Big things are coming for IDWs Godzilla franchise, and that includes a kaiju-sized change to the King of the Monsters’ ally, Mothra. The gentle but powerful monster has been a fan favorite for years, but with a new solo series on the horizon, his mythology is expanding considerably.
Earlier this year, IDW Publishing shook fans everywhere with its Godzilla-focused announcements. Not only is the publisher still releasing several titles starring everyone’s favorite monster, but it’s also giving the Queen of the Monsters, Mothra, a miniseries. With his new adventure on the horizon, artist Matt Frank offers a preview of an unexpected addition to Godzilla lore.
Mothra’s ‘Twin’ Debuts in Her Upcoming Series
Matt Frank reveals Mothra Gemini
This year’s New York Comic-Con was full of exciting news and developments. But few comic book publishers have been as tough as IDW Publishing with their big announcements. Not only did it debut a new logo just in time for its 26th anniversary, it also announced the new IDW Dark imprint, which would focus on horror series such as comic book adaptations like Smile and A peaceful placeas well as a sequence of Underneath the trees where no one sees. But one ad that caught the attention of kaiju fans was IDW revealing three new Godzilla series.
IDW Publishing’s upcoming Godzilla-focused books include Godzilla vs. America and Godzilla: Assault. But what’s fascinating is that for the first time under IDW’s direction, Mothra won’t be second banana to another kaiju in the comics, but rather the star of her own miniseries in Mothra: Queen of the Monsters. The series comes from Sophie Campbell and Matt Frank and revolves around a pair of twins who travel back in time to save Mothra after the legendary monster dies.
…he and Campbell created a new kaiju for the series that they dubbed ‘Mothra Gemini’.
On XFrank excited his new series by posting some images from the upcoming miniseries.
Interestingly, Frank begins his post by asking “Is this a new Mothra?“, only to reveal that he and Campbell created a new kaiju for the series that they dubbed ‘Mothra Gemini’. Frank also suggests that Mothra Gemini ties into the larger twin theme of the miniseries and invites readers to see how it plays out in Mothra: Queen of the Monsters. Being a ‘twin’, Mothra Gemini looks indistinguishable from Mothra (although some have noticed that she appears to be cuter).
Mothra Gemini is a perfect way to expand Mothra lore
Twins have always been important to Mothra
As most fans of the gentle giant know, the twins play an important role in Mothra’s mythology. In her debut film, Mothra, the kaiju was accompanied by two fairy-like priestesses known as Shobijin, who acted as Mothra’s voice and avatars. The Heisei era of films reinterpreted Mothra’s priestesses as survivors of an ancient race who created Mothra to protect them. The MonsterVerse incarnation of Mothra did not include priestesses in any capacity, although Godzilla: King of the Monsters had similar numbers, Dr. Ilene Chen and Ling Chen, monarch twin agents who had specialized knowledge about Mothra.
Strangely, despite twins being so important to Mothra, she never had one. Of course, there have been multiple Mothras, often reborn through eggs laid by another Mothra, but never at the same time. And the movie Godzilla vs. Mothra introduced Battra, who could be considered an ‘evil twin’ of Mothra. But Mothra Gemini is something different and gives Mothra something she never had in any continuity: An equal who was as powerful and mysterious as her.
…it’s cool to see them come up with something so simple, yet potentially revolutionary.
It’s hard to say what Mothra Gemini will bring to the table or how different she will be from the Mothra fans know and love. But with the big changes IDW is attempting with its Godzilla series, it’s cool to see them come up with something so simple yet potentially revolutionary. Will Mothra Gemini be able to help Mothra avoid death? in the future? Or will they be an antagonist and become as much of a nuisance as Mechagodzilla is to Godzilla?
Mothra Gemini is another reminder of how awesome IDW is Godzilla
IDW needs to keep that energy high
IDW Publishing has made it clear that they are putting a lot of effort into their Godzilla series. It’s one thing to give Mothra a book, it’s another to give her an addition to her lore that fits naturally and presents an exciting opportunity. Who knows what Mothra Gemini will bring when it premieres? But if Godzilla story teaches anything, fans will no doubt take part in some epic monster battles when Mothra twin enters the scene.
Mothra: Queen of the Monsters #1 is available March 5, 2025 from IDW Publishing.
Source: X