Fans of the character have no doubt been told over the years that the comics take Godzilla and his companions in new and exciting directions. Throughout his comic book history, Godzilla and his fellow monsters have been taken down unique paths that might be too extreme or complicated for the films to ever take.
With a decades-long comic book history that stretches across publishers, it can be tough trying to figure out where to start with Godzilla comics, especially since rights issues keep some comics out of print. However, CBR has put together the ultimate starter's guide for modern Godzilla comics, and where to find them.
Godzilla: Half Century War
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As the title implies, half a century. Written and stunningly illustrated by James Stokoe, this story starts with Godzilla's original rampage back in 1954. One survivor, Lieutenant Ota Murakami, witnesses the destruction first hand, and becomes obsessed with the monster -- triggering a one-man war gainst Godzilla that spans half a century.
While the films occasionally show how a person can be influenced in the long-term by Godzilla, this comic is entirely about that obsession. With plenty of kaiju action, gorgeously rendered by Stokoe, this book is a must-read for any Godzilla fan.
Godzilla: Awakening
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Godzilla: Awakening is a prequel comic to the 2014 Legendary Godzilla film. Written by Greg and Max Borenstein and illustrated by Eric Battle, the comic focuses on the atomic experiments that awoke Godzilla in the first place and humanity's reaction to the unimaginable force that turned its eyes upon them.
The comic serves as a worthy companion to the 2014 film, offering a blend of destruction and monster action. Since it's part of Legendary's Monsterverse, it could even factor into next year's Godzilla vs. Kong.
Godzilla in Hell
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Godzilla in Hell has a self-evident premise, and it might just be the most insane Godzilla comic ever. Most of the book is wordless, with the visuals telling the story of Godzilla stumbling into the fiery abyss, and having to confront increasingly nightmarish horrors in the bowels of the damned.
If Hellraiser and Godzilla crossed over, it would probably end up looking somethign like this. Only Godzilla might have an edge. James Stokoe, Bob Eggleston, Ulises Farinas, Erick Freitas, Brandon Seifert, Dave Watcher, Buster Moody, Ibrahim Moustafa, and Dave Watch all contribute to one of the most wacky, and occasionally disturbing, Godzilla stories ever.
Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters
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Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters is the monster brawl you've been waiting for. After Godzilla awakens, along with countless other kaiju from throughout Godzilla history, humanity struggles to survive as the monsters seem intend on erecting a kingdom upon the ruins of civilization -- one where the kaiju reign supreme.
Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters , by Tracy Marsh, Eric Powell and Phil Hester, kicks off a series that's filled with almost a plethora of kaiju and epic action. Almost all of Godzilla's fellow monsters are here, and they all get their time to shine. For fans of the movies like Destroy All Monsters or Godzilla: Final Wars, which just see all the monsters show up to cause trouble, then this comic is absolutely for you.
Godzilla: Cataclysm
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Monsters have ended human civilization. Or at least, almost did. Only a few survivors still remember an era where kaiju didn't trample on the fragments of human monuments. One elder, Hiroshi, remembers a time when humans thrived, but his memories of that era are a distant dream. However, it soon becomes apparent that the monsters are returning, and that his memories of the past may be the only thing to keep society's future alive.
Written by Cullen Bunn and illustrated by Dave Watcher, this grim comic might remind some readers of Attack on Titan or other stories where giant monsters eradicate civilization. For anyone looking to see how the emergence of creatures like Godzilla would really effect the world, this series is the perfect way to see what civilization would look like underneath the King of the Monsters.
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