It seems like the comic book industry is recreating our nostalgic kid shows as comics on the regular as of late and this week introduces a zero issue of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers.
The first issue doesn’t hit till March, but this gives us a taste. Is it good?
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0 (BOOM! Studios)
As BOOM! puts it . . .
After escaping Rita Repulsa’s mind control, Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger, joins up with the rest of the Power Rangers to combat her never-ending evil plans. Any semblance of a normal life is gone for Tommy now, but with his newfound family there lies hope for a brighter path. Includes the short story from the San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comics, and the first installment of a Bulk and Skull-centric adventure.
Why does this book matter?
As BOOM! stated in the preview . . .
Saban’s Power Rangers is a multi-generational, globally recognized franchise. With its epic Ranger suits, giant Zords and Megazords, and—at its core—a story of super-powered teens who defend the world from evil, the Power Rangers series is a pop-culture phenomenon that has continued to resonate with fans for more than 22 years. We, as huge Power Rangers fans ourselves, are excited to produce a modern Power Rangers comic featuring the iconic characters from the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series.
Rut row!
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
This issue opens with the Green Ranger and why the hell not!? He was the coolest Ranger (don’t make me fight you on this), had his very own Zord and the most complex backstory of all the characters to boot! That complexity is immediately introduced on the first page as Kyle Higgins shows us the Green Ranger standing amongst the dead bodies of the Power Rangers. Rita Repulsa is triumphant and his reign over the world will soon begin! This quickly cuts to the Red Ranger and Green Ranger driving to school as it was a daydream of sorts. Higgins has basically set up the “will he or won’t he” storyline and it’s fun to see him conflicted in his devotion to Rita.
Higgins establishes each Ranger and does so with a wink and a nod from Rita as she calls them a clique. Not much is spent on the other characters as things quickly escalate to a Megazord fight sequence. The sequence is very good and feels like the latest Godzilla movie in scale and scope. Hendry Prasetya has a darker tone to his work that reminds me of Michael Deodato Jr.’s style. That’s a very good thing as it grounds everything and makes it feel more adult and modern.
Rita is delectably evil.
This issue also contains two backup stories and the first focuses on Bulk and Skull. This story is attempting to be comical and it’s pretty darn cheesy. It will be continued in issue #1, but the humor is sorely lacking. Maybe the pre-12 year old crowd might get a kick out of it, but it’s generally Saturday morning cartoon quality stuff.
The second is one long battle sequence between the Rangers and Goldar. This story is fantastic as it showcases each Ranger’s Zord; Daniel Bayliss draws this one which uses nice textures and the action is easily to follow and fun.
It can’t be perfect can it?
I was hoping for a more adult comic but it’s still a little light on character and believability. If you’re hoping for stories similar to the TV show you’ll get it here as it’s cheesy fun and filled with rather flat characters. It remains to be seen if things pick up from here, but aside from the Green Ranger these characters aren’t developed quite as much as I’d like. That makes the characters flat and reading them a bit boring. In fairness they’re about as interesting as they were in the TV show.
Most of these characters aren’t on the page enough to feel developed.
Is It Good?
The action sequences will rock you and fans of the Green Ranger are in for a treat!
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