Behemoth: A Claustrophobic Kaiju Adventure from Within

"Behemoth" is a groundbreaking kaiju comic releasing in January 2025, where passengers must survive inside a giant monster. Created by Ryan Engle and Grant Sputore, it offers a unique, claustrophobic take on the genre, focusing on human struggle from within the beast.
Summary“Behemoth,” set for release in January 2025 by Dark Horse Comics, is an innovative kaiju story that flips the genre’s traditional narrative. Co-created by Ryan Engle and Grant Sputore, the series tells a “David vs Goliath” tale of bus passengers who must survive after being swallowed by a giant monster. The story focuses on the human experience from within the beast, offering a claustrophobic and fresh perspective on kaiju encounters. Inspired by a unique vision, the creators aim to deliver an inside-out adventure that challenges conventional storytelling in the kaiju genre.

An Epic Kaiju Tale Unveiled: “Behemoth” Set for January 2025 Release

A thrilling new chapter in kaiju storytelling is on the horizon with the upcoming release of “Behemoth” in January 2025. This narrative, described as a “David vs Goliath story,” offers a fresh perspective by immersing its characters—and readers—into the belly of a monstrous beast. The story centers on a group of bus passengers who find themselves swallowed whole by a Godzilla-sized creature, compelling them to fight for survival from within the terrifying kaiju.

The Minds Behind “Behemoth”

“Behemoth” is the creative collaboration between two seasoned veterans of the kaiju genre: Ryan Engle, known for penning the 2018 giant ape movie “Rampage,” and Grant Sputore, the director of an anticipated film within the Godzilla x Kong Monsterverse. Unlike traditional kaiju stories that focus on the colossal creatures themselves, this series shifts the spotlight to the human struggle for survival inside the beast’s enormous maw. The four-issue series will be published by Dark Horse Comics.

Inspiration and Genesis

Co-writer Grant Sputore shares insight into the inception of this unique project, revealing how a vivid daydream in 2022 sparked the idea. Sputore recalls:

> Being a life-long Kaiju fan, I quite frequently find myself imagining giant monsters rampaging through whatever city I happen to be in. Enjoying one such vision, back in 2022, I found myself struck by a thought: ‘how have we had 70 years of giant monster movies, but no one has ever told the story of the poor souls trapped inside a subway car as it’s devoured by a Kaiju?’ From that moment, I’ve been on a long journey to bring this David vs Goliath story to life, with the help of Ryan and Jay’s boundless genius. Most recently, I’ve been invited to play in Legendary’s Monsterverse, which is clearly a dream come true for a kaiju fan like me – but for those interested, my first foray into the world of Kaiju storytelling can be found within the wild pages of BEHEMOTH.

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An Inside-Out Kaiju Adventure

A Claustrophobic Thrill Ride

Co-writer Ryan Engle teases a “claustrophobic” narrative that turns the conventional kaiju tale on its head. Engle notes:

> I’ve spent my entire career in film crafting claustrophobic action-thrillers, from NON-STOP to BEAST. BEHEMOTH takes this sub-genre to a new level in a way we’ve never seen before.

The premise of heroes attempting to escape from inside a kaiju offers unique storytelling opportunities. While survival is their primary concern, could their mission echo the classic “Fantastic Voyage,” ultimately contributing to the downfall of the beast? Furthermore, as the government strategizes a counterattack, what implications will their military response have for those trapped inside the creature’s stomach?

Artistic Vision

Artist Jay Martin, known for his work on “Lost Boy,” expressed his excitement for the project:

> Grant and Ryan’s concept for turning a Kaiju story literally inside-out is mind-blowing. As soon as I heard it, I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of.

Traditionally, kaiju stories have struggled to blend human experiences with the overwhelming scale of these giant creatures. “Behemoth” appears to have found an innovative solution by confining its human characters within the monster, providing an unexpected yet compelling viewpoint.

Mark your calendars for January 15, 2025, as “Behemoth” #1 releases from Dark Horse Comics, promising to deliver an unprecedented take on the kaiju genre.