GODLAND #1: THE ENTIRE ISSUE

**MattBrady** · 09-02-2005, 03:34 PM

Who says Newsarama readers don’t have the power?

Yesterday, following our interview with GØDLAND artist Tom Scioli, Senior Member “idkidd” posted: “This article would have been the perfect opportunity to post the first issue for everyone to read. Also, prominently list the Diamond order codes for people if they would want to reorder the issues from their retailer if they originally passed them up.”

Long story short, creators Joe Casey and Tom Scioli, as well as Image agreed, and here we are today.

We asked writer Joe Casey for a quick 'n dirty description of the book that he'd give the man on the street, to which he replied:

"GØDLAND is the return of the comsic superhero epic. It's got heroes and villains, aliens and junkies. On the surface, it's the story of Adam Archer, a hapless astronaut that accidentally (on purposefully) receives incredible cosmic powers. But those powers are a key to unlocking a much bigger story, dealing with the evolution of the human race and its place in the greater cosmos. Hell, we're even revealing the true origin of the universe in issue #7... something that no thinking person could afford to miss. It's me, Tom Scioli, Bill Crabtree, Richard Starkings and Comicraft putting our blood, sweat and tears into every issue, each and every month. If you like Hellboy, if you like Madman or Nexus, if you like Savage Dragon or Invincible... you might like GØDLAND. And as long as our readers are there, we'll be there.

Oh - and that Diamond code: APR051660

And now… GØDLAND #1

Click here for the full issue preview.

algertman · 09-02-2005, 03:42 PM

HELL YES!

Got the first 2 issues. this is one fine ass comic

Electric Glove · 09-02-2005, 03:50 PM

Hopefully more people will pick this bad boy up. My shops only been ordering 2 or 3 for the rack so far.

mheath81 · 09-02-2005, 04:00 PM

Ok, i was like "what is this all about?" before, but now I might pick this up, seems pretty good. Thanks image :-D

Driftwood · 09-02-2005, 04:08 PM

thanks Image....I'll be buying this book now...it looks fantastic

csGuy · 09-02-2005, 04:11 PM

damn you image!!!! HOW DARE YOU!!

*adds book to list*

RonC · 09-02-2005, 04:22 PM

I promised to refrain from commenting anymore on Tom Scioli's artwork, and I'll keep that promise. After reading all the raves here about this comic, I decided to read this first issue and give it a real chance to win me over. I've tried to be as objective as I could...really.

So, while this comic book may prove to be a hit, and may delight many readers, it's just not for me, and that's OK obviously. Not everyone can enjoy the same comic books.

If I was still 10 instead of 51, and this was 1964 instead of 2005 I'm sure this would be a definite buy for me for as long as it was published. But since neither of those is the case, I'll just say that I've read and seen this all before, and don't think there's anything here that makes it different enough from the Stan and Jack days, or when Jack worked alone, to persuade me to fork over the money that I need more and more to pay for gas.

I see now that this particular comic book title is a real tribute to those earlier comic books, and I'm sure those who weren't around for the originals will find it different and worth reading and buying. But, I don't see the need for me to do the same when I can haul out the comics from those bygone times and get the same delight that I got when I originally read them.

Am I still feeling loyal to Stan and Jack? Sure. I just sent my donation to the new Jack Kirby Museum. But, that's not the reason for my opinion. I'd love for there to be a modern day comic book that captures the sensibility, fun, and excitement of the kind of comic book that I was enjoying during the peak silver age times at Marvel.

For me, this isn't it. But, good luck to Godland's creators. I hope you find an audience for this book, because then they'll be ready when something a little better comes along; a comic book that is a combination of what made those earlier comics great, and what makes the present day comics great. For me, this is just a little bit too much mired in the past without offering anything new. But, thanks for trying.

And thanks to Matt for giving us the ability to see and read these previews, and for allowing us all to voice our opinions.

tim seeley · 09-02-2005, 04:31 PM

Go get this book. Issue 2 is actually even better.
TIM SEELEY

SD Johnny · 09-02-2005, 04:35 PM

Not to shoot the messenger or look a gift horse in the mouth, but since I am out of metaphors, doesn't either Image or Newsarama have a web monkey (I use that term with affection) who can put these pages in a pop-up slide show kind of format to make it easier to read?

Joe Henderson · 09-02-2005, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SD Johnny
Not to shoot the messenger or look a gift horse in the mouth, but since I am out of metaphors, doesn't either Image or Newsarama have a web monkey (I use that term with affection) who can put these pages in a pop-up slide show kind of format to make it easier to read?

Yeah, I can't see the entire image on my monitor, and it would be nice if the image linked to the next page like they do www.buzzscope.com.

David Bird · 09-02-2005, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RonC
I see now that this particular comic book title is a real tribute to those earlier comic books, and I'm sure those who weren't around for the originals will find it different and worth reading and buying. But, I don't see the need for me to do the same when I can haul out the comics from those bygone times and get the same delight that I got when I originally read them.

And thanks to Matt for giving us the ability to see and read these previews, and for allowing us all to voice our opinions.

Its okay not to like something, and its okay to say you don't like it. Maybe this will attract new people to Kirby. At a time when all too many Bat books have been channeling Miller, maybe its time to open the doors to a Silver Age giant.

Quote:

Originally posted by tim seeley
Go get this book. Issue 2 is actually even better.
TIM SEELEY

It is! They really kick it up a notch!

Aquajacket · 09-02-2005, 04:41 PM

This is a damn good comic. And - speaking as someone who did read some of The King's cosmic stuff the first time around - I think this stuff holds up very well next to it as tribute and more.

RonC · 09-02-2005, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David Bird
Its okay not to like something, and its okay to say you don't like it.

Thank you, David. Unfortunately, there are some members here who seem to not agree with that sentiment.

GuitarSmashley · 09-02-2005, 04:42 PM

its a grrreat book read it or I'll eat a family of kitties

NeroMan · 09-02-2005, 04:44 PM

Unimpressed.

algertman · 09-02-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NeroMan
Unimpressed.

you make baby Jesus cry

Sesshomaru · 09-02-2005, 04:48 PM

Count me as another non-fan . Not saying its crap or anything , it just aint my thing . The art and story try to "ape" or rather recapture the oldschool cosmic tales , but i'm not into this and the art .

Still thumbs up to Image for sharing like that the first issue . I did not enjoy it , however thx to such initiative i can advise it and "pimp it" to a few friends that i bet would enjoy it .

Ian · 09-02-2005, 04:55 PM

Any plans for a trade?

Rawle Austin · 09-02-2005, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ian
Any plans for a trade?

I second this. Also waiting for the trade.

Growler

Mark Cardwell · 09-02-2005, 05:13 PM

Why does Joe Casey always produce his best work with Kirby impersonators (see also: his and Ladronn's CABLE)?

Read a few issues of MYTH OF 8-OPUS and never could get into them, but this is much better, and I'm going to see if my retailer can sort me out with these, post haste.

**MattBrady** · 09-02-2005, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark Cardwell
Why does Joe Casey always produce his best work with Kirby impersonators (see also: his and Ladronn's CABLE)?

Ladronn's hardly a Kirby impersonator. Maybe back in the day, the similiarity was more solid, but now? Not really...check out Hip Flask - he's Kirby and Moebius' love child.

MattB

David Bird · 09-02-2005, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sesshomaru
The art and story try to "ape" or rather recapture the oldschool cosmic tales , but i'm not into this and the art .

But where are the new school cosmic tales?

Punchy · 09-02-2005, 05:27 PM

I love Godland.

That is all (except, how do I do the slashy norwegian 'O'?)

Bakema NL · 09-02-2005, 05:38 PM

Enjoy it people and pick it up, this is a Fun comic.

Gordon McAlpin · 09-02-2005, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
Ladronn's hardly a Kirby impersonator. Maybe back in the day, the similiarity was more solid, but now? Not really...check out Hip Flask - he's Kirby and Moebius' love child.

And he's AWESOME. Even back in the day, I think Ladronn had a little bit of his own thing in it. I'm having déja vu, though. I think I typed this yesterday.