The issue, as advertised on the front cover in big letters, is all about Japan's Monsters. It takes a few pages to get into the monster stuff, but when it begins, it doesn't let up. The first kaiju-based part of the magazine is titled "Godzilla! King of the Creatures!". This section, spanning a decent 11 pages, details the events of the original 1954 movie in small chapter-style paragraphs. The next big article, "Monsters From Japan: Out of the East, Beast after Beast", centers around the various kaiju that have emerged from Japan (mostly Toho) from the time period. It features several photos and also reveals information on different monsters, movies, and even includes a rather long list of the films in which the monsters star.

What's so interesting about this issue, especially given the time, is that it doesn't use the American titles of the films, but instead the International ones. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) isn't titled Godzilla vs. The Bionic Monster and, miraculously, it uses the Godzilla Raids Again (1955) title as opposed to Gigantis, The Fire Monster.

Moving on, a two-paged spread from Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) features a four way fight between Godzilla, Anguirus, King Caesar, and the villainous Mechagodzilla. Another nice thing I noticed in this issue is the use of the kaiju names. Gigan isn't once labeled as a "giant chicken", for example. In fact, the magazine goes out of its way to give out the true (at the time) name of Minilla: Minira (or Minya as it follows) instead of the obnoxious "Tadzilla" (which is used a few more times, but in a joking manner). One minor complaint about the names is that Mechagodzilla is labeled Mecha-Godzilla and Mechani-Kong is simply called Mecha-Kong.

Page 40 begins a detailed article centered entirely around the timeless classic Frankenstein vs. Baragon (1965), known as Frankenstein Conquers The World in the United States. This article is split into chapter-like parts much like the prior Godzilla one, but also features many publicity shots of the two monsters (even some information about the Giant Octopus cut scene is included).

The issue then splits into two parts centered around King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) and Mothra (1961) and then veers into its crown jewel: "The Return of Ghidrah" (that, shockingly, uses the "Astro-Monster" name). Once again, this section is put together in chapter-like sections and also features many pictures. This then leads into a similarly constructed section all about Destroy All Monsters (1968). The issue proceeds to fall back to its normal course and displays covers of past issues, ordering instructions, and prices.

Not only does this article get the original's release year wrong, but several others as well. Godzilla Raids Again (1955) is said to have been released in Japan in 1959, and it even says Anguirus is "another fire-spitting monster." It could be said in defense that the dates simply refer to the American versions, but even then, the article jumps back and forth between them. At one point, self-contradiction is painfully apparent with the release of Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) (at one point listing the Japanese release date and then later on posting the American release date, never with any clarification as to which is which).

On a side note, Minilla is referred to as "Tad"... and not in a joking manner either. Ugh.

What is Those Cracked Monsters? Well, I’m not too sure myself. I’m gathering its some type of MAD Magazine-type that features MST3K-style jokes, but most of the time they just aren’t all that funny. Take the Frankenstein vs. Baragon (1965) one. Get it? Italian food? Not Mexican food... Italian food? Ha-Ha-Ha! Classic. Out of curiosity, I wonder if any previous or following issues brought up the “Mothra’s small body, massive egg” joke.

Printed on page 5 is an article based around the Trendmasters line of figures. Some of the figures are well known considering that they were actually produced... yet there were some who had not earned such a distinction. Did anybody else actually know that Trendmasters also acquired the rights to Kamacuras, Gabara, Manda, Hedorah, Ebirah, and Baby Godzilla? I know I didn't. Also featured on page 5 is a short article about the Dark Horse comics; and then comes the first big article of magazine: "Gamera vs. Godzilla", written by Ed Godziszewski.

This section spans a grand total of two pages and, for the most part, compares Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) to Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995). For anybody wondering, Gamera is the decided winner overall. Following this, not surprisingly, is another Gamera-based article written by Steve Ryfle.

After these two articles, the issue kicks into the fan mail and offers answers along with some nifty artwork. Speaking of the artwork, there is one particularly awesome image on page 15 that features a good handful of Showa Era monsters, including Godzilla. This section then breaks way into "Godzilla in America - Part 5: Monster Island!" I can only guess that the previous installments were featured in previous issues. This six page section focuses on Destroy All Monsters (1968) and All Monsters Attack (1969).

After this, the issue comes into its shining glory. Entitled "Battles of Godzilla", Godzilla's 1974 battle with Fake Godzilla is recreated perfectly (in comic form)... climaxing with the inevitable reveal of Mechagodzilla's true form.

Fan art of Biollante and Miki from Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) is featured in the center, with subsequent fan fics including "Ebirah vs. the Giant Chef from Space", "Power Rangers vs. Godzilla", and "Legend of King Kong vs. Mothra". In coming years, the fan fiction section would inevitably find itself removed due to legal snafus.

The last major entry in this issue is "Bigger than Life! An interview with Henry G. Saperstein". This issue concludes with fan mail, info on "The Attack of the Super-Allosaurus" (which is supposedly a book-length Godzilla adventure written by Neil Riebe), and finally reviews of collectibles and VHS releases.

This leads into a very lengthy interview with legendary composer Akira Ifukube that spans several pages and then bleeds into a short biography about the man behind the marvelous music. Afterward, the entire mid-section is all about G-Fest and has a ton of information about the convention; this isn't surprising either, considering J.D. Lees, the owner of the magazine, is the father behind the gathering. The next section goes into a sort of documentary on the subject of the original Godzilla being a representation of America at the time. The decided answer is "no".

A shocking part of this issue is another interview, but the interviewee is Volker Engel. For those of you who don't know, he was the Godzilla SPFX supervisor for the 1998 remake. Apparently the man had been present at G-Fest '99, but, interestingly, there is no mention of the reception he had received. After the interview, we go into basic fan fiction work, this one entitled "The Journal of Dr. Rex Summeral: To Catch a Kaiju (Part 7)". I never got a chance to read the other parts, so I'm at a bit of a loss as to what it is exactly about.

The next part of the magazine is a sort of Gamera autobiography that goes over the flying turtle's own career (both Showa and Heisei) through his own eyes. This then leads into several reviews for books (including Japan's Favorite Mon-Star).

The last bang we get in #41 is also the best thing it has to offer: "Battles of Godzilla". This issue features a gorgeous, and I mean gorgeous, remake of Godzilla and Megalon's battle. The fight is brutal and the art easily rivals, and in some way surpasses, that of the Dark Horse comics. Megalon is given a great, Heisei-style redesign and for your viewing pleasure, I have scanned a sneak preview. Gabe McIntosh really has a great gig going with this battle. Besides the remaining pages of fan mail, the issue comes to a close at the common count of sixty-six.

Moving along, a synopsis involving Yoshimitsu Banno is included, and then some much-needed appreciation for the Giant Octopus is brought center stage. Then there's a bit of fun: Frankenstein vs. King Kong, a look into the idea that was destined to eventually bring about the greatest clash of the previous century (King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)). We are then treated to a nice six-page article on The Return of Godzilla (1984) (with nifty publicity material to boot). A four page spread appears next, centered around the fan favorite reptilian, flying squirrel: Varan.

The magazine continues with collectors checklists, a look into fan made suits, and even an interview with a Heisei-era suit actor. Finally, this issue comes to a close with a chance to enter a contest to win... an autographed DVD from the Heisei series!