08/08/2025
IDW Publishing's Kai-Sei era comic book line kicked off with its G-Force led Godzilla #1, but starting this week, the line has officially entered post-apocalyptic territory with the release of Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1 by writers Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan, and artist Pablo Tunica.
Set in a walled off section of America's Pacific Northwest ruined by the comic line's Kai-Sei energy which powers Godzilla and other kaiju, Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone follows a half-human, half-kaiju known as the Wanderer as he helps protect two powerful children known as Runt and Glasseater. As readers discover, however, these children of the Deadzone may be the ones protecting him.
Runt and Glasseater are two young (foul-mouthed) mutants with the power to control kaiju. Born and raised in the Deadzone, the duo are trapped inside of the Church of Godzilla, an organization that worships Godzilla for creating their world and is hellbent on luring the King of the Monsters back to harness its power. Runt and Glasseater only have to touch monsters to meld their way inside their bodies, commanding them like bio mech pilots, making them perfect for the church's purposes. When the Wanderer becomes embroiled in their situation, he decides to help the kids escape the church's nefarious ambitions.
IDW Godzilla editor Jake Williams explains, "Runt and Glasseater are vile, disgusting, little gremlin freaks who also happen to be the two most charming characters I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. From their first introduction, Griffin and Ethan have had such a complete understanding of these characters that have made them feel so fully realized from jump... and then Pablo Tunica seems to have generated some literal magic to craft two of the most perfect character designs the world has ever seen and move them across the page in a way that makes you feel like you're in the room with them. I could read about these two for a hundred issues--and I hope I get a chance to."
"Just as our lead character, the Wanderer, breaks new ground in the Godzilla universe by being the first human-kaiju hybrid, so too do Runt and Glasseater," Parker told Godzilla.com. "These two may be small and covered in mud, but they can pilot kaiju like their own personal mech suits, and that makes these little freaks a force to be reckoned with. The kids were actually the first idea Griffin and I pitched to Jake for our contribution to this universe, and we couldn't be more excited that they made it into the book. We frequently talk about how we could write this trio and their bizarre dynamic for the rest of our lives, and we hope the readers love them as much as we do. If not, I fear Glasseater will pursue righteous vengeance."
Sheridan elaborates,"We wanted to really blow the doors open on what could be found in the Deadzone, on what could happen in a Godzilla story. And so Runt and Glasseater were created. They exist somewhere along the bizarre spectrum between Peanuts and Attack on Titan. If readers, much like The Wanderer, thought they knew what this world was, how this story goes, they were mistaken. The Twins are forces of nature and they will totally reshape this world. For better or for worse? We'll have to find out..."
Tunica echoed his collaborators' sentiments from his perspective as series artist, "Runt is magnificent with his strange shyness and false erudition. Always very polite and kind. But Glasseater, well, she's something else. She moves like a waltz through the panels and plays with everything she finds: trees, weapons, flowers. She doesn't seem to mind. Her adorable wickedness definitely steals the book. The best thing that happened to me while drawing this story was getting them to move. The children lie on the floor and stand on their heads, everything is important for them but everything is part of a game. I enjoy it so much."
Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1 is now on sale, with issue #2 coming September 17. Get a close look at Runt, Glasseater, and the Wanderer with Tunica's character designs and comic art below.
