When IDW announced that they acquired the Godzilla license to do a comic book series, I was shell-shocked. However, when I heard that the series will feature the big G's friends and enemies, that made my year. Issue one of Kingdom of Monsters came out a month ago. A solid first issue, if lacking a little substance. Now, how does issue two continue this new series? Read on.
I think the writers knew that the first issue was lacking substance, because this issue goes way differently than the first. Godzilla is attacking Tokyo, and much of it is seen on the news. This is interesting because we get to see how the people are reacting and it makes Godzilla look like a huge threat. (Cause he is.)
Of course, the main thing with this issue is the debut of monsters Rodan and Anguirus. If it's one thing I've noticed, is that in the films, if it's just Godzilla, it can get pretty boring. The films are always better when Godzilla battles another monster. Now let's talk about these two monsters.
Angurius was the first ever monster that Godzilla did battle with in Godzilla Raids Again. First portrayed as a villain, the monster would later become an ally of Godzilla. So far in the comic series, he seems to be a villain, doing his trademark barrel role from Final Wars.
Angurius has pretty much looked the same in all his appearances in the movies. With that said, he looks a lot gritter in the comic. Two of his teeth point out which gives him an edgier look. What's weird is that they don't show that on his cover appearance. Besides that, Angurius makes a fine debut.
Now, let's talk Rodan. Ah, Rodan. He's always been a favorite of mine. With his cool character and awesome roar, Rodan is just an awesome monster. His first appearance was not in a Godzilla film, but in his own movie, Rodan. He would later crossover into the Godzilla franchise in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster. At first portrayed as a threat, he would later become more of an anti-hero, helping out Godzilla in the movies. Like his debut film, in the comic, Rodan is hatched from egg. This egg is found by some kid whose name I can't remember. You would think that they'll probably keep Rodan small for awhile and develop this kid for a few issues, right? Nope. Rodan is small one page, and in a few pages later.....he's big. This kid brings the monster a cat (don't worry, the cat's alive) and guess what? Rodan looking fierce as always chomps down the kid! Yeah, it looks like the writers are intending to make Rodan an evil menace. I don't mind. He's awesome as a menace.
Rodan in this series resembles his Heisei counterpart from Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II.
The art suites the book well. The destruction scenes are great, and the monsters look cool.
There are some comic relief moments in the book. Such as a Texas guy bragging that his steel wall will hold off any monster....yeah, you can see where this is going.
Characters are fleshed out a bit. The dad of the kids that Godzilla squashed last issue goes kind of crazy and attempts to destroy Godzilla by suicide-bombing himself. You feel kind of sorry for this guy, because we all know that bombs don't hurt the King of the Monsters the slightest. Godzilla himself is looking pretty evil, in fact, I'd say his appearance and actions are based upon his appearance from Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. Cold, and merciless. Will he be like this for the whole series? Or will he turn into an anti-hero like in the late Showa era later in the series?
In closing, this comic is miles ahead of the first. Excellent pacing, the monsters are beyond epic, and....it's GODZILLA! What more can one want?
I give this issue a 4/5.
