Marvel Comics understands how to keep its fans interested in reading its content, namely with anticipated comics crossovers. From Secret Wars to Avengers vs. X-Men, Marvel loves bringing together two insurmountable forces between its covers, but nothing has been as huge as what they are doing now. Literally.
Toho International Studios, the parent company of the world's favorite nuclear iguana, is partnering with Marvel Comics for a brand-new series that will pit Godzilla against many superheroes in Marvel's assemblage.
In an exclusive with The Wrap, Marvel Comics announced the Kaiju partnership will be a miniseries entitled "Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe." The synopsis of the crossover miniseries can be read below:
"A previously dormant Godzilla has been angrily awoken and begun carving a path of annihilation as Earth's Mightiest Heroes band together to try and stop its cataclysmic rampage! But when their combined efforts fail to slow the Bringer of Destruction, Earth's heroes are forced to go to extraordinary lengths to try and bring Godzilla down — including joining forces with Earth's most devious villains!"
Taking Advantage of the magnitude of Godzilla
The irony is that both Godzilla and the heroes of the Marvel universe are also icons of cinema. Dominant icons, too.
For over a decade, nothing could touch Marvel. On the silver screen, Kevin Feige's innovative approach to a saga connecting origin stories and the culmination of Avengers: Endgame in the MCU is second-to-none when it comes to building shared universes. DC tried but only got a few fingers on their path to global domination. No one else came close.
And then came the Monsterverse. Both Godzilla and Kong got their origin stories, followed by Godzilla vs. Kong, the astoundingly lackluster Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire (and let's not forget about the Oscar-winning colossus Godzilla Minus One). Overall, the Monsterverse has earned $2.52B, and adding in the successful Apple TV series, there is no stopping the Kaiju Titans.
It sounds like not even the superheroes of Marvel. Here's the other part of the synopsis:
"But will this be enough to stop Godzilla as it tears straight through the Marvel Universe into the Dark Dimension and other realms? Plus, how is the King of the Monsters connected to the mysterious metal, Vibranium, and what does this mean for Wakanda? In the face of an unstoppable force of nature, the Marvel Universe must come together like never before in this earth-shattering fight for Earth's survival."
Last summer, variant covers of the King of Monsters came out and they were something to behold.
This monstrous upcoming series is actually the finale for Marvel and Toho's year-long at the end of the year. It comes to a majestic close with Godzilla and the entire lineup, but Gojira has already faced off against the Fantastic Four in March. Upcoming conflicts later this year feature Godzilla vs. Hulk (April 16), Spider-Man (April 30), X-Men (May 14), and Thor (July 2).
The press release from Marvel and Toho International shares some dazzling concepts, including a
faceoff between the ageless Kaiju and an ancient Celestial, a horrifying symbiote bonding to the King of the Monsters, and a ground-shaking battle between the Hulk and Godzilla.
"Godzilla has always been a relentless force of nature, and battling the icons of the Marvel Universe is the perfect way to celebrate 70 years of the King of Monsters," said Kristin Parcell, General Manager of Toho International. "Our continued collaboration with Marvel, bringing Godzilla into the vast Marvel Universe, guarantees an unmatched, electrifying experience for fans of both legendary franchises."
The series will launch on July 16. Gerry Duggan, of Deadpool and X-Men fame, will write it, and Javier Garrón, most notably known for Miles Morales, will create the artwork.