The Marvel Comics universe has just gained a new hero in the form of Ultraman. As announced by the publisher recently, they have teamed with Tsuburaya Productions to produce a new line of comics centered on the classic Japanse icon. The news was initially revealed at Tokyo Comic Con, with the first books set to hit shelves in 2020.
“As one of the world’s most popular franchises, Ultraman has brought together some of the most passionate fandoms in pop culture today, and we can’t wait to bring his story to even more fans around the globe,” said Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski. “Like Marvel, Ultraman captivated generations by telling spectacular stories grounded in the real world, and it continues to be a beloved classic through its television shows, movies, toys, games, comics, and more. We are so thrilled to introduce new chapters to the Ultraman Multiverse next year.”
“We are delighted to announce the partnership with Marvel, one of the leading entertainment companies that has produced fascinating characters and stories loved by fans across the globe for over 80 years,” said Tsuburaya Production CEO Takayuki Tsukagoshi. “We can’t be more excited to explore and create new stories for the Ultraman franchise with Marvel and bringing them to both Marvel and Ultraman fans all around the world.”
Ultraman first appeared in a TV series that aired in Japan in 1966. In the decades since, the character has generated billions in revenue, thanks to its global popularity, and has appeared alongside other famous icons, such as Godzilla. There are 17 movies in the Ultra Series, and counting. This will mark the first time that the character has appeared in the pages of Marvel Comics.
The announcement simply teases that the publisher will release new comics and graphic novels centered on Ultraman. No specific story details were made available at the time of the announcement. Marvel did, however, reveal a cover page, which we’ve included for you to check out below.
One of the biggest questions is, will Ultraman be left in his own universe? Or will Marvel work up to some sort of ambitious crossover? Imagine Iron Man and Ultraman sharing the same page! The possibilities are, indeed, endless, should that be the way both companies choose to go with it.
So what do you think? Are you excited about the prospect of Ultraman comics from Marvel? Do you think other Marvel heroes should crossover with him? Or should this be a standalone thing? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
