I read Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons II: Sons of Giants, and you should read it, too. It’s awesome.

Thank you Netgalley and IDW Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

They pulled it together.

If I’m completely honest with you, I was confused and wasn’t sure where things were going with the story at the start. Alexander Hamilton? Aaron Burr? Thomas Jefferson? What the what?

Then, we were introduced to the Sons of Giants. A secret organization that has survived millennia in, essentially, worshipful servitude of the Kaiju, the Sons of Giants were founded after watching Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, and Hedorah teamed up to beat King Ghidorah.

I do get it. I’d become a fan boy, too.

Still, the way that Frank Tieri told a deep story connecting powerful people throughout history that ties into the first book was excellent. And bringing in the Xiliens was unexpected and fun.

The book looked fantastic.

Inaki Miranda has once again illustrated a beautiful book, and Eva de la Cruz crushed it with the colors.

I love the way this book looks, and I know that you will, too.

Here There Be Aliens!

And, the book ends with the reveal that there will be an epic conclusion to this terrific series called Here There Be Aliens.

I can’t wait.

In "Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons II―Sons of Giants" Godzilla and the Monster Island crew are back for another wild romp through history. This time the book primarily focuses on the founding era of the United States. There are also a number of flashbacks to other eras which feature strong illustrations in styles appropriate to the depicted times. The real crux of the book comes from its revelations about Godzilla’s role in history and as the book develops the reader will begin to realize that something massive and earth shattering is afoot.

Expect a more nuanced view of the Kaiju death cult, a more odious portrayal than usual of a well known dualist, an unexpected role for the third president of the United States, a very different take on the Lewis and Clark expedition and a previously unexpected threat.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, IDW publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars rounded to 4

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, IDW, for letting me read and review an advanced copy of ‘Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons #2,’ by Frank Tieri and illustrated by Inaki Miranda.

Godzilla is a great figure in stories, movies, and action figures. This story adds a new take on his history, along with some of the other giant creatures. The story takes some strange twists, including a secret society and even extraterrestrials, which is odd, but entertaining.

Delivers thrilling kaiju action, rich historical fantasy, and dynamic artwork, creating an epic, imaginative adventure that history nerds will love. Adds so much to the lore and, on a personal note, I wasn't expecting to be reminded of Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut when I started reading, which was a very happy surprise.

I was looking forward to the continuation of this story!

The way that the events turned out had me laughing out loud. It's definitely an interesting choice, but you know what? I've wondered how it was possible for people of ancient times to fight against the Kaiju or maybe even have had an established relationship with them.
While this may not have been what I expected, I enjoyed it, had a laugh, and quite frankly can't wait for the conclusion!

Just how far back does the legend of the King of the Monsters go? According to Frank Tieri and Inaki Miranda, it’s downright Biblical. In their 2023 comic Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons, they imagined a history where Sir Francis Drake journeyed to Monster Island. This month’s new release from IDW expands the story. And according to these comics, history is nothing like we remember it.

Join us as we investigate ancient Rome, the tale of Beowulf, and beyond. The latest Godzilla comic takes us to all these places and more, as well as into the depths of a revolutionary monster cult!



The Story

If you haven’t read the original Here There Be Dragons, don’t worry. This installment gets new readers caught up pretty quickly. Sir Francis Drake’s seafaring adventures did indeed turn up dragons… of a sort. And he journeyed to the famed Monster Island. But why? And what’s happened since? Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons II—Sons of Giants fills in the blanks. And when it’s not filling in blanks, it’s rewriting history.

Each chapter begins with a retelling of a historical or legendary moment. The parting of the Red Sea. Beowulf’s battle with Grendel. The legend of the many-headed Hydra. And we learn very quickly that kaiju were involved at every stage… or, at least, some people believe so. Those people include founding father Benjamin Franklin, as well as the Sons of Giants. These strange masked men have some major players in their ranks. But whose side are they on? And why are they so intent on finding Franklin’s secret kaiju study?



The Art

In addition to solid art by Inaki Miranda throughout, Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons II showcases a variety of styles. Each ancient retelling is rendered in the style of the culture from which it hails. In between shadowy Colonial scenes are parchments, murals, and engravings recording ancient kaiju fights. It’s not easy to pin those diverse styles down accurately, but Miranda nails it. Each pastiche demonstrates a keen awareness of the artists and styles of the era.

Plus, there’s something really fun about seeing our fave monsters done up in these styles. From an ancient Japanese Godzilla to a Saxon Hedorah, it’s a unique and gorgeous wander through art history. Frankly, we’d just like some of these pictures as posters!



The Twist

What can we say that won’t spoil the ending? Frankly, not much… except that Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons II is not the end. Another threat looms, right as it seems like all the pieces are coming together. And if you know your kaiju movie history, you’ll gasp when you see the final page.

Here There Be Dragons is one of the most inventive Godzilla stories we’ve had recently—in an era of increasingly inventive stories! (After all, we’re not that far off from Varan and Australian skater punks.) The blend of art, story, and alternate history makes this a unique addition to the growing kaiju library. We highly recommend you pick this one up and prepare for the third and final installment!

3.5 / 5 stars

Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons II—Sons of Giants boldly asks: "What if Godzilla were real?And the Freemasons were in on it?" Graciously, it also answers these weighty quandaries.

This graphic novel follows a secret society in the early 1800s who have infiltrated the highest ranks of the (recently established) US government. These "Sons of Giants" have chronicled the history of the kaiju. When they sense trouble brewing, Godzilla and his pals may be their only hope.

This was a brisk tale that offers up some seriously cool full-color kaiju art. Between each chapter is an interstitial that re-frames a famous myth—like Beowulf or the parting of the Red Sea—as a kaiju incident. These little side stories were fun diversions, and each is drawn in a style that matches the myth being retold.

Structurally, Sons of Giants suffers from being almost entirely set-up. By the time the central conflict is introduced, the book is over. That being said, by the time the book ended, I was pretty hooked. This book might best be enjoyed with the next volume ready in hand.

This is a fun, lighthearted read that isn't asking for a huge time commitment. If it sounds interesting to you, give it a shot!

Thanks to IDW & NetGalley for this ARC.

Published by IDW Publishing and available May 20, 2025, Sons of Giants is a follow-up to 2024's series Here There Be Dragons that put Godzilla in the Elizabethan era. I absolutely love the IDW comics that recontextualize Godzilla, and the historical settings for this collection are very fun. This volume expands the lore of a secret society dedicated to the kaiju, as well as what roles the kaiju themselves have played throughout. History. Grendel from Beowulf was actually Hedorah, Mothra parted the Red Sea for Moses, and Alexander Hamilton was assassinated by the kaiju society led by Thomas Jefferson. This series is so much fun and will appeal to fans of the Monsterverse and the National Treasure series.

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

I don't know how I feel about Godzilla removed entirely from its historical context and the King of Monsters and the other famous kaiju being crowbarred into historical events.

I don't know how I feel about a secret society akin to the Assassin's and Templars from Assassin's Creed keeping the 'true' stories of various cultures and events around the world starting with the Romans and being told by 19th century Americans.

I really didn't like the flattening of these events and cultures, especially the Mayans praying to Rodan to save them from slavery under the Spanish.

The attempts to tell stories within the art style of the various cultures and time periods were interesting.

I just found the whole thing rather puzzling, boring, a bit of a waste of time.

What is the relevance of Godzilla and the other kaiju on this story? They could be swapped out for any other kaiju or monster and the only thing that would be different would be the lack of cultural cache the names hold.

I've read a lot of graphic novels in the last few weeks and this is almost certainly the bottom of the pile for me.

Godzilla: Skate or Die, on the other hand, is an absolute banger!

after Sir Francis Drake hides treasure on Monster Island, the Sons of Giants Cult informs the american colonization leaders of what is to come and the history/ origins of the Kaiju Monsters; godzilla, hedorah,rodan, mothra and their common enemy: King Ghidorah, the 3 headed dragon
so excited for the 3rd vol! perfect for fans of original kaiju movies and lore

Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.

This book is part of a trilogy. The first book in the series I liked. This one I liked more. I can't wait for the final book.

Godzilla to me is such a great literary character. You can write a story with him, and the rest of the kaiju, at any time or place in history, and it will work, which is one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much.

When a reporter confronts Aaron Burr regarding the real reason he dueled Hamilton, the reporter did not expect to be inducted into a cult or as they claimed to be an order. The Sons of Giants has been a secret cabal since the time of the Romans seeking to keep secret the role played by kaiju in history. But now the Order needs to step out of the shadows to face what is coming to visit Earth. An interesting alternative look at history in a volume that fills a bit like a filler between the first Here Be Dragons volume and the forthcoming third volume in this series..

Thanks Netgalley and IDW for the chance to read this title.

I have not read the first book in the series, but Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons II- Sons of Giants is still a great graphic novel. I have watched many of the Godzilla movies because my five year old is obsessed, so I knew a little about what to expect. I absolutely loved how this book blended history and mythology with the Godzilla stories. Will it teach about history? No, but it gives the reader a "What if" scenario. People will recognize the names of the characters and be able to think about what mysteries could have been lost to history.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a digital ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and definitely plan to add it to my fast collection of books.

This was a lot crazier than the first series.

Where the first book was a pirate telling his story of shipwrecking on Monster Island, this features a Kaiju cult, a president and some really rather ridiculous plot points.

Still, I kind of enjoyed it.

There are some great pages of monsters battling in all their magnificence, so kaiju fans should be happy with that, and there are some clever links to different mythology and cultures of the past that work in a fun kind of way.

I think the ending was a bit much for me, so I don't know that I'd pick up the concluding arc, but as a sequel to the first it wasn't so bad. The highlight is definitely the monsters brought to life in stunning colours.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of the collected story

I love godzilla and the world around him. This was such a fun read. This makes me want to dive more in the comic of this world. And i’m very excited for the rest of the comics

A cool retelling of Grendel with alternate history at its backdrop.
The political touch is both funny and relevant.
I particularly enjoyed the alternate history, the ending, and the back story.
Everything in between was entertaining too.

My thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for an advance copy of this graphic novel that combines both Kaiju and the world of conspiracies, a tale of the secret histories of monsters, men, how the great civilizations rose and fell, and what threats might effect the future.

I have been a fan of Godzilla and his fellow denizens of Monster Island since I first came across Monster Week on Channel Eleven in New York. Starting with one week, expanding to two one got to see all the Godzilla movies, a few Gamera movies, and some other weird flicks tossed in. Cities were destroyed, Godzilla went from foe to friend, aliens were fought, and little boys got to meet Minya, or Godzilla's adopted son who always had a different name. I started reading the comics about the same time, though the Marvel run is a little lost in time to me. I remember Godzilla pulling down a SHIELD helicarrier, but that is about it. The current run of comics have been good, though I must say this mixing of Kaiju and the idea of a secret history of man, with the Illuminati might have to be my favorite. Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons II—Sons of Giants is the second of a three part series written by Frank Tieri wth illustration by Inaki Miranda, furthers the story of kaiju being around for far longer than we have thought, effecting history, the rise of civilizations, and maybe even protecting us from threats beyond the stars.

The book begins with Godzilla tromping all over Japan as usual, but this is medieval Japan, a time of Samurai, and not fighter jets. A warrior has a sword crafted from the remains of a meteor, one that can cut the great hide of Godzilla, but one blast of atomic fire the warrior is gone, though the sword remains. This sword is found by the Sons of Giants, a group of men who seem to worship the Kaiju, wearing masks in monster form, but maybe are something more. We come to the early days of the 19th century and Vice President Aaron Burr, fresh from killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel is approached by a reporter with a strange question. Why was a coin showing monsters found on the dead body of Hamilton, and did it have anything to do with why Burr shot him. These questions upset the wrong people and the reporter is kidnapped, and brought before the Sons of Giants, whose leader shares the secret knowledge of the Kaiju. The buring of Rome, the true story of Exodus, Beowulf and others. The price of this knowledge is that the Sons of Giants want the reporter to look into finding the secret laboratory of Benjamin Franklin, for Franklin had a great interest in the monsters. And how to stop them.

I had enjoyed the first story quite a bit, but still found it a little herky-jerky in some areas. This one is smooth story telling with a plot that has a lot going on, but Tieri keeps a good hand on the steering wheel. I loved the mix of monster and secret history, lots of little bits, and dropping of names. One can tell there was a lot of thought and lot of research, though I think a scene that takes place in the Oval Office of the White House, might be a little anachronistic. However in a story with giant monsters, that is a little quibble. The story moves well, and drops a lot of surprises and kaiju easter eggs. The ending is just wonderful, and makes one want more. The art really compliments the story. I love the different styles used, the way spoken history is told in one way, real history in another. The characters all look good, and the Kaiju are really captured in their glory. The action scenes are very cinematic, and all I could think is how good this would look animated.

One of the better Godzilla stories, and one that makes me really excited for what is to come. Great story, great art, and a conclusion that makes a reader want more. I can't wait.

I absolutely loved the first volume and my question was could lightning strike twice with an amazing blend of history and kaiju? The answer is yes, as we get Hamilton, Burr, Jefferson and many, many more great historians figures, mixed alongside Godzilla and company. And the ending? I’m dying for the third volume. I’ll be reading it the day it comes out.

Special Thanks to IDW Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

"Godzilla: Sons of Giants" continues the story of Kaiju and how they impacted the history of Earth. That and the secret society that try lies to keep the idea of them in the shadows. Little hard to do when they wrecked Rome and everyone saw it. But that is the least of humanities problems with what is found in the west.

Author - Frank Teiri
Artist - Inaki Miranda
Colorist - Eva de la Cruz

Hamilton, Burr, and Ben Franklin Oh My!!

This graphic novel series is unquestionably original and delectably devour-able!! Following our shady Kaiju observing organization through another patch of iconic history, here readers can expect twists, turns, reveals, and Kaiju battling (of course)!

I really enjoyed the first volume in this series, but having this set with both an ancient civilization focus with an American History backdrop, really made this story come to life! The beginning of each chapter gives “found footage” vibes through ancient depictions whether hieroglyphics or other ancient art forms. Then that layers with the all too pressing mystery of the Kaiju society and it just builds into a truly fantastic story! Throw in a few Easter Eggs for Godzilla fans and this made for a perfect 5 star read!

Check this out - especially if you’re a Kaiju/Godzilla Fan! The next/last volume is going to be EPIC!