Godzillaand Spider-Man may not be the first mash-up to spring to mind, but one unused cover idea by artist Tom Scioli paired the two unlikely subjects together. The writer/artist behind IDW’s current Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theater is known for his wild, off-the-wall imagination, but the melding of Spider-Man and Godzilla might be the zaniest idea he’s had yet.
Sharing in a post to Instagram, Tom Scioli describes the sketch as an unused cover concept for Godzilla Monsterpiece Theater #2. The piece shows Godzilla carrying Anguiras while swooping through the air, taking the same position as Spider-Man did when he made his debut on the cover to Amazing Fantasy #15 by Steve Ditko.
Tom Scioli Plays with Classic Comic Book Iconography in Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theater
Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theater places the Big G in the 1920’s, where he encounters the wealthy Jay Gatsby. The worlds of Ishiro Honda and F. Scott Fitzgerald combine in the most unlikely of genre mash-ups, as Gatsby soon enlists the help of Sherlock Holmes, Jules Verne, Dracula and others to deal with the radioactive menace. Set to run for three 48 page issues, the new series from Tom Scioli recently put out its first issue at the end of October.
Tom Scioli has always been a cartoonist with a keen eye for the fantastic and the absurd, putting his own unique spin on classic properties whenever he is tasked to work on other people’s characters. His Transformers vs G.I. Joe series produced for IDW remains a highlight for both of those franchises, and the little-seen Super Powers back-up stories produced for DC’s Young Animal line are some of the most fun, strange and bizarre takes on DC heroes yet seen. Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theater continues the high standards of Scioli’s previous work, resulting in a comic that’s just plain fun to read.
Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theater is a Wild Genre Mash-Up
Although Scioli ultimately didn’t use his Spider-Man homage cover for Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theater, Godzilla has tangled with superheroes recently in the pages of Justice League vs Godzilla vs Kong, which is getting a sequel next summer. Spider-Man and Godzilla have actually crossed paths before, way back in Marvel Comics’ Godzilla, King of the Monsters #24, which sees Spider-Man snap a picture of the Big G as he leaves New York City (and the Marvel Universe, as that was Godzilla’s final Marvel issue). With Godzilla set to star in a line of variant covers for Marvel, perhaps he’ll cross paths with Spider-Man again.
Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theater #2 is on sale December 18th from IDW Publishing
The Godzilla franchise, spanning over six decades, follows the adventures of the titular kaiju, a colossal, prehistoric sea monster awakened and empowered by nuclear radiation. Originating in Japan, Godzilla has evolved from a destructive force of nature to a protector of humanity, battling various other giant monsters, including iconic foes like King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Mechagodzilla. The series explores themes of environmental destruction, nuclear anxiety, and human resilience. With numerous films, TV series, and an expanding universe, Godzilla remains a cultural icon, captivating audiences worldwide with its epic battles and compelling narratives.
Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.
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