Summary
After defeating the likes of Ghidorah, King Kong, and Destoroyah, soonGodzillawill stand against his most formidable foes yet: classic literary figures such asSherlock Holmesand Jay Gatsby. The Father of Kaiju has had a hot streak of hard-hitting success this last decade, with the American MonsterVerse,Shin Godzilla,andGodzilla Minus Onebeing some of the King of Monster’s greatest financial achievements in his impressive 70 years of existence.
This upcoming October, writer and artist Tom Scioli and IDW Publishing are releasing a new IP mashup of monsters and metaphors calledGodzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre.TheWrapreleased a preview of the three-issue miniseries, whichwill see Godzilla go head-to-head with Sherlock Holmes, Jay Gatsby, the Time Traveler from H.G. Wells’s novellaThe Time Machine,and Dracula as the King of Monsters invades one of Gatsby’s overtly lavish parties.
The series takes place in 1922 when one of Jay Gatsby’s cabals lures the attention of the prehistoric monster. Seeking revenge for the destruction of his home and the chance to charm Daisy Buchanan,Gatsby does the only logical thing and gathers a team of characters from classical literature to defeat Godzilla.
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The King of Monsters Doesn’t Always Have to be Serious
Tom Scioli has a proven track record for transforming his passions into respected works. Scioli made his big break in graphic novels with his biographic novel of Jack Kirby, titledJack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics.His particular love for Jack Kirby has even made its way into Scioli’s newest work, asthe cover forGodzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatrepays a significant homage to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’sFantastic Four(1961) #1. In an interview withTheWrap, Scioli had this to say about his upcoming miniseries:
“It’s an epic. It’s a grand, globe-spanning adventure, but it’s also an intimate story of love and heartbreak. I’ve been wanting to make a Godzilla comic since forever. Some of my earliest memories are Godzilla. I always wanted to wear the Godzilla suit and knock over buildings, step on toy tanks… This might be the ultimate comic. Godzilla attacks a dance contest. There’s a speedboat chase. Car chases. Wild horses. Submarines. Detectives. All while Godzilla is on a global path of destruction.”
Clearly, the author knows that he is approaching the monstrous character with a strong degree of levity and childlike enthusiasm, but that’s not at all a bad thing.Godzilla has historicallyteetered the line between beinga horrific metaphor for Japan’s victimization during WWII and a rubbery goofball meant to entertain children.The balance is important to the character as it lessens the burden of over-indulging in one tone or the other for too long; it makes the stories something fresh to look forward to. Fans should be excited about the crossover antics Tom Scioli has prepared for this October.
Crossovers are not Uncommon for the King of Monsters
Even Sherlock Holmes has Investigated Alternate Universes
Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatreis certainly not the first time Godzilla has stomped his way into other IPs. So far, the kaiju has scrapped with the Justice League, the Power Rangers, and, for some reason, J. Jonah Jameson specifically.Godzilla has even taken on Charles Barkley in a game of pickup basketball not just once but twice.And he’s not alone among the stars ofMonsterpiece Theatre.Even Sherlock Holmes has snooped his way outside the pages of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s literary masterpieces. The detective’s most popular crossover was inNeil Gaiman’s short story,A Study in Emerald,which sees Sherlock in the middle of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos.
Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatrewill undoubtedly be an entertaining miniseries overfilled with wild antics not uncommon for the ancient monster’s history.
Godzilla fans should be excited about Scioli’s upcoming adventure. The two-in-one author and artist has a sizable track record for delivering quality stories that reflect his passion for the content he writes about.Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatrewill undoubtedly be an entertaining miniseries overfilled with wild antics not uncommon for the ancient monster’s history. While the miniseries has yet to set a release date, wheneverGodzilladoes take onSherlock Holmesand company, it’s sure to be a battle for the ages.
Source:TheWrap
Godzilla
The Godzilla franchise, spanning over six decades, follows the adventures of the titular kaiju, a colossal, prehistoric sea monster awakened and empowered by nuclear radiation. Originating in Japan, Godzilla has evolved from a destructive force of nature to a protector of humanity, battling various other giant monsters, including iconic foes like King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Mechagodzilla. The series explores themes of environmental destruction, nuclear anxiety, and human resilience. With numerous films, TV series, and an expanding universe, Godzilla remains a cultural icon, captivating audiences worldwide with its epic battles and compelling narratives.
