‘Ultramega by James Harren #3’ (review)

Written and Illustrated by James Harren
Published by Image Comics

Though decades have passed since the battles that brought the Ultramega to their knees, the Kaiju haven’t allowed themselves to forget the violence of those days.

Although they may no longer be the enormous, powerful versions of themselves that they once were, the Kaiju reenact their history at the Koliseum.

On an elaborately designed stadium set, three humans are forced to take on the roles of the three Ultramega who the Kaiju took down in a single day 20 years ago.

This kind of reckoning is probably not what Noah had in mind as he piloted his stolen drone into Kaiju territory in Issue #2.

Here he is all the same. He waits with two other humans in Ultramega costumes and one uncostumed human who slumped over and barely conscious.

The one they call Red Gara, who had so devotedly served the Kaiju only to be bested by Noah.

It’s Red Gara’s human weaknesses that has inspired the Kaiju to bring him to participate in the Koliseum.

Here, either he will be redeemed or his unworthiness will be cemented.

Each of the humans is invited to choose their own opponent. An opportunity to choose the means of their own destruction.

The first two combatants indeed choose and engage with their Kaiju. The outcome is not surprising.

But when it is supposed to be Red Gara’s turn, Noah speaks up. Beginning to understand what he did in trying to kill Gara before, Noah chooses to fight a final opponent in Gara’s place. His dexterity and cleverness deal damage where the other humans could not.

Noah will do everything he can to atone for his mistakes. Maybe it will be enough, maybe it won’t.

Either way, perhaps that otherworldly force that resided in the Ultramega will yet find a new, worthy warrior to imbue with its power.