IDW's Godzilla Kingdom of Monsters General Discussion

[KaijuX]

G 1995 knows his stuff. And indeed, he is the cure. Now it's going to be weird to see KOM go under a different title... I just wonder how it's going to work. I know that there is going to be a different creative team. But I'm hoping for a world-wide post-apocalyptic world with somewhat of a darker atmosphere to it. Now I heard people say how they hate Powell, but he wasn't all too bad. From what I've heard, KOM was meant to run up to 20 issues or some crazy number... The only real problem would be his pacing and where he is; Powell just flew through time like Rodan soaring through the sky and tried to condense too many ideas into merely 12 issues. If he had those extra 8 issues, I'm sure some things could've worked out fine: more heated debate on using nuclear weapons on Godzilla (and Godzilla's raid through Tokyo), more Rodan destruction, more story on why to hate Jerseyfied (if you will), more fighting between Godzilla and Anguirus, more time seen for MG's building process... I can go on. However, I can give credit to Powell's grim dark world that was featured in the first 8 issues. Now I don't mind Ciarmella's traditional kaiju style to things, but I prefer Powell's take better. He seems to know a good idea on the ridiculous responses that the general public is capable of pulling out of their a--
Yeah. I think planet earth gets my point.

[TokyoVigilante]

If I was to hazard a guess as to what is happening, it's this;

IDW is "ending" KOM and calling the next series a "sequel". The proper term is a "soft reboot", where the previous 12 issues won't be flat-out ignored, but they will have little to no relevance to the next series. If you want them to tie in, cool! if you want to ignore the previous 12 then that works too. But as the new series goes on, the previous 12 will become increasingly irrelevant as it continues.

The result is that the fans who like KOM/general public who is a bit more lenient won't feel like they wasted their time, people who didn't like it can go forward with a fresh mindset.

I'm a little informed as to how comic book companies roll with this stuff. One of the older types can correct me if this assessment is inaccurate, though.

[kaiju115]

I do hope there will be a sequel to Kingdom of Monsters, because so far it's doing better. My recommendations for IDW if they plan on doing a second series to, Kingdom of Monsters.

1. Have Matt Frank do the interior artwork.

2. Bring in more monsters, especially Mothra she needs to show up, other than that definitely Titanosaurus (Though they should save Destoroyah, Gigan, Hedorah & SpaceGodzilla later).

3. No more celebrity spin-offs PLEASE!!! Last thing we need is another lady gaga & ugh jersey shore.

4. I guess put Miki Saegusa in the series, if not then a new main character, from Japan.

[ZillaMaster91]

I've only read up to Issue #6 of KOM and stopped... it got terrible.

I have yet to read Gangsters and Goliaths and Legends, but from what I've seen of the two mini series is a lot better than KOM all together. KOM came off as a satire of our modern world and government. I think that's where everything fell short. The comic should be an escape, not a reminder of the world we live in and the crappy governments that rule our daily lives. When I read a Godzilla comic I want to be placed into a world where politics no longer matter, it's all about survival. KOM had no charm in its story either. It was dull and dragged on for too long. Also the artwork sucked after Issue #4.

Hopefully this 'new' series following KOM would be better and actually introduce a more linear story with likable characters and better artwork.

[UnCanny Studios]

I do hope there will be a sequel to Kingdom of Monsters, because so far it's doing better. My recommendations for IDW if they plan on doing a second series to, Kingdom of Monsters.

1. Have Matt Frank do the interior artwork.

Completely disagree with this. His kaiju art is unparalleled as far as a comicbook sensibility, yes. I'm a huge fan in that aspect. But his human characters are horrid. They're pre-teenish anime musings.

2. Bring in more monsters, especially Mothra she needs to show up, other than that definitely Titanosaurus (Though they should save Destoroyah, Gigan, Hedorah & SpaceGodzilla later).

4. I guess put Miki Saegusa in the series, if not then a new main character, from Japan.

You must read Godzilla: Legends Issue 3! It features both Titanosaurus and Miki. It also boasts the best art and story out of any of the IDW Goji comics so far, hands down.

[Tyler]

But his human characters are horrid. They're pre-teenish anime musings.

I wouldn't call them horrid but they do have that cheap anime look to them.

His monsters are probably the most movie accurate we've seen interior art wise, though.

[Primevalgodzilla V2]

If I was to hazard a guess as to what is happening, it's this;

IDW is "ending" KOM and calling the next series a "sequel". The proper term is a "soft reboot", where the previous 12 issues won't be flat-out ignored, but they will have little to no relevance to the next series. If you want them to tie in, cool! if you want to ignore the previous 12 then that works too. But as the new series goes on, the previous 12 will become increasingly irrelevant as it continues.

The result is that the fans who like KOM/general public who is a bit more lenient won't feel like they wasted their time, people who didn't like it can go forward with a fresh mindset.

Ah, I remember another soft reboot that IDW made- in Transformers, during the transition from the -ations series to All Hail Megatron. It was beautifully catastrophic. Of course, KOM wasn't as well received as the -ations series, and Godzilla fans aren't as crazy as their TF counterparts, so it won't be so bad...

[GreenAiden555]

I guess new comics tomorrow! Also, Legends 1 is getting a rerelease.. with that special sketch cover variant Matt Frank did! Hopefully my comic store gets one!

[Arbok]

I guess new comics tomorrow! Also, Legends 1 is getting a rerelease.. with that special sketch cover variant Matt Frank did! Hopefully my comic store gets one!

Oh? Where did you hear about the Legends #1 re-release?

[KaijuX]

Horrid is a very strong word to use. Though just pre-teenish would do just fine. Monsters would be excellent; and that's all we come here for. And I doubt they'll be doing parodies of any other political member or famous icons since just about all of them are killed off (except for Ogden).

[GreenAiden555]

I guess new comics tomorrow! Also, Legends 1 is getting a rerelease.. with that special sketch cover variant Matt Frank did! Hopefully my comic store gets one!

Oh? Where did you hear about the Legends #1 re-release?

errr, well, not re-release per se, just a release of the 1/50 hand-sketched variant cover by Matt Frank. Midtown Comics has it available for preorder and has it listed as coming out this Wednesday.

[KaijuX]

IDW is "ending" KOM and calling the next series a "sequel". The proper term is a "soft reboot", where the previous 12 issues won't be flat-out ignored, but they will have little to no relevance to the next series. If you want them to tie in, cool! if you want to ignore the previous 12 then that works too. But as the new series goes on, the previous 12 will become increasingly irrelevant as it continues.

The result is that the fans who like KOM/general public who is a bit more lenient won't feel like they wasted their time, people who didn't like it can go forward with a fresh mindset.

Such a method, especially to those who hated KOM, can be a good way to bring them back and forget. All you needed to know about KOM was that monsters appeared and ravaged the world... That's about it. Of course there are those small bits that may require the references from KOM (the Russian guy, Shobijin, elder monk, etc... Though I'm sure a piece of paper wouldn't last in the real world for 5 seconds without being blown and shred, lol).

[Rody]

Ever so slowly, I'm catching up on the series. My library got ahold of Volume 2, so I read it.
I'm feeling brain-dead today, so I'll be quick about this:

It was awful.
Story was practically nonexistent, and Santos's artwork is TERRIBLE. What's the point of a graphic novel if it has lousy graphics??

[KaijuX]

I do think that the sole problem, thinking about it again, with Powell is that there's no story --it's just a bunch of events that happen and how we respond to it. That's not really a story...

[Arbok]

errr, well, not re-release per se, just a release of the 1/50 hand-sketched variant cover by Matt Frank. Midtown Comics has it available for preorder and has it listed as coming out this Wednesday.

Thanks, we will work to get these up on the site shortly.

[TokyoVigilante]

What's the point of a graphic novel if it has lousy graphics??

This is just a minor nit-pick, but it's important to remember that a Graphic Novel and a Comic Book are two different things; they're both forms of sequential art, but a Graphic Novel is a story originally told as a singular volume from the git-go. A comic book, which is what KoM is, is released on a month to month basis and must fit that month-to-month schedule. You're not reading a graphic novel, you're reading a Trade Paperback ("trade" or "TPB" are shorthand forms) which are collections of these singular issues on better quality paper in better organized volumes, sometimes reprinted larger. It's like comparing a serialized television show to a movie and isn't really fair.

But anywho, I'd like to point out that previews for Godzilla: Legends #4 have been revealed;


and GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST. That's so legit, I suspect it won't ever quit. I'm stoked to see this.

Remember, if this issue of G:L sells well, this creative team, as in the artist who did that and the writer of this issue, will be put in charge of the ongoing after KOM. I'm skreeonk' stoked.

[cosmow]

Thanks, TokyoVigilante.

Unfortunately, I need to correct you on something. The creative team won't be in charge of the ongoing after KOM. That team is already in place. What I meant when I put that in that flyer is that if sales on this issue were good, it could help the creative team get another project and this time, a miniseries or something. But I assure you that the team is eager to do more. I know that E.J. and I were talking about all kinds of stuff that we wanted to do with the license before IDW ever got it (well, during the negotiations, I should say). I had a very Nolan-esque approach to cover the different eras and take a bit from each to make a new "universe" to tell the story.

Who knows? Maybe someday that can happen.

-Chris

[Arbok]

Holy crap that's some stunning art. I could nitpick, like Mechagodzilla's foot looks a little distorted from that perspective, but its done very, very well.

Can't wait to see the crew handle Hedorah as well, consider me pumped for this.

[TokyoVigilante]

Thanks, TokyoVigilante.

Unfortunately, I need to correct you on something. The creative team won't be in charge of the ongoing after KOM. That team is already in place. What I meant when I put that in that flyer is that if sales on this issue were good, it could help the creative team get another project and this time, a miniseries or something. But I assure you that the team is eager to do more. I know that E.J. and I were talking about all kinds of stuff that we wanted to do with the license before IDW ever got it (well, during the negotiations, I should say). I had a very Nolan-esque approach to cover the different eras and take a bit from each to make a new "universe" to tell the story.

Who knows? Maybe someday that can happen.

-Chris

Ooooooh!, understood. But it's exciting that such a talented artist could be getting more work with Godzilla and IDW (and I've heard positive buzz from some TF fan friends that Chris Mowry writes good stuff). While you're here and reading, I'd love to see Mike Raicht get more work! Just a thought.

[cosmow]

Someone said that I write good stuff? Clearly they've been bribed! In all seriousness, thank them for me.

I would love to see Mike's story expanded. I really, really like how he uses some of the fun elements of the G films to make a new story. I just want to see what might happen when two MG's show up! There were two under construction, right?

And regarding E.J., yeah... his work is amazing. This issue (Legends #4) is really straight-forward and was originally part of that much longer story that I still want to tell. So, when my first proposal was rejected (Gigan origin story), I just wanted to choreograph a huge fight and let E.J. go to town on it. Since he and Priscilla are such big fans of Godzilla, I knew that the artwork would be quite good. The story? I guess I'll find out next week what people think.