INTERVIEW: 'Spider-Man vs. Godzilla' #1 Writer Joe Kelly is a MONSTER Fan

The Godzilla vs. Marvel collaboration has revealed some monster expressions of fandom from its creators, but Godzilla vs. Spider-Man #1 writer Joe Kelly's commitment is particularly... permanent. Not only is the longtime comic and animation creator a fan of the King of the Monsters from way back, Kelly's acclaim for recent films cements the scribe as a standout. Learn more about the writer's fandom and get a look at select pages by Godzilla vs. Spider-Man #1 artist Nick Bradshaw in our full interview and preview below.

Godzilla.com: This story is set in the '80s when you were actively collecting Spider-Man comics. What was your experience with Godzilla like back then (and did you see The Return of Godzilla AKA "Godzilla 1985" in theaters)?

Joe Kelly: Godzilla always had a place in my heart - my favorite monster by far. I grew up watching Godzilla movies on TV, the cartoon series, and a prized possession of mine was the Shogun Warriors Godzilla. I loved that it was mysterious - a “good guy” in some movies and a “bad guy” in others, though as a kid I preferred the former. That unpredictability made Godzilla stand out for me. That said, in the 1980s, I was not actively searching out Godzilla adventures so I missed its epic return to theaters!

Godzilla.com: We know that a certain Black Suit will figure into Godzilla vs. Spider-Man #1. Aside from the time period that this comic is set in, what makes the Black Suit a fun addition to a Godzilla story?

Joe Kelly: Godzilla has been haunted by extraterrestrial creatures and cultures since the early days. Even though Spider-Man does not yet know that his black suit is more than just some cool, outer space threads, it’s an alien life form - and that is Godzilla bait! Seems like a great excuse to get Spider-Man and Godzilla together!

Godzilla.com: Which Godzilla(s) are your favorite as a fan? And which Godzilla(s) do you find the most inspiring as a storyteller?

Joe Kelly: Great question. Prior to the most recent films, I would have said that my favorite Godzilla was of the Showa era since those films informed my childhood. I was into the big adventure stories and focused on Godzilla fighting monsters more than the social commentary. (Though Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster (Hedora) really freaked me out as a kid because of the pollution themes!) Most of the films from the late '60s on had big Kaiju action with a (mostly) friendly Godzilla and I loved those movies - tail slide and all! Though that version of Godzilla will always hold a special place for me, the modern era changed my perspective a lot.

Shin Godzilla and Godzilla Minus One didn't just redefine Godzilla for me, they became instant classics that cemented my love for the franchise and gave me deeper creative inspiration. Shin Godzilla hit me on so many levels - the social commentary, the spectacle, the body horror - it became my instant favorite. The fact that Neon Genesis Evangelion is an all-time favorite anime and Hideaki Anno wrote and co-directed the film made it even more special. Then Takashi Yamazaki changed the game again! Godzilla Minus One struck me as a beautiful return to Godzilla's origins while updating the character’s look and feel. The human story was exceptional and sweeping, and Godzilla was a staggering force of nature. I loved the new design so much that before the film came out, I had a massive tattoo done of the Minus One Godzilla on my arm! (by artist Mike Carro).

Godzilla.com: You've worked on, created, and co-created a number of iconic characters and series. What do you think it is about Godzilla that keeps the kaiju stomping forward generation after generation?

Joe Kelly: In part it's the same thing that captivated me as a child - the flexibility of the character. If you want to see a big fun fight-fest between giant monsters, Godzilla's your monster. If you want to use Kaiju to make a comment on politics, the environment, or man's carelessness, there's Godzilla. Godzilla works across tones and wildly diverse stories, yet feels cohesive in a way that very few characters do, mainly because of its origin and its real world roots. Even when Godzilla is "good", it's still scary and carries the weight of the atomic age and the horrors of war. Those things are imprinted on our collective subconscious so we connect with Godzilla instantly.

Godzilla.com: Most of the comic creators we talk to are also Godzilla collectors to some extent (especially when they go to work on a story). What's your Godzilla inventory like these days?

Joe Kelly: I'm not rolling super deep, but I have a nice collection: The Criterion book of films, the most recent Godzilla x Evangelion statue, gashapon Godzilla keychains, the Shogun Warriors 'Zilla, Godzilla + Cup Noodles plushie, books, a "What Would Godzilla Do" mini-poster on my desk, and of course the massive tattoo, just to name a few. :)