GODZILLA’S MONSTERPIECE THEATRE #2  / Script and Art by TOM SCIOLI/ Production and Design by NATHAN WIDICK / Published by IDW PUBLISHING

Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre is based around a very simple idea; transplant Godzilla into the background of some of the 20th century’s greatest novels and let him run wild. On paper, it sounds profoundly stupid. The execution, however, is pure brilliance.

The second issue finds J. Gatsby and his G Force heading out to sea. They are well-armed with the advanced knowledge of the Time Traveler, the insight of Sherlock Holmes, and the technology of futurist Jules Verne. Unfortunately, this awesome assemblage will meet their match in the King of Monsters. This sets the stage for an epic last stand in Paris.

Tom Scioli has brought his A-game to every aspect of Godzilla Monsterpiece Theatre. The script is reminiscent of the sort of weird mash-ups of literature and mythology that informed the best of Jack Kirtby’s work. Ironically, the artwork itself harkens to more of a Golden Age aesthetic, save for the scenes with Godzilla himself. Here, the Kirby influence is even more apparent, with vivid details going into every aspect of the big G-himself.

Godzilla Monsterpiece Theatre will not appeal to everyone. Fans of Godzilla, however, will relish it just for the chance to see Godzilla terrorize Europe for a change of pace. It will also amuse those literary sorts with a sense of humor, who will appreciate how all Jay Gatsby needed to get over Daisy was an even bigger monster to fight than Tom Buchannan.

Godzilla Monsterpiece Theatre #2 arrives in comic shops on December 18, 2024.