reviewed by Cord A. Scott, UMGC-Okinawa
Louie Joyce (w, a). Godzilla: Skate or Die! Sherman Oaks, CA: IDW Publishing, 2025. 128 pp. US $17.99. ISBN: 979-8-8872-4186-9. https://godzilla.com/products/godzilla-skate-or-die
Godzilla is now a worldwide cultural phenomenon. This is no surprise to IJOCA's readers, but the idea that a movie from 1954 on the dangers of atomic weapons could inspire a variety of media decades later speaks to the longevity of the character. Godzilla: Skate or Die is one such book in this wider pantheon.
Louie Joyce, who wrote and illustrated the graphic novel, has his additional influences. The culture of skating and urban life shows in the style of illustration that is presented. Set in Australia, it is an additional homage to the Japanese Kaiju.
The premise of the story is simple at its core: four friends, who share the common bond of skating, have set up a secret skate park named “coin toss” in an abandoned office above a coal mine. While doing this, they witness a meteorite in the sky, and wish. After spending considerable time setting the park up, it is a prized goal that will not be easily surrendered, if it is threatened. The characters Egg, Sushi, Jules, and Rolly are spirited in their desire to try new ideas, even if it means “bending” the law concerning trespassing. As the four are gearing up for a day of skating, they are literally shaken by various tremors. Soon, it dawns on them that the area of Broken Hill, where the skating area is located, will become the epicenter of the tremors: the Kaiju Varan, and the King of the Monsters, Godzilla.
When it becomes obvious that the two titans are heading to a conflict with each other at their hidden park, the four evade the police and a mandatory evacuation by authorities. From this point, they play a cat and mouse game with the police, all while trying to prevent the destruction.
As the carnage of the area continues, the four fall into a fissure in the earth, only to find that it leads to a series of tunnels below the admin buildings. As another quake hits, the floor collapses to reveal yet another subterranean level, this time much newer in appearance.
Amid this chaos and searching, the general in charge of the facility is trying to determine what the threats are, and how the facility may be saved from destruction. It is then revealed that many of the incidents are connected because of a meteorite that arrived on Earth on the day the skate park was built. This is also a power source for mechas on which this lab is working.
The meteorite seems to be both a power source, as well as a beacon, which will wake others. As things seem bleak, Rolly hits the meteorite, disrupting its pulse.
Towards the end of the battle, when it seems all is lost, the skaters are given assistance from a security guard at the base, who has admired their skating (to the point of having compiled security camera footage/montage).
When they get to the surface, it looks as though Godzilla will be defeated by Varan. Rolly, the most daring of the four, determines that it is important to save Godzilla, as he has a connection with him. Following a diversionary attack on Varan, Godzilla gains the upper hand and sends Varan into outer space.
The story is fast-paced, and stylistically interesting, but tends to be somewhat confusing at times. For example, there seems to be a connection between the general in charge of Sushi, but this is never really determined. There is sentimentality, with a skateboard deck that was given to Sushi by a dying mother. This board becomes a talisman of sorts, as it represents a connection to her mother. Finally, there is the requisite large-scale fighting that we have come to love and expect with anything related to Godzilla.
There is also the bigger connection between Godzilla, the skaters, and the location of their park. Was there something further that drew them all to the same location? There are some circumstances, but nothing determinate. Overall, it is an interesting crossover, but it may not appeal to many.
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