IDW's Godzilla vs. LA Aids Wildfire Relief

Godzilla is renowned for his destructive rampages through Tokyo, but what if the iconic monster set his sights on the United States? That's the intriguing premise behind "Godzilla vs. America," a new series of standalone specials from IDW Publishing and Toho.

The series kicked off with "Godzilla vs. Chicago #1" and continues its path of destruction with "Godzilla vs. Los Angeles #1," set to release in April. This issue features four captivating stories about Godzilla's assault on the City of Angels. The creative team behind this anthology includes Gabriel Hardman (known for "Green Lantern: Earth One" and "Batman: The Brave and the Bold"), J. Gonzo (of "La Mano del Destino" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" fame), Dave Baker ("Mary Tyler Moorehawk," "TMNT: Black, White & Green"), and Nicole Goux ("Shadow of the Batgirl").

Some might find the timing of "Godzilla vs. Los Angeles #1" a bit insensitive, given the real-life wildfires affecting the region. However, IDW has been developing this issue for nearly a year and acknowledges the unfortunate timing. In response, they have decided to donate all proceeds from "Godzilla vs. Los Angeles" to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc), which will help support bookstores and comic shops impacted by the fires.

IDW released the following letter to retailers and readers:

To our retail partners and fans,

We hope this message finds you safe and well. IDW Publishing is deeply committed to its community of creators, readers, and retailers. As part of this community, we understand that sensitivity and support are paramount, especially during challenging times.

We are reaching out to address the upcoming release of Godzilla vs. Los Angeles, the next installment in our "Godzilla vs. America" series. Planned since last July, this 40-page anthology features the work of some beloved Los Angeles-based writers and artists and is scheduled to go on sale in April 2025.

We recognize the unfortunate coincidence of our comic’s theme with the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles. "Godzilla," as a series, has often served as a metaphor for the impact of unprecedented tragedies stemming from human actions or natural causes. It is not our intention to capitalize on these recent events but rather to continue to explore themes that resonate with and reflect the human condition.

To support our community in this difficult time, we have decided to donate all proceeds from the sales of Godzilla vs. Los Angeles to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc). This contribution will directly aid bookstores and comic shops affected by the fires, helping them recover and rebuild.

We appreciate your support as retailers and partners in bringing stories to life, even when art unintentionally mirrors reality. Through this effort, we can offer some assistance to those impacted by the events in Los Angeles.

Thank you for your understanding and continued readership. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or for further discussion.

"Having been born and raised in LA, I couldn’t be happier to work on a comic packed with some of the city’s most talented cartoonists," associate editor Nicolas Niño tells IGN. "We’ve got Godzilla fighting giant lowrider mechs, stomping through theme parks, and even a pamphlet on the city’s subway system (yes, LA does have a subway system)! The common theme? Angelenos coming together to fight back against a force of nature. This year’s started out hard for the city and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Los Angeles than by bringing its biggest challenge yet: The King of Monsters! Plus, all proceeds for this issue are going to support the Binc Foundation’s response to the wildfires that affected the city in January."

"Godzilla vs. Los Angeles #1" is slated for release on April 30, 2025, with a final order cutoff date of March 24.

For more insights into upcoming comic book releases, explore what Marvel and DC have in store for 2025.