Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre Presents really saved the best for last in Kaiju of Oz, a twisted retelling of The Wizard of Oz with Godzilla wreaking havoc on Munchkinland and the Emerald City while the Wicked Witch of the West tries to pick up the pieces with the help of some familiar faces. Mike Costa and Ryan Browne don’t just retell the classic L. Frank Baum’s novel story and insert the King of Monsters into key moments, but have the appearance of Godzilla simultaneously with Dorothy completely put this world out of whack. Also, instead of Dorothy, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion play a key role in the narrative and get full character arcs that are also quite hilarious.

Because, above all else, Kaiju of Oz is a laugh-out-loud funny comic. Costa and Browne revel in the absurdity of this hyperpop fairy tale world with its Skittles “taste the rainbow” color palette, silly sound effects, and heightened takes on these classic literary figures. Baum’s original novel was a satire of late 19th century American society, and this comic actually pays homage to those roots by poking fun at authority figures and the foibles of its characters. However, Kaiju of Oz is far from highbrow, and Browne’s art is full of silly and gory visual gags and so many fart jokes. The sound effects lettering is a real visual highlight of the book, especially when Godzilla goes into action. It works nicely with Mike Costa’s sarcastic dialogue that maybe has a hint of a heart, brain, and courage beneath its piss takes.

Honestly, this whole review could just be my reaction to the totally apeshit events of this comic, but I don’t want to spoil for the folks who weren’t lucky enough to get an early copy. Let’s just say that Kaiju of Oz might have my favorite characterization of the Wicked Witch of the West, with apologies to Ms. Elphaba as played by Cynthia Erivo. Her interactions with other key figures in the story are so petty and funny, and she embodies evil throughout the story in her monologues and facial expressions. It’s fun watching her string along various Ozians, and the flying monkeys are introduced almost as an afterthought. She was born for this chaos, but unfortunately, there’s only room for one green monster in this universe.

If you like your deconstructed fairy tales more Shrek than Wicked, then Kaiju of Oz will be quite the treat for you next month. Mike Costa and Ryan Browne think about what would actually happen if a giant lizard with stinky nuclear breath arrived in a faction-filled fairy tale land and execute it with a diabolical sense of humor. This is the most fun I’ve had reading a fantasy comic since I Hate Fairyland, and if I were a high school English teacher, I would spend my last week before retirement assigning this book.

Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre Presents: The Kaiju of Oz is set to be released on October 7, 2026.

Story: Mike Costa Art: Ryan Browne
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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