Godzilla has a lot of enemies. The original Toho franchise pits the King of the Monsters against countless kaiju across its dozens of films. Some of his foes stand the test of time and become iconic series mainstays. Others disappear after their first bout, never to be seen again. The modern American Monsterverse does a similar trick, but many of its minor monsters don't even get a film to themselves. Tiamat appears on-screen in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, but her early work adds a lot to her character.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the highest-grossing film to ever feature Godzilla. It's a stellar encapsulation of the charming silliness that makes many entries in the franchise so enjoyable. While it's not a particularly deep experience, miles from the excellent Godzilla Minus One, it is a thrilling and hilarious spectacle. It's fair to assume that the sequel will probably follow a similar example, suggesting a future full of massive monster melee movies.
What Does Godzilla x Kong's Massive Success Mean For The Monsterverse?
The latest Monsterverse entry is the most profitable kaiju movie ever, but what effect will that have on the franchise?
What is Tiamat?
Tiamat is a sea serpent kaiju that frequently tangles with Godzilla. She's one of the longest kaiju in the Monsterverse, at 847 feet from nose to tip. Tiamat takes her name from the Babylonian sea deity that also inspired the iconic Dungeons and Dragons dragon god. Like that familiar beast, the Monsterverse's Tiamat is a massive reptile with a selection of unique and mighty powers. Tiamat lives in the sea, seemingly residing in several strange domains. She has armored scales that are sharp enough to cut Godzilla's skin. She often fights like a constrictor snake, wrapping her body around her foes and attempting to crush or cut them. Tiamat can also absorb and project electricity as an attack. She can also exhale a heavily conductive yellow acid that clouds the water. She seems to be able to summon storms, suggesting some form of hydrokinesis. Her staggering powers rarely defend her against the overwhelming foes she finds herself facing.
Where did Tiamat first appear?
Classification | Titanus Tiamat |
|---|---|
Designer | Dope Pope |
First Mentioned | Godzilla: King of the Monsters |
First Depicted | Godzilla Dominion |
First On-Screen Appearance | Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire |
Tiamat was one of many kaiju who appeared on a computer screen readout of the worldwide Titans in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. When King Ghidorah rose to face Godzilla, he let out a mighty call that awakened many other Titans. Only a few of those massive beasts get any screen time in the film. Tiamat's name appears, but she never gets the spotlight. According to that computer screen, Tiamat once laid dormant under Stone Mountain in Georgia. As delightful as it would have been to see an 800-foot-long sea snake explode through the largest Confederate monument in the United States, Tiamat doesn't get that opportunity. Tiamat actually appears in the 2021 graphic novel Godzilla Dominion. The story serves as a prequel to Godzilla vs. Kong. Godzilla attacks Tiamat as he travels through the Hollow Earth, reclaiming his previous domains. He discovers that Tiamat slayed the giant ape that previously pushed Godzilla out of his cave. Godzilla faces Tiamat in combat, drags her to dry land to claim victory, then allows her to retreat back into the sea. Tiamat also appeared in the 2023 Justice League vs. Godzilla comic book miniseries. She's one of many Titans who emerge into the DC Universe to wreak havoc. Aquaman, Green Lantern, and Red Hood in a Batplane take her down.
What happened to Tiamat?
Tiamat makes her big-screen debut in Godzilla x Kong. Her spotlight is, unfortunately, short-lived. Tiamat traded in Stone Mountain for a frozen island off the coast of Norway. Analysts discover that her domain in the Arctic Ocean has one of the greatest concentrations of energy on Earth. Godzilla realizes that his opportunity for a rematch with his mortal enemy is at hand, prompting him to seek power. The King of the Monsters murders his way through every Titan he can find on his way to the sea. Godzilla attacks Tiamat's lair with a blast of atomic breath, drawing her out of her home. The Titans fight to the death. It's a very brief conflict. Tiamat tries to cover Godzilla's face, potentially in a misguided attempt to drown a creature with gills, but Godzilla swiftly eradicates her with his atomic breath. With Tiamat dead, Godzilla moves into her domain and starts the long process of absorbing all the energy in the area. This creates Godzilla's new and improved pink form. The novelization of Godzilla x Kong explains that aspects of Tiamat's DNA found their way into Godzilla's body, suggesting an almost Kirby-esque copy ability among the King of the Monsters' kit.
Tiamat is a short-lived monster with an excellent design. She looks incredible, and her suite of superpowers could have made her a substantial threat. Unfortunately, not every antagonist gets the spotlight. Godzilla quickly kills Tiamat as an easy source of energy. She's essentially a mini-boss that yields a power-up in a video game. Tiamat deserved better, but at least she got a few chances to shine.
Godzilla: Who is Anguirus?
This powerful spiked dinosaur is one of Godzilla's most prolific allies and enemies, with several showcases on both sides of the fight.
