REVIEW: ‘Godzilla vs Avengers’ Issue 1

Godzilla vs Avengers Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics and written by David F. Walker, pencils by Georges Jeanty, inks by Karl Story, colors by Frank D’Armata, and letters by Cory Petit.

This is part of a series of one-shots, pitting Godzilla against the Marvel Heroes. The New Avengers are caught between Fin Fang Foom, Godzilla, and Jet Jaguar.

Godzilla vs Avengers Issue 1 presents an intriguing approach to its structure, with the action beginning in a flashback. In the present day, the Avengers are being subjected to a furious debriefing by Maria Hill. In the past, there was a clash of true titans, featuring Marvel’s in-house kaiju. The structure is fresh and enjoyable because it changes how the story is told. There are jokes, injuries, and reveals that hint at the action that’s already happened for them, but is yet to happen for us.

There are multiple parties involved, each with their own ideas and intentions to save the day, which causes mix-ups and immense damage. The fractured structure of Godzilla vs Avengers Issue 1 is a lot of fun, but it can be difficult to understand the finer details of the plot. It’s not entirely necessary.

The confusion is also felt by the Avengers, who are essentially bystanders in a battle involving much larger creatures. The fighting itself is fantastic, with some comical, cartoony moments that make the conflict surprising and engaging.

Each one-shot has taken place in a particular decade, and this issue settles nicely in the 2000s. Walker brilliantly writes the New Avengers, perfectly capturing the team’s dynamics. Originally written by Brian Michael Bendis, Wallet channels the chemistry of the group. They are constantly bantering with each other, whispering as Maria Hill talks over them. It’s a team filled with attitude and humor. The likes of Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, and Wolverine offer different personalities.

That tension with S.H.I.E.L.D. and Maria Hill is also present, capturing the energy that the series had at the time. When it comes to the fight itself, the heroes don’t have the immense power to go toe-to-toe with the giant monsters, but they have a huge impact at several points. As a collective, they can work up a plan.

The presence of Fin Fang Foom is fascinating. He is one of the few characters in the Marvel Universe who matches the scale of Godzilla. However, the levels of power show a gulf in class. It’s funny to see the encounter, because it shows that the giant character has become something of a laughing stock in recent years. He doesn’t carry much menace or fear, whilst Godzilla consistently embodies that.

The art shows both the majesty and the mischief. The difference in size is awe-inspiring. The three behemoths tower over everything else. When Jet Jaguar enters, the only thing that it represents is something mechanical to be torn apart, rather than a potential threat.

To fit the other heroes into the fight, Jeanty adds smaller panels that show what they’re trying to do. It makes the one-shot busy, but it’s sometimes hard to follow everything. The New Avengers look terrific, too. There are costumes that fit the time, such as a particular Iron Man armor that is representative of that era.

Wolverine spends most of Godzilla vs Avengers Issue 1 severely injured, which raises suspicion from the start. Half of his body is burned, and the detail showing how gnarly the damage is is incredible. It’s not drastically gory, and it heals more as the present-day story continues. The powers of the heroes are displayed well. The action is hysterical, with so much physical comedy coming from the creatures. There’s slapstick that generates tremendous energy.

The colors are phenomenal. Godzilla has maintained a consistent dark skin throughout the one-shots, which is an excellent synergy with the comics. The selection of superhero costumes has a variety of rich and vibrant tones. For the most part, the lighting is bright and comfortable. However, there is one scene that becomes much darker, representing humiliation and danger. The lettering is very easy to read and comfortable.

Godzilla vs Avengers Issue 1 is a hectic battle. Some of the features in the art and the structure can take some getting used to. But the energy from the characters and the monsters makes the comic a delightful read. It acknowledges the absurdity of the setting and attempts to work around it. This Avengers team was my era growing up, and I’ll always have a soft spot for the lineup. The dialogue and the chemistry between the heroes are authentic, just like how other writers have approached the style of script in the previous settings.

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