Godzilla: Half Century War #2 Reaction Thread

[Mr. X]

Did you like the first issue? Well, this issue is even better! Introducing what is possibly the greatest fight of IDW's comics! And Vietnam! And Maser Cannons!

Win!



TK's review is up, and it's lookin' good.

http://www.tohokingdom.com/comics/idw_g ... ar_02.html

Overall, everyone should be checking out The Half-Century War

Well, do what the man said! Tomorrow, that is...

I. CANNOT. WAIT.

[Destroyer]

My review from UTF. http://www.unleashthefanboy.com/comics/ ... view/27716

Wow. That was the word I had in my head after reading this issue. The Half Century War is the latest in IDW’s Godzilla minis. These have had pretty good track records. Gangsters and Goliaths, Legends, and now this. The first issue firmly set the tone and its version of the title character. It was a great start. (Not to mention it featured the best drawn Godzilla I have ever seen in a comic.) Usually in the films it’s more fun when the big G has another monster to fight, here it’s no different. Not only that, but his opponent, Anguirus, is treated like a true fighter. Also, this series seems to understand Godzilla’s character, which the ongoing doesn’t. Issue #2 is a definite must-read and one of IDW’s best Godzilla issues yet.

Here’s the official description from IDW:

The year is 1967 and Godzilla is on the move… to Vietnam! With a war underway, Godzilla is the last thing the country needs. Lieutenant Murakami follows Godzilla to try out some new tech on the monster, but a super-sized foe named Anguirus might just be the most effective counter-measure. It’s a rumble in the jungle, don’t miss it!

You gotta love the narration boxes here. Ota I wasn’t too fond of from Issue #1, but with this issue he has grown on me. If you want to read a comic that ‘gets’ Godzilla, this would be it. The narration boxes goes out of its way to say “He seemed to move with a purpose.” The writing isn’t as strong as Gangsters and Goliaths, often the characters sound just a bit too cartoony. Nothing really awful or cringe-worthy, let’s not get the wrong idea. Anguirus makes an appearance, and what an appearance it is. The comic treats him like a true menace and opponent. The battle between him and Godzilla isn’t as one-sided as it sounds. Like when they first battled in 1955, here they’re about evenly matched. The cheorograpy is excellent, the blows and blasts are felt. That is thanks to the extreme detail put in. This is definitely one of IDW’S finest.

The art is an extreme high point. Godzilla, he looks utterly fantastic. The detail is incredible, and its consistent. (Something Kingdom of Monsters lacked.) The way he’s drawn gives him a little emotion, as opposed to being a ‘walking event.’ (Which he is in the current ongoing.) Anguirus is drawn based on his Final Wars design. A lot of fans don’t like that look, but I understand why it was picked, it looks more fierce than his Showa counterpart. With that said, he too looks fantastic. His emergence splash page would make a good computer background. I also admire the work put into the battle, there’s a panel where Anguirus bites Godzilla’s wrist, then the latter roars in disbelief pain and presides to pin him down. It’s not some empty short battle, it’s satisfying. The human characters are a little manga-inspired, it works. I think the eyes on some of the characters are a little too squinty, but nothing major. Both covers have their own things going on. The main one shows Godzilla, (do I really need to say he looks fantastic?) plowing through a forest fire. The second one is a little retro, featuring a more Raids Again styled Godzilla (which is appropriate in this issue’s case) and a Final Wars styled Anguirus with Ota in the front. Great stuff all around.

Overall, this is one of the best Godzilla comics IDW has released thus far. It understands Godzilla, gives a fierce/tough Anguirus, and contains a highly detailed fight. Not to mention it has a likable main character. I eagerly await the next issue with the Smog Monster, Hedorah. This will definitely be the series I recommend to people that have never read a Godzilla comic.

4.5/5

[Megaton17]

Just read through this issue. Must say, this may just be my favorite of the IDW comics so far.

The art is great, the battle is VERY well done and the story is top notch. I love Stokoe's choice of having Godzilla existing in these unique settings, can't wait to see him in Ghana next issue! Also, looks like issue 4 has him in India judging from the cover.

The story had an interesting twist at the end with that strange device. I guess it's what brought Godzilla to the area? Originally I thought he had traveled to Vietnam just to fight Anguirus, but this is a nice twist. It also explains why Anguirus is there. I'm guessing said device is what brings all the kaiju to Ghana in the next issue?

One thing I have to praise is the handling of Anguirus. Most would have gone with the more popular Showa design, but GFW Anguirus is perfect in Stokoe's stylized-yet-detailed art style considering his increase in plates and spikes. I also like how strong Anguirus feels; he actually gave Godzilla some trouble. He also seemed pretty smart hiding in the smoke during the fight and all.

[Mr. X]

Lemme see here...

Man, and I thought the first issue was unbeatable...

Like, I can't even begin to explain. This issue was just win! Probably the best fight we've een in IDW's comics. The art was amazing! Vietnam! The Viet-Cong! Anguirus! The 60's! And the Maser Cannons have a decent amount of screentime! Well, pannel-time, anyways...

I really only have 2 complaints. It felt a little rushed, but... given the amt. of pages to work with, it was as good as it can be. Also, there were just a few scenes where Godzilla looked a little... off. Not to noticable.

So... nothing to really complain about!

I loved the issue. I was just amazing. Everyone must buy it! DO IT NOW!

[kaiju115]

I just finished reading it, all I can say is WOW!!!!! This issue was a BLAST!!!!! With impressive action scenes, & one awesome monster battle it truly is one of the best Godzilla comics out there.

[Tomzilla]

One word sums up my reaction perfectly: incredible.

I enjoy the characters; I love the monsters! The art is stellar, too! Godzilla's fight with Anguirus was done justice. It was nice seeing Anguirus actually putting up a damn good fight, which is how kaiju battles should go down (the exception being if one of the kaiju are ridiculously powerful, even by kaiju standards). I especially liked how Godzilla was tied in to the Vietnam war. I'd love to see this made into a movie.

Looks like Hedorah's the next opponent. That should be great.

[GreenScar]

Just picked up my copy today and DAMN!!!!! Awesome book all around. Story, art, everything just fantastic. What is it with the Godzilla mini's being SOOOOOOO much better than the monthly's?

[antovald20]

^IDW just needs to find someone that understands how to play in the Godzilla universe, like Matt Frank.

[Godzilla 1986]

Just finished the read and, DAMN, am I impressed! Issue #1 blew me away artistically and with the plot, but #2 not only continues but elevates it. The art, once again, the most detailed and superb I've ever seen from a Godzilla comic, and the Vietnam setting works really well as a backdrop. Stokoe's portrayal of Anguirus was very well done, imo, better than the ongoing and KOM, maybe Legends #1. The fight was very well drawn and I cant wait for Hedorah and SpaceGodzilla.

[antovald20]

Ok this issue is AWESOME!! Why? Anguirus puts up one hell of a fight, and plays it smart. There's also MASER CANNONS!! That actually hurt Godzilla, and the cliff hanger is pretty cool. So yeah everybody should give this title a try.

[kaijukurt]

A flawless Godzilla story.

PROS:

*Story:
Stokoe weaves an entertaining and engaging story that captures the spirit of grade-A Godzilla film with a well-done script to go along with it. Godzilla wreaks havoc in the Vietnam War, brawls with Anguirus, and shows why he's the King of the Monsters by surviving anything the AMF and U.S. Army throw at him: bombs, TNT, jets, B-52 bombers, and even Maser Cannons!!

And not only that, Stokoe credits the very history of the Godzilla franchise by constructing a Godzilla Raids Again match-up; and even takes a shot at people who think Godzilla is "a fire-breathing lizard" and not an atomic dinosaur.

*Art:
Stokoe is not only a master storyteller, he is also a master artist. The art continues to be a high point of the book as the monsters are VERY well-done.
The shot of Anguirus bursting through the very earth? Priceless.
The detail and precision put into the Godzilla-Anguirus fight? Excellent.
The whole book in general? A work of art.


CONS:
What? This book has flaws?
Aside from the fact that this series only has three issues remaining, there are no such faults to speak of.


SCORE:

10/10
A must-read for any Godzilla (or comic book) fan.

[Bentley]

Loved this issue and the way they are retaining the classic Showa continuity with the face off with Anguirus. Downright excellent, this is the kind of comicbook I want to have Godzilla on it.

Finally!

[HayesAJones]

Really liked how Angy was portrayed a this fast, armored guerrilla fighter that came from no where, hit hard, and vanished without a trace. Those carapace slams from the smoke? DAMN. A bit different from the typical "I'll face you head-on" Anguirus, but very fitting with the setting and all.

[UnCanny Studios]

Well... Gangsters and Goliaths still holds a very strong place in my heart... but damn...

This is, hands down, the best Godzilla comic I've ever read. Period. Anguirus is my favorite Kaiju (besides the big G himself). I do not like the GFW redesign AT ALL - but the way he is drawn and portrayed by Stokoe is nothing short of superb. He took a mediocre design and made it look absolutely stunning.

I can't get enough of his characters, illustrations, color pallet - pretty much everything.

So. Damn. Good.

[Mr. X]

I do not like the GFW redesign AT ALL - but the way he is drawn and portrayed by Stokoe is nothing short of superb. He took a mediocre design and made it look absolutely stunning.

THIS. SO. MUCH.

I have yet to see a negative review for this issue, it was near-perfect. Actually, I can't find anything to really complain about.

THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANY G-FAN!!!!

[tymon]

Alright you hyperbolic motherfuckers, I usually wait till trade-paperbacks but I'll have to pick up the single issues of these based on the critical reception. Hopefully ya'll didn't oversell it.

[Mr. X]

Alright you hyperbolic motherfuckers, I usually wait till trade-paperbacks but I'll have to pick up the single issues of these based on the critical reception. Hopefully ya'll didn't oversell it.

I've already done this to a few people.

This series is just stunning. It's getting all the praise it deserves. It's just... wow!

And the upcoming issues sound amazing as well. This will most likely be the best Godzilla comic series ever.

[RedZillaKing]

Yep. He did it to me goddammit! I'm a tpb guy too.

[Mr. X]

Yep. He did it to me goddammit! I'm a tpb guy too.

I'm popular!

I cannot WAIT for the upcoming issues. Heck, I look forward to the solicitations!

Stunning art, wonderfully thought-out story. What's not to love?

[UnCanny Studios]

Get issues 1 and 2, both of you - You wont regret it a single bit. This one makes keeping up with it monthly completely worth it.