Justin Pierre

Davey Havok

Danielle Harris

Matt Pizzolo

The upcoming Godkiller Blu-ray has been postponed with no new street date yet announced, so company President Matt Pizzolo (who also wrote and directed the film) has announced that purchasers of the standard-def DVD will be entitled to a free Godkiller Blu-ray when it is released.

“We’re not trying to double-dip on the DVD and Blu-ray. The hi-def version is being delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, but we want Godkiller fans to feel confident getting the film now and knowing we’ll take care of them when the Blu-ray comes out,” explained Pizzolo.

“Godkiller really beat all our expectations, and that’s been a good thing as well as a bad thing for the audience because it keeps maxing out our infrastructure which results in delays,” said Pizzolo. “Producing and distributing Godkiller through our existing system has been a bit like the overloaded containment system from Ghostbusters, the overwhelming response to Godkiller is busting our system at the seams. The good news is we’re fixing that for the next slate of projects coming down the pike, but it’s been a tough road so far with Godkiller. But I can’t complain, it’s a good problem to have.”

Halo-8 asks that purchasers of the Godkiller DVD hold onto their receipts. The system for requesting the free Blu-ray will most likely involve mailing in the receipt and UPC code from the standard-def DVD.

The Godkiller full-length DVD debuted last month at the San Diego Comic Con, where the initial pressing sold out at Halo-8′s booth. After a serialized release of short-form DVDs, the complete film premiered at Chicago’s C2E2 Comic Convention before playing theatrically in 11 cities and being distributed via cable-on-demand to 75 million homes.

The twisted, sci-fi/horror adventure about a teenage boy’s odyssey to find a new heart for his dying sister in a post-nuke wasteland of fallen gods, organ-stealing hookers, and sex-addicted technowizards, Godkiller was directed by award-winning filmmaker Matt Pizzolo (Threat) with music by Alec Empire, Nic Endo and Atari Teenage Riot, starring voice performances by genre-heroes Lance Henriksen (Aliens), Danielle Harris (Halloween 4, 5, I, II), Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects), Nicki Clyne (Battlestar Galactica), Tiffany Shepis (Night of the Demons), punk icon Lydia Lunch (Hardcore), and rockstars Justin Pierre (singer Motion City Soundtrack) and Davey Havok (singer AFI).

The dark, unrated film pioneers a new style of animation called ‘illustrated-films,’ developed by Pizzolo with his producing partner, Emmy-winner Brian Giberson. Utilizing sequential art by illustrator Anna Muckcracker, the illustrated-film adds 3D CGI, motion graphics, elaborate sound design, and dramatic voice performances for an edgy, sophisticated, intricately detailed new form of animation. Danielle Harris told iF Magazine “it’s more like moving art than animation, with very good writing.” Upcoming illustrated-films from Halo-8 include Tim Seeley’s Loaded Bible, Ben Templesmith’s Black Sky, and Pizzolo’s giallo-style The Long Knives.

Early coverage of Godkiller:

“Pizzolo sprinkles a little of everything naughty and twisted into this story and the result is an unpredictable adventure/horror/sci-fi/porno mash-up that is definitely not for kids, but it’s damn cool… The terrors and debauchery in GODKILLER have to be seen to be believed… Looked at from a distance, this is a fairy tale about a boy on a quest to save someone he cares about, but as one becomes invested in this film, it drags you through the gutter that is Outer City and relishes in the filth that goes on in its winding streets and wretched alleyways. Pizzolo’s story really pulls the reader through the shit and on the side of Tommy so we care about this adventure and root for the innocent kid to make it out of this hell alive…. Muckcracker shows a talent for both design and dramatic angles resulting in a film that sucks you in and makes you feel filthy for being there. GODKILLER is one of those stories which sticks with you long after seeing it. It’s filled with sordid fun and cracked horror. Pizzolo has a talent for both quick and heady dialogue as well as creative and fresh concepts that make this devious world of GODKILLER a place you’d want to dive into despite how dark it is.” (–Ambush Bug, Aint It Cool News)

“There are certain stories that come along every few years that challenge viewers, readers, and the world in ways almost so shockingly in your face that it is hard to process upon the first viewing. A perfect example of this would be Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of A CLOCKWORK ORANGE which was a sweeping narrative that encompassed many of the social issues that were plaguing the country at the time… So when I sat down to watch GODKILLER I could imagine myself being one of those critics who watched A CLOCKWORK ORANGE for the first time… GODKILLER dares to get in your face and test your best inhibitions while at the same time doing its best to make you THINK. Pizzolo is giving you a healthy dose of social commentary to go along with your bloody genre offering… a flawless piece of genre fare… a treat for fans of horror, sci-fi, comics, and animated films that is not to be missed.” (–Theo Scheresky, Bloody Disgusting)

“A horrific yarn of apocalypse, quantum physics, culture jamming & conspiracy theory.” (–Scott Thill, Wired)

“Intriguing… mixes dark visuals, graphic violence, profanity and a speed metal soundtrack into an oddly alluring post-nuclear holocaust.” (–John DeNardo, SF Signal)

“An adventure through a frightening, violent post-apocalyptic landscape.” (–Michael Gingold, Fangoria)

[From preview part 1 review] “Matt Pizzolo’s tale of love, death, and organ harvesting; all set in a disgusting post apocalyptic wasteland. Looks as fantastic as you can expect… it’s hard not to give this a 9/10!” (–Chip Parton, Sins of Cinema)

[From preview part 1 review] “I can’t stand motion comics… however, I was somehow drawn to Godkiller’s comic aspect. The only word I can use to describe Godkiller’s tone is grimdark. The episode’s grim-darkness is clear, but not over applied, with all kinds of crazy organ-stealing, brutality and cannibalism, murder, and prostitution. I cannot wait for more of this.” (–Ryan Miller, EuroCultAV)

[From preview part 2 review] “Halo-8 scores again with the second addition to the Godkiller series by giving us more of everything we wanted. They’re clearly improving with every stroke of this magnificent series. Another cliffhanger has brought me to my knees with anticipation and I again cannot wait for the next volume to come out. This DVD earns every bit of the 4.5 grade I’m giving it. And you owe it to yourselves to watch it. 4.5/5″ (–Ryan Miller, EuroCultAV)