The new Kai-Sei era of Godzilla comics has already treated us to Godzilla and Escape the Deadzone, two fantastic series that each bring their own unique vibe to the universe. But it’s Starship Godzilla where this new era really takes off, adding something special to the mythos. Writer Chris Gooch and artist Oliver Ono deliver a fast-paced, action-packed premiere issue gets things going with a bang.
You didn’t think kaiju were only on Earth, did you? In the fight for galactic supremacy, no weapon is more powerful than a kaiju… and no team is better equipped to capture and transport these titanic monsters than the crew of Starship Godzilla!
This ragtag group flies through space in Mechagodzilla and takes high-risk, high-reward missions across the galaxy. A kaiju heading toward your planet? Give them a call. A colossal space pest clogging up your trade route? They’ll get rid of it. A galactic civil war utilizing kaiju on both sides? They’ll… uh… do their best to stay out of it. But where there’s a galactic war, there’s a galactic conspiracy, and this may be one fight our crew doesn’t land on the same side of.
As stated in my review of Escape the Deadzone, I was fully on board with the main Godzilla comic kicking off the Kai-Sei era. But I was hesitant about the other two series, especially Starship Godzilla. Not being a die-hard Godzilla fan, the side stories weren’t a priority. However, that changed after Escape the Deadzone blew me away, suddenly Starship Godzilla became a must-read and damn I wasn’t wrong.
Chris Gooch has scripted a breakneck, fast-paced premiere that kicks off with a heist and ventures into places I never imagined a Godzilla comic would go. The debut is action-packed, yet also manages to be adorable and emotional, a blend of moods that works surprisingly well. Even with the excellent cliffhanger ending, the first issue feels satisfying and complete. Not sure what I expected fully with this series, but damn this wasn’t it in the best way possible.
Oliver Ono’s artwork blends what you’d come to expect from a Godzilla comic with a strong anime influence that truly works. Each panel bursts with action and adventure to the point where it almost escapes the confines of the pages themselves. Ono captures the essence of a Godzilla in the confines of space, something I didn’t expect. A truly stunning display.
Each new Kai-Sei era comic feels unmistakably like a Godzilla story, yet each also carves their own path and has a unique identity. While the first two had strong premiere issues, Starship Godzilla might take the cake. Writer Chris Gooch and artist Oliver Ono have created something spectacular with Starship Godzilla, something truly out of this world. A premiere issue that had me riveted to each panel with sheer excitement.
Starship Godzilla #1 hits local comic shops on October 1, 2025 (FOC: August 25) from IDW Publishing.
Starship Godzilla #1 Preview
