How To Read Marvel’s Ultraman Comics [Reading Order + Guide]

Ultraman has been Japan’s favourite superhero for nearly 60 years. Dozens of television series, expansion into other media, and countless merchandise sales have solidified him as instantly recognisable in his home country. However, that kind of ubiquity hasn’t made its way to the West, with the franchise garnering a niche tokusatsu and kaiju fanbase. Tsuburaya Productions, franchise owner and producer, has gradually expanded its international presence in recent years. One of those ways is a partnership with Marvel Comics.

Through this partnership, the home of Spider-Man, X-Men, Iron Man, and a myriad of other heroes has added another to its publishing slate with an Ultraman comic book series. While it will delight Ultra-fans, it also gives the character a bit more visibility to a potential audience of those already interested in superhero storytelling. Luckily, the comics are in good hands, with co-writers Kyle Higgins and Matt Groom having written plenty of well-loved tokusatsu-style comics through Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and the Massive-Verse.

Whether you’re a long-term fan or brand new to Ultraman, this guide will point you in the right direction. Read on to find out more about how you can read these comics and what’s available.

Who is Ultraman?

Here’s a quick summary for those unfamiliar with the character and franchise.

Ultraman is Japan’s favourite superhero. First appearing in the 1966 Ultra Q series, he has been a staple of the tokusatsu and kaiju subgenres for almost 60 years. While it began on television, Ultraman (and its numerous interpretations) has expanded into films, video games, comics, live events, and merchandise.

Every series/season of Ultraman is different. However, there are a few similarities that have carried through. The franchise centres on The Ultras, an alien race that spans the multiverse. Each season spotlights a new Ultra coming to Earth, bonding with a human to fight for the common good.

This chosen human then possesses the power to summon/transform into Ultraman (and human or giant-sized) via a toyetic device to face aliens and monsters. If you’ve seen enough Power Rangers (which uses the tokusatsu series Super Sentai for most of the action footage), then you’ll be familiar with the giant monster battles. The concept originated with Ultraman and is a staple of the franchise.

Ultraman is a franchise that’s constantly refreshed. Most seasons are a fresh jumping-on point, focusing on a new cast and Ultra and set on a new Earth within the multiverse. Each season, which is uniquely titled, has common elements mentioned above. However, every season shakes up the formula by adding new elements in the mix – whether that be tweaks in appearance, changes to powers, character dynamics, or tones.

Partnership with Marvel Comics and Tsuburaya Productions

Tsuburaya Productions and Marvel Comics’ partnership benefits both parties. For the former, it’s another way to expand Ultraman’s presence in the English-speaking world, which also includes simulcasting recent Ultraman seasons (plus uploading classic ones) on YouTube. Marvel benefits similarly, but in Japan, through a manga series showcasing Ultraman and Spider-Man teaming up. While the Marvel brand (mostly as merchandise, not as comics) exists in Japan thanks to the MCU, it has heavy competition with domestic products. As a result, being associated with Ultraman is a win for the US publisher.

Familiarity with Ultraman

Do you need to be familiar with Ultraman to read these comics?

No. The comics are a fresh start, just like the start of a new season of the television series. While it is heavily inspired by the 1966 Ultraman series, the Marvel comic updates characters and concepts for the 2020s, taking them in their own direction. Long-time fans will see references to classic elements. However, you won’t feel lost as a new reader.

While it’s not necessary, you can get familiar with Ultraman through the official Ultraman YouTube channel. They have the last few series up there (Ultraman Z is my personal favourite) as well as a couple of classic ones too.

Reading order

There are two ways to experience the Marvel Comics and Tsuburaya Productions partnership. Read more about them below.

Ultraman Volume 1: The Rise of Ultraman cover by Alex Ross.

Ultraman comics published by Marvel

Marvel Comics has published multiple Ultraman miniseries. These were first published as single issues. A few months after the miniseries’ conclusion, they were collected in trade paperbacks. Where available, I have listed the trade paperback collections, as these are the more prevalent format now.

Begin with The Rise of Ultraman. It introduces the characters and sets up Marvel’s interpretation of the long-running characters and concepts. From there, you can follow the subsequent series.

Ultraman Volume 1: The Rise of Ultraman
Written by Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom. Art by Francisco Manna, Gurihuru, Michael Cho, and Ed McGuinness.
Collects: The Rise of Ultraman #1-5

Note: Francisco Manna is the main artist for The Rise of Ultraman. The first issue is double-sized and includes additional stories, including “Kaiju Steps” humour strips featuring art by Gurihuru, an Ultra Q story with art by Michael Cho, and a double-page spread featuring art by Ed McGuinness that teases the rest of the series.

Ultraman Volume 2: The Trials of Ultraman
Written by Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom. Art by Francisco Manna.
Collects: The Trials of Ultraman #1-5

Ultraman Volume 3: The Mystery of UltraSeven
Written by Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom. Art by Davide Tinto.
Collects: Ultraman: The Mystery of UltraSeven #1-5

Ultraman X Avengers
Written by Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom. Art by Francisco Manna.
Collects: Ultraman X Avengers #1-4

Note: Ultraman X Avengers is a four issue crossover between Ultraman and The Avengers. It’s worth noting that these comics are not available on Marvel Unlimited at the time of writing.

The Fall of Ultraman #1
Written by Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom. Art by Davide Tinto.

Note: The Fall of Ultraman #1 is a one-shot that will be available on 11th February, 2026.

Buy Ultraman comics on…

Ultraman: Along Came A Spider-Man Volume 1 cover by Tomo Hirokawa.

Collaborations with Marvel characters

In addition to Marvel publishing Ultraman comics, there are Ultraman manga (Japanese comics) featuring Marvel characters. Ultraman: Along Came A Spider-Man is an ongoing team-up series by Shigenobu Matsumoto and Tomo Hirokawa, being published in CoroCoro Comic magazine in Japan.

It is also being simulpubed in English through Viz Media, where you can read the first three and latest three chapters for free. Subscribers can binge all the available chapters. Viz Media is also publishing volumes of the series, with only one volume presently available.

Ultraman: Along Came A Spider-Man Volume 1
Written by Shigenobu Matsumoto. Art by Tomo Hirokawa.

For those interested, Viz Media also publish the Ultraman manga by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi, which inspired the animated Netflix series.

Where to find/buy Marvel’s Ultraman comics

Ultraman comics, collections, and manga can be found at comic book shops, eBay, online retailers, Amazon/Kindle, and Marvel Unlimited.

You may also be able to find collections and manga at your local library.

Will there be more Ultraman comics?

The answer is a mix of yes and no.

On the Marvel Comics publishing side, The Fall of Ultraman is being marketed as the finale of the saga that began with The Rise of Ultraman. It’s possible that this could be the end of Marvel Comics’ publishing Ultraman comics. However, it could just be the end of the saga, with potential plans for a new saga to begin under a new concept and creative team in the future. We’ll have to wait and see.

As for the manga series, this is still ongoing. Only one volume has been published in English so far, with more to come.

Have your say!

Have you read any of the Ultraman comics? Share your thoughts in the comments below or via Bluesky, Facebook, or Mastodon.