Godzilla has already clashed with some of Marvel’s top heroes this year, but now the spotlight shifts to a full team battle in Godzilla vs. Avengers #1. Much like the earlier entries, this issue is an out-of-continuity standalone story, making it easy for new readers to jump in. In addition to the main showdown, fans can enjoy the bonus of Jet Jaguar joining the fray. It’s a high-energy brawl with a comedic tone and features the surprise appearance of a giant Marvel monster to spice things up.
This one-shot is brought to life by the creative team of writer David F. Walker, with pencils by Georges Jeanty, inks from Karl Story, colors by Frank D’Armata (who also co-created the cover), letters by Cory Petit, and additional cover art by Leinil Francis Yu.
Godzilla vs. Avengers #1 builds on the sensible premise that Fin Fang Foom wouldn’t take kindly to another kaiju showing up and stirring chaos in his territory. This gives the Godzilla-focused one-shot series a distinct Marvel twist. With the addition of Jet Jaguar, the resulting clash is anything but ordinary.
The story begins in the aftermath of the battle, shifting the focus to the Avengers as they work to manage the destruction and help survivors. Rather than depicting a direct clash, the comic positions the Avengers more as first responders than active combatants. Unfortunately, this approach lowers the tension, especially since the future-set framing device confirms everyone’s survival, further reducing the sense of danger or urgency.
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Beyond its low-stakes plot, the story leans heavily into humor, but the jokes quickly become repetitive. The ongoing gag about Jet Jaguar not being a jet or a jaguar wears thin fast and soon turns grating. Maria Hill is portrayed as a frazzled overseer, trying to manage a team of Avengers who bicker and interrupt each other, which ends up being as frustrating for the reader as it is for her. A twenty-panel page filled with head shots of characters bantering feels excessive and adds little value. The humor mostly misses the mark, and the team dynamic lacks cohesion, making the Avengers feel out of sync rather than unified. David F. Walker attempts to capture the tone and style of Brian Michael Bendis’ original New Avengers run, but much like that earlier comic, it doesn’t quite land as intended.
Amid all the back-and-forth banter, the narrative brings in Kaiju Chasers United, a team of twenty-somethings using Jet Jaguar-inspired technology to try and make an impact. It’s a clear nod to Titan Chasers, a game where players track and confront massive creatures across a sprawling, kaiju-infested world. While fans of the game will recognize the reference, the inclusion feels more like a superficial Easter egg than a substantial part of the story.
Georges Jeanty expertly brings the massive monsters to life, capturing their impressive scale with style. Fin Fang Foom’s quirky traits give him an almost innocent, puppy-like look, especially during his showdown with Godzilla. The Avengers are depicted with sharp detail, and fun artistic touches, like Wolverine’s half-burned appearance throughout the issue, add humor and character to the story. Godzilla remains imposing in his classic form, making the visuals both dynamic and enjoyable overall, with little to criticize in the artwork.
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Leinil Yu’s cover mixes Japanese art style with a cool, serious look of the Avengers, making for a striking and balanced image. The issue also has tons of variant covers, each with its own unique vibe. Some of these covers even tell a better story or feel more emotional than what’s inside the comic.
Overall, Godzilla vs. Avengers #1 impresses with striking visuals and grand-scale kaiju battles, largely due to Georges Jeanty’s intricate artwork and mastery of scale. The inclusion of classic Marvel elements adds a fresh twist to the traditional Godzilla story. That said, the narrative lacks complexity, with low stakes that make the plot feel rather inconsequential.
‘Godzilla vs. Avengers’ #1 Clash of the Titans
Godzilla vs. Avengers #1 impresses with striking visuals and grand-scale kaiju battles, largely due to Georges Jeanty’s intricate artwork and mastery of scale. The inclusion of classic Marvel elements adds a fresh twist to the traditional Godzilla story. That said, the narrative lacks complexity, with low stakes that make the plot feel rather inconsequential.
