Happy July, GNP readers! Welcome to Upd-eighty-nine! (Don’t look at me like that. It was the last time I could use that joke.)
Anyway, corny gags aside, it’s time to talk conventions. Specifically, one very special convention that I’ve been missing desperately for the last three years…
That’s right: July is finally upon us, and I’m thrilled to announce that the GODZILLA NOVELIZATION PROJECT will be descending on G-Fest XXVII in a big way. Not only will I be at the con all four days to meet readers and promote the project, but I’ll also be participating in not one… not two… but EIGHT panels!
Yep, you read that right. I can’t believe it either!
Between Friday, July 14th and Sunday, July 17th, I’ll be running around like crazy to nerd out on a kaiju-sized collection of panels (including anniversary panels for Godzilla vs. Hedorah, Godzilla vs. Gigan, and King Kong vs. Godzilla, discussions about Terror of Mechagodzilla and the legacy of Akira Takarada, the kaiju writers panel, a kaiju podcasting panel, and a special deep-dive into the time-travel of Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah)!
It’ll be a busy weekend, for sure, but I couldn’t be more thrilled to be going, seeing old friends, and making new ones. It’s because of the support I get from readers like you that I’m able to participate in events like this, and I’m so grateful to you all.
Check out the descriptions below (copied from the G-Fest website) for details, dates, and locations for all eight panels:
Godzilla vs. Hedorah: A Belated 50th Birthday
(12:00 PM, Grand Ballroom B/C) – Godzilla vs. Hedorah is unquestionably one of the most unusual Godzilla films. Almost universally panned when it first came out, the film has enjoyed a reappraisal and renewed interest in recent years. It’s a year late, but we’re here to celebrate Hedorah’s 50th birthday! Come join us! (Alyssa Charpentier, Nick Crispino, Danny DiManna, Darin Read, Dennis Roth, Brian Scherschel)
Godzilla vs. Gigan 50th Anniversary
(1:00 PM, Grand Ballroom B/C) – In 1972, Godzilla vs. Gigan was released as part of the Toho Champion Festival. To keep the kids in their seats, the filmmakers filled the screen with classic monsters (Godzilla, King Ghidorah, Anguirus), a new creation (Gigan), manga, and lots of on-screen action. An accomplished group of panelists discusses this bizarre yet enjoyable entry in the G-series. (Kevin Horn, Daniel DiManna, Brian Scherschel, Danny Tokarz)
End of an Era: Terror of Mechagodzilla
(10:00 AM, Grand Ballroom A) – In 1975, the release of Terror of Mechagodzilla marked the end of the Showa Era of G-films. It features Godzilla, Mechagodzilla, Titanosaurus, and a romance between a man and a cyborg, played by Tomoko Ai. This panel discussion sets the stage for Ms. Ai’s interview! (Nick Crispino, Daniel DiManna, Billy DuBose, Nathan Marchand, Dennis Roth)
Kaiju Writers Unite!
(2:00 PM, Grand Ballroom A) – G-FEST isn’t complete without a little love and help for the monster-loving wordsmiths. Author/Podcaster Nathan Marchand (host of The Monster Island Film Vault, author of Destroyer) presides over a panel of kaiju writers, consisting of Daniel DiManna (creator/author of the Godzilla Novelization Project), Alyssa Charpentier (AlyssaGojiGeek on YouTube, author of Daughter Darkness), Ryan Collins (The Omni Viewer on YouTube, author of Operation: Red Dragon), and Christopher Nigro (founder and editor-in-chief of Wild Hunt Press). They are ready, willing, and able to answer all your questions about the craft and business of writing. Come curious and inquisitive!
King Kong vs. Godzilla 60th Anniversary
(10:00 AM, Grand Ballroom B/C) – King Kong vs. Godzilla was a special entry in the Godzilla franchise. It revived the series after a seven year hiatus. It holds the record for the highest attendance of any film in the series. And for many fans, through movie houses, drive-ins, and TV screens, it was the film that launched their obsession with the kaiju film genre. The panelists will discuss the history and impact of this classic film. (Danny DiManna, Kevin Horn, Nathan Marchand, Dennis Roth)
A Fan Tribute to Akira Takarada
(11:00 AM, Grand Ballroom B/C) – Akira Takarada had a special relationship with G-FEST, attending multiple times over the years to interact with his fans. This panel of fans will pay tribute to Takarada-san and discuss their interactions with him over the years. (Daniel DiManna, Billy DuBose, Bob Eggleton, Nathan Marchand)
Untying Godzilla’s Gordian Knot: Can Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah Be Fixed?
(2:00 PM, Grand Ballroom A) – Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah is one of the most popular entries in the Heisei Godzilla series, but it also has one of the most confusing and convoluted scripts of the franchise. Why did the Futurians stop in 1992 to pick up the main cast? How did everyone remember Godzilla when he was supposedly erased from history? Why did Emi decide to turn on her comrades? Such are just a few of the questions fans have asked. Writer/Podcaster Nathan Marchand (The Monster Island Film Vault, Henshin Men, The Power Trip) and Author Daniel DiManna (Godzilla Novelization Project) try to answer in this “script doctor” session. (Nathan Marchand, Daniel DiManna)
Talkustasu: Kaiju and Tokusatsu YouTubers/Podcasters Roundtable
(4:00 PM, Grand Ballroom B/C) – The kaiju and tokusatsu YouTube and podcasting communities have exploded over the last few years, with shows ranging from collectibles to academic film appreciation to audio dramas. Several of the creators come together to discuss the art and craft of content creation (it’s more than talking into a mic, people!) and take questions from fans and listeners in the audience. (Michael Callari, Jake DeNunzio, Daniel DiManna, Kaiju Kim, Nathan Marchand, Elijah Thomas)
Whew, now that’s what I call a busy weekend!
If you’re going to G-Fest this year, be sure to pop by one (or all) of these panels, or stop me when you see me! I’m excited to chat with readers face to face, and you might even get a shiny new business card out of the interaction! All kidding aside, I can’t wait to see those of you who are making the trek to Chicago. (And for those of you who aren’t attending, no worries! I might do a post-G-Fest livestream when I get home, so we can chat then!)
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more G-Fest (and other GNP) updates coming soon!
The Godzilla Novelization Project 