Review: Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #1

Justice League Vs. Godzilla Vs. Kong 2 #1 came out last week, the first part of the sequel to last year's JL v G v K first series. Now I loved the first series, an Elseworlds book smushing kaiju with Super Friends with Supergirl all together. It was fun to see an old school Toyman just want to have fun with giant toys leading to a brawl.

DC made the right decision bringing the band back together. Writer Brian Buccellato and artist Christian Duce are back on the scene. This time instead of bringing the Legendary Monsters to the DC world, our heroes and villains are heading to the monster's Earth. That new wrinkle, a different world and a different yellow sun, might mean something.

Our heroes have a classic feel to them, almost Bronze Age in personality. Instead of bringing in the Legion of Doom again, Buccellato brings in the Suicide Squad as 'the bad guys'. Now I, for one, am pretty sick of Amanda Waller who is seems omnipresent. But Buccellato throws a nice curve ball into the proceedings. One has to do with Waller. The other is putting Lex on the Squad which surely will lead to some laughs.

Most importantly for me, Supergirl is back and is portrayed in the same positive manner she was last series. I better see more of her and Kong. Match made in heaven.

Duce brings such a sweet slick style to the book. From an opening wedding scene to a giant monster fight to our heroes using their powers, the book is a joy to behold. In particular, the King Shark vs. Godzilla fight has the potency a kaiju fight should. Plus his Kara is stunning.

On to the book, the perfect 'Summer movie' book as the summer opens.

Last series, the Justice League was mobilized to fight the monsters and the Legion of Doom.

Turns out that two groups were upset by their lack of intervention. Task Force X, led by Amanda Waller and the Colonel on the  right, head of the Human Defense Corps (straight out of the monster movies).

This time they want to be ready to intercede if not be proactive about the kaiju.

It is an interesting mix of Suicide Squad members. Harley, Captain Boomerang, the Enchantress, King Shark, and Peacemaker have all been linked to the Squad enough for me to not be surprised. But Captain Cold? Black Manta? Cheetah? I haven't always read Squad books but I don't recall them being classic members.

Of course, the wild card is Lex, busted out of prison for his part with the Godzilla attacks last time to help the Squad. Chances he tries to take over? 100%! In fact, seeing him spar with the leaders is interesting. And does he have the 'neck bomb'?

Meanwhile, the heroes are celebrating another wedding! Barry is marrying Iris. Another classic! (You might recall last series started with Clark proposing to Lois.) 

While some heroes are at the wedding, in their civilian identities in person, most of the heroes are streaming it at the Hall of Justice. And everyone is wondering when Barry will tell Iris he is the Flash. (Classically, she finds out when he talks in his sleep.)

Mid-reception, he speeds to the Hall where people talk about the risks and benefits of telling Iris. But Gar turning into a chicken and mocking him is perfect.

I love that Supergirl is there and one of the more vocal members of those in attendance. She is an established hero in this universe.

And in another funny moment, Hal asks Clark if he has overheard Barry spill the beans. Hal and Barry have a side bet. Whoever confesses to their girlfriend about their super-heroic deeds gets to tell the other's girlfriend about their partner's heroic deeds.

I love that Hal, always cocky and a bit of a playah, would make such side bet.

The wedding ends but the action starts.

Lex has gone off the grid. Mercy tells the League who track his last location to a secret Human Defense Corps base. And within the base is a Boom Tube 'multiversal portal'. 

Without hesitation, the heroes decide they need to follow the path of the teleportation device to see what Luthor is up to. 

Again, there's Supergirl. Cool.

But I like that the heroes don't debate about if they should go through this. They can't let Lex run amok somewhere else.

And shifting the action to the monster's home world is a cool idea. Will there be a 'home court advantage'?

The heroes do end up on the monster world, right at Skull Island, a place Supergirl recognizes because it had teleported to the DCU last series. Check out Batman's giant mecha in the pond!

The super-cousins head off the defend against the pterodactyls, not to kill but just to drive off. But the electric powers the dinosaurs have hurt our heroes.

Perhaps on this world they just aren't as powerful?

Duce draws the cousins tremendously!

As for Luthor, he has been working with Task Force X and the HDC to try and lure Godzilla out, perhaps to learn more or even control the King of Monsters.

The bait is King Shark, transmogrified into a kaiju. At this size, the Shark becomes a mindless monster and is taken out quickly by Godzilla before being shrunk back to normal form. 

Love the neck bite suplex move! I do love how Duce draws giant monster battles.

Most importantly, Lex learned something from this encounter. 

The Kryptonians definitely feel weaker. And then a ticked off Kong shows up.

Last series, Buccellato took Superman off the board by having him succumb to Godzilla's atomic breath. This time, it looks like he'll weaken the super-cousins to level the playing field. 

I just keep hoping that we get some sort of moment where Kara becomes the sort of 'blond fascination' for Kong like Anne in the classic movie. 

The Squad sees the League have followed them and that upsets the Colonel who thinks it is either treachery or stupidity that tipped off the heroes. He is ready to move on to the next step given the results of the King Shark trial.

When Waller says he doesn't have the authority, he shoots her!

If I was sick of seeing Waller all the time, maybe I shouldn't worry here! Great cliffhanger.

I will admit I google-searched 'Leland Shaw' to discover he is a known entity in the Godzilla-verse. So nice crossover!

Whew! Quite an opening chapter.

I like that Buccellato again puts a personal anchor in the story - Clark/Lois' proposal last series and Barry/Iris marriage/trust this time. I like that we shift to the Monster Earth. I am intrigued by Lex on the Squad and Waller being shot. And, of course, Supergirl being here and with a big presence is great. Tack on the smooth lined goodness of Duce and the 'summer fun' feel of the book, and I am here.

Overall grade: B+