Comic: Godzilla in Hell #2 Title
 Godzilla in Hell #5
Author(s)
 Dave Watcher
Pencils: Dave Watcher Inks: Dave Watcher
Language: English Release: 2015
Publisher: IDW Publishing Pages: 32
Colors: Dave Watcher Cover: Dave Watcher
  Order
Monster Appearances: Aliens, SDF, & Misc Appearances:
Godzilla N/A
Comments
Anthony Romero

It's the final issue of IDW's Godzilla in Hell mini-series. To close out the run, Godzilla: Cataclysm artist Dave Watcher is brought back for art duties. He does more than just draw the comic, though, but also crafts the story and is an overall one man show on producing comic. The end result, while not reaching the heights of the first two issues, does stand above the previous two thanks to its stellar art.

For the comic's plot, the issue starts out with Godzilla traversing across a feature-less plain. This gives away to a frozen terrain, followed quickly by a burning environment. The ground eventually gives away, and Godzilla falls to a lower plain, one where his final challenge awaits...

Godzilla in Hell has come full circle. The first issue started off with an otherwordly tale before going into the realm approach where Godzilla fought off demon versions of other kaiju. This comic feels more otherworldly than others that followed the promising series debut, but borrows a slight realm motif. The issue is very light on any sort of text, not kicking in toward the end of the book. Godzilla's rival in the book is a Cthuhlu-like visage, but is never seen in full form. The finale to the series is bizarre as any, but leaves a lasting impact.

Story aside, the real show stopper for this issue is the incredible art by Watcher. The intro shot of the Cthuhlu-like beast at the top of its mountain is breath taking, as are many of the images of Godzilla. The detail placed is top notch and really sells the book. Outside of a few panels, Godzilla almost looks consistently great, and is very movie faithful with how the character looked in Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002).

For the covers, there are two to choose from. The first is from comic artist/writer Dave Watcher and shows a red-tinted Millennium Godzilla wasting away. The alternative, a subscriber bonus, is from Alberto Ponticelli. The cover showcases the Millennium Godzilla surrounded by flames. Ponticelli was one of the early creative forces behind IDW's titles on the King of the Monsters, but hasn't been seen since WAY back in 2011 for Godzilla: Gangsters & Goliaths. For the two covers benched against each other, the main cover by Watcher is the clear winner, showing a more visually stunning image. The subscription version feels a bit too mundane, more like interior art than a cover, and the snout on Godzilla looks a little off.

Overall, it will be interesting to see how others take the issue, since the last three all featured other Toho kaiju. Regardless of any loss of marquee value, this issue is satisfying. It contains some fantastic artwork on the King of the Monsters in an otherworldly terrain, feeling at home with the title concept.

Variant Covers