Moztros brings us Godzilla: The Half-Century War, a story in which we see humanity fight an impossible battle against the greatest of the Kaijū
The theme of giant monsters or Kaijū is something that has always fascinated the geek world. For ten years Warner managed to make a profit Godzilla Already King Kong with his Monsterverseachieving excellent results at the box office. On the other hand, Japan demonstrated that its star Kaijūs is more alive than ever with the film Minus One, which received great acclaim from both the public and the specialized press.
As you can see, the giant atomic lizard enjoys great popularity once again, perhaps that’s why Moztros wanted to save a comic about the greatest Kaijū of all, The Mid-Century War. We’re not talking about a current comic, we’re talking about a series that was published in 2010 by IDW to profit from the rights to the monster obtained from Toho. Although there have been many comics about the Japanese monster, few have had the success of the series created by James Stokoe and that is why Moztros decided to publish this comic in Spain.
the end of the world
The comic takes us to the year 1954, a decade later Second World War, after the conflict ended with the dropping of atomic bombs. The lieutenant Ota Murakami is one of the first people to encounter the creature Godzilla Devastating Tokyo. After surviving the disaster, Ota joins the new organization Anti-Megalosaur Force (FAM), group created by multiple countries to defeat the Kaiju. The story, told in diary form, chronicles the soldier’s life in his fifty-year struggle to defeat the creature. The story of a war long lost, but one they can’t stop fighting through sheer will and obsession.
We are not faced with a magnum opus of the ninth art, but Stokoe knows what he is aiming for, giant monsters destroying everything and humanity fighting an impossible war. The narrative thread is the story of Ota, a solid character who, despite the countless losses and defeats suffered over half a century, has not stopped fighting. But his fight is more dictated by pure obsession than by pure willpower. A well-constructed script, but it is not even something from another world, yes, it is a tribute to the atomic lizard and all its mythology, since we will see a parade of monsters like Mothra, King Ghidorah, Truly and many others.
What is clear is that to see gigantic monsters fighting each other and destroying everything, you need a good drawing, something like that Stokoe It satisfies him amply. A drawing full of details that aims to show us the splendor of the creatures that destroy everything. Every detail of the monsters is unique and it’s clear that the artist really had fun drawing them, but it doesn’t stop there, as everything else is also drawn in disgusting detail. An excellent job in transferring to the cartoon all the destruction and chaos that the Kaijū have generated in our world.
Also worth mentioning is the use of rather strong colours, especially the orange tones which give the comic a unique energy and personality. If you want Godzilla or the giant monsters, you will really like this comic.
The Moztros edition of Godzilla: The Half-Century War
Moztros offers us the five issues that make up the series in a soft cover format with a 17 x 26 cm format. In addition to the comic, it also includes a gallery of the most spectacular covers. With a total of 128 color pages of decent quality, this comic is on sale for €22.90.
The Mid-Century War is a very entertaining comic with the most spectacular drawings. A story that delivers, but is enhanced by the excellent work of Stokoe’s artists, showing the greatness and danger of Godzilla and the rest of the monsters. If you like Kaijūs, this comic will not disappoint you.
Godzilla: The Half-Century War
Author: James Stokoe
Editorial: Moztros
Format: Tapa mix
Measure: 17 x 26 cm
Pages: 128 color pages
Price: €22.90
ISBN: 978-84-18955-66-2
Synopsis: Godzilla: The Half-Century War is one man’s journey from the moment Godzilla’s reign of destruction begins and the battles unfold, one after another, throughout his life.
The year is 1954, and Lieutenant Ota Murakami comes face to face with Godzilla for the first time as he approaches the shores of Japan. Together with his friend Kentaro, and now without many options, Ota makes a desperate gamble to save lives during a cruel battle in the heart of Tokyo. It’s the beginning of an obsession against the King of Monsters that will last fifty years!
James Stokoe brings us a thrilling graphic novel that will take a new look at Godzilla’s reign of destruction during the first half of a century in a lifelong war.
