Staff Picks (June): Ultraman Volume 1

Around 1969 or 1970, I rushed home from school one day to plop down in front of the TV because on this particular day, local cartoon host “Cap’n Mitch” (from KTXL TV-40 in Sacramento) was introducing a new show to their afternoon lineup: Ultraman. Now, by this time in my life, I was a dyed-in-the-wool “monster kid,” fully indoctrinated into the cult of the Universal Monsters, ‘50s monster movies, and, especially, Godzilla. I knew this “Ultraman” show had some kind of connection to Godzilla, and I couldn’t wait to see it. When the show finally unspooled in front of my eyes, I was hooked.

In a nutshell: Hayata, a member of the Science Patrol, is killed in the line of duty when his jet crashes into a UFO he’s investigating. The “UFO” in question was in reality Ultraman, a visitor from the distant world of Nebula M-78; a kind of soldier or policeman himself, charged with tracking down escaped monsters. It was this pursuit of the escaped kaiju “Bemular” which lead to Hayata’s tragic death. Feeling responsible for his death, Ultraman fused his essence with that of Hayata, restoring him to life. He also gave Hayata the “Beta Capsule,” an alien device which, when activated, transformed Hayata to the gigantic form of Ultraman.

Together, they fought many monsters and aliens during the original 39-episode run of the TV series, until Ultraman was defeated by the alien “Z-Ton.” All seemed lost, until a fellow Ultra, “Zoffy,” arrived to release Hayata from his link with Ultraman and return his fallen brother to Nebula M-78. The “Ultraman” would return again in many different incarnations and TV programs (still airing to this day), but for Hayata… the story stopped there. Or so it seemed!

In Viz Media’s Ultraman Volume 1 (by Eiichi Shimiz & Tomohiro Shimoguchi) we once again meet Hayata; older, now a father, but haunted by a past he cannot seem to remember. The period from Ultraman’s arrival to his departure is a void, and it haunts him deeply. His young son, Shin, loves Ultraman, and while excitedly running about the Ultraman Memorial museum, he accidentally falls from a third story railing… but is unscathed, only shaken. Apparently there is more to Hayata, and his seemingly indestructible son, than meets the eye! They carry a legacy of Hayata’s link with Ultraman from years ago… a link which will ultimately lead to a new Ultraman on Earth; an Earth that is once again being invaded by aliens! The past will be remembered, and the legacy of Ultraman will live on in the father, and ultimately the son, in this action-packed manga series!

—Marty Grosser

Publisher: Viz Media Item Code: JUN151638 Release Date: 8/19/2015 SRP: $12.99