Writer & Artist: James Stokoe

Not so long ago, IDW released a mini series called Godzilla: Half Century War, which was arguably my favorite Godzilla story ever, movie or otherwise. The whole series, like this issue was written and drawn by James Stokoe of Orc Stain fame. When the Godzilla in Hell mini was announced, and James Stokoe listed as the first artist to take a crack at it, I have been very impatiently waiting for this day. All I can say, boy was I not disappointed.

I guess this is a mild spoiler, so I give a WARNING: this issue is silent (minus the words in the sound effects and ambiance). I’ve read a decent amount of silent issues before, but this one ranks up there among the best with G.I. Joe 21, the famous Snake Eyes issue. This was insanely fun, and Stokoe blew my face off with this artwork. When I encountered the panel where Godzilla sees a giant stone saying “Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here”, I nearly had to take a lap around my house I was so pumped. Without getting too far into it, the story is basically Godzilla has fallen to Hell, and we are gonna follow his adventures. What really stuck out to me with this was that the storytelling in Godzilla himself (herself?) is incredible. Stokoe manages to express the emotions and reactions all in a giant lizard face. We know what’s going through his head the second he falls, to when he’s having a stand off with another giant lizard or threat (I don’t want to spoil anything, this art should be seen with fairly fresh eyes). The book has a feeling like nothing else on the stands, because it truly is like nothing else. When taking an idea like Godzilla being in Hell, it’s almost impossible to not be unique, but having this issue be silent make it even more impactful and special. The overall designs in this book, both in monsters and setting, are second to none. Stokoe uses the unlimited budget you have i the comics medium, that you can’t get in movies, and just runs with it. This is truly creativity unhinged.

I usually don’t highlight this, but the cover work on this issue is truly stunning. While Stokoe nails his regular cover and variant, I’m specifically talking about the Jeff Zornow variant, in an old school, EC Comics feel where Godzilla is facing off with Satan and King Ghidorah in what appears to be Satan’s domain or stronghold. It’s exactly what you want in a cover. When it sits on the stands next to the comics of today, it screams for you to pick it up. It just feels like a classic monster story from this cover, as all Godzilla comics should.

It goes without saying that I loved every aspect of this. James Stokoe and IDW has one of the best issues on the year on here, and you best not miss out. Even though next issue is from a different creator (Bob Eggleton, who has beautiful work), I can’t imagine this comic losing much momentum. Why are you still reading this, GO GET IT!

 

5 Human Clouds out of 5