I had no idea just how big Kaiju could get inGodzillalore – but onecomic series starring the King of Monstershas me eager to see more supermassive Kaiju in the franchise. In addition to the pure visual spectacle of it, I love the idea of monsters even bigger than Godzilla because it offered a new perspective on the Godzilla character, one I’d like to be explored further.
Godzilla: Rulers of the Earth#25 – written by Chris Mowry, with art by Matt Frank and Jeff Zornow – introduced Magita, a Kaiju of absolutely astronomical size, with the fearsome disposition to match. When I first saw the full-page reveal of Magita towering over Godzilla,I was amazed by how it pushes the limits of what a Big Monster can truly be.
It feels strange to even type the word “tiny,” in thecontext of talking about Godzilla’s size, but that is actually how he appears when first confronted by Magira.
Magira Was An “Even Bigger Monster” Than Godzilla, Who Made The Classic Kaiju Look Minuscule
Godzilla: Rulers of the Earth#25 – Written By Chris Mowry; Art By Matt Frank & Jeff Zornow; Color By Priscilla Tramontano; Lettering By Shawn Lee
Godzilla: Rulers of the Earth#25 was the finale of the ongoing Godzilla book, and it served up an appropriately gigantic climax. The final battle of the series pitted Godzilla and his allies, both Kaiju and human, against the monumental Magita, a scorpion-like alien creature hell-bent on the destruction of Earth. As a reader, I find the reveal of Magita’s full form to be super effective; the size disparity between Magita and Godzilla does exactly what I believed it was intended to, which is to deliver a moment with few equals in franchise history.
I Honestly Believe the New Godzilla vs Sherlock Holmes Series Can Be Something Special
This October, Godzilla will face off against some of the most popular characters from classic literature, including Sherlock Holmes and Dracula!
Of course, in many ways, Godzilla defines the conception of “Big Monster,” and soto deliver an Even Bigger Monster, one that redefines what is possible inGodzillalore, is huge win forRulers of the Earth’screative team.Unfortunately, the Magira reveal is the clearest view of the antagonist that we get as readers in issue #25, and the only panel in which the unbelievable scope of the creature is depicted. In other words, the introduction of Magira made me realize that I have an itch, so to speak, but didn’t exactly scratch it.
By Defeating Magira, Godzilla Made It Clear That Bigger Doesn’t Mean Badder In Kaiju Conflicts
The King Of The Monsters Stays The King
I don’t fault the creative team behindGodzilla: Rulers of the Earthfor the limitations of Migara’s appearance; I’m sure if you asked writer Chris Mowry, or artists Matt Frank and Jeff Zornow, they would say they wish they’d been able to do more with their Even Bigger Monster, their Super-Kaiju, as well. The final issue of the series needed an exhilarating action sequence, and a foe that would be one lastlegitimate test for Godzilla, and Magita fills both those roles exceptionally.
The point of the final battle inRulers of the Earth#25 was that Godzilla did not need to be the biggest, to be the best.
As much as the battle against Magira left me wanting more,I do think that the Super-Kaiju served its narrative purpose. The point of the final battle inRulers of the Earth#25 was that Godzilla did not need to be the biggest, to be the best. This has been shown with Kaiju of comparable size to the King of Monsters, but never has Godzilla faced an opponent orders of magnitude larger than himself. When he prevails in the issue’s closing pages, it definitely strikes me as a satisfying beat to end the series.
As A Fan, I Want More “Super-Kaijus” In The Godzilla Franchise
Give Me More Massive Monsters
Godzilla’s moment of triumph of Magira inGodzilla: Rulers of the Earth#25 is impactful precisely because of Magira’s size; for me, as a fan of the franchise, it made me reconsider what I love about Godzilla as more than just a monster, but as a hero. Godzilla’s trajectory from an existential threat to humanity, to a savior and protector of the Earth, is one of my favorite redemption arcs in pop culture. Godzilla is as inhuman as a protagonist can get, but fans' love for the character has forced creators to continually find ways to humanize him.
Even Bigger Monsters like Magira are the perfect way to tell stories in whichGodzilla, as a protagonist, must fight from a position of disadvantage.
The appearance of Magira inRulers of the Earth’sfinal issue was a great way to achieve that, and it is one that I personally want more of in futureGodzillastories. Godzilla is rarely depicted as a true underdog, even when facing his most formidable opponents. Even Bigger Monsters like Magira are the perfect way to tell stories in whichGodzilla, as a protagonist, must fight from a position of disadvantage, which would open up an entirely new type ofstoryline for the beloved franchise.
Godzilla
The Godzilla franchise, spanning over six decades, follows the adventures of the titular kaiju, a colossal, prehistoric sea monster awakened and empowered by nuclear radiation. Originating in Japan, Godzilla has evolved from a destructive force of nature to a protector of humanity, battling various other giant monsters, including iconic foes like King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Mechagodzilla. The series explores themes of environmental destruction, nuclear anxiety, and human resilience. With numerous films, TV series, and an expanding universe, Godzilla remains a cultural icon, captivating audiences worldwide with its epic battles and compelling narratives.
