First it was DC’s Justice League, now Marvel Comics is celebrating Godzilla’s 70th anniversary with an epic crossover event, Godzilla vs. Marvel. The six-issue series will see the iconic kaiju face off against Marvel’s greatest heroes, including the Fantastic Four, Hulk, Spider-Man, X-Men, and Thor.
Marvel and Godzilla Reunite After Nearly 50 Years
This marks Godzilla’s return to Marvel Comics for the first time in nearly five decades. The character previously headlined Godzilla, King of the Monsters from 1977-79, set within Marvel’s mainline universe.
Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski shared insights about the collaboration with Toho:
“These crossovers started coming together over time, in direct collaboration with Toho, and we felt the perfect time for them was for Godzilla’s 70th anniversary next year. We’ve been thrilled to work with them and hope this leads to more exciting projects.”
Kicks of with Godzilla vs. Fantastic Four
The crossover kicks off in March 2025 with Godzilla vs. Fantastic Four, written by Ryan North with art by John Romita Jr. The issue pits the Fantastic Four against King Ghidorah, who has been transformed into Galactus’ new herald. Godzilla, teaming up with the Silver Surfer, must battle the cosmic-powered kaiju to save Earth.
Subsequent issues will feature Godzilla clashing with other Marvel icons, including Hulk, Spider-Man, X-Men, and Thor. Each one-shot will take place in a different time period, adding variety and depth to the event.
Why Godzilla Is Important to Marvel
Dan Buckley, president of Marvel Comics & Franchises, emphasized the appeal of blending Godzilla’s mythos with Marvel’s iconic heroes:
“For us, Kaiju—and specifically Godzilla—are important parts of Marvel’s comic history. We’ve always been fans of Godzilla, but with the steady rise in Godzilla’s popularity over the years, it’s part of our current cultural zeitgeist and a perfect example of the fun that the comics industry can bring… Fun opportunities for crossovers like this give both of our fans an entertaining escape that they won’t want to miss.”
The crossover comes at a time when Godzilla is enjoying renewed cultural relevance and popularity. Legendary’s Godzilla franchise has earned over $1.3 billion globally and will have a sequel released in 2027. The Japanese feature Godzilla Minus One became a sleeper hit and won an Oscar, with director Takashi Yamazaki developing a new Godzilla film. Apple TV+ also is developing a second season for the Monarch: Legacy of Monsters TV series.
Behind-the-Scenes: Marvel and Toho Collaboration
The idea for Godzilla vs. Marvel began during Marvel’s talks with Toho about reprinting classic comics, revealed Cebulski:
“We approached them initially for our reprints, but a while after those conversations, it was clear that both of our teams were excited to do more together.”
Which matchup are you most excited to see? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Source: THR