Godzilla Battles LA, Aids Wildfire Relief

Godzilla, the king of monsters, is known for his devastating attacks on Tokyo, but what if he set his sights on the United States? That's the premise behind Godzilla vs. America, a new series of standalone specials from IDW Publishing and Toho. Following the Chicago showdown, the series continues its rampage in April with Godzilla vs. Los Angeles #1, featuring four stories of Godzilla's assault on the City of Angels.

This issue boasts a stellar creative team including Gabriel Hardman (Green Lantern: Earth One, Batman: The Brave and the Bold), J. Gonzo (Image Comics’ La Mano del Destino, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Dave Baker (Mary Tyler Moorehawk, TMNT: Black, White & Green), and Nicole Goux (Shadow of the Batgirl).

IDW acknowledges the sensitive timing of the comic's release, given the recent devastating wildfires in and around Los Angeles. While the issue has been in development for over a year, IDW has committed to donating all proceeds from Godzilla vs. Los Angeles #1 to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc), supporting bookstores and comic shops affected by the fires. They released the following statement:

To our retail partners and fans,

We hope this message finds you safe and well. IDW Publishing is deeply committed to its community of creators, readers, and retailers. We understand the importance of sensitivity and support, especially during challenging times.

Regarding the upcoming release of Godzilla vs. Los Angeles, planned since last July, this 40-page anthology features the work of Los Angeles-based writers and artists. We recognize the unfortunate timing coinciding with the recent fires. "Godzilla," as a series, often serves as a metaphor for the impact of tragedies. It is not our intention to capitalize on these events, but rather to explore themes reflecting the human condition.

To support our community, we will donate all proceeds from Godzilla vs. Los Angeles to Binc, directly aiding bookstores and comic shops affected by the fires.

We appreciate your support in bringing stories to life. Through this effort, we can offer assistance to those impacted by the events in Los Angeles.

Thank you for your understanding and continued readership.

"Having been born and raised in LA, I couldn’t be happier to work on a comic packed with some of the city’s most talented cartoonists," associate editor Nicolas Niño told IGN. "We’ve got Godzilla fighting giant lowrider mechs, stomping through theme parks, and even a pamphlet on the city’s subway system! The common theme? Angelenos coming together to fight back against a force of nature. This year’s started out hard for the city and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Los Angeles than by bringing its biggest challenge yet: The King of Monsters! Plus, all proceeds for this issue are going to support the Binc Foundation’s response to the wildfires that affected the city in January."

Godzilla vs. Los Angeles #1 will be released on April 30, 2025, with a final order cutoff of March 24. For more on upcoming comics, check out what to expect from Marvel and DC in 2025.