All posts relating to the ever-present Power Rangers franchise and all incarnations within.
When last we saw our heroes, they were being overwhelmed by a new villain that’s a rehash of an old villain in Rita Rabiosa and one of their own has seemingly decided to set their communicator on Do Not Disturb, hence why they’re not answering the call. Also, I had a lot more questions than I had answers and was hoping that this issue would at least fill in some holes that desperately needed filling.
Well, about that…
Continue reading “COMIC REVIEW – Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (2026) #2”
I want to backtrack back to Once And Always, the 30th Anniversary special that aired on Netflix a couple years back. Heard a few people inquiry about how they were able to bring back a bunch of stuff – whether it’d be old powers, old zords, or whatnots. I’d like to offer some simple theories as to how this may be.
Lo and behold, another Power Rangers comic review and so soon after the last one since this is the most recent release. Some mild spoilers on this one, kids, but much of my criticisms of the previous comic can also apply to this one. Too much of a tease and leaving me with more questions than I would care for.
Continue reading “COMIC REVIEW – Power Rangers Unlimited (2026) #1”
Well, here we are. The bold new era of Boom Studios’ Power Rangers comic output comes in the form of another MMPR comic, set ten years after the team last got together and went their separate ways. Only for a new foe based on an old foe to return and tear everything down. So I finally got around to reading the first issue of this new book and… meh.
I say that not as a negative but rather with ambivalence. Because the issue doesn’t give you much, other than maybe a couple nuggets as to where the Rangers are at now, as well as an inkling of who or what this new Rita Rabiosa happens to be. It gives you the big moment, there’s an action bit, and there’s even Zord action throw in for good measure, but it’s clear that this first issue is more of a tease than a genuine first chapter. There’s more to come and that’s kind of the problem; I needed more than what they gave me. All I got was more questions. Sometimes, that’s a good thing and more than enough if you’re already sold on the premise… but when you’re NOT sold on the premise, you need a little more meat on those bones and I didn’t really get that.
Look, I like the brief interaction between the Rangers before they morph, even if the dialogue feels a bit off at times, but stilted dialogue has always been a Power Rangers thing, so that’s expected. There’s one particular development that anyone who has seen Once And Always would appreciate and I do like that inclusion here. And of course, I am rather curious about one missing member of the team… probably the first time in a long while that this particular character has been intriguing within these comics, so I give kudos on that.
But, again, there’s very little substance to be found here. I also found the artwork to be a bit… uneven. The action bits are fine, the zords are fine, but the human characters look rough and Kim looks like she just got out of bed. Again, there are questions that I hope the series will answer, but it’s mostly sizzle and no protein. Honestly, this is one of those times where I wouldn’t have minded holding off the action until the next issue – set the scene, tell us where these people are at, make it so that this scenario is as urgent as they say it is. It’s supposed to feel like a big event, but given how many “big events” Boom like to throw into these Power Rangers comics, it feels like business as usual. That’s not a good feeling to have when you’re entering this “bold, new era” of Power Rangers that feels too much like the familiar.
And if I didn’t hammer it enough times, I’m going to do so again – the new costumes still look awful. It’s not just the matter of being different; it’s the matter of these looking like bootleg figures from the international rip-off shop. The Boom record for shitty Ranger designs continues onwards, I’m afraid, and that Unlimited preview with the Strikng Tiger Hidden Bear Ranger thing isn’t any better.
It sounds like that I’ve been overly critical of this thing and that I don’t like it. Fair enough, but at the same time, I don’t dislike this enough to completely drop it. As much as I have questions and wish this first issue had done more to fill in some backstory, I do want to see how this pushes forward, which is nice considering this is from the same writer who wrote that Beyond The Grid, which is what caused me to drop that initial Boom run in the first place.
Good job, folks. You kept me around for another issue. That’s the highest praise I could give this thing right now. Let’s see if next issue does more.
So, for what it’s worth, the first issue of the new MMPR comic has been released. Naturally, I had thoughts beforehand and promised that I’d give this thing a shot. When that is going to happen is… not anytime soon, I’m afraid.
A matter of busy with other stuff, but mostly, I haven’t had the chance to pick this up yet. I have been wanting to wait until all three series have released their first issues, but Unlimited is only premiering in July and I haven’t kept up on when the other one is popping up. So right now, the only issue out there is the new MMPR. Whenever I get the chance to grab a copy and give it a read, I’ll prep some thoughts soon afterwards. Not sure if this is going to be a quick “review” format or something a little deeper.
Truth be told, I haven’t been keeping up, so I don’t know what the reception for this thing is like. I’d imagine the usual heaping of praise for the bold new direction that Power Rangers desperately needed or whatever, even though it’s just another repackage of the MMPR formula and not even an inspired one. Here’s hoping there’s merit to that praise when I get to the reading. And once I do, I’ll post my thoughts and we’ll see.
I can promise one thing, though; it’ll be honest. If I find things to like, I’ll say as much. If I find things to dislike, the same. But if you’re looking for endless hype and praise, you’re in the wrong place.
Anyway, should be fun.
Got a chance to check out the recent Power Rangers #0, which is basically a freebie given away as part of another giveaway event or something. Not Free Comic Book Day, but another day similar to it… Anyway, this is basically a sampler – a teaser, if you will – for Boom Studios’ three upcoming series. And that’s really all they are; teasers. They don’t tell you much beyond the basic principle of each series. Something like this should get you excited for what’s to come.
Well, as you could probably surmise from the choice of header banner for this post quoting the great Mark Bussler of Classic Game Room fame, I’m not so sure it worked on that front… not for me, anyway.
The MMPR Reunion series or whatever you want to call it doesn’t quite hit the feels. Partly due to the artwork not quite being all that great – the new costumes notwithstanding, I don’t think the Ranger adults look all that great. I’m not sure whether this is supposed to be a continuation of the last Boom series or something else entirely, but in any event, this tease offers nothing more than what past blurbs have said. And what little I’ve seen here doesn’t inspire much confidence. I remain cautiously optimistic that this turns out well, but really am hoping that somebody puts the kibosh on this and give Amy Jo Johnson’s take on the reunion special (MMPR: The Return) the sequel series it deserves.
As for Power Rangers Unlimited… a OG Power Ranger is recruited by a master of some sort to recruit a bunch of other Rangers to deal with some threat. Sort of like that Beyond The Grid story from a few years back, except now… MOAR RANGERS. I’m pretty sure people wanted other teams to get the spotlight, but I’m sure that meant series of their own rather than riding off the MMPR gravy train. There are some GOOD seasons that deserve a similar run to what BOOM gave MMPR back in 2016 until that fell off the creative track.
Finally, there’s the Green story – essentially the JDF wetdream of giving Tommy his own Old Man Logan/Last Ronin take… which is fine if we weren’t already getting that wetdream in the form of Legend Of The White Dragon (assuming it ever comes out, despite promises). Also, the concept has been done to death countless times. This feels like a retread. I’m sure some folks will get theirs tickled, but I’m just like “I’ve read this when it was called Old Man Logan and The Last Ronin. I don’t need something that feels like a fifth-rate knockoff.”
Yeah, so far, I’m still not sold on this new deal. I was fine with Prime because it was something different and also it was probably one of the better PR comics to come out in a while, with the other being The Return. Like I said, I’ll give the first issue of each one because they deserve that much, but they have to be really strong issues that do a better job of selling their concept because everything that has come out up to this point has been meandering at best.
Again, a follow-up to The Return would have been nice, especially with the sequel tease. Hell, I’d be open to a continuation of Once & Always now that the original continuity is no longer televised. Or just continue doing Prime. I have no idea why they stopped that series. Bad sales, maybe? Who knows?
We’ll see how this turns out, I guess.
Later.
Another preview of Boom Studios’ upcoming MMPR reboot/sequel/whatever thing that’s coming out in a few months… one that mentions a specific character that only got one appearance, but nice to know that character hasn’t been completely forgotten. Keeping an open mind on this one.
Those costumes still look like ass, though. And that’s the bottom line.
I’ve touched on this briefly… and I’ll continue to touch on this briefly because not much is known about either book beyond what little nuggets have been given to use from pressers. All we know is that there’s a new Power Rangers Unlimited series and a new Power Rangers Green series… because we can’t just call it The Adventures Of Jason David Frank Tommy Oliver and just straight make it clear who the star of this series is. Get over yourselves, folks. You’re not that clever in your naming conventions… or your Ranger designs… or your Megazord kitbashing… or your plot devices… or your… wait, what was I talking about?
Right now, very little is known about the new Unlimited book other than it’s an anthology of sorts spanning the different series. Considering the take that Boom has on these series, it’s all just window dressing to introduce whatever fanfic redesigns they want to introduce. Fill in the blanks like any good fanfiction would, but I guess it’s official canon until it isn’t.
As for the Green book, the JDF wet dream of TOMMY VERSUS THE UNIVERSE RAR?!! “If only he had been around to see it happen and wish he had been a part of it” would be the only response I’d have to this thing. Hell, it’s the only response I’d have to any of this, other than the eternal questioning of whatever happened to the Legend Of The White Dragon that was supposed to have come out years ago and is still apparently stuck in limbo?
Now I rag on these because I feel like it… but if they somehow make it work, then kudos. I’ve seen comics with bad idea on paper that somehow work. It’s just that given Boom’s prior output in the realm of Power Rangers – despite the critical and commercial acclaim – doesn’t inspire much confidence. Hopefully, I’m proven wrong and these turn out great. I’m more than willing to give each one a shot when it comes around.
Yes, I have more thoughts on this MMPR comic book thing that’s coming up. For those who need a refresher, I did a couple posts on this previously, which you can read here and here.
Long story short, BOOM is rebooting MMPR with older Rangers and rather than follow the template established by the Johnson/Hotson miniseries The Return, you’re getting this other thing where the Rangers are older, are fighting a new threat who’s also named Rita and looks like the old Rita, and are wearing new knock-off costumes you’d find on the packaging of those cheap, imitation action figures you’d find in cheapo shops. It just occurred to me that the people behind this new reboot are the same folks who brought you that Beyond The Grid storyline, which is apparently critically praised because it checks a few boxes in certain places, but really came across as really shitty fanfiction… which is saying something considering I used to dabble in my fair share of it. (Which will return in some form or fashion because I hate you all, apparently… just watch.) However, shitty fanfiction can be dropped and forgotten about because it doesn’t count; this thing, however, was part of Boom’s mainline MMPR series and rather than focus on those characters, we’re focused on some mishmash of stuff… and ultimately, this was the storyline that convinced me to drop off the Boom Comics train.
Though, if I’m being fair, I was already on the verge of dropping the series after the whole Shattered Grid thing, which I was never a fan of. And despite a couple attempts to jump back into it here and there, the series didn’t land for me and I just moved on to something, like replays of old episodes on Youtube once the deal with Netflix went up.
There’s a contingent of fans who are no doubt tired of the MMPR saturation of product. Let’s explore other seasons that seldom few people outside of the hardcores will care about. I think I’ve said this before, but if not, I’ll say it here. The reason MMPR often gets the spotlight is because it’s the most recognizable of the seasons. It ran longer, it had a movie under its belt, it had the most popularity, and even years after that run had concluded and we were dabbling in more narratively-complex seasons, there’s always that vocal section who want to return to that original crew, bring them back together for one last rodeo or something like that.
I’ve got no issues with them bringing back MMPR. Would I prefer they explore other seasons? Sure… preferably, I’d rather they focus on the season that’s currently on television to raise awareness for that… except we don’t have that now.
So yes, bad costumes, tired plot concept, and written by a crew that drove me off the comic years ago… I suppose everyone deserves another chance… maybe.
So your new MMPR comic thing is going to be a time jump thing where the Rangers are older, doing their own thing, but have to get back together to fight off against another Rita Repulsa type thing who isn’t actually Rita Repulsa, but a knock-off Rita because… fuck.
You know, I’ve soured on the Boom stuff after the whole Shattered Grid thing. It felt like reading someone’s shitty fanfiction, except you actually had to pay money for it. And I’ve read a lot of shitty fanfiction; I’ve written a bunch of shitty fanfiction. And you know what? I actually didn’t mind that Prime series because, hey, it’s trying something different and that’s what they needed was a new take on familiar material since that’s all they really want to do is take the toybox, shuffle these things up, and mash them up in a new narrative that isn’t bound by what came before. I was fine with that. Hell, just the fact that they dragged the VR Troopers out of mothballs and actually made a compelling series out of them gave me just a little bit of hope that maybe – just maybe – Boom was going to deliver a genuine quality Power Rangers series.
And then that gets shitcanned in favor of this pseudo-future thing where they redesigned the costumes to look like shitty dollar store knock-off toys. They produce a preview for a story that doesn’t inspire much hope it’s going to be offer anything new to the table. It feels like rehash and change for the sake of it rather than… why am I even bothering?
The really sad thing is that Boom already had a viable MMPR product that could be expanded upon. It’s called The Return. There’s no reason why you couldn’t cook up a deal to have OG Pinky Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson, and others get together and whip up a follow-up to that series, especially since that last issue left the door open for further adventures. And look, I’ll be frank; The Return is the best thing to come out of Boom’s Power Rangers comic output in years. It was a good, solid reunion story, the art was fantastic, the characters were fleshed out, and it felt like a fresh take that was both familiar and new. If you had decided to make a new series that continued where The Return left off, hell yeah, I’d be on board with this.
This thing, on the other hand? I’m not exactly sold on it. It feels like a rehash with liberal needless changes made for the sake of changes. Not to mention, aren’t people sick and tired of more MMPR rehashes? Granted, it’s the one with the most mainstream recognition. It’s usually the first thing anyone thinks of when the words “Power Rangers” come up, but I also hear talk about how they need to move on from this or that or whatever the case may be.
Yeah, anyone remember Samurai? Anyone remember Megafarce? Rehashes of Mighty Morphin in all but name and even the ones after that basically reuse elements of MMPR (no more unique morphing calls, some variation of Go Go Power Rangers in the theme song, etc.). Even when they’re not doing MMPR, they’re still doing MMPR. You simply cannot get away from it.
Personally, I don’t care. If they want to do MOAR MMPR, then have at it. Would be nice if they tried something else… in fact, they did try something else and it was good, but now it’s ending because… fuck knows.
Eh… whatever. Doesn’t matter. Going to bed. Bye.
