SDCC 2023: BOOM! Studios and the future of Power Rangers in comics

AIPT recaps the It’s Morphin Time with BOOM! Studios panel at SDCC 2023.

July 20, 2023

Whenever somebody mentions BOOM! Studios, I can’t help but think of Power Rangers. The franchise had been a staple in my pop culture diet since I was a kid, but the publisher has managed to take it and elevate it thanks to a series of talented writers.

Kyle Higgins forged one of the greatest villains the Rangers universe ever saw in Lord Drakkon (and set some of the ground for what he and Marcelo Costa would explore in Radiant Black.)

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Ryan Parrott tackled heavy themes, including the nature of death and how it affects us, while also fulfilling fanboy dreams with an actual Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover – twice! Current MMPR writer Melissa Flores, alongside her frequent writing partner Meghan Camarena and series editors Allyson Gronowitz & Dafna Pleban, laid out the plans for future Rangers comics at San Diego Comic-Con.

The history of the Rangers franchise in comics was touched upon, as publishers from Marvel to Image delivered comics featuring everyone’s favorite teenagers with attitude. Pleban said that she had the pleasure of editing the ongoing MMPR series up to issue #100 and added that she connected with the franchise once she realized it shared a lot in common with superhero universes like DC and Marvel.

“It’s a team full of Robins!” She also said it was liberating to read the series as a fan, with Flores adding that the MMPR title had never missed a deadline.

Talk then turned to the Power Rangers Unlimited: HyperForce one-shot that Camarena and Flores had penned together. Camarena said that after HyperForce ended, she had thoughts about where her character Chloe Ashford would go and constantly talked to Flores about them. She touched upon Chloe’s journey in the one-shot, saying that it was fun to swerve where others might have gone in a more traditional direction. There was a lot of love for HyperForce in the room – myself included, as I’d followed the series since its inception.

Next up: Darkest Hour. Beginning in August with MMPR #111, the storyline will push the Rangers to their limits. Gronowitz and Flores stressed that despite a horrifying cover, Darkest Hour will not be the Power Rangers‘ answer to Blackest Night. Flores mentioned that her goal in writing Darkest Hour was twofold: to continue elevating Rita Repulsa, aka Mistress Vile, to peak villainy as well as show that a morpher and Zord aren’t what make a Power Ranger a Power Ranger. Pleban also drew connections to Spider-Man, saying that “Anyone could be a Ranger.”

Since 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of Power Rangers, the creators talked about the upcoming anniversary special. Flores was brought to tears when she revealed her story would touch on the married life of Tommy and Kat, saying that the late Jason David Frank meant so much to her. Amy Jo Johnson, who played the original Pink Ranger Kimberly, will also be co-writing a story for the special that leads into a series titled Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return. Concept art for the series by Ranger veteran Dan Mora featured some surprising looks at the OG Power Rangers.

Finally, there’s Ranger Academy – a series that takes place in a future where kids train to be, you guessed it, Power Rangers! Pleban showed off the anime-inspired art and said she was excited to work on the series, comparing it to My Hero Academia. There was also a surprise: the Ranger Academy campus allows past Rangers to be beamed in for guest lectures, meaning that fan favorites could be appearing down the line.

The panel closed out with a Q&A, and the creators were asked about their dream crossover for the franchise. “Buffy,” Flores said immediately. Camarena picked Pokemon, while Pleban went for Star Trek. When I asked Flores and Camarena who their favorite character in the Rangers universe was, Flores picked Leo Corbett from Lost Galaxy and Kendall Morgan from Dino Charge. Camarena picked Trini as she said the original Yellow Ranger meant a lot to her as a child.

Flores responded when asked if future Rangers comics would touch upon fan-favorite seasons like Zeo and Turbo, “Never say never.” After 30 years and over 100 issues, it’s not hard to see her point.