“Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong” – Book Three
Artist: Christian Duce
Color Artist: Luis Guerrero
Letterers: Richard Starkings and Jimmy Betancourt
Review by Lauren Fiske
The monsters just keep on coming! Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #3 calls in more and more heroes to help deal with the gigantic beasts that are taking over the various metropolises of the world. The trouble is that more villains have arrived on the scene as well, continuing to create more complications and confusion for all involved (and occasionally, this reader).
Around the World
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #3 genuinely travels to a lot of different corners of the globe. The issue makes pit stops outside Central City, Metropolis, Themyscira, Skull Island, Gotham City, and briefly in the Chihuahuan Desert. Monsters have popped everywhere and, while some have been taken down in Gotham, the rest wreak havoc on their respective locations. I understand the creators’ need to keep the story feeling fast-paced, but not all of us can keep up with the changes in scenery like the Flash can. The colors are also fairly the same (since it’s night), which doesn’t help when trying to keep track of the various storylines.
However, the main monsters shown in this issue are all depicted in various colors, making them very distinguishable. Central City’s Cthulu-esque critter is lime green, Godzilla continues to reflect blue, and the less-shown creatures vary in shades of brown, black, and grey. This makes the story at least somewhat easier to follow.
The art for this issue, as always in this series, is gorgeous. The colors are rich in many of the pages and I cannot get enough of the shading. I’ve also never been one to really notice the effect that lettering can have on an issue, but the amount of action in this one allows ample opportunities to stop and admire the work.
Man Down
I guess my main confusion with this issue stems simply from the writing. There’s so much to squeeze in with the amount of action and need to progress the story, the characters aren’t asking questions. As a reader, I appreciate when characters ask questions so the collective audience (other characters and readers) can learn more about what’s going on. However, there’s barely even a discussion about the events happening as you continue going through the pages. The heroes just make statements and everyone accepts them at face value.
In the last issue, Superman got knocked down, hard. He’s currently unresponsive and we learn from Supergirl that she can’t hear his heartbeat. SHAZAM and Hawkgirl both insist that Superman’s gone. Everyone seems surprised but they just go along with the idea that the Man of Steel has been permanently incapacitated… all except for Batman. While Bruce doesn’t ask any questions, he’s seemingly the only person to push back on the finality that Superman’s dead. This feels important, especially after the two superheroes’ heart-to-heart about life and risks way back in issue #1.
This is a comic run that started with a focus on Clark moving forward and getting married to Lois Lane. This leads me to be inclined to agree with Batman. If the series decides to go a different way and kill Superman when he was at the center of its plot, I’m not sure where they’ll go for the rest of the story arc.
Conclusion
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #3 has many strengths and only one weakness for me. The art is consistent and beautiful, there are a ton of amazing characters, and there’s enough mystery left to keep the series interesting for a few more issues.
My one concern with this issue, and whatever follows, is pacing. Action’s great and filling pages in a comic book with them is fantastic. My fear, though, is that not enough story is being revealed to match the amount of action.
Toyman, who lies at the center of the story’s conflict, hasn’t been seen since the first issue, Green Arrow’s shown to be in trouble aside from monsters on Skull Island, and Lex Luthor’s up to who knows what down in the desert. I’m worried that there won’t be enough time in the series’ run to tell the full story… but perhaps that’s just the English teacher in me.
No matter what happens, I’m enjoying this series and always look forward to what’s going to come next! Hopefully, more questions from the characters and more answers for the readers.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment