REVIEW: Justice League vs Godzilla vs Kong 2 #6
It would seem that Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #6 is not the last issue in the series with it running one more issue that the prequel series. For this issue, in the meantime, that’s not exactly good news as issue #6 spends its entire time setting up what will be issue #7-literally moving characters about in preparation. There are some cool ideas and some degree of action, but those are limited to one page.
Christian Duce’s cover, with colors by Luis Guerrero, is honestly doesn’t say grand finale and is our first clue that there’s more to come. This cover probably has the fewest characters than any other cover or variant in the series, with just Kong, Wonder Woman, and Supergirl facing off against an unseen (but soon to be revealed Titan). Usually, covers in this series have been character cluster bombs. This one feels like it’s taking time to breathe.
Carlo Pagulayan’s variant rides off the hype of the reveal of King Ghidorah and Rodan in their first appearance in media since their 2019 film debut. The selection of heroes here is top-tier, no matter what anyone says. And, Pagulayan’s art style reminds me of Daniel Sampere’s Action Comics-good times.
Nearly finished now with another piece of Alan Quah’s connecting image with his latest variant. Aquaman, Black Manta, Mr. Terrific, and Captain Cold hold off a horde of Skullcrawlers while Scylla looms in the background. There are different aspects of Quah’s art that is appealing like the realism-inspired monsters and the more action figure-esque superheroes.
Mechagodzilla returns in Kevin Maguire’s variant cover as the Suicide Squad faces off against the bionic monster.
Barry has gone back to Earth Prime to meet Iris and Wally to ask for the latter’s help back on the Monsterverse Earth. The series had started with his and Iris’ wedding, and now it looks like she’s waiting for the honeymoon. She also knew that he was The Flash– and it’s always amusing when a superhero’s significant other figures it out. Back on the Monsterverse Earth, Leland Shaw is revealed to actually be from the DC Universe as a doppelganger of the Monsterverse character of the same name. Not everyone has one, though, as Cyborg and Mr. Terrific explain. At the moment, there are six active Titans that need to be stopped: Godzilla, Kong, Ghidorah, Rodan, Scylla, and Behemoth. The heroes break up to catch the Titans. Batman is nowhere to be seen.
It turns out that Kong is onto something as Superman, Supergirl, and Wonder Woman follow him to a mountain that seems to have a Titan-sized door in it. The tribe of Kongs is also on their tail. As it would turn out, they entered straight into Lex Luthor and Leland Shaw’s hideout-where a Titanized Cheetah is waiting for them too. Meanwhile, Wally and Hal go after Rodan, Aquaman, and Mr. Terrific after Godzilla, and Martian Manhunter and Cyborg try to find Ghidorah. However, it turns out another Titan incursion may be on the way.
Earlier in the series, Harley Quinn had the interesting side quest of trying to find the Monsterverse’s Earth’s Joker. While it would’ve been cool to see powerless versions of DC characters’ alter egos set in a world of monsters, this is not the direction Brian Buccellato is taking, as it appears to be pushed aside with the explanation that not everyone and everything overlaps, which is why places like Metropolis and Gotham City don’t exist in the Monsterverse. It seemed like it was being built up as so much more. All monsters are pretty much retreating rather than attacking in this issue, with only small bouts of action. The main goal of everything is to create super titans, which I believe the DC Universe already has plenty of. Bringing in Wally West is a redeeming factor, though. Letters are by Tyler Smith.
There are still some great visuals thanks to artist Christian Dulce and colorist Luis Guerrero. Kong scales the peaks of the mountains in Hollow Earth, King Ghidorah flies and creates category six hurricanes, and does the alpha call– just like in the movies. Titan Cheetah also has a great design, like something out of Rampage or Primal Rage. The world does need more giant feline monsters. Superman isn’t a giant anymore, but if Martian Manhunter is going against Ghidorah, he’s going to have to go big. Fortunately, he’s got the power to. And, just when you thought there couldn’t be more, they prove you wrong with one monumental page.
(7/10) Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #6 is the setting up of the dominoes before knocking them down as the penultimate issue. It has a habit of cutting away just before something is about to go down. The redeeming qualities just barely save it.
