Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: Chris Mowry
Artist: Matt Frank
Release Date: 29th January 2014

King of the Kaiju, Monarch of Monsters, Ruler of Reptiles; that’s right it’s Toho Studios’ most celebrated creation: Godzilla!

There’s only really one thing anyone buying a Godzilla comic wants to see: massive smackdowns between giant monsters. Thankfully this issue of Godzilla: Rulers of Earth delivers that in spades with an epic tussle between Big G and Biolante. Anyone asking what a Biolante is should imagine a cross between a crocodile and a swamp-plant-thingy with a big lava-filled belly. Then imagine it fighting a giant lizard. If that sounds like fun, then this is the book for you.

The artwork is brightly coloured and eye-catching with Kaiju battling amidst a roaring inferno and thrashing around in the sea. The action is easy to follow and clearly defined throughout. Artist Matt Frank also shows a real understanding of Godzilla’s iconic status. Several panels communicate his elemental power wonderfully; the sight of ‘Zilla unleashing his nuclear breath on a dangerous foe or his foot stamping into the ground, dwarfing everything around it, are likely to set the hearts of Godzilla fans aflutter.

As well as the showpiece rumble between Godzilla and Biolante there a couple of side stories with, y’know, dialogue and stuff. There’s a flying robot, weird fish people from the depths of the ocean and an invading force of shape shifting aliens. With so many things happening at once in this book it borders on hyperactivity and at times it feels like the story is being told by a breathless nine year old acting it out with toys. Yet, the enthusiasm and joy that Chris Mowry and Matt Frank bring to the story, along with their obvious love for the characters, just about bring it home.

Rating: 3/5.

The writer of this piece was: Joe Morrison
Joe is Freelance film journalist based in Glasgow.
You can also find Joe on Twitter.