Godzilla, a/k/a King of Monsters, a/k/a Awesome Kaiju, is stomping back onto the big screen this May. Don’t freak out, May 16th will be here before you know it. And now, there’s more to be excited about: Legendary Comics recognizes the iconic character deserves as much fanfare as possible and is releasing an official graphic novel to lead you right into the movie. Godzilla: Awakening will be in a comic shop near you on May 7th. Director Gareth Edwards made the announcement today:

The 72 page story is a prequel and set decades before the film. It’s touted as a “larger-than-life adventure,” and fans who read it before seeing the film will go in with inside knowledge and a better understanding of the monster. Max Borenstein, screenwriter of the new Godzilla film, and Greg Borenstein are on board as writers, and the graphic novel has a host of talented artists on board including Eric Battle, Yvel Guichet, Alan Quah, and Lee Loughridge. You’ll also get cover art by Arthur Adams. What better way to prepare for the film?

Legendary Comics took a similar approach with Pacific Rim and released a collection of prequel stories in graphic novel form (Pacific Rim: Tales from Year Zero), and it served to enrich the world and mythology. “Godzilla: Awakening” is likely to do the same.

—

(Legendary Pictures owns Nerdist Industries, which remains editorially independent)

Image: Legendary Pictures