King Caesar officially enters the fray in earth’s fight against the Cryogs/Trilopods. Is it good?
Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #23 (IDW Publishing)
The issue with Mallory and Minette flashing back to a simpler, more innocent time—right before watching their mom get killed when she gets caught in a fight between Mothra and Kamacuras. Even though it looked like Mothra may have been trying to save her…and even though it was the twins’ fault that their mother was wandering a strange island trying to find them…they still blame Mothra for their mother’s death.
Back in the present, the twins give Battra a rousingly evil ‘Get Up, Rock!’ speech just in time for the creature to throw down with a newly awakened King Caesar. Trilopods show up. Much ass is kicked.
Is It Good?
Unfortunately, the narrative suffers beat down of its own. I get that these monsters are connected to the earth and have desires/emotions far beyond ‘SMASH AND DESTROY!’, but both Battra and King Caesar’s behavior is more than a little perplexing.
I also don’t quite buy into the twins’ reasoning for hating Mothra. If anything, they should hate Kamacuras.
You know what would have been even more terrifying? If instead of being a praying mantis, Kamacuras was a mantis shrimp.
As usual, the issue’s artwork is top notch, although the initial fight scene panels between King Caesar and Battra feel a little too boxed in. Fortunately, Matt Frank quickly opens things up, giving us his usual beautiful/thrilling action scene work.
But aside from that, the issue made me just want to get back to LA and see how Godzilla handles his Trilopod doppelgangers. This was a moderately fun diversion, but not compelling enough of a story to leave the series’ main event.
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