Throughout Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone, I’ve read about a man who’s half kaiju, a pair of children who control kaiju, and a cult that worships Godzilla as a force that reshapes an unworthy Earth. The one thing I wasn’t expecting? A giant preteen whose tears form a river that stretches out into the irradiated Deadzone, complete with a massive tent and an equally massive crush on Godzilla. Suffice it to say, Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #4 goes to some weird, wild places.
The Wanderer, Glasseater, and Runt, fighting off thirst, soon encounter Sherry Dottsman – the aforementioned giant preteen. Sherry’s life was forever changed when she witnessed one of Godzilla’s rampages, and her budding obsession with the King of the Monsters led her to enter the Dead Zone, where she absorbed Kai-Sei energy and found herself in her current state. That’s…a lot to take in, but it once again shows how Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan are approaching their story. If Godzilla is fearful enough to be worshipped, it’s not a stretch to imagine that someone could love him – especially if you’ve been on the internet as long as I have.
Sherry’s inclusion also gives Pablo Tunica something new to draw. While the post-apocalyptic imagery of the Deadzone remains prominent, Tunica introduces an opening sequence and a flashback that rewind the clock, revealing what Sherry’s life was like before her size modification. It’s a sequence that might reach out to certain readers, especially with Sherry’s love of monster comics and her dedication to tracking down Godzilla, even diving into internet subcircles and “tasteless Hollywood reimaginings”, in her own words. I freely admit that part made me laugh out loud.
It also gives the Wanderer and the Kaiju Kids someone else to talk to, shaking up the dynamic that Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone‘s established so far. The Wanderer, at first, isn’t too pleased when he encounters Sherry; he even grumbles, “You kids must be cursed or something.” There’s also a major reveal about the Deadzone that sends him into a rage, and a justified one at that. Yet he also shows his softer side, particularly toward the end of the issue, where he and Glasseater finally connect.
The most notable aspect of Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #4 is its continued exploration of Godzilla’s impact on the world. Even if the King of the Monsters isn’t on the page, his presence led to the creation of the Deadzone, not to mention other Kaiju, which are being explored in fellow Kai-Sei title Starship Godzilla. In the same way that the Transformers’ presence shaped the Energon Universe, the Maker’s machinations forged the Ultimate Universe, and Darkseid’s soul gave birth to the Absolute Universe, the Kai-Sei era springs from Godzilla and goes in unexpected directions.
Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #4 continues to be a weird, wild, and entertaining ride, as it shows how Godzilla’s presence continues to shape the Kai-Sei era. Godzilla fans and non-Godzilla fans alike should check out this book if they haven’t yet; it’s taking the kind of swings that you can only do in a shared comic universe, but also doesn’t forget the core elements of what makes a great Godzilla story.
