It’s no secret that I’m a Power Rangers fan. I literally grew up with the franchise and its various spinoffs through the years. Nearly every comic con I’ve been to has a Rangers-themed panel or actors who’ve worked on the show, and I’ve been sure to attend and take pictures. I moved to Seattle and started a new phase of my life right around the time BOOM! Studios started publishing Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comics. So it was with plenty of excitement that I picked up Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Return #1.
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Return #1 is a celebration of Power Rangers, both in terms of landing on the franchise’s 30th anniversary and marking the return of Amy Jo Johnson, who played the original Pink Ranger Kimberly Hart, to said franchise. Instead of picking up a morpher, this time Johnson has picked up a pen as she and co-writer Matt Hotson envision a future where the original Power Rangers stuck together through thick and thin. 22 years ago, they managed to defeat Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa, but now something is stalking the adult Rangers, forcing Kimberly to confront a life she had left behind.
The world that Johnson and Hotson have created is a big draw for longtime Ranger fans, especially those who grew up in the Mighty Morphin era. I can’t deny how great it was to see the classic Rangers, as well as learning what they’ve been up to. Billy put his intellect to use repurposing the tech he and his friends used as Power Rangers, while Zack’s natural charisma has translated into a gift for philanthropy. Yet there’s also an undercurrent of tragedy, as being a Power Ranger has cost Kimberly more than she could imagine.
Probably the biggest draw of the issue, other than Johnson, is Nico Leon’s artwork. The word “cinematic” gets tossed around a fair bit, but in Leon’s case this comic truly feels like the storyboards for a Power Rangers movie. From the character designs, which hew fairly close to the likenesses of the original Rangers, to the way people move, everything feels truly eye-grabbing. The standout comes from the opening sequence, which features OG Red Ranger Jason in battle against a mysterious enemy. Most of it is shrouded in shadow, with the only light coming from laser blasts and magic spells. I also think that Leon has given Jason the most badass Ranger costume ever; it feels less Tokusatsu and more Final Fantasy-inspired.
Colorist Francesco Segala takes a different approach from previous Rangers books by making heavy use of darker colors. That includes a sequence set in a diner in the pouring rain, and the aforementioned opening sequence taking place in the ruins of what used to be Zordon’s command center. This doesn’t just make the action sequences stand out; it also sells how personal the stakes are.
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Return #1 lives up to its title in more ways than one, as one of the franchise’s original stars helps craft a unique tale featuring the teenagers with attitude. In some ways, it feels like the Power Rangers movie some fans have been clamoring for. Either way, the old saying is true: once a Ranger, always a Ranger.
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