Created in 1994 by then young Mexican author Edgar Delgado, Ultraduck is a superhero comic miniseries about the first Flying Brick in an all-animal setting. The series is about Carlos, a young man whose his life isn't going anywhere, can't get his crush Lisa to notice him, and has to grow up in order to get himself together. His life, however, changes when he gains a gauntlet from outer space that turns him into a super hero, but he also has to face someone with equal power in Horace Rooson.
The series was originally a short 4 issue miniseries drawn and written by Edgar Delgado in the nineties, where the story became a Cult Classic. From that miniseries, came a spin off called "The Valiants", a group of superheroes inspired by Ultraduck.
Edgar Delgado would become an official colorist at Marvel Comics, and in 2011, decided to remake his comic book series, though this time the comic would be drawn by artist Omar Lozano.
The series is a homage to good old fashioned superhero stories like Spider-Man, especially during the time the original series was published. The original comic book series is considered something of an Old Shame for the author due to being inexperienced when he wrote it, with its remake showing how far his talent has grown. Likewise, from the remake also came a remake of "The Valiants", with occasional cameos from Ultraduck himself.
The series is published by Arcana comics, and can also be acquired in Comixology.
Both series of Ultraduck provide examples of:
- Adaptation Personality Change: At first glance, Horace's personality as a Drunk with Power supervillain with a victim complex appears to mirror his original incarnation, however, his real self is later shown to be quite stoic, something his original self wasn't. For example, when he is captured by The Clash in the original series, he is as arrogant without his powers as with them.
- Badass Normal: The Clash, a ninja who is antagonistic to both Ultraduck and Horace, is shown to be just a normal man using gadgets to fight against them.
- Badasses Wear Bandanas: Carlos sports a neat black bandana in his Ultraduck identity. It comes with the outfit based on Carlos subconscious idea of coolness.
- Canon Foreigner: The remake adds new characters to the setting.
- Carlos' best friend, Louie, who doesn't exist in the original version, was created so Carlos had someone to talk to instead of Carlos giving an Info Dump in thought bubbles.
- Carina Chirpeen, Horace's ex-girlfriend, doesn't exist in the original version either. She was created to be a Morality Pet to his ex-boyfriend Ax-Crazy super villain alternate self, and to be Lisa's friend. Tropes Are Not Bad either, as Carlos and Horace's stories are more connected this way.
- Central Theme: Growing up and taking responsibilities is a theme that both Carlos and Horace have to learn through the story.
- Classical Antihero: Carlos is presented as sort of a flawed hero. Yes, he is a good person at heart, but part of the reason he became Ultraduck was so that his crush would notice him more. Louie calls him on this.Horace: That fool! Who is he trying to impress?!Louie: I thought of the same thing!
- Comic-Book Movies Don't Use Codenames: In the original comic book series, the name of Horace's supervillain alias is "Ultra Gallo". This isn't adapted in the English remake because Ultra Gallo can be translated as "Ultra Cock" or "Ultra Rooster".
- The Cape: Despite being a Classical Antihero, Carlos is a pretty good person at heart, and follows the archetype of a superhero very well. He becomes popular enough to inspire some heroes like the Valiants.Louie: He is trying to do the right thing. He always is. We've known each other since school.Whether that is being a good boyfriend or a good friend, he is the most honest person I know.
- Destructive Saviour: Downplayed. Carlos is called out by the police for using violent means to stop some criminals' vehicles, mostly because it will cause traffic problems.
- Characterization Marches On: In the remake, Horace's first appearance is of a bulky Ax-Crazy super villain, following his original incarnation characterization of being Drunk with Power. His later appearance, however, presents him as more stoic and collected character, while still hammy to an extent, thanks in part to his Morality Pet.
- Eldritch Abomination: The sentient entity that gives both Horace and Carlos their powers is a giant creature with tarantula eyes who is in a hellish looking dimension. Naturally, Carlos is freaked up by it.
- Gender Flip: The Mafia boss from the original comic is turned into a woman named Hyleena in the remake.
- Kamehame Hadoken: In the original comic book series, Ultraduck manages to defeat Ultra Gallo by blowing a beam wave into him. The author was a fan of Dragon Ball Z back in the day. This however isn't adapted in the remake.
- Shout-Out: Two reporters ask Ultraduck if he is an alien.
- Shooting Superman: Bullets do nothing to Carlos, as some thugs find out.
- Occidental Otaku: Mafia boss Anna Hyleena is stated to be an oriental geek by Horace, and its shown in her fashion sense.
- Walking Shirtless Scene: In the original series, after his defeat at the hands of Ultraduck, Horace is shown only wearing his underwear for the rest of the comic run. This was omitted from the remake.
- Would Hit a Girl: Horace's is more than willing to hurt Anna Hyleena for destroying his life, smacking her and later sending her flying to her death.
