Heading to GFEST!

I went to my first G-Fest in 2013, a time when Godzilla was in the middle of a minor lull in popularity. At the time, the most recent Godzilla film (final wars) had come out nine years prior, a recent Kaiju film (Pacific rim) had rekindled interest in the Kaiju genre, and Godzilla’s return to the big screen (2014) was a year away. 

I was there to support my then-new Kaiju-meets-HP Lovercraft comic Kodoja, then three issues into what would become an 18-issue story arc. The vibes were energetic, and I was overwhelmed by the scene - a weekend-long celebration of giant monsters, especially Godzilla. That first year, I did everything, including leaving my table a little too often for a cool panel, signing, photo op, or indie film. The sense of joy at the show was amazing, and best summed up by <Godzilla comic artist> Matt Frank in a panel we were both part of - “when we go back home, all of us are ‘that Godzilla fan’ in our friend groups, but when we’re here, we all get to share the experience and community.”

I’ve been able to attend most of the shows over the last decade-plus, watching the show grow, change venues, host original music concerts, and increase in attendance every year, especially in 2024 when we were graced with two Godzilla films, one of which was the best G-film of all time. The constant has been the joy and the sense of community. This show is the one time every year I don’t have to ask people if they like giant monsters! 

What makes the show stand out for me are the little things - the Godzilla game room, the running stream of films made by passionate fans, the motherlode of Godzilla toys in the dealers’ room, and the “host hotel-only” G-channel available in all rooms that plays giant monsters films, TV shows, videos, and shorts all weekend long.

If you love giant monsters and haven’t been to G-Fest, I recommend you go at least once for the experience. Odds are, you’ll want to come back.