Writer: Tim Seeley
Artist: Fero Pe
Colorist: Luis Antonio Delgado
Cover Artist: Fero Pe
TMNT x Godzilla #3 continues to prove that this crossover understands exactly what kind of story it wants to be. It leans fully into pulpy sci-fi spectacle, cartoon logic, and kaiju escalation—prioritizing momentum and character chemistry over high drama or reinvention.
This isn’t a perfect issue, nor does it aim to be. Instead, it focuses on the thrill of the crossover: the result is a chapter that feels like a natural continuation of an ‘80s-era Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon colliding with Marvel’s original Godzilla run, filtered through modern pacing and clean storytelling. That balance is notoriously difficult to strike, but this series makes it look effortless.
Dropping In on Godzilla
The Turtles land on Godzilla’s head.
The issue opens with the Turtles, Splinter, April, Mondo Gecko, and Casey Jones en route to Japan, preparing a high-risk plan to confront Godzilla directly. Their strategy is appropriately outrageous: skydive onto the King of the Monsters and use the same meditative astral technique that previously drove King Ghidorah away from New York. It is exactly the kind of logic that only works in a crossover like this, and the comic wisely never questions it.
The team successfully lands on Godzilla, centers themselves, and enters their astral forms to infiltrate his mind. For a brief moment, it feels like the story is about to pivot toward something strange and introspective—then, just as quickly, they are violently ejected as Godzilla begins charging his atomic breath.
This sequence works because it reinforces Godzilla as an immovable force of nature. Even when the heroes attempt a spiritual or psychological approach, he remains overwhelming and unknowable. The failure of the plan is a smart narrative beat; it establishes Godzilla not just as a monster, but as the most formidable foe the Turtles have ever encountered.
April’s Song and a Shift in Focus
April convinces Casey to listen to her.
While the Turtles regroup, April O'Neil continues hearing the mysterious song that has been calling to her since the previous issue—a subplot that quietly grows more intriguing here. Rather than overexplaining the phenomenon, the comic has April explain it to Casey Jones in the most on-brand way possible: she basically tells him to trust her. True to form, Casey does exactly that, ordering the pilot to divert the flight.
Back in Japan, the Turtles and Splinter hole up in a busted karaoke joint to reassess their failure. This leads to a surprisingly effective character moment when they realize Donatello has been distracted since their time with Dr. Kinoshita. The group concludes that his emotional attachment may have compromised the plan; Donnie, overhearing this, quietly slips away to seek her out.
It is a small, low-key beat, but it works perfectly. Donatello’s arc feels natural and grounded rather than melodramatic, providing a much-needed breather between the issue's monster-sized developments.
Villains Go Big, Literally
Kaiju Bebop and Rocksteady undergo their transformation.
The book cuts back to Bebop and Rocksteady as they arrive in Japan to reunite with Shredder and General Krang inside the Technodrome. This is where the issue leans hardest into classic crossover joy. Krang tests his Kaijutagen on the duo to ensure it is safe, resulting in their grotesque and painful transformation into massive kaiju versions of themselves.
The designs are excellent—exaggerated, monstrous, and yet instantly recognizable. It is exactly what you want from kaiju Bebop and Rocksteady; I would absolutely love action figures of both in the same vein as the NECA TMNT x Universal Monsters line.
Meanwhile, Donatello arrives at Dr. Kinoshita’s home, only to learn he has just missed the Foot Clan, who stole the technology Bebop and Rocksteady were hunting for in the first issue. She explains that the device is an Ibuki Box—named for her grandfather—capable of supersizing anything. She then casually drops a fantastic piece of lore: her grandfather was the creator of Jet Jaguar.
This revelation is handled cleanly and without unnecessary fanfare. The fact that Jet Jaguar has been inactive since her grandfather’s death adds emotional weight without bogging down the story. Donnie’s explanation that Jet Jaguar required regular updates from her grandfather’s brain is both tragic and deeply "on-brand" for Toho lore.
The issue escalates again as Krang and Shredder use the Ibuki Box to enlarge Bebop and Rocksteady, planning to use it on themselves before administering the Kaijutagen. It is a perfect midpoint villain flex that promises absolute chaos without overstaying its welcome.
Art That Understands the Assignment
Dr. Kinoshita reveals Jet Jaguar to Donatello.
Fero Pe’s artwork is a perfect match for the tone this series is aiming for. His layouts handle scale exceptionally well—making Godzilla and the kaiju feel truly massive without losing clarity or momentum in the heat of the action. The character acting is expressive in a way that recalls classic TMNT animation, yet it still grounds the story enough to sell the emotional stakes.
Luis Antonio Delgado’s colors elevate the visuals even further, utilizing bold palettes and strong contrasts that reinforce the book’s pulpy, sci-fi energy. Together, the art and colors capture the very essence of TMNT x Godzilla, doing much of the heavy lifting to make this crossover feel cohesive, confident, and incredibly fun to look at.
Infant Island and the Promise of Mothra
April and Mondo find Mothra’s egg.
The final act shifts focus to April O'Neil, Casey Jones, and Mondo Gecko as they arrive at the location that has been calling to April: Infant Island. The tone shifts immediately, shedding the grit of Japan for something more mystical. When Casey gets into a brief scuffle with the island’s inhabitants, April experiences a vision that leads her directly to a massive egg.
Inside is none other than Mothra.
This reveal is handled with supreme confidence—it’s a powerful moment that adds a spiritual layer to an already high-octane story. Mothra’s presence introduces balance and mythology, promising a kaiju that operates on a moral and thematic wavelength entirely different from Godzilla’s raw destruction. As a closer, it works exceptionally well, leaving the reader eager for the divine intervention to come.
Why This Works When the Main Godzilla Series Doesn’t
General Krang supersizes kaiju Bebop and Rocksteady.
What makes TMNT x Godzilla #3 especially interesting is how effectively it characterizes its titans. Godzilla, King Ghidorah, Mothra, and even the newly "kaiju-ified" Bebop and Rocksteady are treated as genuine characters rather than mere obstacles. Their presence actively shapes the narrative rather than simply interrupting it.
This success makes the book frustratingly instructive when compared to the main Godzilla series—which, interestingly, is written by the same creator, Tim Seeley. In this crossover, the kaiju feel iconic, expressive, and essential; in the main series, they often feel sidelined in favor of human drama.
The contrast suggests that the issue may not be the writer, but rather the editorial direction. This crossover understands that the kaiju are the primary draw and structures every beat around that truth. The main series, by comparison, often seems reluctant to embrace that same philosophy.
Final Thoughts and Rating
TMNT x Godzilla #3 isn’t a masterpiece, but it doesn’t need to be. It is confident, entertaining, and tonally spot-on. The issue balances camp and seriousness, science fiction and mythology, and character moments and monster spectacle with surprising ease.
The inclusion of Jet Jaguar, the "kaiju-fication" of Bebop and Rocksteady, and the long-awaited introduction of Mothra all land exactly as they should. Even when the pacing slows for character beats, the narrative never loses sight of why this crossover exists in the first place. I find myself consistently enjoying this book more than the flagship Godzilla title—a fact that speaks volumes about the strengths of this limited series and the missed opportunities in the main run.
Rating: 8/10
TMNT x Godzilla #3 continues to prove that this crossover understands exactly what kind of story it wants to be. It leans fully into pulpy sci-fi spectacle, cartoon logic, and kaiju escalation—prioritizing momentum and character chemistry over high drama or reinvention.
This isn’t a perfect issue, nor does it aim to be. Instead, it focuses on momentum, character chemistry, and classic kaiju escalation. The result is a chapter that feels like a natural continuation of an ‘80s-era Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon colliding with Marvel’s original Godzilla run, filtered through modern pacing and clean storytelling. That balance is not easy to strike, but this series makes it look effortless.