TokuNet Comics Corner: MMPR #0

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0 serves as an exciting prelude to the upcoming series.

Last year, BOOM! Studios announced that it had acquired the rights to publish comic books based on the Power Rangers franchise. Today issue #0 of the title finally released, and revealed the direction the new comics plan to take their story.

Issue #0 contains three stories, the first being a prelude to the main title, which begins this March, that covers Tommy’s first sortie with the rangers after being freed from Rita Repulsa’s mind control. The issue also contains a Bulk and Skull backup story, and the six page short story released at San Diego Comic Con.

The main story is written by Kyle Higgins (Batman Eternal), with art by Hendry Prasetya (Power Girl) and colors by Matt Herms (Mega Man).

Fans of the original Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers who want a more “grown-up” version of the characters they loved will be pleased with the direction the new comic is taking. Higgins presents the reader with an updated, millennial version of the original rangers. Billy sends everyone push notifications to help them study for their upcoming test, and Kimberly and Tommy send each other emoji-filled texts in class. Prasetya and Herms’ dynamic art makes the zord v. kaiju fight.

The issue skips the on-foot fights Ranger and Sentai fans expect, and goes right into the zord action, pitting the Megazord and Dragonzord against a rampaging kaiju that looks genuinely terrifying. There’s no witty banter or x-treme 90’s catchphrases in this new version of MMPR, but the action is still just as dynamic and exciting. The comics medium allows for more flexible action sequences, and we get a glimpse of some creative zord usage in this issue.

I for one look forward to the story this new iteration of Power Rangers is about to tell, and I think more devoted fans will too.