I am reviewing two books this week. One is a Milk Bone promotion for Krypto. The other is DC heroes and villains fighting giant kaiju from classic monster movies. Let us all sit back and realize that at least for now all is well.
Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #2 came out last week and continued to keep the foot down on velocity. The heroes are on Godzilla's home world dealing with a new environment and ornery monsters. The villains have teamed up with Colonel Shaw, trying to utilize science to fight or gain control of the monsters. And, of course, the villains and heroes fight. But outside of these enormous action sequences, we have a number of subplots and character moments that I find very entertaining.
Writer Brian Buccellato continues to spin the story well. Yes, we get kaiju fights and superheroes against kaiju fights. But we get fun character moments. From lex's scheming to Captain Cold's idiocy to Batman's strategy to Supergirl's pro-active stance and heroics, we are get fun interactions with the action. Buccellato has to be a Supergirl fan. She was a big part of the last series and she remains very visible here.
Christian Duce does the entirety of the art. I love his smooth, detailed, fine lined work. He really gets to spread his wings this issue. Giant monsters fighting giant monsters. Or giant monsters fighting human heroes. Or villains fighting heroes. It's all there.
This remains a complete romp, a perfect summer popcorn mini-series.
On to the book.
Remember, on this Earth, our Super-cousins aren't quite as powerful as usual.
When she flies off the rest of the league are attacked by ... The Legion of Doom? Or is it the Suicide Squad? Or is it Task Force X?
Last issue ended with Amanda Waller being shot dead. And sure enough, it looks like she is staying dead. Gotta love side universes where consequences can happen and matter. Incredible!
Meanwhile, the Justice League find themselves on Kong Island with an ornery King who doesn't seem to recognize them. The heroes bow to him, hoping to show they defer to his dominance. But their actions are interrupted by a giant Killer Croc who brawls with Kong.
Great splash page by Duce.
You may remember that in the first series. Buccellato was building up some Supergirl/Kong respect or relationship. She slugged him. They had a stare down. But they also seemed to become allies.
She decides to see if she can re-engage her old friend. But he really doesn't know her. swatting her aside.
Remember, on this Earth, our Super-cousins aren't quite as powerful as usual.
But I really love this 'Kong always liked blondes; now he likes a super-blonde' thread.
I talked about how in this side universe stuff can happen.
Croc ends up being killed by Kong. He reverts to normal size.
Croc ends up being killed by Kong. He reverts to normal size.
Two issues, two deaths.
But I do like that somehow they sense that Croc was imbued with Godzilla-like radiation. It's a clue.
And check out Kara. She still wants to make peace with her buddy Kong! I love this thread.
Whoever they are, they can bring it. We are treated to several pages of a throwdown. Now you think these guys couldn't give Superman, the Flash, Batman, and Wonder Woman any trouble, but they do.
In fact, Peacemaker somehow creases the Flash's skull with a bullet.
I do think that the Peacemaker has been pumped up just a bit too much these days.
Superman takes off after Lex. Batman grabs the Flash to take for help.
That leaves Diana to handle everyone. So she ducks into the ruined Bat-mecha to get her gear - sword and shield.
Like last volume, I love the way Duce writes Kara. She is pro-active. She is regarded as an equal to the other heroes. She is fierce. And when she needs to, she throws down.
But I seriously love this subplot. I know I keep saying it. But it tickles me.
And Duce draws a great Kara. Spectacular.
You may also remember that in the first series, in what was an homage to Crisis #7 (confirmed by Buccellato on X), Supergirl always had her super-hearing keyed in on Superman so she would know when he needed assistance.
Here, she must have the same set-up with Wonder Woman. We have no sound effect that makes it seem like anyone would hear Diana's distress. It is just that top panel meaning we need to infer that we aren't meant to hear whatever she does.
Supergirl as the hero who rescues the Trinity. That's fantastic.
I must admit I laughed out loud at this exchange between Black Manta and Captain Cold showing how stupid Cold is.
Cold dismisses Wonder Woman, And Manta calls him on it. It's Wonder Woman after all.
But Cold doesn't even know what ignoramus means.
It is a small character moment but so fantastic. I truly snickered out loud.
While all that is happening above ground on Kong Island, Superman tracks Lex and Shaw to Hollow Earth.
This looks like it might be an even fight. Superman can't absorb this sun's rays, so he is weakening.
But before these two can throwdown, more kaijus show up.
Nice cliffhanger.
All this ... and we still haven't seen Godzilla!
In this series we have seen Amanda Waller and Killer Croc die. We have seen Supergirl do her best to befriend Kong only to be rebuffed. We have seen Superman and Lex square off ... again. All drawn exquisitely.
Comics are supposed to be fun. This is fun!
Overall grade: B+
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