Ultraman Tiga

(Dark Horse, 2003-2004)
™ and ©1996 Tsuburaya Productions Co. Ltd

Jumping into the Chinese comics scene, Dark Horse presents an English translation of the Hong Kong version of the famous bug-eyed “super-size” hero. Known for his live-action battles with costumed beast-men that trampled model cities in the process, Ultraman was actually created by the same Japanese minds who came up with Godzilla. Naturally, this accounts for his universal over-the-top appeal.

On the isle of Tiga, three giant Ultramen stand in stasis, having last protected the Earth from rampaging monsters 30 million years ago. Now, in 2049, the toothy tunneling Golza emerges with the winged and beaked Melba to exact revenge on these heroes and destroy them before they can reawaken. Part of the Global Unlimited Task Squad, the spunky Daigo mindmelds with the last surviving member, “Tiga,” and proceeds to kick some serious butt, but will Daigo use his newly discovered combat powers to kill?

Beginning a 10-issue run, the prolific writer Tony Wong and artist Khoo Fuk Lung provide a bushel full of baddie-bashing. Fortunately, unlike the recent spate of HK comics adaptations, this story actually makes sense, draws readers in, and features an intriguing, iconic character. After his beauty sleep, Ultraman shows he’s still got the power to be quite a he-man.

— Oliver Chin

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