The Rise of Ultraman[1][2] is a 2020 five-issue comic book miniseries[3] published by Marvel Entertainment in collaboration with Tsuburaya Productions, and based on the popular TV series Ultraman. The miniseries is co-written by Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom with art and character designs by Francesco Manna with Michael Cho and Gurihiru.[4]
Danny Simon of The Licensing Group, one of Tsuburaya Productions' partners in the United States, approached and managed to broker a deal with Marvel, leading to the start of the collaborative project.[5] The then-unnamed project was first publicly revealed in November 2019 at Comic-Con Tokyo,[6] with more production details being revealed at the C2E2 event in February 2020.[1] In Japan, the series was distributed through TSUBURAYA IMAGINATION.[7]
The story retells the origin of Ultraman to make it easier for new readers to follow while having elements in it that are familiar to more experienced fans,[2] focusing especially on Shin Hayata, who has been reimagined in a modern-day setting.[3]
A sequel to the miniseries, titled The Trials of Ultraman, was first serialized in March 2021.[8]
Synopsis[]
When the terrifying Kaiju, unfathomable monsters from the days of darkness, 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![4]
Releases[]
| Issue No. | Cover | Release Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
|
September 9, 2020[9][4] | ||
| Synopsis: In darkness there lurks Kaiju - terrifying and unfathomable monsters. Between Kaiju and the rest of us stands the United Science Patrol! But 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!
Comes with a special Ultra Q story penned by Michael Cho[9], and Kaiju Steps art by Gurihiru.[4] | ||||
| 2 | 
|
October 7, 2020[10] | ||
| Synopsis: The histories of two worlds, the experiences of two lives, and the destinies of two heroes must reconcile as Ultra and Man struggle to become one - and if they don't, neither will survive! And as Shin fights for his life, Kiki searches for a way to save him - a search that will bring her one step closer to the dark secret of 1966! | ||||
| 3 | 
|
November 4, 2020 | ||
| Synopsis: Overrun by Kaiju and pinned behind enemy lines, Kiki could really use the help of the newly merged Ultraman - but what went wrong with the merging process, and how will that impact our hero? With that to deal with, Shin must also decide whom to trust - the benevolent-seeming but deeply secretive USP or the bitter whistleblower Dr. Yamamoto... And a wrong choice could cost him everything he holds dear! | ||||
| 4 | 
|
December 9, 2020 | ||
| Synopsis: Overrun by Kaiju and pinned behind enemy lines, Kiki could really use the help of the newly merged Ultraman - but what went wrong with the merging process, and how will that impact our hero? With that to deal with, Shin must also decide whom to trust - the benevolent-seeming but deeply secretive USP or the bitter whistleblower Dr. Yamamoto... And a wrong choice could cost him everything he holds dear! | ||||
| 5 | 
|
January 6, 2021 | ||
| Synopsis: With every step comes an earthquake. With every breath comes fire that melts steel. Witness calamity incarnate: BEMULAR!! But even if ULTRAMAN can slay this dark beast and prevent catastrophe, it will be too late to prevent the birth of a new world - leaving one final decision to be made, that promises to forever change the destiny of humanity. | ||||
Characters[]
Protagonist[]
USP[]
- Ureo Ichinotani
- Kiki Fuji[11][4]
- Captain Muramatsu[11]
- Dan Moroboshi
- Mitsuhiro Ide
"Q"[]
- Satoru Ichinotani
- Kyoko Kato
Expédition Scientifique Nationale[]
- Commander Ancel
- Agent Mortheim
- Agent Duguet
Kaiju Steps[]
- Cadet Pierre
- Pigmon
- Miclas
- Motokureron
- Nova
Other[]
- Doctor Yamamoto
Ultras[]
- Ultraman
- Ultraseven
- Ultraman Ace (Cameo)
- Ultraman Taro (Cameo)
- Ultraman 80 (Cameo)
Kaiju[]
Home Media[]
A five-part documentary series about the miniseries The Rise of Ultraman, titled Secrets of The Rise of Ultraman, was created by Marvel Comics and Starlight Runner Productions. It was released on Blu-ray in the U.S. by Mill Creek Entertainment on Ultraman Day 2021 (July 10, 2021) and also included nine English-dubbed episodes (3, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 35 and 38) of the original TV series Ultraman.
Gallery[]
- Promotional art
_1.jpg "Ultraman (Marvel Comic) 1.jpg (91 KB)")
_2.jpg "Ultraman (Marvel Comic) 2.jpg (500 KB)")
- Covers
Videos[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://ultramangalaxy.com/ultramans-upcoming-marvel-comics-adventures-cover-and-story-details-revealed/
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://ultramangalaxy.com/exclusive-details-from-marvels-ultraman-announcement-at-c2e2/
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://ultramangalaxy.com/exclusive-the-rise-of-ultraman-marvel-writers-speak-top-editors-on-the-rise-of-ultraman-2/
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 https://www.marvel.com/amp/articles/comics/the-rise-of-ultraman-1-alex-ross-cover-art
- ↑ https://ultramangalaxy.com/marvel-comics-announces-ultraman-license/
- ↑ https://en.tsuburaya-prod.co.jp/news/1581
- ↑ https://imagination.m-78.jp/library/U0VSSUVTX01FVEEsd2ViL1lvbWlfMDA5NTY%3D
- ↑ https://en.tsuburaya-prod.co.jp/news/2455
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 https://ultramangalaxy.com/the-rise-of-ultraman-1-will-feature-original-alex-ross-cover/
- ↑ https://read.marvel.com/#/labelbook/55540
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 https://ultramangalaxy.com/rise-of-ultraman-concept-art-reveals-secrets/