Zilla (ジラ Jira?) of the IDW Publishing continuity is a daikaiju that first appeared in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth.
Name[]
Zilla is based on the monster from the 1998 TriStar film Godzilla. Six years after the film was released, Toho Company Ltd. acquired the rights to the creature from the film and officially re-branded the creature's design as "Zilla" in any appearances post-2004. In 2007, as part of the new "Zilla" trademark, Toho declared that any subsequent appearances of the 1998 character and, by extension, any version based on him, will be under the name "Zilla."[1]
In the series, Steven Woods received a transmission from the U.S. army that "Godzilla" was heading to Honolulu, but due to radio interference, he only heard "-zilla" and took this to be referring to another monster that appeared at the same time.
Design[]
Appearance[]
Zilla bears more of a resemblance to his 1998 Godzilla design as opposed to his 2004 Final Wars design, and remains mostly unchanged. The two most notable differences between the 2004 design and its predecessor are its scutes,[2] which now point up straight instead of curving forward like the original design's scutes.
Roar[]
Zilla's roar is written as "SKREEEEEENK."
Personality[]
In his appearances in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth, Zilla's motivations are so far unclear, but he does not seem to have any malicious intent behind the destruction he causes. While he retained many of the same abilities and characteristics of his 1998 counterpart, although he lost his cowardly nature. Zilla is very bold and territorial, as shown when he took on the larger and more powerful Godzilla in battle. He also is very quick and actually does not run away, but instead has an attitude more like the animated series incarnation, not running away until Godzilla almost kills him. Zilla has also displayed remarkable cunning and intelligence in his battle with Godzilla when he burrowed out of the way of Godzilla's atomic breath and ambushed him from behind, as well as when he ducked out of the way of a volley of missiles and caused them to hit Godzilla. He faced Godzilla head-on once again, evaded his attacks, and landed several attacks of his own. However, he retreated to the sea when Godzilla was close to killing him, and he had just barely escaped Godzilla's grip. When Zilla resurfaced for the final battle against the Trilopods, he attacked and viciously killed and wounded multiple Trilopods.
Origins[]
Zilla's origins are never directly discussed, but it is established that he is part of the natural balance of Earth, along with all of the other Earth kaiju. Zilla's appearance on the Infant Island mural suggests that he is an ancient creature, instead of a mutated iguana like his previous incarnations.
History[]
Godzilla: Rulers of Earth[]
Zilla appears in the first issue of Godzilla: Rulers of Earth as a rogue Godzilla. He is first sighted by a submarine, which mistakes him for Godzilla. He later makes landfall in Honolulu, Hawaii and is given the identification as "Zilla" due to radio interference. He then goes on a rampage while fighting the CKR forces stationed there before being attacked by Godzilla, who has also arrived, and the two monsters prepare to fight. Godzilla tail-smacks Zilla into a building and blasts him with his atomic breath, similar to the way Godzilla finished him in Godzilla: Final Wars. However, Zilla burrows underground and avoids the blast. Zilla then digs behind Godzilla and ambushes him. Godzilla and Zilla engage in a heated physical battle until Godzilla grabs Zilla by the neck and chokes him. Before Godzilla can kill Zilla, CKR opens fire on Godzilla, distracting him long enough for Zilla to escape to the sea.
Zilla reappears in Rulers of Earth #13, where he is spotted swimming in the waters around the Monster Islands. Zilla apparently avoided capture when the Trilopods invaded the Monster Islands, as he was not seen inside the Trilopod hive.
Zilla returned in the final issue, where he suddenly appeared in Los Angeles and saved Jet Jaguar from a Trilopod with Godzilla's characteristics. Zilla then took part in the final battle against the Trilopods alongside Godzilla and the other Earth monsters, managing to injure and kill several of the creatures. Zilla attempted to battle Magita, the gigantic Trilopod queen, but was kicked aside by its massive legs. After Godzilla destroyed Magita, Zilla and the other monsters followed Godzilla out to sea.
Abilities[]
Although any real powers have yet to be seen, he appears to have an extremely thick hide as implied to him sustaining multiple hits from artillery fire.
Agility[]
This creature was shown to be extremely agile and fast.
Burrowing[]
He also has shown a remarkable burrowing ability, able to excavate the thick tar and concrete with ease. This ability is present when Zilla managed to evade and ambush Godzilla.
Intelligence[]
Zilla seems to share the 1998 Godzilla's intelligence, as he exhibits strategy in his battle with Godzilla, using his burrowing ability to evade a blast of Godzilla's atomic breath and even pulling Godzilla into the military's line of fire to use him as a shield while the latter is grappling him.
When Zilla realizes he has no chance of winning the fight, he waits for an opportunity and escapes to the ocean while Godzilla is distracted. Zilla later somehow manages to avoid capture by the Trilopods when they attack the Monster Islands, and knows to travel to Los Angeles to join forces with the other Earth monsters and battle the Trilopods.
Scutes[]
Zilla displayed the ability to use his scutes as a weapon. Zilla ran at a Trilopod and bent downward, causing his scutes to slice its neck.
Gallery[]
List of appearances[]
Trivia[]
- In an interview with Chris Mowry, it was confirmed that this Zilla is an incarnation of the FInal Wars Zilla, despite possessing the same design of the 1998 "Godzilla". Mowry went on to state they used the 2004 Zilla incarnation to present the monster in a favorable way, hence why Zilla does not have the animated Godzilla's green atomic breath or features pertaining to the incarnation from the 1998 film.[3]
References[]
- ↑ ＜Information on application/registration＞. Japan Platform for Patent Information (August 17, 2007).
- ↑
- ↑ G:RoE Chris Mowry Interview (archived)
