Andrew Newton reviews Toxic Super Beasts Vol. 1…
Titan Comics’ Toxic Super Beasts Vol. 1 takes readers to the heart of an eerily beautiful disaster zone. Giant kaiju have claimed the island of Kibitsujima, just off the coast of Japan, and while most people would be running in the opposite direction, psychologist Kazuki Kisaragi jumps on a boat and sails straight into the chaos. Appointed as Section Chief of Security Section 4, Kisaragi finds himself navigating more than just the threat of monstrous beasts, he’s also stepping into a web of complex human relationships and bureaucratic tension.
This first volume balances building the world with character introduction. Kisaragi is a compelling lead: calm, observant, and a bit of a mystery himself. As he settles into his new role, we’re introduced to a solid supporting cast, including the friendly but no-nonsense Ward Office Security Division Supervisor Sumire Hasegawa, the seemingly cold-hearted Chief Tomohiko Munehiro, and the razor-sharp Agent Miko Mikoshiba. Each character brings a different perspective to Kisaragi’s strange new normal of life alongside kaiju, and Nykken’s writing keeps their relationships grounded and believable.
The real stars, though, are the kaiju themselves. Nykken’s art captures them with a mix of grotesque beauty and nightmarish scale, though there is one docile creature who’s actually quite cute, and Mikoshiba quickly takes a liking to it. These aren’t just mindless monsters; they’re elemental forces, each with its own personality and threat level. The encounters in Volume 1 hint at a deeper mythology and raise more questions than they answer, but in a way that keeps the pages turning.
Stylistically, the comic leans into the tension of encounters rather than relying on nonstop action, though there are definitely some intense, action-packed moments. There’s a constant hum of dread beneath the surface, helped along by moody linework and haunting environmental details. But when the action hits, it hits hard, with splash pages that evoke pure awe.
Toxic Super Beasts Vol. 1 is a confident debut: a blend of psychological intrigue, sci-fi horror, and kaiju. It’s clear that this story is building toward something big, and this first volume does a great job of laying the foundation. Kibitsujima may be overrun, but this series is just getting started, and it’s one worth keeping your eyes on.
Rating – A story about a psychologist, an island full of kaiju and kaiju-adjacent work colleagues deserves 7/10.
Andrew Newton
