Godzilla is renowned for his devastating attacks on Tokyo, but what would happen if he set his sights on the United States? That's the intriguing scenario explored in the new series of standalone specials titled "Godzilla vs. America," brought to you by IDW Publishing and Toho.
The series began with "Godzilla vs. Chicago #1" and will continue its rampage with "Godzilla vs. Los Angeles #1" in April. This issue will showcase four distinct stories of Godzilla's assault on the City of Angels. The creative team behind this issue includes notable talents like Gabriel Hardman (known for Green Lantern: Earth One and Batman: The Brave and the Bold), J. Gonzo (from Image Comics' La Mano del Destino and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Dave Baker (of Mary Tyler Moorehawk and TMNT: Black, White & Green), and Nicole Goux (Shadow of the Batgirl).
Some might argue that the timing of "Godzilla vs. Los Angeles #1" is somewhat insensitive, given the ongoing recovery from devastating wildfires in the area. Despite being in development for nearly a year, IDW acknowledges the unfortunate timing and has committed to donating all proceeds from "Godzilla vs. Los Angeles" to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc), which will support bookstores and comic shops affected by the fires.
IDW has issued the following statement to its retailers and readers:
To our retail partners and fans,
We hope this message finds you safe and well. IDW Publishing is deeply committed to its community of creators, readers, and retailers. As part of this community, we understand that sensitivity and support are paramount, especially during challenging times.
We are reaching out to address the upcoming release of Godzilla vs. Los Angeles, the next installment in our "Godzilla vs. America" series. Planned since last July, this 40-page anthology features the work of some beloved Los Angeles-based writers and artists and is scheduled to go on sale in April 2025.
We recognize the unfortunate coincidence of our comic’s theme with the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles. "Godzilla," as a series, has often served as a metaphor for the impact of unprecedented tragedies stemming from human actions or natural causes. It is not our intention to capitalize on these recent events but rather to continue to explore themes that resonate with and reflect the human condition.
To support our community in this difficult time, we have decided to donate all proceeds from the sales of Godzilla vs. Los Angeles to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc). This contribution will directly aid bookstores and comic shops affected by the fires, helping them recover and rebuild.
We appreciate your support as retailers and partners in bringing stories to life, even when art unintentionally mirrors reality. Through this effort, we can offer some assistance to those impacted by the events in Los Angeles.
Thank you for your understanding and continued readership. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or for further discussion.
"Having been born and raised in LA, I couldn’t be happier to work on a comic packed with some of the city’s most talented cartoonists," says associate editor Nicolas Niño to IGN. "We’ve got Godzilla fighting giant lowrider mechs, stomping through theme parks, and even a pamphlet on the city’s subway system (yes, LA does have a subway system)! The common theme? Angelenos coming together to fight back against a force of nature. This year’s started out hard for the city and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Los Angeles than by bringing its biggest challenge yet: The King of Monsters! Plus, all proceeds for this issue are going to support the Binc Foundation’s response to the wildfires that affected the city in January.""Godzilla vs Los Angeles #1" is set to be released on April 30, 2025, with a final order cutoff date of March 24.
For more insights into upcoming comic book releases, be sure to check out what to expect from Marvel and DC in 2025.
