Issue two featuring the new original kaiju, the Trilopods. The action for this issue kicks it into high gear and the stakes feel high. All in all, it fires on all cylinders and is one of the more enjoyable issues in the series, featuring some great popcorn entertainment writing from Chris Mowry and excellent art from Matt Frank.

For the story, the issue picks up with the Cryog in space. Their emperor has arrived, and with him a legion of hunters that have descended to Earth called the Trilopods. Their first target: Godzilla and Megaguirus. Meanwhile, Monster Island has its own intruder to worry about...

The comic starts off by developing the Cryog a bit. It shows a welcomely awkward relationship between Rhizon, the commander we have been familiar with since the alien species first showed up, and their Emperor Karkaro. It will be interesting to see how they develop in the comics to come, and to learn a bit more about their backstory that is hinted at here. Especially to learn what caused the tension between them that is bubbling just below the surface. While the aliens take center stage, the Trilopods are a good show stopper in their own right. The kaiju are parasitic in nature, with the ability to steal powers and mimic the appearance of their foes after biting them, similar to Orga from Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999). This power, combined with their huge numbers, will make for a tough opponent.

Now I have avoided spoilers so far, but now would be the time to turn back if that's a concern. Anyway, the issue also sees Monster Island under siege from Battra. The winged monster is looking to eradicate Mothra, but is interrupted by two asteroids that fall nearby. SpaceGodzilla also descends on a city, already being attacked by the Trilopods that are absorbing his energy.

Like the issue before it, the comic strikes a perfect balance between popcorn entertainment and advancing the plot. It is a fairly brisk read, having seven pages of fighting and no dialogue, but packs enough dialogue in the Cryog sequences to give some needed heft to the material. The art from Matt Frank, though, is top notch across the board. Both the Cryog and the Trilopods look amazing, with vivid and consistent details on them. The art isn't just rich in details, but creatively on target, with the shot of Battra, cloaked in shadows with lightning around him, being a great visage as he advances on Monster Island.

In terms of the covers, both are great this time around. The main Matt Frank one shows Godzilla and Megaguirus surrounded by Trilopods while the emperor looms overhead. Godzilla's mouth looks a little strange, but the detail placed in Megaguirus goes above and beyond. The alternate, subscription cover is by Jeff Zornow and features a more moody shot of Godzilla, Battra and Mothra fighting the Trilopods in the city. It's a little confusing what Battra is doing, but the Mothra component is dynamic as the larva are in a tough spot that makes you want to see how they get out of it. Both covers are excellent, even though the Zornow one feels like it will be a better fit for the next issue. That said, if you have to choose one or the other I would go with the main Matt Frank one.

Overall, this stands next to Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #10 as one of the issues in the series I have enjoyed most so far. Action packed but with enough meat on the bone to be memorable and makes you really excited for where this climax to the series is headed.