Issue #13 in the series, and one issue away from IDW's longest series on the character. This comic sets up a new arc for the series, setting things years in the future to slightly clean the slate. While there are aspects of the issue that are good, in particular the final conflict, the comic as a whole is on the more forgettable side.

For the plot, four years have past since the events of Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #12. Godzilla has been missing, presumed dead by most, during this time. Meanwhile, Monster Island is a thriving, controlled geological preserve. Rodan, Baragon and other monsters are among the inhabitants. With kaiju attacks down, the governments of the world are in a renewed state of peace. Steven Woods, however, unsuccessfully tries to petition for more funding for preparations should Godzilla return. Denied his request, the government states they are planning a cheaper alternative that is already finished...

Relatively speaking, this issue is on the slow side. The comic opens with a dream sequence, before going into a tour of Monster Island. It then slogs through an overly long senate meeting with Steven Woods, which is actually only two pages but seems to drag all the same. Godzilla then emerges from the arctic and the comic then closes with a really cool final battle, which I won't spoil. The battle is one of the more enjoyable in the series, so it deserves props, but the rest of the issue could be a touch more interesting.

In terms of the art, its done by Jeff Zornow. This is the third issue in the run Jeff has done, after Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #5 and Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #9. Sadly, its the weakest of the three from the art side of things. The humans feel rushed and overly cartoony in this issue, with both head size and eye size sometimes going out of the proportion with their body. The monster art is better done, especially the final battle which is pretty engaging thanks to the art style.

In terms of covers, neither is particularly memorable. They both focus on Godzilla from the early dream sequence in the cover. The Jeff Zornow cover is marginally the most interesting one here, although the Matt Frank one does present a nightmare themed version. Either cover is a good choice, although amongst the sea of covers for the IDW run, these don't stand out much.

Overall, this issue has a cool final fight and not much else to tout. If it's setting up a new arc, it didn't really leave me craving more or really even looking forward to the next issue. In the end, it's a slightly forgettable comic.