Comics / Manga

Ultraman: Volume 10 manga review

By Leroy Douresseaux
May 16, 2018 - 10:28

Ultraman Graphic Novel Volume 10 cover image

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Iconic superhero Ultraman originally appeared in Japanese sci-fi/fantasy films and television, beginning in the 1960s.  The character was an alien entity that merged with a human host, creating a superhero that fought aliens trying to invade Earth.  Ultraman (stylized as ULTRAMAN) the manga, written and drawn by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi, is a sequel to the television series, “Ultraman” (1966).

The new Ultraman is 17-year-old Shinjiro Hayata.  He is the son of Shin Hayata, the man who first merged with Ultraman 20 years earlier.  In the shadows, a new threat is growing, and that kind of danger requires a new kind of Ultraman.

As Ultraman, Vol. 10 (Chapter 60 to 65) opens, the mysterious alien terrorist organization, Star of Darkness, prepares to launch an attack on New York City.  The Science Special Search Party (SSSP) and the Star Cluster Council move to stop the attack, and Shinjiro Hayata takes a short cut from Japan to NYC.  However, the Star of Darkness reveals the true nature of its attack, and everyone in an Ultraman suit is called to action.  But they will need some new allies to stop a devastating terror attack.

[This volume includes bonus manga and character and tech design.]

THE LOWDOWN:  When I read the Ultraman manga, I think of Marvel Comics' Iron Man. After ten graphic novel volumes, I am convinced that Ultraman is a better comic book than Iron Man currently is. However, Ultraman's narrative has asserted its Japanese science fiction pedigree, and it is a delightful blend of Kaiju, aliens, other dimensions, conspiracies from another world, and superheroes.

Ultraman Graphic Novel Volume 10 is electric pop comics confection.  Wow, all those Ultraman suits, the Golden Fortress, and the twist on the terrorist attack:  I had a blast reading it.  Ultraman is a fun breezy read, a science fiction superhero comic book from the land of manga that can stand with American superheroes.  The makers of those Transformers movies could learn a thing or two or three from the Ultraman manga creators, Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Ultraman and readers looking for superheroes from another land will want to try the VIZ Signature title, Ultraman.

A
9 out of 10

Rating: 9 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12