Ultraman: The Mystery of Ultraseven #3 pits Ultraman against Ultraseven with monsters in the middle and humanity trying to play catch up. An intense battle takes place and shows off some of the best elements of this mini-series. This class of the titans comes thanks to Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom (writing), David Tinto (art), Espen Grundetjern (color art), and VC’s Ariana Maher (lettering).
Summary
Past and present collide, with the future on the line as Ultraman takes on Ultraseven! It’s a knock-down, drag-out battle for the fate of the world with a couple of giant Kaiju thrown in for good measure. There’s no room for anyone else in this fight…right?
Writing
The cover boasting about “brother against brother” is not a false advertisement. After Shin recovers his ability to transform, he and Ultraman try to reach out to Ultraseven while he is in the battling Eleking and Giradorus. As the battle continues, Shin realizes something is definitely wrong with Ultraseven and is able to tap into the memories plaguing him. It’s this intensity of these elements coming together which results in this being such an intense issue.
Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom go deep in this issue by having Shin force Ultraman tto understand he has no choice but to take Ultraseven down. At the same time they take the time to draw a great comparison by showing how Ultraman and Shin are bonding while at the same time Ultraman is forced to face off against his own brother. It shows how a strong bond with someone can help you get you through anything, even fighting against a family member. It offers a lot of great pacing and helps to reinvigorate the reader’s enjoyment of this mini-series.
Artwork
The art by David Tinto offers some great structure with the use of panels in this issue. A prime example is the use of proper placement of panels cutting back and forth between Ultraseven’s memories of fighting monsters and Shin telepathically feeling the violent emotions of those battles. The use of more muted facial expressions than in the previous issue helps to show just how haunting these memories are. These elements combined with the highly detailed and action filled panels showing Ultraseven’s many battles makes for some incredible pages.
The color work by Espen Grundetjern helps to sell the emotional elements of these panels. The fight scenes are vibrant and intense. While at the same time, the ones where Shin is starting feel the emotion of the fights become darker and heavier. This use of color to help with the overall vibe of the comic makes the issue have much more depth.
With VC’s Ariana Maher lettering the offers to help with the individual direction of the panels. Laser blasts and monster movements are accompanied by sound effects helping give panels a sense of flow as if you were watching an episode of Ultraman or Ultraseven. Also, the use of the effect for Ultraseven’s signature weapon, the Eye Slugger feels so on point its scary.
Conclusion
Ultraman: The Mystery of Ultraseven #3 helps to reinvigorate this series and get it back on track. It accomplishes this with great action and intense drama all while fighting giant monsters. If you haven’t taken the time to experience this series, you are missing out on some phenomenal giant monster filled reading.
