Writers: Eric Powell & Tracy Marsh
Pencils: Phil Hester
Inks: Bruce McCorkindale
Publisher: IDW
There’s a fantastic selection of licensed comics available these days. That wasn’t always the case. I think a number of factors have changed the product from a throwaway quick money grab by publishers to Grade A material. One big reason is that licensors seem to work with publishers to help produce a meaningful product. The main reason, though, is that most of these licensed titles are being crafted by professionals that grew up with these characters and have a vested interest in the material dating back to their formative years. This love, or at least an understanding, of the licensed material leads to a much stronger product.
Eric Powell is a man that knows how to make monsters kick ass. If you’ve never read The Goon then, my friend, you are missing out on some epic action. The Goon lays the beat down on all kinds of creatures and nasties, so you can imagine that Powell is practiced in telling tales of mayhem and chaos. Here I am pumping up The Goon and I haven’t read the book in a few years. I seemingly forgot to buy the past few trades, which I will correct in the near term. What a review, I’ve helped sell product not related to the book at hand. Anyway, streaming consciousness back on track…
If you want to see Godzilla, Rodan, and Angiurius wreak havoc on the world, this is the comic for you. What you won’t realize is there’s a very deep story, as Powell mentioned in a Newsarama interview, he was “Taking the giant monster idea and making it semi-allegorical with a good dose of dark satire.” The way we as societies deal with disasters is an issue Powell tackles. Think back to various cataclysms the world has faced and just how often recovery has been botched. Considering the story was written before the recent tragedy in Japan there’s a great deal of unintended connection to our world. It’s amazing how dead on Powell is to the world’s seeming helplessness at the power of unforeseen catastrophe. The best science fiction has always used modern fears to fashion riveting material. Well, that proves this is great sci-fi!
I frequent two comic stores: Classic Comics in Rahway, NJ and Little Shop of Comics in Scotch Plains. Classic is closer to my house, so that’s where I get most of my comics, but for those harder to get books I journey to Little Shop. I wasn’t sold on the Godzilla comic from the solicitations, but the promotion IDW ran where a shop that ordered 500 copies got a special issue emblazoned with their shop on the cover certainly made me want to throw support to my local. Unfortunately, Classic didn’t take part in the promotion, but Little Shop did. I couldn’t give a second thought to the purchase when I saw they were also donating a portion of the sales to Japan Relief. I bought the comic and didn’t expect to come back for more.
Not only was the first issue a success, but the second issue actually improves on it! The premiere introduced the crisis of Godzilla hitting ground and destroying Japan, but this issue continues that tale and also merges in Angiurius ravaging Mexico as well as Rodan hatching and doing some damage in Russia. The Rodan material offers a nice gag as we see the result of a teenage hockey player hoping to feed a cat to Rodan. Animal cruelty is serious business! The mixture of whimsy and seriousness is a brilliant combination.
Powell, joined by Tracy Marsh, fashion a sharp script that even includes a poignant moment or two. Powell/Marsh populate the book with a variety of very real human beings. The subplot following a man’s attempt to avenge his missing children is a mix of satire with enough poignancy that it may choke you up. Some political ideas, that seem to lean quite to the left, come off as pretty realistic reactions that could be expected if this situation occurred. Considering this is “just” a monsters-unleashed book you’d be hard-pressed to find a deeper work with greater subtext.
Don’t be fooled into believing this is a talky political mess. That’s the furthest thing from the truth. Phil Hester has more than enough time to pencil full-on creature rampage. I’ve enjoyed some of Hester’s recent writing stints (Dynamite’s Green Hornet), but his pencils complete the veritable creative dream-team. Hester lends the creatures and the humans equal inspiration. Sure the giant monsters will get your attention, but it’s the human element that is keeping me interested. Hester excels in both areas, so you are left with a stunningly enjoyable comic!
Powell, Marsh, and Hester have come together to create what has to be the most amazingly unexpected can’t miss comic of the year. Preconceived notions are hard to overcome, but it will be an utter shame if this comic doesn’t receive an Eisner Award nomination!
