Spoilers for Godzilla Rivals vs. SpaceGodzilla #1
IDW’s Godzilla line of comics continues to expand the stories of many of the King of Monsters’ kaiju opponents with the Godzilla Rivals series of one-shots – and now, the most recent issue has elevated SpaceGodzilla, Godzilla’s interstellar counterpart, to the regal level of monsters such as Godzilla and Ghidorah, dubbing him ‘the Crystal King.”
Godzilla Rivals vs. SpaceGodzilla #1 – written and drawn by Matt Frank – reimagines SpaceGodzilla as the god of a faraway planet, known to its worshipers as ‘the Crystal King.”
When SpaceGodzilla attacks the planet, he proves to be a far from benevolent deity – and far more vicious than ever depicted before in Godzilla media.
SpaceGodzilla Joins An Elite Group Of Kaiju Royalty
While SpaceGodzilla is known as one of Godzilla’s most powerful adversaries, Godzilla Rivals vs. SpaceGodzilla #1 reveals the true extent of his malevolence. Set on a distant planet, the issue depicts a world where a large crystal, of extraterrestrial origin, has become the centerpiece of a cult, which is at odds with the planetary government. When the leader of the cult summons his god, using the crystal, it is SpaceGodzilla who answers the call. The result is wide-scale destruction, as the “Crystal King” worshiped by the cult has no interest in the mortal affairs of this civilization, instead cutting a path of brutality through every living thing in his way.
A Civilization Is Torn Apart In Godzilla Rivals Vs. SpaceGodzilla
Godzilla Rivals vs. SpaceGodzilla is high-level kaiju storytelling. SpaceGodzilla remains a terrifying, insurmountable force throughout, with an agenda completely unrelated to that of any lower creatures. It is revealed that the crystal contains his offspring, which he promptly destroys. Meanwhile, the sentient species in its path – the issue depicts the planet inhabited by an insectoid race and a reptilian-looking race of intelligent beings – have their own conflicts. The issue is in large part a political thriller, as the simmering tensions between the Crystal cult and the world’s leaders explode into violence, against the backdrop of the global catastrophe brought upon them by the cult’s summoning of its god.
The narration is presented as a translation of the aliens’ language, with certain cultural details being lost in the process. Nevertheless, the story of their civilization’s devastation at the hands of SpaceGodzilla is full of pathos, as the horrified faces of the planet’s inhabitants are contrasted with the cult leader’s exhortations, even in the wake of the destruction, that “the love of the Crystal King is mighty indeed, and all else falls away in its shine.” The issue concludes with the cult having used the appearance of their god to their advantage, as they lead a coup, removing the planet’s rulers from power, initiating a theocratic rule in SpaceGodzilla’s name.
Godzilla has long been hailed as the King of the Monsters on Earth, with only King Ghidorah rivaling him for kaiju royal supremacy. Godzilla Rivals vs. SpaceGodzilla elevates SpaceGodzilla to this highest echelon, not just in title, but in his power, his magnificence, the sheer awesome destruction he is capable of. Should SpaceGodzilla, the Crystal King, return to Earth any time soon to challenge the other kings of his stature, the other big monsters of the planet many find themselves bumped down the food chain a notch or two, while Ghidorah and Godzilla can expect the ultimate test of their dominion.
Godzilla Rivals vs. SpaceGodzilla #1 is available now from IDW Publishing.