Review: Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #17
Lucy’s team recovers after the fight in the Russian tundra. Although the Cryog leader fled with two MechaGodzilla units, the Spetsnaz assisted human team captures the twin psychic women who aided the aliens. While Godzilla and Aguirus take a breather on Earth, the kaiju action heats up in the skies above. Space Godzilla attacks the Cryog command ship, and the tentacle aliens send Gigan to counter.
For no known reason, Godzilla runs across Ebirah. The two tussle in the depths. Back in space the Cryog leader makes the ultimate sacrifice to defeat Space Godzilla.
Lucy and her team flies to Brazil to investigate strange eggs that hatch just as Godzilla and Ebirah rise from the sea. In an ominous closing panel, the twin women portend an evil omen as they claim, “So it begins… Again.”
Writer Chris Mowry gives fans another great battle not seen before in the Godzilla universe: Gigan vs. Space Godzilla. Putting the battle in space makes for a different backdrop, as well. I did find some of the action in the panels somewhat challenging to follow, though. In the artist’s defense, the scene in which Godzilla and Anguirus hang back after fighting Mecha Kind Ghiodora shows great talent. The look of fatigue on the monsters after such a tough battle shows through with great clarity. Excellent work on that panel somewhat makes up for the troublesome action sequences.
This is another issue where Godzilla plays only a supporting role, and some of the battles like the ones with Space Godzilla and Ebirah seem to come from nowhere. Worse yet, the teaser page with one of next month’s cover shows Mothra. Readers will finally have to endure another episode of a giant worm crawling and shooting webs. Sigh.
Score: 3/5
Writer: Chris Mowry Artist: Jeff Zornow, Matt Frank Publisher: IDW Publishing Price: $3.99 Release Date: 10/22/14 Format: Ongoing; Print/Digital