Godzilla #1 Has Lots of Action But Needs More Kaiju

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In a shift from his battles alongside Marvel’s Avengers and DC’s Justice League, the legendary creature Godzilla now encounters a dedicated team of superheroes tailored specifically for him within his own comic series. The Godzilla universe has often featured superhuman individuals, such as Miki in the movies, but it is more noticeable in the comics. However, writer Tim Seeley decided to take things up a notch by introducing a new main character in IDW’s Godzilla #1, who possesses the ability to absorb Godzilla’s “Kai-Sei” energy. For the first time, there is a human who can engage Godzilla in hand-to-hand combat on equal terms.

In simpler terms, the first issue of Godzilla seems more like a superhero comic than a traditional Godzilla tale, which might have been Seeley’s aim. This is not uncommon in the Godzilla comics. However, the new G-Force introduced in this issue doesn’t immediately grab your attention to sustain an entire series. It’s still early days, as it’s only one issue (plus a Free Comic Book Day prologue), but many readers find these characters rather dull and slightly irritating. On the positive side, there’s a lot of potential here with intriguing worldbuilding and a captivating cliffhanger that could introduce an exciting new villain. Unfortunately, Godzilla himself appears infrequently, which can be disappointing for fans.

Kaiju Fight Against Annoying People in Godzilla #1

In this comic, the central character, Jacen – an orphaned teenager – acts as our guide through the story, providing necessary backstory. At first glance, Jacen is just average for a teen protagonist. His background as an orphan gives him an air of arrogance that doesn’t exactly endear him to readers. However, compared to some of his colleagues, he comes across as relatively tolerable. The characters Riviera, the G-Force commander, and Incense, a pyrotechnics streamer, are more problematic. Riviera’s excessive pro-American dialogue, which frequently references current events and makes comparisons to America, can become quite irritating. Additionally, having a streamer as part of your team is generally a questionable choice, especially when the streamer in question, Incense, lacks sincerity.

In simpler terms, the character known as Incense, who’s often seen online and quite self-assured, develops a rivalry with Jacen. Unlike Jacen, who has some nobility, Incense lacks such qualities. Jet Jaguar is another member of the G-Force team, and he frequently appears in comics, including in “Godzilla vs. Avengers.” However, his character is more comedic because he only speaks through song lyrics. Dr. Rumi Chiba serves as the moral compass for the group. Nuki, who specializes in heavy weaponry, doesn’t have much screen time beyond a potential romantic interest with Jacen, but she still comes across as cool and intriguing. The male characters can be grumpy, but there’s room for them to develop and grow under Seeley’s direction. Each team member has the potential to become beloved by fans. One of the most heartfelt moments in this initial issue is when Jacen and Chiba secretly escape on a boat together out of fear of losing each other, adding depth to Jacen’s character.

In this first issue of “Godzilla,” there are numerous scenes featuring giant monster battles, starting with a past encounter between Jacen and Godzilla, followed by a conflict against Angurius later on. Nikola Cizmesija’s drawings have a casual, yet dynamic feel to them. The artwork created by Cizmesiga adds intensity to the attacks of both Jacen and the kaiju, enhancing the action. Francesco Segala’s colors are vibrant and striking, however, they can appear somewhat flat in certain instances. Segala gives Godzilla’s atomic breath a bright green hue, which makes it seem more alien, although it may not be as visually appealing as blue, it fits well within the narrative context of the story.

IDW’s new Godzilla comic, Godzilla #1, doesn’t bring much freshness to the usual formula compared to other Godzilla comics and crossovers. The main focus is on humans rather than Godzilla, which might be a letdown for some readers. However, the story setup hints at promising developments that could lead to exciting tales in future issues. The action is enjoyable, and the characters have potential for growth, though some more than others. It’s not a must-read masterpiece, but if you’re intrigued by writer Seeley’s potential or are a big Jet Jaguar fan, it could be worth checking out.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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2025-07-23 18:10