After this comic, Duane Swierczynski's Godzilla series has only one issue left in the tank before the new series begins. So how does this second to last issue fare? Not bad, not great, with a climax that is starting to feel a little long by this issue and some decent Simon Gane art that feels a bit below the fantastic work he had been doing in the issues leading up to this.

For the comic's plot, the publication covers the battles of Godzilla against SpaceGodzilla and Monster X plus Gigan against Rodan and Anguirus. Meanwhile, Harrison, Boxer and Hikari attempt to escape from Kiryu as the mech continues to sink into the Hudson River.

Like Godzilla #11, this issue is light on plot but heavy on action. However, the action isn't as dynamic this go around and the conflicts, for that reason, don't feel nearly as potent as they did in the previous issue. The beam war between Godzilla, SpaceGodzilla and Monster X is the perfect representation for this, as it ends in a rather awkward splash screen from Gane showing the three monsters, very stifly, flying backwards from the resulting collision blast. Thankfully, the conflict between Rodan and Gigan is more interesting and gruesome, with the two getting into a very physical duel.

Now I have held back on spoilers so far, but won't pull my punches going forward, so take that as the obvious cue to leave. That said, SpaceGodzilla is taken out in the issue leaving room for a physical and brief tussle with Monster X before he changes into, as many predicted he would, into Keizer Ghidorah. While Simon Gane feels like his work is mediocre in this comic, it must be said that he does draw a very good Keizer Ghidorah and the transformation sequence is the art highlight of the issue. In the meantime, Anguirus wakes up and is able to help Rodan in finally beating Gigan, prompting Rodan to quickly fly off. A human character comes back from the dead (not going to spoil everything), while Godzilla appears out matched by his three-headed opponent.

Unfortunately, the issue feels like it just ends, which is possibly a scripting issue since it sounds like it was rather late in the game that the series was extended from 12 to 13 issues. Personally rooting for Rodan to arrive to assist Godzilla in the next, for some old fashioned Godzilla and Rodan against Ghidorah action, as otherwise the series is coming to a fairly ho-hum conclusion, although time will tell.

In regards to the covers, Bob Eggleton has a decent one featuring a side profile of Monster X with Godzilla in the foreground. The alternate by Matt Frank, however, is one of the series' best, featuring a continuing image from the Godzilla #11 alternate cover. This one boasts Titanosaurus, Mothra, Rodan, Monster X, Kumonga and Hedorah (kind of unfortunate choices, however, as only two of those actually appear in the issue) in a very dynamic battle. In fact, the little glimpse of Kumonga fighting Hedorah is amazing in terms of detail and energy the shot conveys. Together, the covers for both issues combine for some of the best art from the IDW run to date.

Overall, decent comic, which might have been good had it not felt like a notable downgrade from how enjoyable the action was in the previous issue when the series should be going the opposite direction as the climax accelerates. Still an enjoyable read, as the series marches toward its final issue next month.