IDW has partnered with Toho International to bring Godzilla fans a treat. The two companies have teamed up to bring fans an upcoming comic book miniseries from writer Frank Tieri and artist Inaki Miranda called Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons. This will be a five-part series that takes Godzilla back to the 1500s! Everyone’s sailing and is superstitious with stories of monsters everywhere. What a perfect setting for Godzilla.
In the 1500s, before humanity had successfully traveled the entire globe, it was believed that monsters ruled the oceans just beyond the horizon. “Here there be dragons…” was written on maps to denote the areas people dared not go. That is, until Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the seas, visiting foreign lands and collecting treasure. Or…at least that’s what history tells us. The truth is, tremendous beasts did lurk yonder, dwelling on an island that doesn’t appear on any map, even to this day. And among those monsters was the king of them all…Godzilla!
Talking about the opportunity, Tieri said:
I’ve been very fortunate in my career to have written for quite a few iconic franchises, but I have to admit, there’s something extra special about getting to work on Godzilla. Just writing this series I’m instantly a little kid again, watching him fight Rodan or the Smog Monster or whichever Monster of the Week. Needless to say, it’s been a thrill for me…but probably less so for my family, since I’ve been doing the Godzilla roar around the house pretty much nonstop.
What could be cooler than a Godzilla tale with pirates? Here There Be Dragons is a lost voyage of Sir Francis Drake, told through the eyes of a crewman facing execution. The question is, is he telling the truth? Is there really a conspiracy to cover up what happened to Drake on that island and the existence of Godzilla? Or is this merely another pirate’s tall tale? Avast, ye Godzilla fans, and batten down the hatches at your local comic book shop!
Miranda added:
Godzilla is one of those unique historic creations that is part pop-culture icon, part pure joy and entertainment, and also a metaphor of the ways of society hurting itself, with humans confronting the raw power of our own fears and missteps. I’m genuinely thankful to Toho and IDW for having me onboard to illustrate Godzilla smashing ships and fighting kaiju. Collaborating with my buddy Frank is always a pleasure. I enjoy every scene that he is writing, playing with the myths of the old world. It’s a sure recipe for fun, discovery, and fascination!
I’m very excited for this! You can read Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons #1 this June from your favorite comic shops. The main cover will be by Miranda with variants available from Tyler Kirkham and Benjamin Dewey.
