Four Monsterverse Books On The Way
During the Wondercon @ Home event, Legendary Pictures' comic book division, Legendary Comics, had a thirty minute panel regarding the Monsterverse. During this panel, the guests at the panel revealed new information on the new Kong and Godzilla graphic novels, The Art Of Godzilla art book, and the Godzilla vs Kong art book for kids. There were art pieces for the new graphic novels, but it was stated that the art shown may not be final. Here is what was revealed.
Untitled Godzilla Prequel Graphic Novel Of Godzilla vs Kong:
The first piece of information on the new Godzilla graphic novel is that the story will be in Godzilla's point of view. Artist, Drew Johnson, comments, "I really gotten to exercise the monster muscles in the design work we've gone through and started to work through the book. The thing I am having fun with is doing the actions of Godzilla versus being with Godzilla in Godzilla's point of view in this one and to show character in Godzilla. You know? There is actually like much more acting on the part of Godzilla. It has put me inside Godzilla's head.
It's interesting to see how Godzilla reacts when he is attacked and it's interesting to see Godzilla at peace. It's intriguing because I don't think we have seen monster stories very often, if ever, where we're in those kind of intimate moments of the monster's being, you know? I hope that makes sense."
When asked about his favorite moment of writing and/or drawing Godzilla, writer, Greg Keyes, answers, "Well, you know. It's what we've been talking about. I really enjoyed, kind of, getting into his [Godzilla's] head. My background is an anthropologist, actually. That is where my degrees are in. Specifically, in the mythology/belief of religion and I found the opportunity to kind of reach deep into some of this really mythic substrata. I think to imagine Godzilla and at the same time I have been absorbing the lizards in my yard and the territories they patrol. I'd sit outside and watch all of this and I have to say it was kind of inspirational to watch what they do. To watch two of them to have this sort of…well, they were kind of basically threatening each other and it almost came to a fight, which was very interesting. It was an old, old lizard, possibly on its last legs, and the other was kind of an up and comer. The old one won that fight, but then I never saw him again. But yeah, just trying to get inside this gigantic thing, this ancient thing and imagine what it would be like."
Following up, Johnson answers his take to the question. "It's interesting because I've drawn some iconic characters at the other companies before and it's interesting because Godzilla is one of those iconic characters. I don't think I have shifted gears that much because it is still kind of that same situation with the bigger than life character. It's an interesting take on the character on a giant, heroic figure with a different set of morals or lack there of, I am not sure. I guess Godzilla does have a sense of morals.
It's funny because I was looking through Godzilla: King Of The Monsters yesterday for some references for a scene and watching Godzilla in that movie you do see a protective side or a heroic side come out that I think it is more pronounced than I think have seen in other monster movies and even in other Godzilla movies where Godzilla seems to be like the protector of the planet. I'm digging that we can kind of get into that a little bit more in this book."
In short, the story of the new Godzilla prequel novel to Godzilla vs Kong will concentrate on Godzilla's thoughts on the world he protects and where he stands in terms of his morals. We learned in Godzilla: King Of The Monsters he was once worshipped as a god and protected the people that worshipped him. So maybe we will see a then and now of how Godzilla sees the world and where his morals lie in the graphic novel.
Untitled Kong Prequel Graphic Novel Of Godzilla vs Kong: