Sometimes outrageous, over-the-top comics heal the soul, which Gerry Duggan and Javier Garrón’s take on Godzilla and the Marvel Universe has proved. They’re back this week with the third series in the Godzilla x Marvel story arcs, this time titled Godzilla Conquers the Multiverse #1. Building on what came before, a select group of heroes and villains has banded together to stop Knull from killing the multiverse, and to do so, they need to acquire monsters capable of handling the Knull-controlled Godzilla. Enter one of the most epic comics in years, featuring the Avengers of Doom!
As with previous series, Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe and Godzilla: Infinity Roar, this series blends big ideas that will please your inner ten-year-old. That starts with the unveiling of the Avengers of Doom, introduced after a two-page reminder of how we got here and how the Watchers are relying on Doctor Doom and his motley crew to save the multiverse. As the issue progresses, we get to see the likes of Kang teaming up with Punisher, Ghost Rider, Human Torch, and Emma Frost. Throw in a lovable and super cute designed monster that Miles Morales befriends, and it’s truly a wacky team.
The sense of humor in this book is light and fluffy, keeping the narrative honest about how ridiculous it can be. The fact that the Avengers of Doom have a baker on the team speaks volumes, and multiple cutaways of characters reacting in a way straight out of The Office add levity to the overly dramatic scenes.
Quite a team.
Credit: Marvel
The main focus of this issue is the Avengers of Doom traveling the multiverse to acquire the best monsters for their attack on Knull. That allows for the Godzilla fans plenty to chew on, with multiple monsters popping up, many of which non-Godzilla fans may not even know. Sure, Punisher may seem underpowered for a time like this, but when you find out what he’s controlling, you’ll have a huge grin on your face.
While Knull mostly takes a back seat, there is a nice epilogue that sets up his side of things, with a fun caption to end the book on a cliffhanger that’ll make you want more. Duggan is exceptional at the lighter dialogue and the book’s boisterous epic elements, keeping you satisfied.
The biggest win, however, is Javier Garrón’s art with David Curiel’s colors. The visuals are detailed and extremely slick, with some page compositions rivaling anything you’ll see this week. The scale of monsters is also well done, and the comedy largely works thanks to Garrón’s facial expressions and framing. Garrón was born to do something this over-the-top and fun, from splash pages to quieter beats.
Godzilla Conquers the Multiverse #1 embraces pure comic book excess and never apologizes for it. Gerry Duggan fills every page with imaginative team-ups, giant monsters, and laugh-out-loud moments, while Javier Garrón proves he’s the perfect artist for a story this ambitious. The action is inventive, the jokes consistently land, and the monster-filled multiverse offers constant surprises. Even with Knull waiting in the wings for much of the issue, the adventure is so entertaining that it’s impossible not to enjoy the ride. This is the kind of comic that reminds you why superhero crossovers and giant monsters make such a perfect combination.
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