Advance Reviews - Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite Of Spring #1, Godzilla #1, and Star Trek: Red Shirts #1
From IDW Publishing
July brings us new comics with three new comic series from IDW Publishing. A Return to Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees in Rite Of Spring #1, a Godzilla series, and I thought I would try Star Trek: Red Shirts too!
These are all out in July 2025.
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite Of Spring #1
On sale date: July 9
Patrick Horvath's Eisner-nominated cozy horror hit is back! Samantha Strong, the serial killer brown bear living in the idealistic suburb of Woodbrook, got away with her crimes in the first tale. But now it's eight years later, and Samantha will quickly learn that there are no secrets in the age of the internet... and some of her victims' loved ones want justice. Plus, her sinister origin is revealed as the story explores what happened after her very first kill...
Writing & Art: Patrick Horvath
Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
A welcome return here, and we get the point of view of one of Samantha's possible victims. It’s a bit of a time jump, but that makes it more interesting as there are message boards and more online searching for clues.
That leads us back to the town of Woodbrook, and there are some quirky comments on the previous adventures in murder here, and it looks like it will be a tense and enjoyable read.
I continue to love the art style of this story and the colouring mixes the ‘cute’ well with the story's darker aspects.
Now, if we could work out what Samantha is up to!
Get it at Forbidden Planet:
Godzilla #1
On sale date: July 23
The Kai-Sei Era, an all-new shared GODZILLA universe, starts here! The first GODZILLA ongoing series in a decade, the Kai-Sei Era presents a wild new take on the franchise, complete with a brand-new mythology, new powers, new designs, new characters, and plenty of twists and surprises. Whether you love GODZILLA or love superhero comics, GODZILLA is designed to be an accessible entry point for anyone and everyone.
Writing: Tim Seeley
Art: Nikola Čižmešija
Colors: Francesco Segala
Letters: Nathan Widick
This is a new look (for me) at Godzilla. It not only looks at the human aspect but also at attack and defence. The defence side is the standard building of a wall; although it seems that this doesn’t do a massive amount of good, the attack looks to have something more to it.
We get a Godzilla attack, the aftermath of it - this attack brings us someone new, who looks like they will be able to fight back. A new power, perhaps, or something linked far deeper to Godzilla and the other monsters…
This issue works twofold. First, we get a good introduction to the team. Their strengths and weaknesses are shown in a classic training scenario. I enjoyed this, though; it worked as character moments and gave us information.
Then there is the Godzilla and company aspect. They are the forces of nature you would expect, which build into an interesting ending to the issue.
I liked the art style; things take a dark turn at the end, and I found this easy to jump into!
Get it at Forbidden Planet:
Star Trek: Red Shirts #1
On sale date: July 17
Prepare for a heartrending STAR TREK comic that is unlike anything you've seen before. Starfleet's fearless and doomed crew members finally get their own story as main characters... and no one is safe. Featuring an all-new cast of characters, what is the true purpose of their deadly mission and who will survive?
Writing: Christopher Cantwell
Art: Megan Levens
Colors: Charlie Kirchoff
Letters: Jodie Troutman
Moving away from the glitz and glamour of Star Trek - mainly those with Blue or Gold shirts, we look at the Red Shirts. Long a meme for those killed off early, the Red Shirts may have a chance to disprove that in this series.
It’s not off to a brilliant start…
Nevertheless, this was an entertaining read of the other side of Starfleet, with alien attacks and bitter and jaded old security officers.
I like the build-up to it all, giving the reasoning behind them being in the role, along with a look at the short lifespan of the Red Shirts.
I look forward to seeing more of this!
Get it at Forbidden Planet:
