The Power Rangers franchise has been around for over two decades, and it may be about to enter its most popular era since first debuting back in 1993. With the television series still going strong and a new film on the way next year, it's a great time to be a Power Rangers fan.
What has some fans most excited, however, has been the new comic book series which debuted from BOOM! Studios this past March. Today's panel at Comic-Con was a celebration of the franchise's resurgence, with the focus on what BOOM! has been up to with the teenagers with attitude. Hosted by current Blue Ranger Yoshi Sudarso, the panel featured writers Kyle Higgins (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) and Steve Orlando (The Ongoing Adventures of Bulk and Skull), editor Dafna Pleban, along with Saban's director of global consumer products Jason Bischoff and director of development and production Melissa Flores.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1 cover
Writer Kyle Higgins was asked why BOOM! Studios was the right place to create these comics.
"BOOM! was the right place because of their ability to collaborate, dive deep into the method, and really take this seriously.”
As to what motivates him to write the comic:
“I wanted to write the Rangers based on how they made me feel when I was 8."
One recurring theme Higgins stressed was that of inclusion and teamwork, which is why the first arc focuses on Tommy joining the Rangers team (editor Dafna Pleban jokingly referred to the arc as "Tommy: Year One"). Higgins stressed how excited he was to be able to present Power Rangers in a way that has never really been seen before. The comic book medium allows him to tell stories in ways that would never be possible on the TV show, and he relishes the opportunity to dig deeper into the characters and explore their relationships with each other in a way the original Mighty Morphin show never did.
In addition to the main MMPR comic line, BOOM! also publishes Power Rangers: Pink, which of course focuses on the original Pink Ranger, Kimberly. When asked if the other Rangers would be receiving their own solo series in the future, Flores responded with a cryptic "No comment."
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink #1 cover
These two series, along with the Ongoing Adventures of Bulk and Skull (who writer Steve Orlando described as "a punk rock Laurel & Hardy") have been very well-received by fans, and it seems as though the best is yet to come. Next August sees the release of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Annual #1, featuring stories by main writer Kyle Higgins along with Terry Moore, James Kochalka, Rob Guillory, and more. Higgins described his story as "A week in the life of Jason", while gushing over the work of his fellow writers and artists. Flores announced the Annual is non-canonical, so it's a great way for new readers to get a taste of what BOOM! has been up to with the Power Rangers line.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Annual #1
When you combine the comics with the TV series (Power Rangers: Ninja Steel will debut next year) and 2017's film, it's clear the Power Rangers franchise has never been stronger. When asked what Saban has planned for the brand as a whole, Jason Bischoff had this to say:
"There’s something really big coming and we can’t tell you about it here. But it’s going to blow your minds!"
Joe Ruggirello writes for IGN Comics. Follow him on Twitter @Joeru23 and IGN.
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