IDW Announces New 'Kai-Sei' Godzilla Shared Universe Comics Line

IDW Publishing's upcoming Godzilla comic book line is bringing that big monster energy. Following the Free Comic Book Day release of Godzilla: The New Heroes on May 3, the publisher will launch its all-new Godzilla comics shared universe with three connected titles coming at the King of the Monsters from distinct storytelling styles.

Dubbed the Kai-Sei Era, the new line will kick off with the first ongoing Godzilla comic book series in a decade. Godzilla #1 drops in July by writer Tim Seeley (Godzilla vs. America: Chicago) and artist Nikola Čižmešija (Batman and Robin) with an all-new Godzilla design, copious kaiju, and superpowered human characters – all battling in a world on the brink.

IDW's official description:

In 1954, an experiment with a mysterious energy source called Kai-Sei awakened Godzilla and other terrifying kaiju. For decades, humanity has endured an onslaught of monster attacks. While Japan views these unstoppable rampages like natural disasters, the United States’ G-Force is attempting to fight these seemingly immortal titans. Now, they’ve found a boy who wields the power of Godzilla. Will he save the world… or bring about its doom?

Expanding the new comic universe in August is Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1 by Eisner Award-nominated writers Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan (Kill Your Darlings) with art by Pablo Tunica (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).

IDW breaks down the upcoming tale:

Introducing the first-ever half-human, half-kaiju hybrid in Toho history, GODZILLA: ESCAPE THE DEADZONE will explore the biggest mystery of the new connected universe… What is the truth behind the post-apocalyptic Deadzone? The search for answers will forever change how fans view this new universe as they experience this thrilling and shocking ride.

As summer turns to fall, IDW will round out the line's initial three-series lineup with Starship Godzilla #1 by writer Chris Gooch (In Utero) and artist Oliver Ono (Godzilla: Monster Island Summer Camp) in October.

IDW describes the series:

For the first time in Toho canon, this trip through the stars will bridge the gap between the various alien races. They’ve come to Earth in past tales, but now it’s time to visit their worlds as a crew of misfits embark on high-risk high-reward kaiju-based missions with a secret that could impact the whole universe.

"We couldn’t be more excited to present to you the new home of Godzilla – The Kai-Sei Era,” wrote IDW's Godzilla line editor Jake Williams, "The Kai-Sei Era is the only ongoing Godzilla story of its kind – crafted for comics readers who have never bought a Godzilla book, and Godzilla fans who have never read a comic. We aim to bring you the absolute best stories possible – whether those stories contain super powered G-Force members trying to kill Godzilla, mutants in a wasteland trying to survive in its wake, or mercenaries flying around space in Mechagodzilla. Every month readers will be able to take a peek inside a brand new universe composed of unimaginable horrors, kaiju old and new, and heroes to keep it all at bay. We’re telling the best Godzilla stories in the world, inside the best comics on the shelves.”