Viz Media has announced that the iconic Japanese superhero sci-fi series, Ultraman, will make its return courtesy of a new Manga series.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the series, Ultraman debuted in the late 1960’s and has since gained a worldwide audience. In Japan, the hero has become a cultural icon, triggering a pop culture phenomenon. After an ordinary human gained the power of the Giant of Light, an ordinary human gained the power to fight off giant monsters, or “kaiju”, that looked to destroy the Earth. The rest as they say, was history.
The manga series picks up years after the TV show ended. Following Shinjiro, an ordinary teenager who’s father happens to be the original Ultraman, the power that he inherits becomes the only thing that can stop a new threat, one that requires a new kind of hero.
Ultraman releases its first volume on August 18th in both physical and digital formats. Written by Eiichi Shimizu with artwork by Tomohiro Shimoguchi, the first book retails at $12.99.
Share your Ultraman fandom in the comments, and take a look at the full press release for all the details.
VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES THE NEW ULTRAMAN MANGA SERIES
Kinetic Superhero Action Series Updates The Iconic Japanese
Sci-Fi Property For A Whole New Generation Of Manga Fans; Series To Launch In Print And Digitally
San Francisco, CA, August 11, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces the brand new ULTRAMAN sci-fi superhero action manga (graphic novel) series, which is set to debut in print and digitally on August 18th.
The series, written by Eiichi Shimizu with artwork by Tomohiro Shimoguchi, is inspired by the original classic Japanese superhero TV show that ran in the late 1960s and remains hugely popular in Japan as well as with international audiences. ULTRAMAN Vol. 1 is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry a print MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN. The series also launches digitally the same day via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores. Future editions of ULTRAMAN will be published quarterly under the VIZ Signature imprint. In Japan, the series currently appears in Hero’s magazine.
Decades ago, a being known as the Giant of Light joined together with Shin Hayata of the Science Special Search Party to save Earth from an invasion of terrifying monsters called Kaiju. Now, many years later, those dark days are fading into memory, and the world is at peace. But in the shadows a new threat is growing, a danger that can only be faced by a new kind of hero – a new kind of ULTRAMAN… Shinjiro is an ordinary teenager, but his father is the legendary Shin Hayata. When he learns that his father passed on the “Ultraman Factor” to him and that he possesses incredible powers, nothing will ever be the same again.
VIZ Media recently welcomed Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi for their first-ever professional appearance in the U.S. as official Guests of Honor at the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con.
“In Japan, Ultraman is something of a national symbol, an iconic superhero that is instantly recognizable and universally loved, and we’re excited to bring the brand new manga to a new generation of fans,” says Mike Montesa, Editor. “The series wonderfully updates the classic sci-fi property with cinematic action sequences and sleek character designs. Catch the exciting return of this legendary hero this summer!”
Eiichi Shimizu worked on the story, script and mechanical design for ULTRAMAN. Tomohiro Shimoguchi provided character design and art. Together, the two have formed a creative dream team to produce a number of works including ULTRAMAN (Hero’s) and Kurogane no Rainbareru (Linebarrels of Iron, Akita Shoten). In addition to comics, they have expanded their field of interest to include character designs for video games and action figures.
For more information on ULTRAMAN or manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.