COMIC SERIES REVIEW: "Kodoja" 1-5

Writer: Keith Foster
Artist: Rory Smith
Editor/Art director: Lance Pilgrim
Covers: Elroy Jenkins

When we think comics, we usually think of caped crusaders fighting crazy men with their undies on the outside of their pants. When we think of Japanese comics (manga), we think of cute schoolgirls fighting demons or some other strange enemy.
Then, there's Kodoja, the comic book spawned from the band Big Pimp Jones's recordings for an epic monster movie like Godzilla. But due to licensing and copyright issues, they couldn't use photos of Godzilla, do they decided to create their own monster: Kodoja.
We start the series with the awakening of the government-created DNA droid, the monstrous, 15-story tall Kodoja. The project was supposed to have been aborted, but the creature somehow awakens and lays waste to all before it.
Its creator, Jenny Cruz, is assembling a team to try and stop it, but the military won't listen and the secretary of defense has committed suicide. So it's up to her, but how can she do it?
Meanwhile, a large serpent rises up to challenge Kodoja, bringing about an old Japanese professor's prediction that the serpents will rise up and cause the end of the world.

I remember watching Godzilla when I was about four or so. I really liked it, but as I got older thought it was monochromatic. I wanted something different, something bigger (and no, the new Godzilla movie did not do it fit me).
So, Molly at Malena PR introduced me to Keith Foster, the creator of Kodoja, a new monster comic with Japanese accents that gave so much more than Godzilla.
This is not a character-driven comic, but more story oriented. While Cruz is a great female lead with many personal demons and the supporting cast is fun, they pale in comparison to the magnificent story behind Kodoja. This is more than your typical government-screwed-up tale we get so often. This includes mythology, demonology and Native American accents, as well as a lot of Asian lore.
I read all five in less than fifteen minutes because it was just that good! I can't wait for the next installment to hit the stands!

5/5--why hasn't Dark Horse picked this up yet?

Purchase Kodoja via:

Official site (it gives you online links to purchase it as well as a lost of comic shops that sell physical copies!)