Godzilla Rivals is a series of quarterly one-shots beginning in 2021 by IDW Publishing, focusing on Godzilla fighting a member of his extensive Rogues Gallery in each issue. Each story is self-contained, and done by a different writer and artist.
- Vs Hedorah (June, 2021)
- Vs Mothra (September, 2021)
- Vs King Ghidorah (April, 2022)
- Vs Battra (August, 2022)
- Vs Gigan (November, 2022)
- Rodan vs Ebirah (January, 2023)
- Mothra vs Titanosaurus (March, 2023)
- Biollante vs Destoroyah (May, 2023)
- Vs SpaceGodzilla (August, 2023)
- Vs Mechagodzilla (October, 2023)
- Jet Jaguar vs Megalon (December, 2023)
- Mothra vs M.O.G.U.E.R.A. (February, 2024)
- Mothra vs Hedorah (May, 2024)
Godzilla Rivals provides examples of:
- Adaptational Badass: Considering Ebirah's track record. It's honestly surprising to see him holding his own against Rodan.
- Adaptational Heroism: Downplayed, but surprisingly Destoroyah is sort of the "good guy" kaiju when fighting Biollante.
- Aliens Are Bastards: Both the Xiliens and Nebulans appear in this series as the main antagonists of Vs King Ghidorah and Vs Gigan respectively.
- Vs SpaceGodzilla has a snake alien being the leader of an oppressive cult that worships SpaceGodzilla.
- Asteroids Monster: Both Biollante and Destoroyah are this in their spotlight issue.
- The Bad Guy Wins: Vs SpaceGodzilla ends with the titular monster decimating the cult's planet before flying off into space with the clear intent of getting revenge on Godzilla.
- Demoted to Extra: The second collection of the series has fights between secondary franchise kaiju (which have never fought in the films), with Godzilla himself only having a minor role, if he even appears at all.
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Milestone Celebration: Vs Hedorah was released in awareness of the 50th anniversary of Godzilla vs. Hedorah while Jet Jaguar vs Megalon was released for the 50th anniversary of the two titular characters. - Mythology Gag:
- Vs Mothra has the titular monster resting in Lake Ikeda, a reference to where she was sleeping in Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack!.
- Loads in Vs King Ghidorah such as the presence of Dr. Hu and Mechani-Kong, the P-1 spacecraft and Xiliens, Jet Jaguar and the Showa version of Mechagodzilla.
- The part in Biollante vs Destoroyah where people become plant/human zombies? According to recently uncovered concept art, that almost really happened in Biollante's debut film. Also a case of
Older Than They Think.
- Would Hurt a Child: SpaceGodzilla crushes an infant monster in his hand almost immediately after it hatches.
- Villain Protagonist: SpaceGodzilla is the main character of his spotlight comic, devastating the planet of the alien cult that foolishly worshipped him.
