Ultraman has been making a lot of headlines lately thanks in part to the character's resurgence on Netflix. The new Ultraman series from Netflix was well done and added a new layer of storytelling to Ultraman's legacy while also introducing the character to a new audience. That legacy will usher in a new chapter when Ultraman makes his Marvel Comics debut this fall thanks to a brand new collaboration between Marvel Entertainment and Tsuburaya Productions.
The Rise of Ultraman series will have an impressive line up of talent with Kyle Higgins (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Winter Soldier) and Mat Groom(Self/Made) handling writing and Francesco Manna (Avengers, Fantastic Four), Michael Cho (Captain America) and Gurihiru (The Unstoppable Wasp) handling the art. The cherry on this sundae of creative talent is the legendary Alex Ross handling cover duties for the title's inaugural issue.
The new five-issue series will be a reimagining of Ultraman's early stories with plenty of Kaiju battles on deck.
“Across the globe, Ultraman is as iconic and well-recognized a character as Spider-Man or Iron Man, so when the opportunity arose for us to introduce his mythos to a new generation, as seen through the Marvel lens, we didn’t take that responsibility lightly,” said Marvel Executive Editor Tom Brevoort. “For fans of the classic 1966 series, there’ll be plenty of Easter eggs that you’ll recognize. But for those who’ve never experienced an Ultraman story before, this series will start at square one—launching an epic showdown fit for the modern age.”
Tim Brevoort | Marvel Executive Editor
My Take: As someone who watched old Ultraman tapes and shows, I am excited to see the character's resurgence in the US. The Netflix series had plenty of nods to the classic Ultraman but also did a great job forging its own path. Partnering with Marvel will surely get Ultraman some more exposure beyond the Netflix series. I can't wait to see Marvel's treatment of this iconic character.
Show Press Release
MARVEL COMICS REVEALS STUNNING COVER ART BY ALEX ROSS FOR THE RISE OF ULTRAMAN #1
Marvel Entertainment and Tsuburaya Productions exciting collaboration begins this September!
New York, NY— June 16, 2020 — After months of anticipation, Marvel has revealed THE RISE OF ULTRAMAN #1 will release in comic shops this September! Featuring a stunning main cover from legendary artist Alex Ross, Marvel’s upcoming series will reimagine the classic beginnings of one of the biggest worldwide pop culture icons: ULTRAMAN!
Storytelling masters Kyle Higgins (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Winter Soldier) and Mat Groom (Self/Made), together with superstar artists Francesco Manna (Avengers, Fantastic Four) Michael Cho (Captain America) and Gurihiru (The Unstoppable Wasp) will take fans back into the days of darkness, where the terrifying Kaiju lurk. When these unfathomable monsters threaten all life as we know it, the only thing standing in their way…is the United Science Patrol! Who are these enigmatic defenders, and how do they perform their miracles? Shin Hayata and Kiki Fuji have spent half a lifetime trying to find out – and their quest is about to drive them toward a decades-old dark secret and put them on a collision course with a mysterious warrior from beyond the stars!
“Across the globe, Ultraman is as iconic and well-recognized a character as Spider-Man or Iron Man, so when the opportunity arose for us to introduce his mythos to a new generation, as seen through the Marvel lens, we didn’t take that responsibility lightly,” said Marvel Executive Editor Tom Brevoort. “For fans of the classic 1966 series, there’ll be plenty of Easter eggs that you’ll recognize. But for those who’ve never experienced an Ultraman story before, this series will start at square one—launching an epic showdown fit for the modern age.”
“With the release of Marvel’s The Rise of Ultraman series, Tsuburaya Productions and our partners at Marvel Comics are taking ULTRAMAN a massive step forward onto the global stage,” said Tsuburaya CEO Takayuki Tsukagoshi. “Marvel’s rendering of the ULTRAMAN story has been faithfully created with the highest level of respect, quality, and creativity resulting in a storyline that expands the ULTRAMAN universe.”
Ultraman has been a pop culture staple since the franchise debuted in the 1960s, and his thrilling stories have been depicted on both the page and the screen. Now, Marvel Comics will be able to add to this iconic character’s legacy. Stay tuned for more details about what can you expect from Ultraman’s adventures when THE RISE OF ULTRAMAN #1 hits stands this September!
