VIZ Manga is feeding us well with ULTRAMAN: Along Came a Spider-Man chapters three and four available now on the VIZ Manga App!
Last time, Spider-Man tumbled into Ultraman’s Tokyo, and bore witness to a massive Kaiju attack. Now, amidst the chaos, Spider-Man watches another spectacle unfold as Shin Hayata transforms into Ultraman and springs into battle.
The Kaiju, now identified as Alligatortoise (AKA Peter, if you watched the episode of Ultra Q it comes from), is a deep-sea creature that grows when exposed to heat. With all light and fire-based attacks obsolete, the odds seemed bleak but as always, Ultraman didn’t hesitate to take on the challenge.
After having been disheartened by his fellow Avengers, Spider-Man was caught in an existential loop, questioning the legitimacy of heroism as a construct. How can you be a hero if you are letting some die to save others?
Spider-Man’s sense of wonder is reignited as he watches Ultraman go toe-to-toe with the beast. However, things take a turn when the Terrestrial Defense Force starts firing missiles and Ultraman jumps to Peter’s defense.
Spider-Man asks Fuji why Ultraman would do this, to which she replies, simply “Because he’s Ultraman. Kaiju are living creatures too. They have parents and children just like us. And anything that is loved is something Ultraman cares about.”
As we look at Ultraman through Spider-Man’s eyes, we can’t help but wonder the same things as him: Is it possible to be a hero without making any sacrifices? Is there a world where we do not have to weigh the value of lives against each other?
Bold clean lines, a plethora of meticulously inked textures, and dynamic panel variety make for gripping, satisfying action sequences. Larger-than-life movement, earth-shattering explosions, and relentless missile attacks are captured in Tomo Hirokawa’s passionate mark-making. There’s nothing like a giant hero versus an even more giant monster.
Author Shigenobu Matsumoto balances constant activity and high stakes with the internal experience of taking interest in a new person- A person you’ve always wanted to exist, but never knew possible. We have all experienced the budding stages of fascination with someone who seems to have what we want. It’s a disarming and revitalizing feeling that keeps us wanting more.
Spider-Man realizes that Ultraman also protects his supernatural identity, with Shin Hayata serving as his Peter Parker equivalent. At this point, not only does Spider-Man idealize Ultraman for his actions, he relates to him for his experience.
However, Spider-Man isn’t the only one with piqued curiosity. Alien Mefilas makes his first appearance, and has a newfound interest in the red-suited-vigilante who meddled with his plan of weaponizing Peter. Doctor Doom, on the other hand, wants the details on the huge silver hero who defeated a Kaiju twice his size.
The potential of Doctor Doom and Alien Mefilas’s joint power emanates through the screen. A sinister alliance is in the works and it’s going to take a very noble duo to challenge them.
The story’s engines are revving up with the major players cross-fascinated with each other and the devious implications of Mefilas’s calculated Kaiju control. What will pull our heroes closer together? What will get in their way? What will they find about themselves in the process?
Ultraman: Along Came a Spider-Man chapters three and four have been released on the Viz Manga app and the Viz website. Be sure to subscribe for weekly chapter updates!
