IDW Publishing has graciously interviewed the creative teams behind Godzilla Legends on Toho Kingdom's behalf. Below is the second in a five part series where the publisher asks the creative team of the five comics the same ten questions to compare their responses and answers. This column tackles the creative team behind Godzilla Legends #2.
JONATHAN VANKIN (Writer: Legends #2)
1.) If you had the chance, what Godzilla movie would you remake and why?
Jonathan Vankin: Well, my favorite is, as you might guess, Rodan (1956)! Technically not a “Godzilla” movie, but still. To me it was not only a great monster movie, but was also very poignant and tragic. I think that done right with current technology it could very powerful.
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) is another wonderful movie, but it might be too weird to remake. I’d love to see someone like Tim Burton or Terry Gilliam take a crack at it.
2.) Godzilla has died. Who do you think should take his place as "King of the Monsters?"
Vankin: Ghidorah! He’s got three heads! How do you top that?
3.) What was the first Godzilla product you owned and do you still have it?
Vankin: I think I bought some of the Marvel Godzilla comics when I was a kid, but I'm pretty sure my mom threw them out along with a lot of my stuff!
5.) What fiction-turned-reality terrifies you more, giant monsters or zombies?
Vankin: Not a close call. Giant monsters. Zombies have never scared me. In fact, I
find zombies pretty silly. Maybe if I saw a real one I’d feel differently but to me, the idea of a dead body shuffling around and grunting seems more gross than terrifying.
Giant monsters on the other hand are like living natural disasters — or
nuclear nightmares. They’re overwhelming and there’s not a thing you can do
to stop them. You can't just blow their heads off, like you can with a
zombie.
6.) What was the most challenging aspect of creating your issue of 'Legends'?
Vankin: In the original movie Rodan (1956), I found (as I mentioned above) that the monster
was very sympathetic. It was a monster, yes, but Rodan seemed to have feelings
that felt very human to me, especially at the end. The biggest challenge was
to retain that “human” element of Rodan while never forgetting that Rodan is
a terrifying and destructive flying reptile. The monster never shows
feelings or acts “human” in any way. This isn't a Disney cartoon. Yet I
still want you to feel for Rodan. I hope I succeeded, but one way or the
other I’m sure you'll let me know!
7.) What was the most fun part of the process for you?
Vankin: The whole thing was a blast. Shaping the story with my editor, Bobby Curnow,
was the best part of the process for me.
8.) Is there anything you wish you could have done differently?
Vankin: I actually had more story to tell than we were able to fit into 22 pages. If
I could do it differently, I’d write a longer story! But that’s not my call — fortunately.
9.) What do YOU want to see from future Godzilla comics? From the upcoming new movie?
Vankin: The best Godzilla and kaiju stories are the ones that balance the human
elements and emotions with the spectacular monster action. It’s not always
easy, but as long as they tell those kinds of stories, I’m happy.
10.) Who's your favorite monster?
Vankin: Rodan! Who else?
But Godzilla’s a very close second.
SIMON GANE (artist: Legends #2)
1.) If you had the chance, what Godzilla movie would you remake and why?
Simon Gane: I’d remake the 1998 Hollywood GODZILLA movie and I’d put Godzilla in it.
If I had the opportunity to adapt one for comics, I’d go for the original movie or for Rodan (1956). Actually, maybe Destroy All Monsters (1968). Hmm, I don’t know, but man, I’d love to draw a Godzilla comic set in the Fifties or Sixties. All the period details, vehicles, clothing and color palette really appeal to me. That said, I’d jump at drawing any Toho monster in any era!
2.) Godzilla has died. Who do you think should take his place as "King of the Monsters?"
Gane: What?! That’s never going to happen. You’ve finally cracked. King Ghidorah.
4.) Godzilla should return to (blank).
Gane: My drawing board, please.
5.) What fiction-turned-reality terrifies you more, giant monsters or zombies?
Gane: Businessmen scare me more than either of those, but I’ll say zombies on the off-chance that the monster turns out to be Barney.
6.) What was the most challenging aspect of creating your issue of 'Legends'?
Gane: It’s all a challenge really. You want to do yourself and the script justice whatever it is you’re tackling - be it the monster or a quiet moment between humans. I suppose an obvious challenge was learning to draw Rodan in the first place, and I think looking back at my initial sample, I didn’t quite have him. Once it came to drawing the comic itself I’d absorbed a lot more info and gathered more reference, so the approval-phase from Bobby and Toho was pain-free! I had a dilemma of which model of Rodan to use. They’re both awesome, in my opinion. I opted for the Heisei-look as I’d seen Chris Scalf’s cover sketches and it suits the story quite well too. Hopefully I'll get to draw the earlier model at some point.
7.) What was the most fun part of the process for you?
Gane: I’m not saying it wasn’t hard work, but honestly, it was all fun. It was a pleasure, in fact. I like drawing anything. If it’s Rodan crushing a tank in it’s jaws, well that’s just a bonus!
8.) Is there anything you wish you could have done differently?
Gane: There always is, but that’s true of anything, I suppose.
9.) What do YOU want to see from future Godzilla comics? From the upcoming new movie?
Gane: From the comics, I want to see continued mayhem obviously! I also want human characters we care about and that we can empathize with. If we’re in their shoes the monsters are even more threatening and their destruction has even more consequence. Rodan writer, Jon Vankin, fulfilled those criteria, by the way! Art-wise, I enjoy seeing new and idiosyncratic takes on these monsters. Not rehashing the legend but putting new spins on it. IDW pride themselves on a wide and varied roster of artists, so that’s pretty exciting.
As for the movie, let’s hope it’s fun, epic and somehow captures that certain charm the Japanese classics have.
10.) Who's your favorite monster?
Gane: There’s only one possible answer! The main man. I do like a number of them though; King Ghidorah’s great, although the cartoonist in me can’t help thinking he’d take three times as long to draw! Picture the script: “One-shot of Ghidorah”. That’s not fair, is it? I have a lot of affection for Rodan too, mind you. Hopefully that shows. |
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PERSON DETAILS

JONATHAN VANKIN AND
SIMON GANE
The creative team behind Godzilla Legends #2. Jonathan Vankin, writer on the second issue, has spent a large part of his career working for DC Comics under their Vertigo brand. He is best known for his work on The Witching.
Simon Gane, artist on the second issue, has done a lot of underground work for titles such as Arnie Comix, All Flee and Punk Strips. He has also done mainstream comic work for the major publishers such as DC Comics for their Vertigo brand.
Date: |
12/15/2011 |
Interviewer: |
IDW Publishing |
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