Godzilla Vs. Hulk (2025) #1 (Godzilla Vs. The Marvel Universe

by Gerry Duggan, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Penciler), Daniele Orlandini (Inker)

ROUND VS. THE INCREDIBLE HULK! GENERAL ROSS has no tolerance for monsters in any form. With his anti-kaiju taskforce THE THUNDERBOLTS he's taken down or imprisoned the biggest and baddest monsters on the Fin Fang Foom, Mothra, Kumonga, even the Hulk. Now all that's left is his biggest hunt of all...GODZILLA. But the Thunderbolts' efforts to bring their last monster to heel may just result in the most destructive battle royale to ever rock the earth. It's time to figure out who's really the strongest there is! ROUND TWO IN A SERIES OF SIX ONE-SHOT THROWDOWNS!

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Superheroes

Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2025

Reviews

[Christian Schultheiss · Rating 2 out of 5]

This unique one off was just so promising with out the gate such a strong entry full of quite an amazing startup premise but sadly taking one of the oddest choice turns that just crashed the back half and made it end up feeling both rushed and sloppily finished with one cool surprise that when you start to think deeper on it is kind of stupid. Truly this had such a cool idea especially just imagining the hulk fighting Kaiju, but this just didn’t hit up to that potential sadly and because of it I was just left needing far more than what it gave. 2.75/5

[Christian Koller]

Fun comic overall. When I saw Mothra entrapped by Kumonga's web, I truly felt awful.
I was surprised Hulk's blood transformed Godzilla. OK, so:
1: Hulk gets his powers from gamma radiation. Godzilla eats radiation. Sooo I didn't really get how it worked, unless there's more to it biologically.
2: Heavily surprised a dinosaur-like kaiju accepted human blood and didn't reject it.
I'm able to put these questions aside though, cuz it gave us Hulk Godzilla, something none of us knew we wanted.
The other Toho icons were cool too. Neat to see how they work in the Marvel world.

[Machiavelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best of these… was cool and fun… godzillas eyes going green…. Hulk saying he didn’t have to prove himself…. He knew he was the strongest… several chuckles and good fun

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a fun comic, despite the misleading title (and promo which proclaimed it would settle 'who is strongest one of all?!?"). The artwork is good (better than most of what I've seen in IDWs issues of Godzilla but not quite as good as DC's series of the JLA clashing with Godzilla and King Kong) but not as good as Godzilla Vs. Fantastic Four or Godzilla Vs. Spider-Man. The overall plot was pretty good, too - better than I expected it to be.

On the one hand, I am grateful it did not involve a "fight" between Hulk and Godzilla. While Godzilla in the movies "eats" (absorbs?) radiation, I found myself wondering if this was supposed to be an "older version" of the Godzilla character from the 70s series until I saw this issue also involved Mothra, Kumonga, and Hedora (well, that and the FF issue involving a different Toho villain). That led me to thinking it had to be an "alternate universe" tale. Also, the Godzilla from the 70s comic series was shown to be eating leaves off of trees, making it more of a herbivore (not sure why Marvel did that back then, unless it was a copyright issue? Or how both Toho and Marvel wanted Godzilla to be viewed by children?)

My "major issue" was that if Godzilla feeds on radiation, how could the Hulk truly win in a fight? Godzilla could absorb all of the gamma radiation from Hulk and then crispy-critter whatever remained behind. So, yeah, that did not make any sense to me (which feels funny to say - that a giant, radiation-mutated prehistoric monster facing off against a miniscule radiation-mutated human monster makes a lick of sense, hahahah!).

My "second issue" would have been how Hulk talks like Ross for a moment (or maybe the Thing) when jumping to the electrical pole to use the electrical wires to jumpstart Godzilla's heart. It was a little jarring and "took me out of the moment" in terms of the story.

In any case, it was cool (fun) to see Hulk realize while he could not defeat Hedora, Godzilla could, and how Hulk used electric cables to jumpstart Godzilla's heart (a la what happened in the 2021 Godzilla vs. Kong, when Kong's heart was jump-started by that experimental craft). It was also an interesting take that Hulk's gamma-irradiated blood caused Godzilla to mutate even further to the point Godzilla was able to destroy Hedora. That was pretty cool!

I also loved the "stare down" as Godzilla and Hulk squared off like Western gunfighters before Hulk goes "You're lucky I'm too tired to fight you today!" (paraphrased, of course!) and backs down. That was a fun moment in the story and not at all what I expected to happen. Also was surprising was the "understanding" between Godzilla and Hulk - was not expecting that, either, but it made for a humorous moment when Ross backed down from shooting Banner in the head after realizing Godzilla was giving him the steely eye.

On a random note - not sure if there was any significance between Hulk's right arm being wounded (damaged) in the comic in comparison to the Hulk's right arm being wounded/damaged in End Game. Fun comparison all the same (more like Hulk leads with his right arm then left in the comics, so there you go, hahahah!).

I loved that Dr. Demonicus appeared as well, considering he showed up in the original Marvel series, followed by Shogun Warriors before becoming a semi-regular villain of the West Coast Avengers. The Godzilla from that series also appeared in Iron Man Volume One, #'s 193-194 and 194, followed by The Thing #31. I missed that he was now part of "the Thunderbolts", as is Dr. Banner, in this issue.

I liked the use of colors to demonstrate the irony of Demonicus's statement to Banner how Banner has "no idea what it's like to be a monster." That was well done, in my opinion, and I thought it set a good tone for Banner as well.

Godzilla ripping the arm off Banner's mech and then beating him with it did remind me of one of IDWs Godzilla stories where Godzilla rips off one of Kumonga's legs and beats the giant spider with it. It was amusing to me, which is why it stood out.

Hulk laughing at Ross as Hulk rescues his human nemesis was pretty funny as well. Loved how Ross was humiliated by that moment of Hulk rescuing him.

It's crazy to me that Fin Fang Foom died! Demonicus mentions it almost as an afterthought in a line of his "monologue" - it would have been interesting to see how that happened!

I know I use "interesting" too much, but I wonder if they will do anything with that "piece" of Hedora that was stuck on either stuck on Ross's hand or butt of his pistol? I could almost see them going the direction of some kind of symbiote bonding with Ross, but we shall see. DC is supposed to be doing a second series involving a JLA-Monsterverse crossover; it could be fun if Marvel was able to do a second series involving Godzilla as well.

The alternate covers are fun. I saw the "Why Army want to fight Hulk? Godzilla the one that destroy town" cover with the 1970s Marvel Godzilla in the background but did not have enough money to buy it. I loved the homage cover of Godzilla and Hulk tussling - brought back memories of the 70s series - especially with it being an homage to issue #10 from the Godzilla series. I also loved the cover with Godzilla fighting Jet Jaguar - that's another fun cover!

I don't know how much this story felt like it had a "70s feel to it" other than how the Incredible Hulk is drawn in the story. Well, that and the homage cover showing Godzilla drawn in the style of the 1970s comic. There was an "inhouse ad" that ran showing Godzilla walking in the distance with a miniscule Hulk threatening to get even once he freed himself from Godzilla's footprint. It is a pretty funny ad, to be honest, and makes me think that would be the ultimate end-result of any "fight" between the two. Regardless of how overpowered the Hulk has become in recent issues. So perhaps that is also a "tie-in" to how this issue is set in the 1970s since the Spider-Man issue is definitely set in the 1980s shortly after the first Secret Wars ended?

In any case, it was a fun issue to read, especially because it went in a direction that I did not expect it to go. It has been a fun series so far, and I'm hoping the rest of the series is just as fun

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75
That was kinda awesome. Didn't expect that. I have been a fan of the return of the old school Godzilla in recent years, not crappy attempts to modernize him (or her?).

An excellent example of a superhero slugfest that was also interesting and meaningful. Well done.

Now I want more Duggan Hulk.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me back to when I was 12...summer vacation...at a friends house...stop by 7-Eleven to get a Slurpee and a Snickers...piles of comics...debate after debate...all afternoon long...who was the strongest...(is this a typical 'male' conversation?)...and the Hulk (H) usually won! Years ago I can remember a friend bringing this fight up; Godzilla (G) lost to H in my (rather dim) recollection - but G put up a good fight! Sorry, I know this is not a typical book review, but this is how the book made me feel.

[Nicholas Driscoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the crazy dialogue in this one, and the return of Dr. Demonicus from the old-school Marvel Godzilla books. Though I also have to say, if you are going to name a book Godzilla vs. Hulk, you should have Godzilla and Hulk battle. This is a fight we've waited for going on, what, almost fifty years? Herb Trimpe was one of the main artists for the Marvel Godzilla book back in the 1970s, and he was most well-known for drawing Hulk (I think)--but Hulk never fought Godzilla back then. And now he didn't either. Boo.

[Vince Samuel Silanskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

I love the world building of Godzilla being a presence in the Marvel Universe for a long time and the effects he has had on the world.


Genuinely a fun read! Can't wait for the next issue!

[kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremely misleading title but it was cool to see Godzilla hulk out. I agree with what another review points out that Godzilla consumes gamma rays so I would’ve thought Hulk’s blood would’ve refueled him, not made him hulk out? I wouldn’t really recommend this title but it wasn’t terrible.

[Kevin Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic excuse to pit two strong titans against one another, and with a very special treat that allows for Big G to have a temporary new look for some crucial panels. This is essential reading for fans of the main characters.

[Michael Castillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Godzilla VS Hulk comic is great! It’s the 2nd comic in the Godzilla VS The Marvel Universe run. I love both characters and it’s awesome to see both monsters on the same panel to fight a bigger, meaner, monster. The ending is especially so good!

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was way better than I was expecting. I love seeing Hedora as the vs character too. I also wasn't expecting Godzilla to hulk out.

[Kamen Rider Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hulk 🤝 Godzilla
Panas

[alejandro galvez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good.

It was a pretty good read. It got its point across in 30 pages. It felt longer than that, in a good way. I can't wait to read more from this series. Pretty cool.

[John Pempek · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. Shame on Marvel for titling Hulk vs Godzilla. It’s NOT Hulk vs Godzilla in any way. They use the title to sell comics.

[ComicBookCult Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic start, middle, not so much ending. Good for a one shot, passable for a general comic.

[Mark Plaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the fun and rip-roaring action one could expect from a battle between these emerald giants.

[Micah Glus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool art and I loved the Hulk transformation, but did Banner murder a guy??

[Jan Stefanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good one-shot. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

[Dolph Spaghetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolute peak.

[Craig Schorling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the old school vibes of this. The designs were great and the story, while a bit goofy, felt fitting for what they were going for.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d pay good money to watch a buddy comedy starring Godzilla and Hulk 💚

[Jordison Francisco · Rating 2 out of 5]

União de "Monstros".

Nota: 2,5/5,0 (REGULAR)

Consideravelmente mais interessante do que o embate do lagartão com o Quarteto Fantástico, esta Godzilla vs. Hulk já começa com um ritmo acelerado, jogando-nos num evento de proporções colossais em andamento, enquanto o General Ross, à frente dos Thunderbolts (ele, Doc Samson e Samuel Sterns), lidera uma caçada contra Godzilla, o último grande monstro em sua lista de alvos que já inclui nomes como Fin Fang Foom e Surtur. Bruce Banner, um cientista que parece ter deixado o Hulk no passado, é arrastado para o centro do conflito, e o que se desenrola aí é uma trama com breves momentos chamativos e algumas questões densas, como o pensamento sobre os limites da intervenção militar no combate a criaturas destruidoras e as consequências de tentar domar forças que talvez sejam melhor deixadas sozinhas. Apesar disso, a sensação que fica é a de um potencial que não se concretiza plenamente, com escolhas narrativas que privilegiam a ação mal organizada (falarei adiante sobre a minha bronca com a diagramação aqui) em detrimento de uma exploração mais cuidadosa de seus personagens, especialmente no destaque às batalhas, que é o que verdadeiramente importa em histórias do gênero.

Liderados por Ross, os Thunderbolts fazem uma abordagem destruidora contra qualquer forma de monstruosidade, e reflete uma mentalidade militarista que não hesita em sacrificar vidas ou aliar-se a figuras duvidosas, como o Doctor Demonicus, criador de um “incinerador de kaiju” que promete aniquilar Godzilla. Essa parceria, embora eficaz em termos práticos, carrega um peso ético que a história apenas insinua, sem mergulhar de fato nas implicações de unir forças com alguém cuja ciência desafia os limites da moralidade, evocando paralelos com momentos históricos em que alianças improváveis foram forjadas contra um inimigo comum. Enquanto isso, a arte de Giuseppe Camuncoli captura muito bem a grandiosidade dos embates, com traços que exaltam a escala dos monstros, mas tropeça em uma diagramação que corta cenas em momentos estranhos, quebrando a fluidez das interações e deixando o leitor com a impressão de que algo essencial ficou perdido entre os quadros. É um contraste curioso: o visual combina com a abordagem, mas a estrutura que o sustenta nem sempre acompanha o mesmo padrão.

A presença inicial de Bruce Banner oferece um contraponto intrigante ao caos externo provocado por Ross e seus planos. Introduzido como alguém “normal“, pois todos acreditam ter enterrado o Hulk anos antes, Banner passa da repressão da própria natureza (repetindo o conflito comum de suas histórias: a questão da identidade e do autocontrole) para o modo de preservação e luta. Quando o Golias, enfim, vem à tona, a trama segue um outro rumo, e o leitor lamenta que o verdão não tenha aparecido mais cedo. A inclusão de referências ao legado de Godzilla, trazendo criaturas (iscas) como Kumonga, Mothra e máquinas como Mechagodzilla, adiciona um sabor nostálgico que encanta o leitor, mas também reforça a sensação de que a obra se apoia demais na reverência ao passado, hesitando em arriscar algo verdadeiramente novo com todo esse time interagindo com o Hulk, mesmo que, como eu já comentei, existam algumas boas cenas aqui, e a linha dramática seja mais interessante do que o encontro do Rei dos Monstros com a Primeira Família.

Um pouco abruptamente, o desfecho vem com um diálogo entre Bruce e Ross sobre a monstruosidade e suas “vantagens”, injetando uma nota de ambiguidade e sugerindo que o general pode ter sido tocado pela gosma de Hedorah, aqui, forjado por Demonicus. É uma deixa instigante, mas que não apaga a frustração de um final reticente em algumas coisas e atropelado em outras, como se a história tivesse corrido para o clímax sem tempo de respirar ou amarrar suas pontas coerentemente. Ao tentar domar esses monstros, sejam eles de carne, lixo ou radioatividade, talvez o maior desafio esteja em reconhecer que nem todo caos pode ser controlado… e que criaturas como Godzilla não estão na Terra para verdadeiramente destruí-la, mas para protegê-la — aliás, na abordagem mais famosa da atualidade, com o Monsterverse, essa tem sido a tônica desde Godzilla II: Rei dos Monstros (2019). Está mais do que claro que este é o monstro que vale a pena salvar. O problema é: será que TODAS as revistas dessa série de personagens da Marvel contra o lagartão vão seguir o exato mesmo padrão de começar combatendo, para depois usar o bichão como arma contra criaturas piores? Haja paciência, viu…

[Anna Reads Mysteries · Rating 3 out of 5]

so far this was the most ok out of the Godzilla Vs series

[Trae Stratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun stuff.

This should absolutely be animated in the What If series!