Ultraman

Adapting the classic Ultraman series from the 1960s, experience this bold take on Earth’s iconic defender! Pursuing a fugitive space monster, a Being of Light enters Earth’s atmosphere. Accidentally colliding with a patrolling jet, piloted by Science Patrol Agent Shin Hayata, the Being merges with the pilot to save his life and vows to defend the Earth. Now whenever the planet is threatened by alien invaders, terrifying monsters or any threat beyond the capabilities of humanity, Shin Hayata transforms into the towering Ultraman to restore peace and save the day. Dive into the action-packed adventure as told by Hugo, Clarke and Scribe Award-winning author Pat Cadigan.

Shinjiro is an ordinary teenager, but his father is the legendary Shin Hayata. When he learns that his father passed on the “Ultraman Factor” to him and that he possesses incredible powers, nothing will ever be the same again. -- VIZ Media

Dolores Martinez heads an international team of scholars in this lively discussion of Japanese popular culture. The book's contributors include Japanese as well as British, Icelandic and North American writers, offering a diversity of views of what Japanese popular culture is, and how it is best approached and understood. They bring an anthropological perspective to a broad range of topics, including sumo, karaoke, manga, vampires, women's magazines, soccer and morning television. Through these topics - many of which have never previously been addressed by scholars - the contributors also explore several deeper themes: the construction of gender in Japan; the impact of globalisation and modern consumerism; and the rapidly shifting boundaries of Japanese culture and identity. This innovative study will appeal to those interested in Japanese culture, sociology and cultural anthropology.

Twelve years ago, a tragic airline crash alerted the SSSP to the activities of aliens on Earth. But what was Bemular doing there when the plane went down? Was he responsible for the crash? The answers to these questions could confirm the SSSP’s suspicions, but accepting the facts will be more difficult. The secrets that Shinjiro and Dan uncover may take them into a trap they can’t escape... -- VIZ Media

Dismissed as camp by critics but revered by fans, the kaiju or "strange creature" film has become an iconic element of both Japanese and American pop culture. From homage to parody to advertising, references to Godzilla—and to a lesser extent Gamera, Rodan, Ultraman and others—abound in entertainment media. Godzilla in particular is so ubiquitous, his name is synonymous with immensity and destruction. In this collection of new essays, contributors examine kaiju representations in a range of contexts and attempt to define this at times ambiguous genre.

The stunning revelation that Edo is the supreme chancellor of the Star Cluster Council stops the scheming Mephisto in his tracks, and he doesn’t hesitate to save his own skin. Now that the real Ultramen have shown up, Mephisto’s Ultramen imposters who are wrecking the city are about to get a hard lesson in why you don’t mess with the defenders of Earth! -- VIZ Media

Superheroes and characters who fight crime by extraordinary means have populated the television airwaves from the beginning. This broad-ranging reference contains a trove of information on shows featuring such characters as Superman and Black Scorpion to programs like The A-Team and Knight Rider. Regular police and detective shows have been excluded. Alphabetical entries on 125 network, cable and syndicated series broadcast from 1949 to 2001, plus 26 pilot films, deliver information about story premises, characters, and myriad elements that add flavor and interest to the shows, as well as cast listings and broadcast data. A handy index of performers is included as well as appendices listing the crime fighting superheroes and machines that appear in the programs.

With the SSSP now operating as a covert agency, Shinjiro Hayata has inherited the mantle of Ultraman from his father and learned of a new and terrifying alien invasion. Though Shinjiro has his father’s powers and an amazing armored exo-suit, he has a lot to learn if he’s going to survive this secret war! -- VIZ Media