Ultra the Multi-Alien
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| Ultra the Multi-Alien | |
 Cover to Mystery in Space #103, art by Lee Elias |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Mystery in Space #103, (November 1965) |
| Created by | Dave Wood (writer) Lee Elias (artist) |
| In story information | |
| Alter ego | Ace Arn |
| Abilities | Superstrength, flight, magnetokinesis, electrokinesis. |
Ultra the Multi-Alien was a science fiction superhero featured in comics published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Mystery in Space #103 (1965), pushing out Adam Strange and Space Ranger from that title. He was created by writer Dave Wood and artist Lee Elias.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
Ultra was originally Earth spaceman Ace Arn, living in an unspecified future era when spaceflight was common place. Crashing on a world in another star system, he was attacked by four aliens from different planets, each of who shot him with a ray gun to try to turn him into one of them. Because all hit him at the same time, he was changed to have one quarter of his body resemble the four aliens. The upper right of his body was green, hairy, and strong. The upper left was blue and had magnetic powers. His right leg was like a bird's, with a small wing that enabled him to fly. His left leg was a bolt of lightning.
He combined the first letter of the worlds the four aliens were from, along with the first letter of his name to come up with: U-L-T-R-A, his new name. He soon found a device to convert back to human form, to make it easier to move in society. His series lasted until issue #110 (1966), when Mystery in Space was cancelled. He would not reappear until Animal Man #25.
[edit] Starman
The character eventually appeared in Starman #55 (1999), in which Ultra, along with Space Ranger, is riding in Space Cabby's cab and looking for Starman IV's cosmic staff for the Space Museum. Each regales the other with a different interpretations of Jack and Mikaal rescuing Starfire from a space pirate.
[edit] Crisis and mind-control
Ultra's most recent appearance was as a background character in the Infinite Crisis event. Having apparently somehow traveled back in time to the present era, Ultra is one of the many spacefaring heroes who aid Donna Troy in the fallout of the Rann-Thanagar War. He also appeared in Superman/Batman # 31 (2007), overwhelmed by an alien influence that is affecting many of the part-alien heroes on earth. After a highly destructive rampage through the American town of Dalesville, he leaves (causing more destruction upon his exit) with Supergirl, also affected. In "Superman/Batman" #33, he and other influenced try and destroy the titular heroes. Fortunately his mind is soon cleared of all influence and the villain behind it all, Despero is defeated.
[edit] Trivia
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Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
- Ultra was one of Wizard Magazine's "Mort of the Month", a featurette showcasing comic characters considered low-quality. Yet the character appears to have a strong following.
- Grant Morrison used him both in his run in Animal Man (In issue #25 Ultra and other pre-crisis characters appear in comicbook limbo) and in the Aztek limited series (Though not shown, Ultra makes two appearances)
- A storyline in Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. involved Young Justice teaming with Star-Spangled Kid and S.T.R.I.P.E. to stop a group of Larroo (one of the four aliens from Ultra's origin) from using their ray to turn everyone in Blue Valley into Larroo. It was established that the Larroo had invented the ray, but were preparing to sell it to the other three alien races.
