Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Co-Op and weapon kit promotional image from Treyarch and Raven Studios

    Sharing Gunsmith Builds in Black Ops 7 Is About To Get Much Easier

    08/19/2025
    EA Sports Madden NFL 26 Head Coach But Why Tho 5

    Dear EA Sports, Why Can’t I Make A Hot Coach?

    08/14/2025
    Blade in Marvel Rivals Season 3.5

    Blade Can Shut Down The Other Team In Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 If You Know How

    08/08/2025
    John Cena and Cody Rhodes during Summerslam 2025

    The SummerSlam 2025 Main Event Was A Fever Dream We All Needed

    08/08/2025
    Street Fighter 6 Sagat

    Sagat Brings Depth And Approachability To ‘Street Fighter 6’

    08/07/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Marvel Comics » REVIEW: ‘The Rise of Ultraman’, Issue 1

REVIEW: ‘The Rise of Ultraman’, Issue 1

Collier "CJ" JenningsBy Collier "CJ" Jennings09/09/20203 Mins ReadUpdated:04/30/2021
Rise of Ultraman #1
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Rise of Ultraman #1

The Rise of Ultraman #1 is written by Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom, illustrated by Francesco Manna with Gurihuru and Michael Cho, colored by Espen Grudentjean, and lettered by VC’s Ariana Maher. It is published by Marvel Comics. In 1966, pilot Dan Moroboshi comes across a massive being made of light. In the present day the USP (United Science Patrol) monitors and contains kaiju excursions. Shin Hayata, who was rejected by the USP, finds himself encountering the same Giant of Light that Moroboshi did.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

I’ve been open about my love of the Ultraman mythos, and this issue is packed full of Easter eggs for hardcore fans like myself. For example, Moroboshi was the protagonist of the Ultraseven series; in this comic he’s retrofitted to be the first Ultraman. Much like the Netflix anime series, it also serves as a perfect introduction for those new to the Ultraman concept. Higgins and Groom have a clear love for the classic series, and both are no stranger to the ideas presented here: Higgins previously revamped Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers for BOOM! Studios and Groom previously wrote cutting edge sci-fi in Self/Made.

It also helps that we have a distinct cast of characters: Hayata, his best friend Akiko “Kiki” Fuji, and USP Captain Toshio Muramatsu. Hayata uses humor and intellect to mask his insecurity, Kiki is nowhere near ready to be in the field, and Muramatsu is dedicated to his job. The interaction between them is a highlight of the issue; you see the tension between Hayata and Muramatsu, as well as romantic sparks between Hayata and Kiki.

Rise of Ultraman #!

Manna brings an anime-esque flair to the artwork, as well as cinematic images. When a Kaiju first appears, he stages it like a horror movie. The Kaiju is predominately shown in shadows, its eyes glistening with hunger and saliva dripping off of its teeth. Similarly, Ultraman appears in this issue as a massive being of light. Grudentjean’s colors make Ultraman appear almost angelic in nature, as he is wrapped in fiery white light. He also utilizes bright, eye-catching tones that are often associated with the tokusatsu genre.

Gurihuru illustrates the “Kaiju Steps”, which feature the hilariously adorable Pigmon and USP officer Pierre. They provide a laugh and showcase how the USP deals with Kaiju steps. Meanwhile, Cho illustrates the “Ultra Q” backup which chronicles the origin of the USP. This story features black and white art reminiscent of a 1950’s monster movie; the fact that it’s set in the 50’s doesn’t hurt either. More than that, it plants seeds that promise to bear fruit in the main story.

The Rise of Ultraman #1 is an amazing update to the Ultraman mythos, courtesy of a creative team that has nothing but love for the character. Higgins, Groom, and Manna make an amazing team and I look forward to seeing more of this series, including Hayata’s first transformation into Ultraman. As an Ultraman fan, I highly recommend this to fans both old and new.

The Rise of Ultraman #1 is available wherever comics are sold.

 

Rise of Ultraman #1
5

TL;DR

The Rise of Ultraman #1 is an amazing update to the Ultraman mythos, courtesy of a creative team that has nothing but love for the character. Higgins, Groom, and Manna make an amazing team and I look forward to seeing more of this series, including Hayata’s first transformation into Ultraman. As an Ultraman fan, I highly recommend this to fans both old and new.

  • Buy via ComiXology Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: #ALIVE is Everything You Want From Zombies
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Web of Venom: Wraith,’ Issue #1
Collier "CJ" Jennings
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)

Born and raised in Texas, Collier “CJ” Jennings was introduced to geekdom at an early age by his father, who showed him Ultraman and Star Trek: The Next Generation. On his thirteenth birthday, he received a copy of Giant Size X-Men #1 and dove head first into the realm of pop culture, never looking back. His hobbies include: writing screenplays and essays, watching movies and television, card games/RPG’s, and cooking. He currently resides in Seattle.

Related Posts

Cover art for Fantastic Four Issue 2

REVIEW: ‘Fantastic Four’ Issue 2

08/13/2025
Cover art of Predator Kills The Marvel Universe Issue 1

REVIEW: ‘Predator Kills the Marvel Universe’ Issue 1

08/13/2025
Cover art of Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion Issue 3

REVIEW: ‘Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion’ Issue 3

08/13/2025
cover art for Uncanny X-Men Issue 19

REVIEW: ‘Uncanny X-Men’ Issue 19

08/06/2025
Cover art for One World Under Doom Issue 6

REVIEW: ‘One World Under Doom’ Issue 6

08/06/2025
Cover art for Ultimates Issue 14

REVIEW: ‘Ultimates’ Issue 14

07/30/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Still from Shin Godzilla
8.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘Shin Godzilla’ Is More Relevant Than Ever

By Sarah Musnicky08/16/2025Updated:08/17/2025

It is understandable how Shin Godzilla succeeded at the box office nearly a decade ago. The strength of its story still stands today.

Botanical Bliss Update Palia But Why Tho 5 News

Palia’s New Botanical Bliss Update Brings New Flora, Decorations, And Quest Mechanic

By Matt Donahue08/18/2025Updated:08/18/2025

The Botanical Bliss update adds new event, more plushes, and a host of quality-of-life improvements and more to celebrate 2 years of Palia.

BOOTS Netflix First Look promotional images News

First Look at Coming-of-Age Story BOOTS, Coming to Netflix This October

By But Why Tho?08/17/2025

Netflix is reporting for duty this fall with the new eight-episode series BOOTS, a comedic drama starring Miles Heizer and Vera Farmiga

Nuestra Magia Secret Lair Art Interviews

EXCLUSIVE: How The ‘Nuestra Magia’ Secret Lair Found Its Identity And Raised Over $1M

By Kate Sánchez08/15/2025Updated:08/15/2025

We spoke with Ovidio Cartagena about Magic: The Gathering’s Nuestra Magia Secret Lair drop, its impact, and the real treasure within.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here