Godzilla: Rulers of the Earth #10 – Review

By: Chris Mowry (writer), Matt Frank (art), Priscilla Tramontano (colors)

The Story: A kaiju attack in Australia puts Lucy on the front lines beside Sergeant Woods and, when Godzilla arrives, the Gargantuas will have to put their war aside if they mean to survive. Isn’t it great how Godzilla brings people together?

The Review: After a series of particularly intense issues, there’s a feeling of passing through the eye of the storm this month. That’s not to say that this issue is any less engaging than its brothers but it’s a more character-focused vintage.

Like the last issue, this story addresses some of the larger concerns, not just of this series but most daikaiju stories. Firstly there’s the importance of the human characters. While there have been moments, for the most part the human players have kind of gone with the flow, adapting to suit the plots demands. It’s long overdue that we start to get to know them as individuals and it wouldn’t hurt if they demonstrated a little agency over the events around them.

With this issue the human drama is finally streamlined, as Woods and Lucy Casprell become something of a team. Admittedly Woods seems a little quick to believe Lucy’s claims that the Earth has a plan for the kaiju but, while their relationship could use a touch of clarification, they each make a strong contrast for the other, which helps to define both characters.

Godzilla: Rulers of the Earth #5 – Review

by Chris Mowry (writer), Jeff Zomow (art)

The Story: Twenty pages about how a scarred Chinese general struggles to provide for his family in a world torn apart by ancient beasts…Nah he’s evil. I mean, seriously, he’s blind in one eye! If he were a hero he’d wear an eyepatch.

The Review: Godzilla’s latest ongoing from IDW has sometimes seemed like it’s bitten off more than it can chew. We have a government anti-Kaiju task force, a team of dedicated megazoologists, a worldwide explosion of mega-fauna, and even an alien invasion to contend with. Amid this backdrop, last issue tipped us off that there may be more to these rampaging monsters than meets the eye. I don’t think I’m out of line if I say that the series hasn’t revealed its focus yet.

This issue wisely decides to dedicate itself to just one of the plotlines, that of Lucy and her scientific cohorts, who find themselves face to face with a previously unseen kaiju, Varan, on the shore of a Chinese lake. It’s a rare moment of greatness for a cult-favorite kaiju. With such a human vantage point, the issue has the opportunity to show how dangerous even the most mundane kaiju can be.

Lucy’s narration is leaps and bounds better than what Chris Mowry has supplied in recent months and is integrated into the issue quite well. Especially seeing such improvement, I still think that he can do better, but for now let’s count it a win