Writer Brian Buccellato throws in just about every giant monster in the Monarch universe into this book and in particular this issue which is basically a massive melee between the good guys and the bad guys. As always, he lets Supergirl shine, not in the way I was hoping but in a way that is even better. But this is more than just fights. Small character moments, like Wally trying to follow in Barry's giant footsteps, or Hal being scared of Parallax, are inserted to sort of ground the book in loose DC history. Does it end fast? Sure. But is is JL v Godzilla v Kong. There isn't going to be nuance.
Christian Duce drew every page of this sequel and has a pristine art style which brings a crisp feeling to the insanity. He must have had a blast drawing giant-sized leaguers throwing down against dinosaurs and giant apes. I hope I see more of him. Give him something like this every year, a mini-series that allows him time to do it all.
Get your popcorn ready!
With the bad monsters defeated, there is nothing left to do but ... leave?
As I said, the main purpose of this book is wild, giant-monster brawls. But Buccellato inserts tiny little micro-sub-plots to put a spotlight on some characters.
His Harley Quinn feels very old school, frenetic, borderline insane, and obsessed with the Joker. She makes Batman show her the Joker on this Earth. Here he is simply a goofy clown, without the evil tendencies. It is a nudge to this Harley to think that perhaps she can grow out of her obsession with 'Mr. J' and become something new.
That discussion of transformation is echoed in their mission to revive Mothra who can help heal Godzilla.
This scene is not integral to the main plot at all. But as an old school Harley fan, as a fan of the DCU, seeing moments like this enriched the book.
Ghidorah has marshalled its kaiju forces into an army and the heroes are trying to hold them back. But human-sized heroes and J'onn assuming a giant dragon form isn't enough.
In another good character moment, Hal uses his ring to create the scariest thing he can think of ... the Parallax spirit.
Again, he could have created a mecha or a generic monster. But Buccellato making it Parallax is added spice for DC fans. And Duce, as always, draws the heck out of it.
Meanwhile, Aquaman has been able to reach into Godzilla's mind to let the big guy know about the brawl on the surface.
I like the sort of throwaway line that Godzilla is ancient so time moves differently. I lean into the 'Godzilla was created/augmented by man's atomic experiments'. But this whole 'guardian of balance' idea is growing on me, especially if it has been for eons.
With Mothra and Godzilla awake, with Superman, Wonder Woman and Supergirl embiggened, and everyone in the same place, the fight is on!
I mean, check out this double page spread!
This is why young Anj fell in love with comics, for stuff just like this. For a second I was a kid again, sitting in the back yard under the tree in the shade, and turning pages, goofy grin on my face!
You may recall that throughout both volumes of this, Supergirl and Kong have had some moments ... respect? Animosity? Admiration? Love? Those moments were fascinating as Kong seemed to be enamored and Supergirl responding with right hooks.
I really wanted there to be some Anne Darrow/Kong moment between Kara and the King. That's what I wanted.
Buccellato and Duce instead give me what I need.
The kaiju-sized Kara decides to join Kong in his skirmish. She will partner with him in his fight. I mean, how cool is this. I love that second panel of Kong looking over his shoulder. There might be a feeling of 'do I trust her' in that expression.
But then, the next panel! Boom!
Kong and Kara doing the old one-two to the other apes.
Will this be in my best moments of 2026? I might put money down!
With the lower troops defeated, Kara breaks off, leaving Kong to face his main adversary, the Skar King.
Green Lantern gives Kong a power-up, giving him gladiator armor so he can wade in. Remember, in the first volume, Kong donned the GL ring!
Enter Young Anj again. Gladiator Kong fighting Skar King? Bring it on!!!
The cherry on the sundaw was the defeat of Ghidorah.
Three heads ... means one each for the ultimate team of Superman, Godzilla, and Supergirl.
I mean ... this is freaking cool!
This started with DC villains entering the Monarch world to try and grab energy and methods to allow them to enlarge the bad guys in the DCU. The whole thing is wrapped up in two panels. The monsters are defeated. Let's round up the villains and go home.
We don't see much of Lex at all in this issue. We don't tie up things in a bow.
But it is Justice League v Godzilla v Kong 2. This is fine. In fact, it leaves some crumbs out there in case a third volume is a possibility.
I mean, I got Kong and Kara as a tag team against giant primates. Hooray for me! And DC, give me a third volume! Take my money!
Overall grade: A
No comments:
Post a Comment