Godzilla: Half Century War #3 Reaction Thread

[Mr. X]

Comes out tomorrow!

WARNING: Spoilers! Scroll down at your own risk!




I'm warning you!





This is interesting news!





Not one, but TWO never-before seen in comics kaiju!

Megalon and Ebirah! Can you believe it?!

[Eunectes]

That.
Looks.
epic.

Hope SpaceG arrives in the end of it.

[Mr. X]

That.
Looks.
epic.

Hope SpaceG arrives in the end of it.

Certainly not impossible, 'cause he's in issue 4. Might be a cliffhanger, I suppose.

EDIT: Full preview, including more shots of the new guys!

http://www.tokunation.com/showthread.php?p=61277

[Breakdown]

Megalon is lookin mighty buff.

[Mr. X]

Looky what I found:

Anyone remember this? I dunno if it was ever posted on these forums.



It was posted a long time ago. I was re-reading the preview for issue 3 when I remembered this. Sure enough I found it.

Subtle indeed, Mr. Stokoe. Well-played.



"There was no worse offender than Dr. Deverich".

Deverich

I thought, "Hm, what sounds familiar about that?"

Dean Devlin + Roland Emmerich = Deverich

[Eunectes]

LMAO, AHAHAHA.

<3 Stokoe just for that.

[ZillaMaster91]

I ordered my copy of Issue #3 earlier today.
Can't wait to get it.

[Mr. X]

First to review!

So yeah, just read it...

Another knockout, as expected. Stokoe managed to find the perfect balance between monster mayhem and human drama.

As far as the story goes, it was quite well-crafted. Well-thought out. We're introduced to many more members of the AMF, with each being unique and having their own personality traits. Ota's narration is well-done yet again, and it helps add a sense of how helpless one is in the presence of giant monsters.

There's an unexpected plot twist with will effect future issues, too. I won't say anymore, though. We're also introduced to the "bad guy/main antagonist" of the series, methinks. It seems like we'll see him again, but he might not return. We'll see in future issues.

There's a bit of comedy as well. Stokoe can deliever a serious story, but it also has nice comic relief when needed. The art can also be humerous at time. Stokoe captures the mood quite well.

The art is stunning, like the previous two issues. The people have a cartoony feel, but it really works for the story, IMO. The monsters look amazing. Ebirah looks spot-on to his in-film counterpart. Mothra, Megalon, Kumonga and the others look great too.

One thing I really love about this issue is how Stokoe can make the monsters seem huge. From this "on the ground" angle, we see just how massive these forces of nature are.

My only complaint is that it starts kind of abruptly and after a lot already unfolded. It also ends rather abruptly.

Overall, another spectacular issue. EVERY G-fan should be picking this issue up and invest in the series. I'll post teaser images later, just 'cause.

[Destroyer]

Finally got to read it. (Darn IDW folder updated too late!) But yeah, another fantastic issue. I didn't think it was quite as good as #2, but still great nonetheless. Review will be up soon.

[Mr. X]

^I agree that issue 2 was better, but only slightly, IMO. I really dug it.

Teasing y'all with teasers, as promised!





See what I mean 'bout Ebirah looking spot-on?


That Mothra van's going places, man.


MONSTA MASH-UP!


These are why you must get this issue. Now.

...Unless you're waiting for the digital one to appear. Or the trade.

[darkcancer]

^ In the last panel, Kumonga vs Megalon looks really good. I need to catch up on this series.

[Mr. X]

^ In the last panel, Kumonga vs Megalon looks really good. I need to catch up on this series.

Yeah, all 3 issues have been knockouts. Really great so far. You have a lot of time to catch up, next issue comes out December 12th. I can't wait that long!

[GreenScar]

Got mine today and I must say this mini has yet to disappoint in any way. The art is amazing once again. The story is well thought out and paced fantastically. Great plot twist at the end. The monster battles get there due without taking away from the human story. Just absolutely LOVE this series.


Oh and the Dr. Deverich thing, FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bentley]

Sounds interesting, definitively getting the trade -ok, I was since the beginning but I'll have a smile on my face while doing it now-.

[Destroyer]

My review from UTF. http://www.unleashthefanboy.com/?p=30960

The always super spectacular Half Century War mini-series has entered its third outing. This series has been doing what the current Ongoing hasn’t, making exciting stories using the monsters and human cast. Unlike the Ongoing where it’s throwing away monsters, this has been doing a fantastic job with Godzilla and the other ‘natural disasters.’ Or better put by Ota in the issue, “These weren’t monsters at all, they were forces of nature.” This installment once again impresses with its scope and of course the monsters crushing things. While not as good as Issue #2, it’s still a comic all Godzilla fans should pick up. (And it’s still great even if you’ve never seen any of the films!)

Here’s the official description from IDW:

Welcome to Ghana, 1975. The criminal underworld has found a way to summon monsters and they’ve chosen the African country as a trial run for the first ever monster mash-up! A horde of kaiju are on the way and different military teams, each specifically trained to thwart each monster’s capabilities, enter the fray. During the chaos, Lieutenant Ota stumbles upon the source of the chaos!

Whoa, back up a second. A horde of kaiju? If that doesn’t get the inner monster fan in you pumping, I don’t know what will. James Stokoe doesn’t disappoint with the horde, featuring Godzilla, Megalon, Ebirah, Mothra, Rodan, Kumonga, Battra, and Hedorah! Obviously if you’re not a fan of the franchise these names don’t mean much, but for longtime fans like myself it’s pretty exciting. I mean, this comic features what could very well be the greatest splash page in any Godzilla comic. (Seriously, it’s an eye-opener.) This issue balances the monsters and human parts pretty well. While the beasts are fighting topside, the humans are on the prowl looking to somehow stop Armageddon. James Stokoe’s dialogue is often with a touch of humor, contrasting the rather violent destruction. It makes sense for having a pretty fun story while monsters destroy Japan. Sometimes it’s a little too cartoony with forced comic relief, but nothing too bad.

I really like Stokoe’s gritty designs for the monsters. Take Rodan who resemb;es his Heisei incarnation, it’s a little extreme, but cool nonetheless. Megalon looked amazing, so did Ebirah, Kumonga…they all looked great. Whereas the action in the Ongoing could be lacking sometimes, here the fights and destruction is really felt, so much detail is put in to just a single crumbling building! This issue introduces the first human ‘antagonist,’ Dr. Deverich. (Get the reference? No? That’s good then, it means you haven’t experienced hardship while watching a film.) The only disappointing thing I can find is that Godzilla and Hedorah never really come to blows like on the cover, just a panel. Nothing big, just worth a mention in case anyone was looking forward to that. Speaking of covers, the main one showcases Godzilla battling the Smog Monster, another fantastic cover. The variant is rather unique, having a white background with the human characters facing sideways, as is Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, and the guy on the front’s helmet shows the reflection of Hedorah. A truly artistic piece!

Overall, another fantastic entry in the Half Century War. Lots of satisfying monster action, (including some whom are their first appearance in the comic world!) and the humans are pretty fun for the most part. Stokoe really understands what Godzilla is and just how powerful he and his kaiju brethren are, it’s good to see these guys being the unstoppable things they are. (Which the Ongoing doesn’t seem to get.) While not as good as Issue #2, #3 of the Half Century War is another great comic featuring some of the coolest monsters in existence. (And if a comic can make even Megalon cool, you know you have a winner.)

4.5/5

This series is going to make one killer trade paperback.

[StonedHope]

Both of the latest IDW releases have been steller but HCW is in a league of its own. there are so many delights point out so I'm just going to throw them out there.

-I like the Godzilla kiryu suit but didn't hold it up to too much high regard and I didnt think opinion would be changed. But I've absolutely fallen in love with the design now. I feel like all the images I se with that design is fresh again, like being seen with new eyes. The work down on Godzilla is marvelous.

- The rodan design is surprising very nice. Few of us are fans of the 90's rodan but this one just works. Giving him teeth is properly badass!

-The idea of the team being composed of monster specific soldiers is brilliant! It makes it much better than a faceless army going up against the monsters. Without being given dialogue, you are able to pick up character traits on each team in the first panel based on their look. Opening that page was so much fun!

-I don't know how or why they decide the pinkish, purple, grey and orange colour skem for all the page but it works so well, and really sets a devastation mood to all these issues.

-Dialogue is good....real good. I don't think that needs anymore expanding than that.

-The global monster awakening being cause by the transmitter is pretty badass concept. Kinda feels like it sets the bar pretty high of the regarular series to meet. They're going to have to explain in some day soon. I'm still pretty sure they're going to go with the alien explanation (read my signature for more details).

-Its really fun how each issuse just in time and gives you details that fills the gaps. It allows you to paint the universe in your own imagination, which is an absolute joy and what good fiction should do.

-The detail! ohhhhhh the glories detail in the scales; the backgrounds; the buildings; the smoke plooms. Its sooooooo appreciated!

Its nice to have a comic that you look forward to getting back home and re-reading it.

[tymon]

Checked out the only two comic shops in town (Muse Comics and Hastings) and neither had HCW. Hell, MC didn't even have any IDW titles anymore from what I could see (dumb, since the KOM poster on their front door in January 2011 is what rekindled my ten year-dormant interest in Godzilla in the first place). Hastings had the single copies of the three latest main series issues and a few back issues of KOM (ugh). So I went to tfaw.com and ordered the three HCW issues..couldn't hold out for the TPB with all the hype. Can't wait to read em!

[antovald20]

^You are not going to be disappointed, i promise.

[Mr. X]

^You are not going to be disappointed, i promise.

Yeah, this. All 3 issues are phenomenal. I'm impressed by Stokoe's ability to create a great story AND provide amazing art.

[MechaGamera]

Nothing much I can add to what has been said above. This was an Great comic. Really nice dialogue and as stated above "Oh the Detail!" the comic is awash with it. A must buy for any one who likes the first 2 issues. December 12th seems such a long time away now. : (