So… apparently I misunderstood how this miniseries is going to work. I had initially thought the entire thing would be written and drawn by the creator of the incredible first issue, James Stokoe. Turns out that Godzilla in Hell is actually an anthology series featuring a new creator each issue. (Maybe I should spend less time watching/reviewing horrible TV shows and more time paying attention to solicits).
So no more Stokoe (frowny face), but we do Bob Eggleton for the second issue (squeals of glee). Is it good?
Godzilla in Hell #2 (IDW Publishing)
Godzilla is in Hell (duh).
In Eggleton’s version of Hades, Big G faces round after round of his greatest foes in their preferred, brimstone accented turf.
Much ass kicked.
Is It Good?
So yeah… that’s pretty much it as far as the plot goes. Eggleton describes the fights and settings with language that is sometimes beautiful and sometimes a shade on the pretentious/navel-gazing end of the spectrum.
But overall, its well written…and most importantly, it serves its purpose of driving Godzilla from one battle to the next against some of his fiercest opponents. And holy crap does Eggleton draw the absolute HELL out of each one (pun completely intended).
The artwork in this issue is jaw dropping. That’s not hyperbole, by the way. Every single page in this book could be turned into a poster. The textures, the coloring, the emotion… all of it is furiously gorgeous.
I don’t want to give away the kaiju Big G fights, especially since part of the fun is seeing who will pop up next — but the backgrounds and settings for his various enemies are rendered with the same care as the hell-bound kaijus, creating a version of the underworld that’s almost too beautiful to be a punishment.
Make no mistake about it, though—Godzilla is definitely paying for his sins in this one. The fights aren’t very long, but Eggleton packs each one with a powerful dose of pain for the King of All Monsters.
Okay, I can’t help it. I have to post one more preview page here, even though it reveals the first monster that Godzilla fights. If you don’t want to be spoiled, then stop now and go buy this book. Otherwise, feast your eyes on this two page spread:
How can you not be blown away by that? Hell has never looked so good (according to fellow AiPT! writer David Brooke, at least, who has a summer home there).
I was a little disappointed when I realized this miniseries was going to be an anthology instead of a connected story, but this issue officially has me on board with the format. Godzilla may be in Hell, but this book will make his fans feels like they’ve died and gone to heaven.
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