Godzilla vs Megalon Movie Premier Comic

This four-page comic herald was given away at US theaters exhibiting Godzilla vs. Megalon in 1976. Heralds were essentially newsprint hand flyers used to promote upcoming films in the 60s and 70s; many times, these promotional giveaways would feature a gimmick, such as taking on the appearance of a newspaper and announcing the film in its "headline" story. This was especially true of science fiction and horror films, which always featured the most outrageous advertising schemes in order to attract audiences.

Cinema Shares, the company that distributed Godzilla vs. Megalon theatrically in the US, decided to appeal to the audience most likely to be attracted to a Japanese giant monster romp--children--and designed the film's herald like a four-page comic book which roughly outlines the film's plot. "Roughly" is right, for there are numerous errors in the comic's story which don't match the film, the most obvious being the re-naming of Jet Jaguar and Gigan as "Robotman" and "Borodan" respectively. Regardless, there are several nods to actual scenes in the film, such as Megalon's attack on the dam and Godzilla standing atop a cliff on Monster Island before heading to Japan (actually, stock footage from Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster).
Cred goes to clubtokyo for the info!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• godzilla
• vs
• megalon
• comic
• darkhorse
• mothra
• mechagodzilla
• spacegodzilla
• gamera
• toys
• kids
• page

[Gatman720]

Interesting, but spelling and gammer errors appear and why do they call Gigan "Borodan" I have no clue and the art is drawn okay, but there some pictures in this comic that don't make sense and the fight scene isn't very long, but I do get it why they call Jet Jaguar "Robot-Man." I do think the comic is better then American re-edit/dub, but as go for the Japanese version of the film, well, I have no clue.

[metalmonkey666]

@Gatman720

Gotta know your g-history man. This was made before the movie was dubbed. So names got changes or translated different. And no this wasnt suppose to be long it was meant as to make a little buzz for the movie so people would go see it. you forget back then not many movie commercials.

[NickCato]

My dad took my brother and I to see this---they had run out of comics---I was pissed!!

[metalmonkey666]

@NickCato

Sucks man, yeah they are super super rare to get ahold of now.

Im glad to see every one is enjoying what I put up! Thanks for looking!

[ortboys]

That's awsome! Where did you get the music?

[metalmonkey666]

The Music is from a cd called "Godzilla vs Metal" I cant remember the artist name, the album cover has a flying v guitar stabbing Godzilla in the chest.

[gojirabill54]

Very cool. I saw this movie in the Bronx when it first came out and got this comic as well as a Jet Jaguar button, which were given out at the theater. Brings back great memories!

[1tripz]

Shoulda brought to the lunchroom table so everyone could go OOOOOOOHHH!!!

[Gatman720]

@metalmonkey666

Yes, I knew that this was made before the movie was dubbed. I guess I wasn't thinking of the things you wrote.

[1tripz]

testing ....one two.......

[drbotanus]

@zedus456

I always assumed that Cinema Shares intended to redub

Godzilla vs Megalon, since the dubbing was so crappy.

Then they realized the cost, or simply ran out of money.

It is likely that the names Borodan and especially Robotman came from their unused English script.

[zedus456]

never would have thougt about that theroy but kudos to you if you are right