Changing of the Guard is the thirteenth issue of IDW Publishing's Godzilla comic series, Godzilla: Rulers of Earth; it was released on June 25, 2014.
Plot[]
Lucy is seen in a roller skating competition under the name "Kaiju Cutie," and as she wins the race, Godzilla suddenly returns and relentlessly chases her around until finally blasting her with his atomic breath. However, it is revealed as just a nightmare which Lucy wakes up from. It has been four years since Godzilla's disappearance after he was buried underwater by multiple nuclear detonations. As Lucy looks out the window of her room, it is revealed that she is on the Monster Islands. Rodan is shown with a whale in his mouth, Gaira is swimming, and Sanda, Kumonga, and Baragon get into a fight. As Lucy meets up with the CKR, Zilla is seen swimming in the waters just off the islands, as if he isn't really welcome to come onshore. Meanwhile in Washington D.C., Steven Woods argues with government officials about the CKR, which will no longer be funded due to Godzilla's "death," even though Woods is convinced Godzilla is alive. In the Arctic Circle, a group of poachers try to kill some seals, but come across an iceberg which explodes, releasing Godzilla and destroying the poachers' boat. The next day in Moscow, a Russian warmonger by the name of Dyachenko reveals a plan to supposedly defend the world's cities against kaiju attacks: an army of mass-produced Mechagodzillas. Dyachenko tries to demonstrate his machines' power by sending one to battle Anguirus. At first, the robot is disguised as Godzilla, luring Anguirus towards it. As Anguirus gets closer, the robot sheds its disguise. Anguirus tries to battle against the Mechagodzilla, but he is overwhelmed and defeated. As Dyachenko finishes his demonstration to potential buyers, the psychic twins Minette and Mallorie are seen with him, while Godzilla is shown swimming through the ocean.
Appearances[]
Monsters[]
Races[]
Characters[]
Locations[]
- Monster Islands
- Washington, D.C.
- Arctic Circle
- Moscow, Russia
- Alaska, United States
Gallery[]
Concept Art[]
Covers[]
Scans[]
Trivia[]
- In Lucy's nightmare sequence, the number on her jersey is "54," in reference to the year 1954, when the original Godzilla was released.
- The version of Godzilla that appears in Lucy's nightmare closely resembles his MireGoji design, in contrast to the KiryuGoji design normally seen in the series. Matt Frank's notes at the end of the Godzilla: Rulers of Earth Volume 4 collection reveal that he originally intended Burning Godzilla to appear in Lucy's nightmare.
- A statue of Godzilla's skeleton can be seen on Lucy's desk.
- Lucy and Chavez discuss the fact that Zilla has yet to set foot on the islands because he may not be welcome, though Lucy assures Chavez that the other monsters will eventually come to accept him. This is most likely an inside joke relating to how the Godzilla fanbase has been slow to accept Zilla as an honorary kaiju.
- Godzilla emerging from an iceberg may be a reference to his first appearance in King Kong vs. Godzilla.
- Anguirus being attacked by Mechagodzilla, who is initially disguised as Godzilla, is no doubt a reference to the monsters' encounter in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.