Tags
Brian Churilla, Chris Mowry, comics, Godzilla, Godzilla Oblivion, Godzilla Oblivion #2, Godzilla Oblivion #2 review, IDW Publishing, Jay Fotos, Joshua Hale Fialkov, King Ghidorah
Godzilla Oblivion #2
Review by Paul Bowler
King Ghidorah is unleashed in Godzilla Oblivion #2 into a world were monsters have never existed! When a team of scientist opened a portal to another dimension, they visited a parallel Earth where monsters rule and the surviving humans have allied themselves with Godzilla. Now, after making a desperate bid to return home, King Ghidorah has followed them back through the portal and invaded their world. The military and scientists of their Earth are powerless to stop King Ghidorah, his rampage seems unstoppable, only a miracle could help them now, but there is still one frightening option left that could save their world….
The King of the Monsters new five-part comic series from IDW Publishing continues in Godzilla Oblivion #2, as writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Brian Churilla build on the scene setting first issue to bring us even more monster carnage and mayhem on an Earth were there have been no monsters. This uncanny What If? style concept has provided us with a bizarre and imaginative new take on the Godzilla franchise, the whole idea of having parallel worlds and monsters crossing dimensions has been wonderfully handled by Joshua Hale Fialkov and Brian Churilla, and now in this exciting second issue Godzilla Oblivion really cranks up the action!
We pick up events two weeks later as writer Joshua Hale Fialkov details the extent of King Ghidorah’s devastating impact on this world since the creature arrived. Told via a series of television news reports it seems the U.S. Government, NATO, and the U.N. have all been unable to repel King Ghidorah’s onslaught, major cities have fallen, and all hope seem lost. However, Doctor Talbert and Miss Yamada are being held by the military following their return, and now face the unthinkable – in order to save their world they are going to be sent back through the portal to the parallel Earth to get help from the human survivors in that dimension.
One thing I really like about Godzilla Oblivion is the way Joshua Hale Fialkov balances the seriousness and wry humour that’s so skilfully interwoven throughout the pot, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and the snappy dialogue between Talbert and Yamada makes them a great double act. Their return to the barren alternative Earth via a newly constructed machine, along with a crack team of troops to help accomplish their mission, soon leads to the formation of a plan that might enable them to defeat King Ghidorah back on their world. Even though Godzilla Oblivion #2 initially feels a bit like a retread of the first issue the action is still literally non-stop, while the plot twist involving Godzilla is not exactly surprising, Joshua Hale Fialkov does everything with such style and fun that you cannot help but be swept along with all the excitement, and there’s even a knowing nod to one of our favourite Star Wars lines at a particularly critical moment!
While the first issues art was a bit hit and miss, with characters and proportions feeling a little sketchy at times, Brian Churilla’s artwork for Godzilla Oblivion #2 now seems much more focused and detailed than the series’ debut issue. There’s a new version of the Stargate-style device used to create the portal, only this time it’s on a much larger scale. Brian Churilla ensures that all the set-pieces are equally epic, there are a number of really impressive two-page spreads in this issue, we also get some excellent monster scenes – the opening moments with King Ghidorah are great and Godzilla looks magnificent and powerful when he stomps into action! The colors by Jay Fotos really make this book come to life, with the grim shades of apocalyptic landscape of the alternative Earth being a particular highlight, bright energized tones define King Ghidorah’s carnage, and rich shadows enhance Godzilla’s lumbering presence to the absolute max.
Godzilla Oblivion #2 charges into a brilliantly staged cliff-hanger as the team make another nail biting escape back to their own dimension, only this time they are hell bent on brining something back with them… With the minor quibbles of the first issue more of less ironed out, Godzilla Oblivion #2 continues this five-part series in fine style, featuring a terrific main cover by Brian Churilla – along with a host of great variant covers to choose from – this issue sees writer Joshua Hale Fialkov setting everything on course for an epic monster smack down. One things for sure, Godzilla Oblivion is shaping up to be a really fun and exciting mini-series!
Publisher: IDW Publishing / Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkov / Art: Brian Churilla
Colors: Jay Fotos / Letters / Creative Consultant: Chris Mowry
Cover: Brian Churilla
