INTERVIEW: 'Godzilla: Heist' Writer Van Jensen Summons Smashing

It takes a special kind of creator to make Godzilla an unwitting accomplice to thievery. But former crime journalist and current filmmaker, author, and comics scribe Van Jensen is proving he's more than capable of delivering on the task in the new Godzilla: Heist limited comic book series from IDW Publishing, debuting with issue #1 on February 19. We spoke with the writer to see how he's worked with artist Kelsey Ramsay to make the King of the Monsters the world's most wanted kaiju.

Godzilla.com: You’ve got plenty of experience writing monsters. What drew you to Godzilla specifically?

Van Jensen: I've been a fan of Godzilla forever, but in this case it just happened that our great editor, Jake Williams, asked me if I had any interest in doing a Godzilla book. It didn't take long for me to say, "Hell yes."

Godzilla.com: Which movies or media most shaped your take on Godzilla and its cast of kaiju in Godzilla: Heist?

Van Jensen: Godzilla: Singular Point was an inspiration, not in that our book is overly similar. I just really appreciated how far they stretched the bounds of what a Godzilla story could be. That was always our intent. To tell a story that is clearly Godzilla, yet to move that into a very new, unique space. A hard thing to do because there are so many great variations on the concept.

Godzilla.com: Have you ever personally committed a heist? Did you do any special research to add authenticity to this story? (Having read the first issue, I can at least say that you and artist Kelsey Ramsay have at least stolen our hearts)

Van Jensen: Ha! I have fantasized about a few heists, but can't say I've committed any. I'm honestly a rule follower. I do love heist books and comics and films, though. So many great ones out there. The Criminal comics, obviously. Heat. Inside Man. The Friends of Eddie Coyle. Just a super fun genre to play with.

Godzilla.com: Heist stories are unique among the broader crime genre. What do you consider the most essential elements of a good heist story, and how did you work to integrate those into Godzilla: Heist?

Van Jensen: Well, you have to have a crew. You have to have a big goal. You have to have an elaborate plan. You have to have a huge obstacle. You have to have a chase. You have to have a big twist. And I think we hit all of those notes. Of course, we wanted our own spin on things, and part of the fun was figuring out how to do that while, you know, a gigantic monster with the power of a god was stomping around.

Godzilla.com: The book’s main character has the ability to effectively summon Godzilla. What would you do if you could call forth the King of the Monsters?

Van Jensen: Well. Fort Knox is just sitting there full of gold...

Godzilla.com: Are you a Godzilla collector at all? If so, do you have any favorite pieces

Van Jensen: I'm not much of a collector of anything other than books. I did get myself a Mechagodzilla figurine (relevant!), but the real prize is that I begged Kelsey to let me buy one of her amazing original pages, and she agreed. Very, very excited to have that up on my wall.

Godzilla Heist #1 releases in comic book shops and online on February 19.