Ultraman, Vol. 2: The Trials of Ultraman

Ultraman by Kyle Higgins

by Kyle Higgins, Mat Groom, Francesco Manna (Artist)

Ultraman narrowly averted a catastrophe decades in the making. The world was saved —but also forever changed. Now…come the consequences! Much of the populace regard their defenders with suspicion. Enemies hide in plain sight, and even those closest to Shin Hayata don’t necessarily have faith in the Giant of Light. But at last, a long-thought-lost comrade has returned! That’s a good thing…right? Unfortunately, the forces aligned against the USP and Ultraman are far more widespread — and more organized — than our heroes ever suspected. If they’re going to survive, they’ll need a new ally of their own…and the man they’re thinking of just so happens to be one of the most powerful and influential people in the world. But what’s his history with the USP…and why does he seem to have his own hidden agenda?

COLLECTING: The Trials Of Ultraman (2021) 1-5
 

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Adventure, Superheroes

128 pages, Paperback

Published November 16, 2021

Reviews

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depois de um primeiro volume que me encantou e me fez vibrar com um super-herói de uma geração anterior a minha sobre o qual eu pouco conhecia, nessa continuação, ou segundo volume, de Ultraman delindado por artífices estadunidenses a vibraão ficou mais amena. Mesmo com os desenhos muito dinâmicos e com traços arredondados, polidos e bonitos de Francesco Manna, os roteiros de Kyle Higgins e Mar Groom não me fizeram curtir tanto a trama como no primeiro contato com a mitologia do Ultraman. Dessa vez, ao contrário de focarem no protagonista que troca de lugar com Ultraman, a direção foi para as lutas desenfreadas com Kaijus dos mais diferentes tipos, ameaçando a Terra em diversos cenários. Acredito que aqui tenha sido a falha da HQ para o meu gosto. Mesmo assim, este volume contém mais evoluções de nível humano, como quando o atual Ultraman encontra o Ultraman dos anos 1960 e a Polícia não sabe o que fazer com ele e nem ele sabe o que fazer fazendo parte de uma Polícia que não consegue mais reconhecer. Um quadrinho ok, que perdeu muito do brilho do primeiro volume.

[Vail Chester · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too "public hates the superhero so he always has his hands tied and his civilian form is hounded by people who fear/hate/mistrust him," but it's Ultraman so I can't hate it.
Also, the infamous Godzilla-suit-in-a-silly-frill monster appears so I still can't hate it.

[Justin Partridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this up last night and while I think it’s the weaker arc plotwise, I think it’s finally got the emotions and character interplay that I want from an Ultra thing.

The whole thread of Shin having to both confront that he will never really ever be forgiven by his father for his brother’s death, but also realizing that he doesn’t need it from him. He needs it from himself. I think that’s a very Ultra-ethos thing and it’s cool seeing a major market comic book tackle that head on. Not sure why we needed at least three whole issues to get there, but still I’m glad we got there eventually.

Plus cool cliffhanger! Ultraseven incoming! Dan Moroboshi! Taro (maybe?)! Very neat and cool to see it being this dorky finally.

[Anthony Wendel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to the previous Ultraman mini-series from Marvel Comics does not disappoint. The story and art are still at a high level of quality. One of the story's more interesting aspects is how the public responds to the presence and existence of Ultraman and Kaiju. There is a large focus on the idea that the Kaiju was created by the government and that it's all a giant hoax. In a post-pandemic world, it really feels like this would be how many of the public would react to the discovery of giant monsters.

[Diogo Muller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good volume. A lot of worldbuilding and dealing with the consequences of Kaiju being real and known to public, with a few action scenes added in, everything in a way that does feel like an Ultra series somehow - Some things are clearly criticism on our current society, and it works pretty well.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly solid. A comic about Ultraman sounds dumb but putting it in the hands of the Massive-verse and Power Rangers people makes it work. Ultraman and the USP are public now. Yet a large portion of the population think it's a hoax, especially when some rich guy creates fake kaiju. The art's good. The story is fine. What's not to like?

[Sarospice · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 not as good as the first volume. I was excited to see ultra man old meet ultra man new but we got very little of them learning from each other. Also, no real trials. Just characters standing around waiting for kaiju.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collecting The Trials Of Ultraman (2021) issues #1-5

I enjoyed Volume #1 of the new Ultraman/Marvel material, but this volume was just OK from start to finish. The best part, by far, was the last-page cliffhanger.

[ISMOTU · Rating 4 out of 5]

The new Ultraman continues. We learn more about this version of Shin Hayata and the world reacts in many different ways to the revelation of the USP’s existence. Deft art with lots of kinetic action.

[Cuchillo Lope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. More focus on Shin and his personal struggles with his father and home life. I also thought the kaiju denialism was really interesting especially in this day and age. These are fun reads and I’ll have to pick up the next one.

[Brannigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is holding firm. I’m anxiously waiting for the third volume.

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine Kaiju based book. But not really to my taste.

[Ti · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, definitely slow plot and not a lot of fighting, what we get is cool. I don't know a lot about ultraman so the lore is not super clear in this

[Tyler Bark · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

Another fun volume with some really cool Ultraman/Kaiju art!

Some things in this one I did not care for story-wise but there are other things about this take on Ultraman that I do quite enjoy