Ultra the Multi-Alien
Encyclopedia
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.
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 for several years.
used him both in his run in Animal Man
(in issue #25 Ultra and other pre-Crisis characters appear in comic book limbo) and in the Aztek
monthly series (though not shown, Ultra makes two appearances).
The character 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.
Geoff Johns
was the next writer to use these concepts. 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.
Ultra appeared 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 aliens try to destroy the titular heroes. Fortunately his mind is soon cleared of all influence and the villain behind it all, Despero
, is defeated.
The planet Larroo appeared in Action Comics
#867. Brainiac
attacked the planet while searching the universe for Superman. Superman arrived but could do nothing. A city containing all four races which created Ultra was contained within a forcefield, shrunk and captured. Their star was detonated and Superman was left floating among the remains of the planet. One of his most recent appearance is in the same Action Comics storyline, where he was held with other humanoid characters on Brainiac's ship. Vixen
later mentions him as a potential Justice League
member (albeit half-jokingly). He later appeared in the Strange Adventures 2011 One-Shot.
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. He first appeared in Mystery in Space
Mystery in Space
Mystery in Space is the name of two science fiction comic book series published in the United States by DC Comics, then known as National Comics. The first series ran for 110 issues from 1951 - 1966, with a further 7 issues continuing the numbering during a 1980s revival of the title...
#103 (1965), pushing out Adam Strange
Adam Strange
Adam Strange is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Mike Sekowsky, he first appeared in Showcase #17 .In May 2011, Adam Strange placed 97th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time....
and Space Ranger
Space Ranger
Space Ranger is a science fiction hero who was published by DC Comics in several of their 1950s and 1960s anthology titles. He first appeared in Showcase #15 , and was created by writers Edmond Hamilton and Gardner Fox, and artist Bob Brown...
from that title. He was created by writer Dave Wood and artist Lee Elias.
Fictional character biography
Ultra was originally Earth spaceman Ace Arn, living in an unspecified future era when spaceflight was commonplace. After crash landing on a planet in a different solar system, he was attacked by four aliens, each of a different species. The four aliens simultaneously shot him with rayguns designed to transform him into a member of their respective species. Because all four rays hit him at the same time, he was instead transformed into a combination of the four different species. The upper right section of his body grew green fur and gained super strength; the upper left section turned blue and gained magnetic powers; his right leg grew feathers and small wings, giving him the ability to fly; and his left leg was transformed into 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 for several years.
Post-Crisis
Ultra was one of Wizard Magazine's "Mort of the Month", a featurette showcasing comic characters considered low-quality. Grant MorrisonGrant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
used him both in his run in Animal Man
Animal Man
Animal Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . As a result of being in proximity to an exploding extraterrestrial spaceship, Buddy Baker acquires the ability to temporarily “borrow” the abilities of animals...
(in issue #25 Ultra and other pre-Crisis characters appear in comic book limbo) and in the Aztek
Aztek (comics)
Aztek is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Universe. Based out of the fictional Vanity City, Aztek is the champion of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl. The character first appeared in Aztek, The Ultimate Man #1 in August 1996, created by Grant Morrison and Mark Millar...
monthly series (though not shown, Ultra makes two appearances).
The character appeared in Starman
Starman (Jack Knight)
Starman is fictional character, a comic book superhero in the , and a member of the Justice Society of America. He is the son of the original Starman, Ted Knight...
#55 (1999), in which Ultra, along with Space Ranger
Space Ranger
Space Ranger is a science fiction hero who was published by DC Comics in several of their 1950s and 1960s anthology titles. He first appeared in Showcase #15 , and was created by writers Edmond Hamilton and Gardner Fox, and artist Bob Brown...
, 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
Starfire (comics)
Starfire is the name of several fictional comic book characters published by DC Comics. The most prominent Starfire is Koriand'r, the fourth character to use that name...
from a space pirate.
Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
was the next writer to use these concepts. A storyline in Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.
Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.
Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. was an American comic book published by DC Comics, featuring the second Star-Spangled Kid and her stepfather, the original version's sidekick Stripesy. It was first published in July 1999 and ran for fourteen issues...
involved Young Justice
Young Justice
Young Justice is a fictional DC Comics superhero team consisting of teenaged heroes. The team first appeared in Young Justice: The Secret , before graduating to their ongoing monthly series...
teaming with Star-Spangled Kid
Stargirl
Courtney Whitmore is a superheroine known as Stargirl in the DC Comics Universe. Originally known as the second Star-Spangled Kid, she began using the name "Stargirl" after she was presented with the Cosmic Staff by Jack Knight...
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
Blue Valley (comics)
Blue Valley is a fictional city in the DC Comics universe. It was created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino as the home town of the original Kid Flash. It was first mentioned in The Flash #110 .-Location:...
into Larroo. It was established that the Larroo had invented the ray, but were preparing to sell it to the other three alien races.
Ultra appeared 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
Donna Troy
Donna Troy is a comic book superheroine published by DC Comics. She first appeared in The Brave and the Bold vol. 1 #60 , and was created by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani...
in the fallout of the Rann-Thanagar War
Rann-Thanagar War
Rann-Thanagar War is a six-issue comic book limited series published by DC Comics in 2005. Written by Dave Gibbons, and illustrated by Ivan Reis, Marc Campos, and John Kalisz, the series concerns a war between the planets Rann and Thanagar, and features Adam Strange, the Green Lantern Corps,...
. He also appeared in Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
/Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
# 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 aliens try to destroy the titular heroes. Fortunately his mind is soon cleared of all influence and the villain behind it all, Despero
Despero
Despero is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Justice League of America #1 Despero is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Justice League of America #1 Despero...
, is defeated.
The planet Larroo appeared in Action Comics
Action Comics
Action Comics is an American comic book series that introduced Superman, the first major superhero character as the term is popularly defined...
#867. Brainiac
Brainiac (comics)
Brainiac is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Action Comics #242 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
attacked the planet while searching the universe for Superman. Superman arrived but could do nothing. A city containing all four races which created Ultra was contained within a forcefield, shrunk and captured. Their star was detonated and Superman was left floating among the remains of the planet. One of his most recent appearance is in the same Action Comics storyline, where he was held with other humanoid characters on Brainiac's ship. Vixen
Vixen (comics)
Vixen is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine published by DC Comics universe. She debuted in Action Comics #521 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Bob Oksner.-Publication history:...
later mentions him as a potential Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
member (albeit half-jokingly). He later appeared in the Strange Adventures 2011 One-Shot.
Television
- Ultra the Multi-Alien appears in the Batman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more super heroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain...
episode "The Siege of Starro" Pt. 1. He helps the Green Lantern CorpsGreen Lantern CorpsThe Green Lantern Corps is the name of a fictional intergalactic military/police force appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They patrol the farthest reaches of the DC Universe at the behest of the Guardians, a race of immortals residing on the planet Oa...
fight the StarroStarroStarro is a fictional supervillain that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Brave and the Bold #28 , and was created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky....
invasion, but eventually succumbs to mind-control. - In December 2010, Conan O'BrienConan O'BrienConan Christopher O'Brien is an American television host, comedian, writer, producer and performer. Since November 2010 he has hosted Conan, a late-night talk show that airs on the American cable television station TBS....
did a segment on his late-night show Conan that featured some of the weaker characters in the DC Universe. O'Brien called Ultra "a fucking mess."