Godzilla Aftershock

Title: Godzilla Aftershock
Author: Arvid Nelson 
Illustrator: Drew Edward Johnson 
Colorist: Allen Passalaqua 
Series: Godzilla novels 
Publisher: United States: Legendary Comics, 2019
Collection: Young Adult Graphic Novel
Resources: Godzilla Fandom.com, Wiki Zilla


Annotation:
 
I would be remiss if I did not include a Godzilla graphic novel in this collection. This classic tale begins with wars and environmental destruction, when science went too far and destabilised the earth. It awoke giant monsters from their sleep. The age of men killing each other was over. The age of fighting against monsters had begun, bringing the world to the brink of total destruction.

“Godzilla Aftershock” is the latest graphic novel in the Godzilla franchise. It acts as a prequel to the Legendary Pictures 2019 film “Godzilla: King of the Monsters”, and a sequel to the 2014 film “Godzilla”.

Our hero lizard’s latest rival is Muto Prime also known as Titanus Jinshin-Mushi a giant Earthquake Beetle. This parasitic kaijū (Japanese for “strange beast”) will attack any human who stands in its way of a radioactive feed.

Every Muto Prime appearance is introduced by earthquakes as it travels the world devouring radioactive sources. In Russia he attacks a nuclear submarine and in France it’s a Nuclear Power Plant. Never missing a beat, Godzilla turns up at every location ready to engage in a fight sequence that would rival any WWE event, the only disappointment is that he uses his Atomic Breath but once.

Not far from the action is Dr Emma Russell from cryptozoological agency Monarch. She chases these beasts all around the world to find clues left behind by Muto Prime, piecing them together to find hidden secrets. The finding of ancient tablets in the Japanese imperial archives tells of a myth that has a connection to the MUTO eggs unearthed in chambers. An ancient history of apocalyptic proportions which threatens to return and exact mass extinction on planet Earth.

Johnson’s illustrations are very detailed and great care has been taken in the monsters depiction. The shading is dark and moody adding to the impending danger within scenes. You can see how this imagery could easily be translated to film.

While we don’t see many character arc developments, this is an enjoyable read.

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