“A stylish blend of monster mayhem and classic heist tropes, but does the story deliver as much punch as Godzilla himself? Let’s find out.”
The credit page keeps things simple and clean. The two-toned palette, with red as the only accent color against dark green/grey, and black-and-white, is a smart and effective design choice. It sets the tone without being overwhelming.
The interior art style is a strong point. Kelsey Ramsay’s textured coloring complements the Godzilla universe perfectly, giving the world a gritty, lived-in feel. The character designs are visually striking right from the first page, pulling you into the story. The word balloons and narration boxes are another highlight—both seem hand-painted specifically for this project, which adds a personalized touch. Even the white panel borders carry a subtle texture, enhancing the overall aesthetic.
The writing by Van Jensen starts off strong with some memorable lines, particularly, “playing fetch with a god”—an epic and impactful phrase that sticks with you. However, the story’s pacing and twists fall short of that initial promise. The scene where the main character has a flashback and the comic shifts to an almost-anime-inspired art style is jarring but effectively distinguishes the past from the present. Unfortunately, some narrative choices feel a bit heavy-handed—like the character named “The Man in the Shadows” being literally shrouded in shadow, which comes off as trying too hard.
The character motivations also feel rushed. The main character’s rapid shift from withholding information to spilling the entire truth is abrupt and unearned. The dialogue exchange is overly simplistic, moving from denial to confession without any substantial push. Given the title, it shouldn’t have been surprising when the story took a hard turn into Ocean’s Eleven-style heist territory, but the mystery twist feels cliché and predictable. One epic line can’t carry an entire script, and while the premise had potential, the execution faltered.
Despite its narrative shortcomings, the comic still delivers on visual appeal. The cover art gallery is a pleasant bonus, featuring striking pieces that expand on the Godzilla mythos. It’s also exciting to see a fresh wave of Godzilla content in the market, including crossovers like Godzilla vs. Power Rangers—a testament to the enduring power of nostalgia.
Overall, Godzilla: The Heist is an enjoyable, if somewhat flawed, entry into the Godzilla comic lineup. The art is textured and immersive, the colors are stellar, and while the writing has its moments, it ultimately falls into familiar, uninspired territory. If you’re a Godzilla fan or just love a good monster-meets-heist concept, it’s worth a look—but temper your expectations.
Writing: 3 Stars
Art: 4 Stars
Colors: 5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars
Story by: Van Jensen
Art by: Kelsey Ramsay
Colors by: Heather Breckel
Lettering by: Sandy Tanaka
Cover by: Bob Eggleton
Variant Covers by: Pablo Tunica
Published by: IDW
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