Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre #1

Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre #1

by Tom Scioli

Godzilla takes on his greatest foe yet—The Great Gatsby! The year is 1922. Mysterious man of luxury Jay Gatsby continues to throw parties from his palatial Long Island estate, all in hopes of attracting the attention of his love, Daisy Buchanan. But his affair is interrupted as his party attracts the one thing more dangerous than GODZILLA. Now, Gatsby has no choice but to turn his undying will away from his love of Daisy and onto revenge against the monster who destroyed his home. Come along with Gatsby on the journey of a lifetime in three oversized issues as he combines forces with the greatest men of the 20th century to stop its greatest monster—written and drawn by cult favorite comics creator Tom Scioli (Fantastic Grand Design, Jack The Epic Life of the King of Comics).

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2024

Reviews

[Kit Charlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, well-rendered, and a remarkably loving ode to the big man in all his reptilian forms. The conceit of recontextualizing (and sometimes lightly editing) quotes from the Great Gatsby is all in good fun during the first third, but Scioli wisely tapers these off as the story goes on and focuses instead on the full-throttle, no holds barred silliness of this story. It's about exactly as long as it should be and incorporates just enough public domain entertainment properties to keep things exciting and propulsive, but not too many to overwhelm (not to the point that it's unenjoyable at least). Mega-Gatsby is an awesome climax and the dramatic reveals of new characters got audible laughs from me more than once.

I'm relatively new to the Godzilla series, having seen only 6 or 7 of the movies, but even still I could tell that Godzilla's design and movements were lovingly studied and replicated. Godzilla looks great here, an incarnation of the Showa-era suitmation design that introduced him to the world. The colors are excellent and there's plenty of the slapstick humor that characterizes much of the later Showa-era films.

Hugely enjoyable and quick read. Tempted to buy myself a copy to come back to regularly.

[jenniferr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun mix of past styles and history with a modern twist of story telling! coming across famous figures in a godzilla story was honestly more fun than I expected. I don’t feel the amount of figures lessens the impact of the story, rather they keep you on the edge of your seat. Overall, fun read and I will be looking for more from these storytellers!

[Nightwing’s Thiccness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robot Jules Verne felt like a Stan Lee cameo. In an issue about Godzilla, it feels appropriate that the Great Gatsby takes up a lot of the story. Also Sherlock Holmes helps Gatsby to assemble classic literature Avengers to destroy Godzilla. It’s the best fever dream I’ve read.

[Rick Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Godzilla's Monsterpiece Theatre #1

Cut from a similar cloth as The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Tom Scioli's latest comic situates classic literary characters like Jay Gatsby and Sherlock Holmes in a gruelling battle against the King of the Monsters. Framed initially like a sequence from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, things soon get out of hand when Godzilla tears through Long Island. Jay Gatsby calls in the "G-Force", a bizarre collection of characters from across classic literature penned by the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, H.G. Wells and more. A phenomenally drawn and absolutely hysterical script makes Godzilla's Monsterpiece Theatre a must-read comic for everyone.

[Pamela Hatch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Godzilla - who wouldn't want to read about the monster of all monsters doing what Godzilla does best - destroy by stomping on things. A group of famous literary characters join together to help Jay Gatsby to stop Godzilla with varying results. The cast is similar to that of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - and although the cover mentions the Time Machinist and Sherlock Holmes - there are other recognizable figures that appear throughout the story.

The story is the usual with monsters story - monster shows up, destroys things, gets chased away, goes to a new location, chased by the good guys, repeat the action in as many different cities and circumstances as you can think of.

Tom Scioli does it all - story, art, and lettering. Great illustrations, some worthy of framing to go on the wall. Some of the lettering was so small that I had trouble reading the text.

Lots of passages that stand out, such as "It eluded us then, but that's no matter -- tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther..."

Also...."For a transitory enchanted moment, I held my breath in the presence of this monster, compelled into an aesthetic contemplation I neither understood nor desired, face to face for the first time with something commensurate to my capacity for wonder. So I drove away and left him standing there in the moonlight-watching over nothing."

Weird ending that just seems to stop - not sure if there is also going to be a sequel. - I might try a sequel but I'm not sure what new content could be added.

At the ending starting on page 130 is a bunch of alternative artwork and covers.

Even though the back cover identifies this a graphic novel - it is more in the format and content of a comic book.

Given access to an Advanced Reader's Copy - Not Final Version (electronic version) in exchange for an honest review.

[Duncs Comics · Rating 5 out of 5]

What in the Jim Rugg is this!? This is potentially the most bonkers fun I've had reading a comic book this year so far.

Monsterpiece Theatre is a fever dream of a comic, with retro pulpy artwork by Scioli and a premise so wild it demands attention. We are in an era where Godzilla comics are getting increasingly more playful and creative with their concepts, and I'm here for it. But this one might be the most electric so far: Godzilla in the 1920s competing with various public domain literary characters. Jay Gatsby, The Time Traveller, Sherlock Holmes, Jules Verne and Thomas Edison form a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen/assembly of Avengers to fight against the monster.

What starts off as a pastiche of the Great Gatsby quickly evolves into this maximalist thrill ride. We just keep adding classic characters into the melting pot, but who cares? It's gnarly. I love the way Scioli draws Godzilla, and can appreciate that he first appears as an allusion to the Celestial Eyes that play a part in the GG novel. Only here the existential horror is that a giant lizard is about to eat you.

Sorry I wasn't familiar with your game, Scioli. This is the kind of lightning bolt creativity that makes the hobby such a delight.

[Nicholas Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a unique Godzilla comic. I haven't read Tom Scioli before, but his eccentric style really won me over here. You might call this something like League of Extraordinary Gentlemen vs. Godzilla, but Scioli does his own art, his own coloring, his own lettering. Amazing. He has a living, delightful vision. The story takes the Great Gatsby as a base and drops Godzilla in the middle of the drama, then brings in a cyborg Jules Verne, an aging Holmes, even the time machinist and Dracula. Arguably too much is going on here, but I was enthralled. I just love this, and now I want to read his other work.

I wish his Godzillaman comic was accepted by Toho.

[Simms · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a hoot. Ridiculous genre mashup in a gorgeously retro style and a tone that does a good job of riding the line of silly sincerity of old-old school comics and poking fun at that same sincerity. Hoping that the "#1" isn't just a title trope of the genre but actually means there will be more of this; there's certainly still some public domain characters left to mine.

Thanks to NetGalley and IDW for what may be an ARC (not clear whether this is published in 2024 or 2025 or in what markets).

[Ben Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. It’s the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen without taking itself too seriously. It’s a silly goofy mashup that’s a ton of fun. I really enjoyed this one, from its pastiche on Fitzgerald’s stuffy style in the form of Nick’s narration (which disappears from the narrative when Nick himself does) to the elevation from quirky retelling of Gatsby to a superhero-esque mashup of literary heroes.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing story and use of some of the great literary figures. The artwork was outstanding and did an excellent job of highlighting the plot. The story itself left me confused and wanting. I feel that too many classic literary figures were used which only muddled the story. Additionally, the ending seemed hurried and left you disappointed. It is worth the read, but I cannot give it more than three stars.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gatsby vs Godzilla is something I wouldn't have ever dreamed of, but I'm so greatful this LOEG styled comic exists. Can't even imagine how issue 2 will top this. Tom Scioli rules!

[Eddie Arafat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun and imaginative. Amazing retro art style.

[India · Rating 5 out of 5]

unbelievably incredible

[Wm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree, Drac, London has indeed "become interesting".

[Alex Fyffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Gage Melton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious in its absurdity. Channel the straightforwardness of classic comics, sprinkled through with prose fitting of its source materials.

[Joseph Crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stellar debut. Wonderful artwork. Rich humour throughout. Unique and offbeat writing. Laugh out loud funny in parts. More of this!

[pampampampampam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely bonkers and I loved every moment of it.

[Matt Glaviano · Rating 4 out of 5]

High-shelf weirdness.

The story drags a bit but the art is endlessly rewarding.

Highly recommended.

[Egghead · Rating 5 out of 5]

despite knowing the
premise, i was delighted
to see it unfold

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

God bless the public domain!