Godzilla #1 Review
Kai-Sei Era Begins
A discovery in the battle against kaiju has been revealed to turn the tide. His name is Jacen Braid, and he has the power of Godzilla. In Godzilla #1, Jacen’s unfortunate luck in the presence of Godzilla grants him the ability to fight back the large monsters terrorizing humanity since 1984 in the year 2025. As Jacen tries to make sense of his newfound skills, he joins a superpowered strike team tasked with the sole purpose of killing Godzilla. Godzilla isn’t the only threat they have to worry about, as there is something beneath the Earth’s Ocean that’s darker than any kaiju ever before.
Written by Tim Seeley (Detective Comics, Doctor Mirage, Army of Darkness), Godzilla #1 takes on a valuable and bold new approach to a mythos of everyone’s favorite kaiju, Godzilla. The comic book already feels like the reader has been dropped in the middle of a turning point that otherwise feels like an uncharted path. Although some readers might find themselves thinking ahead of the story and how it will play out, it would be further from the twist that they might be expecting. Seeley guides the story, so readers are constantly left with more questions and intrigue, rather than having to wade through excessive dialogue. What Seeley accomplishes with this story is a constant page-turner. Never once does the comic book come off as slow in the first few pages. In fact, with any new era with an established character, it’s important to provide a new depth of storytelling that separates itself from the rest. Ideally, Seeley has done this within this comic book.
In comparison, Nikola Čižmešija (Batman and Robin, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Void Rivals) illustrates exciting visuals for Godzilla #1. Serving as both the cover artist and interior artist, Čižmešija knows how to incorporate details that allow the story to flourish smoothly. His line work in the comic book shines with grace as his level of detail and intentional storytelling allow him to produce a comic book worth reading. As for his cover art, it gives a sneak peek at what is happening and at the same time an enticing need to pick up the comic book.
The coloring work by Gloria Martinelli (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Savage Red Sonja, Magic) makes the comic book really pop with life. Besides the artwork and writing, Martinelli makes the story powerful with rich color palettes that mesh well with one another. For the most part, the specific use of colors helps determine a proper moment in the comic book that doesn’t feel forced to happen. The direction of the story is new and refreshing thanks to Martenill’s effective color work.
As far as the lettering in Godzilla #1, Nathan Widick (Dracula: Vlad the Impaler, Godzilla Rivals, Sonic the Hedgehog) puts the expression of the entire comic book into full completion. Widick’s work on making this debut comic a memorable one is thanks to the lettering work. Widick isn’t a stranger to the mythos of Godzilla, so he feels right at home with this story.
Overall, Godzilla #1 is a whole new journey into kaiju battles for supremacy and seems to only be getting better from there. With an entirely new avenue, this comic book reaches its own domain of unpredictable outcomes. Be sure to check this out at your local comic book store or online, where copies are sold.
Comic Details
Writer: Tim Seeley
Artist: Nikola Čižmešija
Colorist: Gloria Martinelli
Letterer: Nathan Widick
Cover Artist: Nikola Čižmešija
Editor: Jake Williams
Publisher: IDW
Date of Release: July 23, 2025
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Howard Smith Howard is a passionate collector and avid reader of comics who resides in the city of Washington, D.C. His love for all things pop culture extends beyond the pages of comics, as he attends popular culture conventions both locally and out of state. Whether he’s searching for rare comic finds or engaging in video games, or reading manga he manifests an opportunity to celebrate his fandom. Follow along as he explores the worlds of superheroes, sci-fi, and beyond, always with a keen eye for adventure and a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling.
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