Ultraman, Vol. 4

Ultraman: Heroes Comics

by Eiichi Shimizu, Tomohiro Shimoguchi

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…

Earth’s alien enemies are brutal and unforgiving, but Shinjiro is having a tough time coming to terms with the way Dan Moroboshi kills them without hesitation. Perhaps just as disturbing is the new Ultraman suit Moroboshi is wearing. While Shinjiro deals with this, a secret plan to awaken Shinjiro’s Ultraman Factor is set in motion, and singer Rena Sayama’s life is in danger…

Genres: Manga, Science Fiction, Superheroes, Young Adult, Graphic Novels Manga, Graphic Novels, Comics

188 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2014

About the author

Eiichi Shimizu (清水栄一) is a Japanese mangaka.

Reviews

[Wing Kee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much fighting and very little story.

World: The art is fantastic and it's the best thing about the book. The suit designs the action is just so good. The world building is very light. It does rely a lot on nostalgia but the overall pieces of the world is small and basic.

Story: All fight once again and there is barely any story development. We are still covering the slow arc of Shinjiro in his role as Ultraman, it's slow and really needs to pick up. The pieces of a grander arc are introduced but it's very slow and basic. It's a great read for action but yeah I need more story.

Characters: Shinjiro and his journey is slow and very melodramatic but it's really normal for this genre so yeah. I liked it, but yeah it's slower. Moroboshi is interesting, and his arc I want to know more. The other cast is good and basic serving the story.

Straightforward and action heavy.

Onward to the next book!

[Sheldon Wiebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shinjiro visits an alien city; the two non SSSP cops close in on suspect in their hunt for an alien serial killer; the alternate Ultraman kicks a bit of ass; Ultraman's numer one fan - and top teen idol - could be in danger, and more Bemular. That's a taste of what's going on in Vol. 4.

Oh, and Shinjiro discovers a new power when put under extreme pressure. And the number one suspect for the serial killer hunt might just be innocent. Plus, more Bemular. (Really! What is the evil alien up to?)

Vol. 4 is more fast-paced fun that pushes Shinjiro even closer to becoming Ultraman once and for all.

All in all, just as much fun as I'd hoped it would be.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the identity of the 'real' UM still in doubt there are others that will take over that mantle - and do what needs to be done. Kind of a 'Peter Parker/Spider-Man' vibe going on here; but it really would be something any young superhero with a duel identity would have to deal with. Really like the art and the way the story is going.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the immensely slow pace of the previous three volumes, this is where things truly pick up. I want to say it was worth getting through the first three volumes, but I feel it does the book a disservice. Yes, we've seen this type of story before and maybe it's just me, but the Ultraman skin makes everything a little more exciting. I feel disappointed that Ultraman isn't the Giant of Light in this series, but it's still fun to read and Volume 4 is where great things begin to happen.
Moroboshi's role has now been defined (as the Guyver III of this story in my opinion) and Shinji, I mean Shinjiro is starting to understand his own role (finally!). It still seems a bit much to have him struggle for FOUR volumes (23 chapters) to understand his role, but hey... it's a pretty heavy subject he has to juggle with.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had a couple of things going on. First, as seen on the cover, it features Dan Moroboshi using the Ultraman 7.1 suit, also known as "Seven". Again if you're familiar with Ultra lore you'll know why they went with that. Outside of Seven's main debut we also get the star of the series Shinjiro as he finally comes to terms with what he has to do, and something about his Ultragene kicks in. We also seem to be getting closer to closing up to a story that benn in the past couple of volumes involving fans of a particular pop idol getting murdered, but that might be leading to a larger story line if I'm following things correctly. If you enjoyed the previous volumes then you may want to check this one out as well.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the combination of campy 1950s science fiction with the more modern story form of the overpowered teen coming into his own - it makes the genre much more enticing than if it were just one of those things. I'm not entirely thrilled with Dan as a character; although I understand that he is meant to force Shinjiro to grow, he's way too cardboard to bring much to the table.

[Ken Yuen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friends translated the motion comics that they did to promote this comic. I have to admit that I'm having trouble remembering some of the characters and storylines since there's gaps between the volume releases. The designs for the suits are still cool, but it's a bit hard to follow the action scenes.

[Ben Nealis · Rating 4 out of 5]

More fights, more aliens. I think they finally found there story telling style.

[ISMOTU · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to write reviews when the book is so consistently entertaining. Moroboshi gets into the Ultra action and Shinjiro is tested further.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miroboshi arrive et apporte de nouvelles problématiques a la série.

[Beckiezra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is progressing enjoyably enough, but I can't help thinking this whole storyline wouldn't (and perhaps shouldn't) take more than one volume to tell. These are very quick reads, but I think it would be impossible to get into the story at this pace in a weekly release. It would've taken half a year to get to this point... Also I get a bad feeling about that one-eyed alien, he doesn't seem trustworthy for some reason.

[Paper Clippers]

Earth’s alien enemies are brutal and unforgiving, but Shinjiro is having a tough time coming to terms with the way Dan Moroboshi kills them without hesitation. Perhaps just as disturbing is the new Ultraman suit Moroboshi is wearing. While Shinjiro deals with this, a secret plan to awaken Shinjiro’s Ultraman Factor is set in motion, and singer Rena Sayama’s life is in danger…

[Diogo Muller · Rating 3 out of 5]

We finally see Seven in action. We also get a bit more development for Shinjiro - and thankfully, he's finally accepting he's supposed to be Ultraman. We also finally get more info on the aliens plan and even some teases on who is the true mastermind behind it all. Oh yeah, and this ends on a big cliffhanger, but thankfully volume 5 is already out.

[Mike Reiff · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with the other books this ends on a cliffhanger, and I’m sure v 5 will have plenty more popcorn fun, but this volume felt like a step back into deep conventionality. I’m still curious to see where this series could go, the art work and panel layouts is sharp and maturing a bit, but overall this series feels like it’s already starting to spin its wheels.

[Saphirablue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not like Moroboshi.

I wish, that there be a bit less fighting and more story/character/world developement...

Another new alien. I'm wondering what they want from Rena and how that will play out.

[Emily Pedraza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was far more my style then the last manga I read. Would definitely look into reading the rest.
Nice play on the ethica of having abilities and not using them, has a good set up for more stories and got me interested in previous books.

[Nicholas Driscoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ultra Seven really kicks a lot of hinder in this one. Also we get a scene with a giant monster. There are also all kind of background intrigue and some surprises. I am entertained.

[ReadingFrog · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars.

[Brannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We finally get some answers about the serial killer and Ultraman’s first villain. Shinjiro also finally commits to being Ultraman.

[Judyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

~3/5
(Contains light spoilers.)

Since I haven’t read the previous volumes, I was very lost with this volume. But intrigued.

Shinjiro is having a hard time agreeing to be Ultraman, and we see him struggle and finally come to a decision about it. Meanwhile, the aliens are invading and planning an attack in the background, and they make it on popstar Rena at our cliffhanger.

If I was a bigger fan of sci-fi, I would enjoy this series a lot more. Because I can tell there’s quite a bit of work put into the world and the creatures and the ultraman suit. This was a very fast volume, and I didn’t mind it at all, though.



A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this was an improvement over the previous volume, and while not great I feel as if the main story points are moving along at a better pace. The reader gains a little more insight to Moroboishi. Shinjiro appears to be settling into, and making decisions about his life as Ultraman, while his father is surprisingly not thrilled with the role being forced upon his son.

This is one of the few times a Japanese franchise has done a direct sequel, so I'm enjoying the small continuity bits the creative team tosses out.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot is happening in this volume but I just couldn't get with all the subterfuge going on. I just felt like a lot was thrown at us and I'm not sure I'm really into all this alien stuff. I'm not connected to any of the characters at this point either. I don't think I'll continue with the series at this time.

[Alberto Rodrigues · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I've started to read this edition in order to see Ultraseven in action.
He was used as tool to develop the whole story to bring Ultraman to the spot. This edition ends with a big hanger to the next one.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A second Ultraman emerges.

[Raphael Souza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume ótimo, repleto de referências ao seriado. Vale pontuar uma cena em específico em que o protagonista pula para pegar um balão para uma criança, referência clara a Ultraman Mebius no primeiro episódio.

[Matisse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each volume feels like an episode, rather than a collection of comic issues. Vol 4 sure is cohesive and satisfying, but MAN does the story take its time to develop.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven is pretty cool, and the way his fight against the alien mirrors a particularly graphic scene from the Ultraseven show is nice, but it does feel like shark-jumping when the original premise of the series is a reboot following the '66 show, retconning other Ultra shows.