Godzilla vs Hulk is the second in the match-ups the Marvel heroes have against the King of Monsters. The first issue, the Fantastic Four barely survived their battle against Godzilla. While the Fantastic Four struggled against the King of Monsters, if there is one Marvel hero that could possibly be a match for Godzilla it is the Incredible Hulk. How will this match-up go? Let’s find out with Godzilla vs Hulk #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Giuseppe Camucoli
Inker: Daniele Orlandini
Colorist: Federico Blee
Letterer: Ariana Maher
GODZILLA VS HULK #1 SOLICITATION
“ROUND TWO: VS. THE INCREDIBLE HULK! General Ross has no tolerance for monsters in any form. With the Thunderbolts, his anti-kaiju taskforce, he’s taken down or imprisoned the biggest and baddest monsters on the planet: Fin Fang Foom, Mothra, Kumonga, even the Hulk. Now all that’s left is his biggest hunt of all… GODZILLA. But the Thunderbolts’ efforts to bring their last monster to heel may just result in the most destructive battle royale to ever rock the earth. It’s time to figure out who’s really the strongest there is! ROUND TWO IN A SERIES OF SIX ONE-SHOT THROWDOWNS!” – Marvel Comics
REVIEW
If you are expecting a massive, destructive battle between Godzilla and the Hulk than you will be disappointed. Godzilla vs Hulk #1 does not live up to the title of this comic book. Rather than it being a clash between the two names on the title of this comic book it is actually a Marvel Team-Ups one-shot. It is going against expectation that this one-shot ends up maximizing this crossover one-shot.
Rather than trying to fit King of Monsters into a version of the Marvel Universe fans are familiar with Godzilla vs Hulk takes place in its own continuity. That is genuinely for the best of this story as opens the opportunity to see how the a Marvel Universe is shaped by having the existence of kaijus alter things.
In that sense it works that it would be none other than Thunderbolt Ross who leads the military operations against Godzilla and other kaiju. Having Thunderbolt Ross positioned as the early lead made the escalation of battle have a natural flow. Busting out the Mechagodzillas and other kaiju the government controlled established where we are at with Godzilla.
It certainly helped give a “why” to all the kaiju battles we see going on as Godzilla is enemy #1. That also helps position Godzilla in more of the protagonist role as Godzilla isn’t the monster in this case. It is Thunderbolt Ross and his crew as they are forcing this battle and risking escalating things further.
This set-up also made Bruce Banner’s role in initially working at the facility working on the Mechagodzillas even did build anticipation what role he would play. Especially as Godzilla proved to be able to take out all the Mechagozillas and kaiju alone it put into question when Hulk would show up.
It helped to make the ultimate enemy of this comic book being Hedorah a better move. Hedorah defeating Godzilla right away made good use of the King of Monsters being exhausted from all its fight.
It also created a greater reason for Hulk to show up. Though with how Hedorah took out Godzilla it made sense that Hulk would also not be enough. This gave the opportunity for the ultimate fusion with Hulk giving Godzilla a Gamma-size power boost. The Hulk-Godzilla hybrid was Giuseppe Camucoli at his best. The menacing appearance was the showstopper this issue needed. It helped provide a quick end to the fight with Hedorah and why Godzilla and Hulk walked away without fighting.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Godzilla vs Hulk #1 doesn’t deliver what is expected but the story we do get worked to create a well put together narrative. Going against expectations worked because of the reason given as to why Godzilla and Hulk ultimately teamed up. It does not make you forget the disappointment of a Godzilla vs Hulk throwdown but at least it was a fine alternative.
Story Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
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