IDW will again publish Godzilla comics, starting with a five-issue middle-grade series in April 2021, thanks to a new multi-year deal with Toho International, Inc. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the San Diego-based publisher renewed their partnership with the Japanese production company, and plan to release multiple projects starring the classic cinema kaiju. The first, being the “Godzilla” miniseries aimed at younger readers, helmed by the creative team of writer Erik Burnham, artist Dan Schoening, and colorist Luis Antonio Delgado.
The partnership gives IDW access to the full array of Toho monsters, including iconic creatures such as Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah. In addition to comics, the partnership gives IDW distribution rights for a variety of Godzilla-themed products, ranging from journals to coloring books. These rights will be for worldwide distribution, with the exception of select Asian markets.
“We’re very excited to work with Toho to build a comprehensive array of stories and products that Godzilla fans everywhere can enjoy,” IDW Publisher Nachie Marsham told THR. “Their library of characters are quite literally titans of pop culture, and we can’t wait for people to get their hands on what we’re creating in close partnership with Toho.”
IDW first partnered with Toho in 2010, publishing Godzilla comics from 2011 to 2016, with a collected edition of “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” (which ran for 12 issues from 2011-2012) released in 2019. Notable series during that time were 2013’s “Godzilla: The Half Century War,” and 2016’s “Godzilla in Hell.”
The new “Godzilla” mini will not be the first major property the trio of Burnham, Schoening, and Delgado have worked on for IDW. The team have worked together on the publisher’s Ghostbusters line since 2011, including the “Ghostbusters 101” crossover, which saw the 1984 team meet the ‘busters from the 2016 film.
“IDW has been such a fantastic partner in bringing Godzilla characters to life through high-quality graphic storytelling, and we’re excited to take our relationship to the next level,” Toho managing director Lora Cohn says of the partnership. “By expanding beyond comics with wide-ranging books, games and more, we’re sure that our iconic kaiju will leave monstrous marks on these products that consumers across the globe, young and old, will never forget.”
