REVIEW: ‘Godzilla vs Hulk’ Issue 1

Godzilla vs Hulk Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Gerry Duggan, pencils by Giuseppe Camuncoli, inks by Danielle Orlandini, colors by Federico Blee, and letters by Ariana Maher.

This is the second in a series of one-shots that combine the King of the Monsters with the Marvel Universe. General Ross sets a trap to try to kill Godzilla, but he may require a different monster to save his life.

This one-shot has a similar concept, but changes every one of the circumstances. It’s a different kind of Kaiju story that meshes terrifically with the world of Hulk, especially in that period. The military is trying to kill Godzilla, luring it in using other famous monsters and putting it in a trap. What happens when the giant reptile shows up is not a surprise; the escalation is expected. There is a constant attempt to try to go one step further to try to get the killing blow, which leads to those weapons conflicting and threatening human lives. The pace is methodical, filling the giant size of Godzilla vs Hulk Issue 1 without ever getting boring or repetitive.

The story has many subtle elements, hinting at a history within this world that the readers only glimpse into. Duggan gives the story so much more depth beyond just the fighting monsters. But on that surface level, the fighting monsters are phenomenal. The last part of the structure and the final act are equivalent to the previous one-shot, with very slight changes. But ultimately, it’s a feature of the format, and the excitement is about how the comic reaches that point.

The characters are terrific in Godzilla vs Hulk Issue 1. The period piece element takes a jump forward, striding from the 1960s to a decade later. General Ross, a longtime adversary and enemy of Bruce Banner and The Hulk, leads the first half of the comic. In this world, Ross has become an expert at killing Kaiju. That gives him arrogance and confidence, and he begs to be struck down by something bigger. He shows cruelty and horrible violence towards other creatures, painting a target on his back.

Doctor Demoniocus, someone even crueler and more violent, is aiding Ross and the army in the battle. He introduces a monster that is truly dark and dangerous and threatens the lives of the strongest figures. At first, I thought it was a custom creation by Duggan and Camuncoli, but it is actually a deep cut to a previous Godzilla movie. The references show just how intertwined the universe is within the one-shots.

The Jolly Green Giant doesn’t appear until much later in the book, hiding within Bruce until the last possible moment. Duggan captures the personality and demeanor of the Hulk in the years when this comic is based. Hulk is very talkative, and simple dialogue is used for him. He’s dopey but cunning, using the third-person and childish analogies to explain what he’s doing. It’s been a long time since he has been used in that respect, and it was refreshing to remember how the character spoke. The plot is pretty dark, not afraid to kill, and contains a menacing tone from both creatures and humans.

The art is stunning. Camuncoli and Orlandini illustrate several monsters in this issue, and they are all terrific. Godzilla’s design is consistent with its classic portrayals and how Romita Jr and Scott Hanna drew it in the previous one-shot. The big eyes, stunted snout, and body shape are the same. And standing in its way is a selection of enemies that are all superbly crafted.

There are mechas, smaller monsters, and a swirling mass of tendrils and tentacles. Considering the Marvel Universe, the slimy appearance of the final monster could easily be misconstrued as something else. This seems intentional by the artists, creating suspense for several panels.

Then comes the Hulk, who also has a classic design. He is enormous, and the details on his face make him look terrifying. Hulk looks deranged and inconsolable in his anger, with wild eyes that are especially unnerving. The sense of scale is magnificent. The Hulk may be bigger than any human, but he is a flea compared to Godzilla. When Hulk enters the battle, some amazingly creative set pieces avoid mindless, furious punching.

The colors are incredible, too. The green of Godzilla’s skin is much darker than Hulk’s. The detail on the giant lizard’s hide, regarding lines and tiny fluctuations in color, is mind-blowing and impressive. Around them is a bleak desert, common in Hulk stories. The bland dust and sand provide a canvas where the other colors can express themselves, especially when intense blue blasts come from Godzilla’s mouth. The lettering is clear and easy to read, which is crucial in a comic filled with so much chaos.

Godzilla vs Hulk Issue 1 is a perfect meeting of monsters. From start to finish, the one-shot is a blockbuster. The two universes have been stitched together immaculately. Each blast, punch, and explosion has a weight and a shockwave. There’s both mindless fun, mindful dialogue, and brilliant storytelling. Hulk is treated as one of the monsters in this one-shot, making his connection to Godzilla and the others much more impactful than the Fantastic Four at the start of this series. The classic feel of the book is more than just scraping for nostalgia; it helps create an atmosphere and suits the Godzilla genre.

Godzilla vs Hulk Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.