The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers have been participants in quite a few crossovers since their ongoing BOOM! Studios series, including a pair of matchups with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and even a run-in with the Justice League. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Usagi Yojimbo #1 might be the most unusual yet…though not in the way you’d expect.
The story begins when Miyamoto Usagi is tasked with guarding a temple from bandits who seek the artifact known as the Dragon’s Eye. Meanwhile, the Power Rangers are locked in battle with one of Rita Repulsa’s monsters when they are mysteriously teleported to Usagi’s world. As the Rangers acclimate to a world where they’re mostly the only humans around, they get swept up in the battle for the Dragon’s Eye – but will they fight against Usagi, or by his side?
The thing that sticks out about Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Usagi Yojimbo #1 is how reader-accessible it is. Fans don’t need to have read the entirety of Usagi Yojimbo or BOOM! Studios’ take on the Power Rangers to follow along with the story. In fact, the opening pages neatly sum up what they’re all about: Usagi’s status as a ronin, taking on odd jobs, and the Rangers defending the Earth. I’d dare say that this might be the most reader-friendly crossover comic I’ve ever checked out.
BOOM! Studios
That reader friendliness is courtesy of Ryan Parrott, who’s no stranger to the Rangers’ world. But he also shows a surprising affinity for Usagi’s character as well; the rabbit samurai is every bit as introspective as he is in Stan Sakai’s original comics. This leads to a surprising connection with Jason, the Red Ranger, as Jason feels that he would be better off handling threats by himself – something Usagi strongly disapproves of. Parrott also has a great running gag involving Billy and Zack where the two have to stop each other from uttering a pop culture reference or technobabble.
The artwork by Shawn Daley also emulates the same animated style of Sakai’s work while keeping the high-energy action of a Power Rangers fight. Let me put it this way: I never thought I needed to see the Power Rangers in anime-esque forms until now. Daley also gets to play around in both worlds, creating new characters including a giant dragon and a new monster named Hogwash (Three guesses as to why he’s called that.) The bright colors from James Fenner help sell the Power Rangers aspect of this, but they also fit well within Usagi’s realm.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Usagi Yojimbo #1 isn’t your standard crossover; it has some thoughts about the nature of trust, unity and honor. In a way, it’s not just the characters of Usagi and the Rangers crossing over, but also their respective philosophies.
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