Cyborg 00J

Today's the day!

Yes, it's been 60 years since Ultraman first debuted on Japanese television stations on Sunday, July 10! Little did anyone know back then that it was the start of a world-wide phenomenon that has entertained children and adults alike for the last six decades.

GORGO (vol. 1) #2 (August, 1961). Cover by Steve Ditko.

After adapting the film in the first issue, writer Joe Gill and artist Steve Ditko began the continuing misadventures of Gorgo and his mam, Ogra.

After the British create a network to electrify the water surrounding their island nation with 10 million volts, the two kaiju decide to swim west.

Of course they arrive at New York City, and monster mayhem ensues. Conventional weapons have no effect on the monsters, so President Kennedy orders a hydrogen bomb dropped on them in order to save the city from further destruction. New Yorkers are given one whole hour to evacuate or seek shelter before the bomb is detonated directly on Ogra.

The bomb has absolutely no effect on Ogra. Yet somehow the Army is able to fire armor piercing shells that penetrate the monsters' hide and delivers "enough nerve agent to paralyze a nation" (despite the fact that armor-piercing shells were used - to no effect - earlier in the story).

The nerve agent affects the monsters, and they stagger off to the sea. The Army brass thinks the monsters will soon die, but it turns out the drug has only made them sleepy.

Wonder Woman 37 Variant Cover