Power Rangers (comics)

Last updated
Power Rangers
Publication information
Publisher Hamilton Comics (1994–1995)
Marvel Comics (1995–1996)
Image Comics (1996)
Acclaim Comics (1997)
Tokyopop (2003–2004)
Papercutz (2012–2014)
Boom! Studios (2016–2024)
Genre
Main character(s) Power Rangers

Power Rangers is a series of various comic books spun off from the Power Rangers television show. Each series was published by a different comic book publisher. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Publication history

Hamilton Comics (1994–1995)

Hamilton Comics published two Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series, totaling ten issues altogether.

A three issue Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Saga mini-series recapped stories from the TV series. Originally planned as six issues, it was abbreviated when the license moved to Marvel Comics. [4]

Marvel Comics (1995–1996)

Marvel Comics published both comic book and photo comic adaptations of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie .

Two Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series were published concurrently. The first debuted October 1995 and ran for seven issues. The second, titled Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Ninja Rangers/VR Troopers, was a flip book featuring VR Troopers on the other side; it debuted December 1995 and ran for five issues.

The Power Rangers made a guest appearance in a one-shot Masked Rider comic book, also published by Marvel.

Image Comics (1996)

In 1996, Image Comics published a comic book based on Power Rangers Zeo . It was written by Mary Bierbaum and Tom Bierbaum, with art by Todd Nauck, Norm Rapmund and Laura Penton. Four issues were drawn, but only one was released before Image Comics lost the license. [5]

A crossover comic with Youngblood was announced but no issues were published. [6]

Acclaim Comics (1997)

In 1997, Acclaim Comics published the magazine Saban Powerhouse. The magazine lasted only three issues and each featured a comic based on Power Rangers Turbo , one of which was a crossover with Beetleborgs Metallix . Each issue also included comics based other shows owned by Saban Entertainment.

Tokyopop (2003–2004)

From 2003 to 2004, Tokyopop produced several photo comic adaptations of episodes taken directly from Power Rangers Ninja Storm and Power Rangers Dino Thunder .

Papercutz (2014)

In 2014, Papercutz produced three separate issues based on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, after having previously done two issues based on Power Rangers Super Samurai in 2012 and two issues based on Power Rangers Megaforce in 2013.

One of the issues, By Bug... Betrayed, was controversial because of a panel depicting Trini Kwan getting hit by a car. Her real-life actress, Thuy Trang, died in a car crash twelve years before the issue was published. The digital re-release replaces her with Kimberly Hart in an edited version.

Boom! Studios (2015–2024)

In June 2015, Boom! Studios and Saban Brands announced a new comic book series based on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The initial creative staff featured Kyle Higgins as the writer, Steve Orlando and Mairghread Scott as co-writers, with Hendry Prasetya and Daniel Bayliss as the artists. [7]

In February 2016, Boom! announced a spin-off limited series entitled Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink by Brenden Fletcher, Kelly Thompson, and Daniele Di Nicuolo. [8]

In April 2017, Boom! announced a prequel series titled Saban's Go Go Power Rangers by Ryan Parrott and Dan Mora. [9] In December 2017, Boom Studios announced "Shattered Grid", a crossover story line between Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Saban'sGo Go Power Rangers, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of Power Rangers. [10]

In July 2018, Hasbro became the new owner of the Power Rangers franchise. [11]

In December 2019, a crossover between Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics by IDW Publishing and Boom!'s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series titled Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja was released. It had been the second crossover with Boom!'s series after the one with Justice League, Justice League/Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, two years prior.

In March 2019, Boom! announced "Necessary Evil", the second crossover event between Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Saban'sGo Go Power Rangers, written by Ryan Parrott and Sina Grace. [12] Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic over comic book industry, the event concluded in June 2020, with Saban'sGo Go Power Rangers ending after 32 issues. [13]

The monthly Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series concluded in October 2020 after 55 issues. Two new series titled Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers launched in November featuring a new storyline, "Unlimited Power," with Parrott writing both. [14] [15]

In August 2021, "The Eltarian War" was announced as the conclusion of the "Unlimited Power" event, along with the limited series Power Rangers Universe. [16] Mat Groom became the writer of Mighty Morphin following this crossover. [17]

In April 2022, it was announced that both Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers series would end in August 2022 as part of a special crossover event titled "Charge to 100!" [18] The event would then conclude in September 2022 with the relaunched Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #100, as well as being the final issue written by Ryan Parrott. [18] [19]

In July 2022, it was announced that Melissa Flores would serve as the new writer with art by Simona Di Gianfelce. [20]

Magazine comic strips

In March 2003, Disney Publishing Worldwide produced a short comic strip based on Power Rangers Ninja Storm for their magazine Disney Adventures .

From 2004 to 2009, Future Publishing produced the official Jetix Magazine in the United Kingdom. The magazine featured short comic strips based on several shows aired on Jetix in the United Kingdom including Power Rangers Ninja Storm , Power Rangers Dino Thunder , Power Rangers S.P.D. and Power Rangers Operation Overdrive . The seasons of Power Rangers Mystic Force , Power Rangers Jungle Fury and Power Rangers RPM were also covered in the magazine, but did not receive comic strips.

From 2004 to 2010, Egmont Group produced the official Power Rangers Magazine in the United Kingdom. The magazine featured short comic strips based on Power Rangers Ninja Storm , Power Rangers Dino Thunder , Power Rangers S.P.D. , Power Rangers Mystic Force , Power Rangers Operation Overdrive , Power Rangers Jungle Fury and Power Rangers RPM . Many of these comic strips were later collected and re-released worldwide in Annual books.

From 2012 to 2015, Panini Comics produced a revival of the official Power Rangers Magazine in the United Kingdom. The magazine featured short comic strips based on Power Rangers Samurai , Power Rangers Super Samurai, Power Rangers Megaforce and Power Rangers Super Megaforce.

Sales

The first issue of the 2016 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comic sold approximately 100,000 copies. [21]

Reception

The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comic has gained mostly positive critical reviews. [22] [23] [24] [25] [26]

See also

Related Research Articles

Power Rangers is an entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live-action superhero television series, based on the Japanese tokusatsu franchise Super Sentai. Produced first by Saban Entertainment, second by BVS Entertainment, later by Saban Brands, and today by SCG Power Rangers LLC and its parent company, Hasbro, the Power Rangers television series takes much of its footage from the Super Sentai television series, produced by Toei Company. The first Power Rangers entry, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, debuted on August 28, 1993, and helped launch the Fox Kids programming block of the 1990s, during which it catapulted into popular culture along with a line of action figures and other toys by Bandai. By 2001, the media franchise had generated over $6 billion in toy sales.

<i>Mighty Morphin Power Rangers</i> American live action childrens television series

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (MMPR) is an American superhero television series that premiered on August 28, 1993, on the Fox Kids programming block. It is the first entry of the Power Rangers franchise, and became a 1990s pop culture phenomenon along with a large line of toys, action figures, and other merchandise. The show adapted stock footage from the Japanese TV series Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger (1992–1993), which was the 16th installment of Toei's Super Sentai franchise. The second and third seasons of the show drew elements and stock footage from Gosei Sentai Dairanger and Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, respectively, though the Zyuranger costumes were still used for the lead cast in these two seasons. Only the mecha and the Kiba Ranger costume from Dairanger were featured in the second season while only the Kakuranger mecha was featured in the third season, though the Kakuranger costumes were later used for the mini-series Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers. The series was produced by MMPR Productions and distributed by Saban Entertainment, while the show's merchandise was produced and distributed by Bandai Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason David Frank</span> American actor (1973–2022)

Jason David Frank was an American actor, model and mixed martial artist best known for his role as Tommy Oliver in the Power Rangers television franchise.

<i>Power Rangers Zeo</i> American television series from 1996

Power Rangers Zeo is a television series and the fourth season of the Power Rangers franchise, based on the 19th Super Sentai series Chouriki Sentai Ohranger. It is the continuation of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which aired in 1996.

<i>VR Troopers</i> Television series

VR Troopers is a syndicated live-action superhero-adventure television series produced and distributed by Saban Entertainment from 1994 to 1996. The show tried to profit from the fascination with virtual reality in the mid-1990s as well as the success of Saban's other property, Power Rangers. VR Troopers was the first official "sister series" to Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. Much like it, this was an Americanization of a Japanese tokusatsu children's program series by Toei Company. The series is a co-production of Toei and Cyberprod.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kimberly Hart</span> Fictional character in Power Rangers

Kimberly Ann Hart is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe. Played by American actress Amy Jo Johnson during the first three seasons of the show, plus on the two feature films of the franchise, Kimberly has the longest tenure of any female ranger in the series' history, and fourth overall. She is best remembered as the first Pink Ranger (pterodactyl) and first Pink Ninja Ranger from the first entry of the franchise Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Kimberly was the Pink Ranger for nearly three years before she was written off the show as having given up her powers for good to Zordon's new pink ranger Katherine Hillard, to participate at the Pan Global Games in Florida. However, she would briefly return as the Pink Ranger on three occasions. She first returned during the Legendary Battle of Power Rangers Super Megaforce alongside former teammates Zack Taylor, Billy Cranston, Trini Kwan, and Jason Lee Scott. The five of them later fought alongside the Dino Thunder Rangers, Dino Charge Rangers, and the Grid Battleforce Rangers against Goldar Maximus in Power Rangers Beast Morphers. She also returned to fight a robotic version of Rita Repulsa with the other four original rangers and Tommy Oliver in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always. Johnson did not reprise her role for any of these appearances.

<i>Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie</i> 1995 film directed by Bryan Spicer

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie is a 1995 American superhero film. It stars the ensemble cast of Karan Ashley, Johnny Yong Bosch, Steve Cardenas, Jason David Frank, Amy Jo Johnson, and David Yost alongside the villains cast from the original series and Paul Freeman as Ivan Ooze. Much like the television season that followed the release, it used concepts from the Japanese Super Sentai series Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger, Gosei Sentai Dairanger and Ninja Sentai Kakuranger. It is the first Power Rangers production from Saban Entertainment not to feature any archived footage from Super Sentai. It is the first installment in the Power Rangers film series. The film was released in between the second and third seasons of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, but is incompatible with season three, which provides a different explanation for the Rangers gaining their Ninja Ranger powers and Ninjazords, indicating they are set in different continuities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Cranston</span> Fictional character in Power Rangers

Billy Cranston is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe. He is the Blue Ranger (triceratops) in the series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and was portrayed by actor David Yost. Billy is the only original Power Ranger to remain for the entire MMPR series, and is the second longest-serving Ranger overall behind Tommy Oliver. Until his departure, he is considered the brains of the Power Rangers team, creating many gadgets with which to solve problems that not even Zordon foresees, and he even invents the first team's wrist-worn communication devices. A reimagined version of Billy appears in 2017 reboot film, played by actor RJ Cyler.

Jonathan Tzachor is an Israeli-American producer and director best known for his work on Power Rangers. After a hiatus from the show that stretched from 2003 to 2010, he served as executive producer of the franchise from 2011 to 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boom! Studios</span> American comic book and graphic novel publisher

BOOM! Entertainment, Inc., doing business as Boom! Studios, is an American comic book and graphic novel publisher, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Higgins</span> American comic book writer and film director

Kyle Higgins is an American comic book writer and film director. He is best known for his work on the Batman franchise at DC Comics, namely writing the miniseries Batman: Gates of Gotham and for the Nightwing and Batman Beyond titles, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers franchise at Boom! Studios, and Radiant Black at Image Comics.

<i>Justice League/Mighty Morphin Power Rangers</i>

Justice League/Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is a 2017 comic book intercompany crossover series featuring DC Comics' Justice League and Saban's Power Rangers, written by Tom Taylor with art by Stephen Byrne, published by DC Comics and Boom Studios.

<i>Power Rangers Hyperforce</i> American TV series or program

Power Rangers Hyperforce is an interactive live-streamed tabletop role-playing game web series from Saban Brands and Hyper RPG based on the long-running American television program Power Rangers. The show was announced at TwitchCon 2017 and premiered on October 24, 2017, on Hyper RPG's Twitch live-streaming channel and includes members of the Power Rangers franchise along with other Internet personalities. Rangers from past seasons of Power Rangers guest star, including Erin Cahill. It is overseen by Malika Lim as Game Master.

<i>Power Rangers</i> (Boom! Studios) Comic book franchise

Power Rangers is a comic book franchise published by Boom! Studios, based on the television series of the same name. Initially licensed through Saban Brands in 2015, the rights moved to Hasbro in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shattered Grid</span> 2018 comic book event published by Boom! Studios

"Shattered Grid" is a 2018 crossover comic book event published by Boom! Studios, in collaboration with Saban Brands. Based on the Power Rangers franchise by Haim Saban, it was mostly written by Kyle Higgins and Ryan Parrott through the ongoing comic series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Saban's Go Go Power Rangers to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the original television series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Necessary Evil (comics)</span>

"Necessary Evil" is a 2019–2020 crossover comic book event by Boom! Studios and Hasbro, based on the Power Rangers franchise created by Haim Saban. The event is written by Ryan Parrott and Sina Grace through the ongoing comic book series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Go Go Power Rangers, making it the second crossover event in the Power Rangers comics by Boom! after 2018's "Shattered Grid".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unlimited Power (comics)</span> 2020–2022 American two-part crossover comic book storyline

"Unlimited Power" is a 2020–2022 American two-part crossover comic book storyline published by Boom! Studios, based on the Power Rangers franchise by Haim Saban and Hasbro. It is the sequel to "Necessary Evil" and the third crossover event in the Power Rangers comics by Boom!

"Recharged" is a 2022–2024 American two-part comic book crossover event mainly written by Melissa Flores and published by Boom! Studios, being based on the Power Rangers franchise by Hasbro.

References

  1. ↑ "'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' comic series to debut in January". Entertainment Weekly . 23 September 2015. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  2. ↑ "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers coming back to life as new comic series". 25 September 2015. Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  3. ↑ "'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' comic series to debut in January". Entertainment Weekly . 23 September 2015. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  4. ↑ Donald D. Markstein ( w )."The Menace from Within [column]"Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Saga,no. 3(October 1995).Hamilton Comics.
  5. ↑ Lovatt, Rich (2007-05-07). "Rich Interviews Todd Nauck". Comic By Comic. Archived from the original on 2009-04-10. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  6. ↑ Sims, Chris (2 July 2015). "Bizarro Back Issues: The Power Rangers Get Extreme (1996)". Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  7. ↑ Lovett, Jamie (June 30, 2015). "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Comic Series Announced by BOOM! Studios". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  8. ↑ Brown, Tracy (February 16, 2016). "The Pink Ranger is getting her own comic book series". LA Times . Archived from the original on August 22, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  9. ↑ "'Year One'-Style POWER RANGERS Ongoing Launched at BOOM!". Newsarama. April 20, 2017. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  10. ↑ Yehl, Joshua (December 4, 2017). "EVERY POWER RANGER EVER ASSEMBLES FOR 'SHATTERED GRID' EVENT". IGN. Archived from the original on August 12, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Hasbro buying Power Rangers, other brands in $522 Million deal". ABC News. AP. May 1, 2018. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  12. ↑ Mollo, Drew (February 17, 2019). "BOOM! Studios' Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Adds a Fan-Favorite Hero". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  13. ↑ Arvedon, Jon (January 22, 2020). "EXCLUSIVE: BOOM! Studios' Go Go Power Rangers to End With Issue #32". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 23, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  14. ↑ Adams, Tim (July 13, 2020). "Power Rangers Teases a New Green Ranger in BOOM!'s Mighty Morphin Series". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  15. ↑ Adams, Tim (July 14, 2020). "EXCLUSIVE: New Power Rangers Comic Sees the Omega Rangers Go Rogue". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Power Rangers Universe Series Revealed". Power Rangers. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  17. ↑ aiptcomics (2022-03-03). "New 'Power Rangers' creative kicks off with 'Mighty Morphin' #17 • AIPT" . Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  18. 1 2 Aguilar, Matthew (April 8, 2022). "Power Rangers Reveals Epic Charge To 100 Event (Exclusive)". Comicbook.com. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  19. ↑ George Marston (2022-06-10). "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers turns #100 this September with creative changes to come". gamesradar. Retrieved 2022-06-10.
  20. ↑ "MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #101 Announcement". BOOM! Studios. 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  21. ↑ "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1 Sells Over 100,000, As Pink Ranger Gets Her Own Series". 16 February 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  22. ↑ Lake, Jeff (18 January 2017). "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #11 Review". Archived from the original on 20 January 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  23. ↑ "Best Shots Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE/MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #1 'Silly Fun of the Highest Level'". Archived from the original on 14 January 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  24. ↑ Lake, Jeff (11 January 2017). "Justice League/Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1 Review" . Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  25. ↑ "No Pink Spandex » Review: Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers #9 from BOOM! Studios". Archived from the original on 31 January 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  26. ↑ "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink #1". 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 31 January 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
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