Godzilla: Valentine’s Day Special #1 is published by IDW Publishing, written by Zoe Tunnell, illustrated by Sebastian Piriz, coloured by Rebecca Nalty and lettered by Johanna Nattalie.
Issue #1 is available now either from IDW Publishing online or from your local comic book store, digital copies are available to download from the usual content providers.
Synopsis
Is there anything as romantic as seeing the world together? Hopping from country to country to take in the sights and splendor in the fleeting seconds before Godzilla smashes the skyline?
Truly, there’s nothing like the thrill of an international game of cat and mouse between an intrepid amateur kaiju researcher and a global kaiju-response lieutenant. But when you’re up against Godzilla, it’s hard to have a bigger CRUSH.
Review
Who would’ve thought that you could make a romantic story and put it smack bang in a world that houses Godzilla, well that’s exactly what we get here with new one shot Godzilla: Valentine’s Day Special keeping within the typical Godzilla world where he seems determined to destroy all in his path but has an romantic story to it that ticks away in the background.
The romantic story follows a young Piper Simmons, struggling through the monotony of the everyday grind that is until the colossal Godzilla trundles past her office window changing her life in more ways than one. As the story progresses Piper who is already disillusioned with her life after an email from corporate giving her the news she is no longer needed in her position gives her the proverbial kick up the back side to do something with her life, it is from here she decides that she wants to hunt Godzilla and the other monsters around the globe throwing herself head first into her main life’s passion.
It is through this monster chaser role that she is introduced to Lieutenant Tam Sauveterre of the Earth Defense Force, an elite fighting force that is tasked to keep Earth safe from these colossal monsters. The current of Godzilla and. His rampage continues to run throughout the book in explosive fashion with the romantic tension building between Piper and Lieutenant Tam, you find yourself hoping that these two characters build this fractured relationship and end up together however for the most part of the story it seems unlikely. As the book reaches it’s climax the story of Godzilla becomes something you want to put into the background as you focus all your energy on the romantic sparks that emanates from the two main characters with you hoping for a happy ending, will we get one?
Zoe Tunnell brings a unique contrasting story that gives you the explosive action that you would expect from a Godzilla book but it has a slightly different feeling to it with the romantic tale that weaves it’s way through the pages. The two main characters have a strength that seems to almost put Godzilla in the shade as the two potential love birds hold their own and build the story throughout the pages. I’m not really a fan of the normal romantic tales but when you put Godzilla in the mix it grabs your attention and I’m definitely glad it did.
Sebastian Piriz provides vibrant illustrations that firstly puts Godzilla on an explosive path but then introduces the two characters together and artistically gives a warmth to the story as the two characters grow in strength. The artwork and story within the book work well together to create a unique one shot tale that captures you from beginning to end.
Verdict
A glorious one shot that gives you explosive action along with the warmth of a romantic tale. A two sided comic that with have you captivated deep inside it’s pages. A definite recommendation from me.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
