NEWS – BOOM! Studios Announces Brand New RECHARGED Era in MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #101

BOOM! Studios Announces Brand New RECHARGED Era in MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #101
Discover a RECHARGED Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Series in October 2022

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 21, 2022) – BOOM! Studios, under license by Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), announced a brand new creative team for the launch of the RECHARGED era of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers! Rising star writer Melissa Flores (Power Rangers, The Dead Lucky) and artist Simona Di Gianfelice (All-New Firefly) reunite all of your favorite Rangers, recharged and ready for a bold new direction for your favorite Teenagers With Attitude that begins right here this October 2022.

The CHARGE TO 100 brought everything together in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #100, now discover the bold new future for the bestselling franchise in the RECHARGED era as the Rangers reunite to tackle new challenges and face new threats.

Melissa Flores is a writer best known for her work as a producer on Power Rangers. She also wrote and co-created the popular Twitch digital hybrid series The Unleashed, as well as upcoming comic book series The Dead Lucky from Image Comics. You can find Melissa on Twitter and Instagram @misty_flores.

“Being able to write MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS is a literal dream come true, and I can’t stop pinching myself,” said Flores. “The coming issues will feature a wild ride that will aim to honor the incredible history of this iconic series, and push the Rangers to their absolute limits.”

Simona Di Gianfelice is a comic book artist from Rome, Italy. She has worked for various Italian comic book publishers and as a storyboard artist for some Italian companies of film and advertisements. She started working for Boom! Studios on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Go Go Power Rangers, and Power Rangers, collaborating with various artists such as Daniele Di Nicuolo, Eleonora Carlini and Francesco Mortarino. In 2021, she debuted as a series artist on Firefly for BOOM! Studios and continued her collaboration with Boom! Studios on All-New Firefly. You can find Simona Di Gianfelice on Instagram @simona_di_gianfelice.

MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS is one of the comic book series I’ve always wanted to illustrate! So full of action and emotion,” said Di Gianfelice. “I’m really excited to start this new adventure with all of you so pick up a copy of issue #101 and prepare to be amazed!”

MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #101 features main cover art by acclaimed artist Mateus Manhanini (Black Panther) and variant covers by illustrators Bon Bernardo (Mighty Morphin), Francesco Tomaselli (Heavy Metal), David Mack (Daredevil), Dani Pendergast (Buffy the Last Vampire Slayer), and more.

“With a brand new RECHARGED era and a brand new creative team to launch it, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are back bigger and more Morphinominal than ever before,” said Allyson Gronowitz, Editor, BOOM! Studios. “We’re so grateful to all the loyal fans and readers for being an integral part of the 100-issue journey thus far. Just wait until you see what’s in store for the Rangers as they reunite to face some of the biggest threats in the universe…and beyond!”

Print copies of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #101 will be available for sale in October 2022 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one), or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers like comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.

For continuing news on the MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS series and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

For more on Power Rangers, please visit www.powerrangers.com and follow Power Rangers on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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NEWS – Hasbro Announces New Personalization Platform “Hasbro Selfie Series”, includes Power Rangers

HASBRO ANNOUNCES NEW PERSONALIZATION PLATFORM WITH ITS FIRST INTRODUCTION THROUGH “HASBRO SELFIE SERIES”

Launching Fall 2022 Exclusively on the Hasbro Pulse Mobile App, Hasbro Selfie Series Lets Fans Imagine Themselves as Their Favorite G.I. JOE, Ghostbusters, Power Rangers, Marvel, and Star Wars™ Heroes

PAWTUCKET, RI – July 13– Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) announced its new personalization platform with its first product introduction through Hasbro Selfie Series. The custom offering allows fans to create a collector-grade 6-inch action figure in their likeness based on classic to current characters seen across popular films, television series and comics. Hasbro Selfie Series figures will debut with fan-favorite character costume designs from G.I. JOEGhostbusters, Power Rangers, and Marvel, as well as designs inspired by Star Wars™ heroes. This one-of-a-kind experience will be launching in Fall 2022 exclusively on the Hasbro Pulse mobile app (for fans aged 16 and older in the US only), for iOS and Android devices.

Fans attending San Diego Comic-Con (July 21-24) will have the opportunity to preview Hasbro Selfie Series figures, with a select number of fans being among the first to create and purchase their figures, shipping Fall 2022. SDCC (San Diego Comic Convention) attendees should visit the Hasbro Pulse Info Desk in Booth #3213 to obtain a ticket for an assigned time slot.  Limited tickets available, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hasbro Selfie Series figures are Hasbro’s first introduction to its innovative, new personalization platform. Using proprietary software and in partnership with a leading 3D printing company, Formlabs, Hasbro is giving fans a chance to digitally transform themselves into the action figure with the costume from the heroes they see on-screen and imagine themselves as part of the stories they love. From a Star Wars Rebel Alliance X-wing pilot, morphing into a Power Ranger, silently stalking Cobra as Snake Eyes, or swinging through the New York cityscape like Spider-Man, fans can indulge in the ultimate consumer experience with Hasbro Selfie Series figures.

“We are super excited to dive into the world of personalization and customization with Hasbro Selfie Series. We have done extensive research to truly understand the fan’s ask for a personalized product, and the team has done a fantastic job at making that dream a reality,” says Brian Chapman, Hasbro President of Design, Development and Innovation. “The innovation on this proprietary technology is truly remarkable, and we cannot wait to give fans the opportunity to add themselves to their collections.”

“Hasbro Selfie Series is giving us a new way to engage with the fans,” says Kwamina Crankson, General Manager & Senior Vice President, Hasbro Direct. “We are just scratching the surface when it comes to customization, and we’re excited to see where this new, innovative platform takes us.”

Creating a Hasbro Selfie Series figure will be through the Hasbro Pulse mobile app (For fans 16+ – US only).  For updates on the Hasbro Selfie Series project and its launch, opt into our newsletter here.  Follow @Hasbro Pulse on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for additional announcements about Hasbro Selfie Series.

 

About Hasbro

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to making the world a better place for all children, fans and families. Hasbro delivers immersive brand experiences for global audiences through consumer products, including toys and games; entertainment through eOne, its independent studio; and gaming, led by the team at Wizards of the Coast, an award-winning developer of tabletop and digital games best known for fantasy franchises MAGIC: THE GATHERING and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS.

The company’s unparalleled portfolio of approximately 1,500 brands includes MAGIC: THE GATHERING, NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, BABY ALIVE, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, POWER RANGERS, PEPPA PIG and PJ MASKS, as well as premier partner brands. For the past decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media and one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute. Important business and brand updates are routinely shared on our Investor Relations website, Newsroom and social channels (@Hasbro on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.)

© 2022 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.

NEWS – Rangers Face an Identity Crisis in MIGHTY MORPHIN #21

Rangers Face an Identity Crisis in MIGHTY MORPHIN #21
Discover a Challenge the Rangers Cannot Overcome in the CHARGE TO 100 This July 2022

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 29, 2022) – BOOM! Studios, under license by Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), revealed a first look at MIGHTY MORPHIN #21 (LEGACY #96), continuing the brand new story arc from highly acclaimed new writer Mat Groom (Ultraman), artist Moisés Hidalgo (Dark Blood), colorist Raúl Angulo, and letterer Ed Dukeshire, as the Power Rangers struggle to build a brand new team to face down new enemies and an uncertain future, in conjunction with the Mighty Morphin series CHARGE TO 100, available in July 2022.

After a recent tragedy that shook the Rangers leader to his core, the Mighty Morphin team faces an identity crisis while Kim grapples with the future of the Power Rangers with Billy and Tommy’s help. But there are some challenges even they can’t overcome…

MIGHTY MORPHIN #21 (LEGACY #96) features main cover art by acclaimed illustrator InHyuk Lee (Seven Secrets), and variant cover art by fan-favorite artists Eleonora Carlini (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Qistina Khalidah (The Magicians), and Taurin Clarke (Something is Killing the Children).

Currently, Power Rangers is celebrating 29 continuous years on the air, making it one of the longest-running kids’ live-action series in television history, with over 900 episodes aired to date. Created by Haim Saban and launched in 1993 with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the series will celebrate its 29th overall season in Spring 2022, with season two of “Power Rangers Dino Fury,” airing exclusively on Netflix in the U.S.

MIGHTY MORPHIN is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including BRZRKR by Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, and Ron Garney; Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera; Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora; We Only Find Them When They’re Dead by Al Ewing and Simone Di Meo; Seven Secrets by Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo; The Many Deaths of Laila Starr by Ram V and Filipe Andrade; Basilisk by Cullen Bunn and Jonas Scharf; Regarding the Matter of Oswald’s Body by Christopher Cantwell and Luca Casalanguida, Faithless by Brian Azzarello and Maria Llovet; and the upcoming Alice Ever After by Dan Panosian and Giorgio Spalletta and Grim by Stephanie Phillips and Flaviano. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Atreides from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Dev Pramanik; and Magic from Jed McKay and Ig Guara.

Print copies of MIGHTY MORPHIN #21 (LEGACY #96) will be available on July 6, 2022 exclusively at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one), or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers like comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.

Softcover and hardcover collections of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS and other Power Rangers releases from BOOM! Studios are available now, everywhere books are sold.

For continuing news on the MIGHTY MORPHIN series and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

For more on Power Rangers, please visit www.powerrangers.com and follow Power Rangers on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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COMICS PREVIEW – Power Rangers Solicitations for September 2022

Boom! Studios

Today we received the advanced solicitations for Boom! Studios Power Rangers comics coming out in the month of September 2022.

There are MAJOR spoilers below, so be warned!

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SIX ALL-STAR ARTISTS RETURN TO MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS FOR MILESTONE ISSUE

SIX ALL-STAR ARTISTS RETURN TO MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS FOR MILESTONE ISSUE
Discover a Shocking Lineup of All Star Guest Artists for the Historic 100th Issue in September 2022

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 10-17, 2022) – BOOM! Studios, under license by Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), announced that six artists will return as guest artists on the special oversized issue MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 to celebrate the historic milestone issue of the bestselling comic book series based on the global pop culture phenomenon. The CHARGE TO 100 builds to a celebratory and shocking 100th issue from acclaimed writer Ryan Parrott (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/TMNT), series artists Marco Renna and Moisés Hidalgo, as well as the return of several all-star fan favorites as guest artists on this epic culmination of a story years in the making, available in September 2022.

Daniele Di Nicuolo (Seven Secrets) featured as the main series artist for the SHATTERED GRID event throughout issues Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #20Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #25-30, the NECESSARY EVIL event in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #40-50, and the fan favorite limited series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink #1-6.

Francesco Mortarino (Dune: The Waters of Kanly) featured as the artist on Go Go Power Rangers: Forever RangersGo Go Power Rangers #21-24, #26-27, #29-32, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #33, #34, and most recently, Power Rangers #1-16 for the UNLIMITED POWER and ELTARIAN WAR events.

Fan favorite cover artist for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Miguel Mercado (Magic), features as a special guest artist! His iconic cover sets include the MORPHER Variant Set, the HELMET covers from the BEYOND THE GRID arc, the YEARBOOK variant set, and his portrait covers of the full Mighty Morphin Power Rangers team for the Go Go Power Rangers series.

Eleonora Carlini (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) featured as the artist on Go Go Power Rangers with writer Ryan Parrott for issues #13-20 and Go Go Power Rangers: Forever Rangers. She was also the LEGACY cover artist for the recent Mighty Morphin series.

Dan Mora (Batman, Once & Future) is best known for his work as the main Ranger designer since 2020, co-creator of fan favorite character Ranger Slayer with Ryan Parrott, and was the main series artist on Go Go Power Rangers #1-12, the Power Rangers: Ranger Slayer #1 special issue, and Mighty Morphin #10, which featured the explosive origin story of Lord Zedd.

Hendry Prasetya (Star Trek) featured as the original main series artist for the launch of the BOOM! Studios Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comic book franchise in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0-4, #6-9, #11-14, and #16-19.

Each copy of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 will also contain 1 of 10 random collectible trading cards featuring your favorite Rangers and villains, as well as an exclusive art print by a superstar artist!

A legacy that began in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Go Go Power Rangers finally converges here as CHARGE TO 100 reaches its milestone issue—and kicks off brand new beginnings! Rangers fans will not want to miss Ryan Parrott’s FINAL issue on the main series, joined by a superstar lineup of returning artists.

MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 features main cover art by superstar artist Dan Mora (Once & Future) and variant covers by acclaimed illustrators Bon Bernardo (Mighty Morphin), Miguel Mercado (Magic), Goñi Montes (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), Mike del Mundo (Hulk), Tyler Kirkham (BRZRKR), and InHyuk Lee (Venom).

Print copies of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 will be available for sale in September 2022 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one), or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers like comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.

For continuing news on the MIGHTY MORPHIN series and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

For more on Power Rangers, please visit www.powerrangers.com and follow Power Rangers on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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NEWS – All-Star Creators Celebrate Milestone 100th Issue of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

All-Star Creators Celebrate Milestone 100th Issue of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Discover the Explosive Milestone Issue of the Morphinominal Series in September 2022

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 9, 2022) – BOOM! Studios, under license by Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), announced they will celebrate the historic milestone issue of the bestselling comic book series based on the global pop culture phenomenon with a special oversized issue, MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100. The CHARGE TO 100 builds to a celebratory and shocking 100th issue from acclaimed writer Ryan Parrott (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/TMNT), series artists Marco Renna and Moisés Hidalgo, as well as the return of several all-star fan favorites as guest artists on this epic culmination of a story years in the making, available in September 2022.

A legacy that began in Go Go Power Rangers finally converges here as CHARGE TO 100 reaches its milestone issue—and kicks off brand new beginnings! Rangers fans will not want to miss Ryan Parrott’s FINAL issue on the main series, joined by a superstar lineup of returning artists.

News of a deathly threat reaches the team—one that threatens every Ranger and everyone else on the entire planet. As the climactic battle against unspeakable enemies unfolds, the lines between friend and foe blur, and difficult decisions await even the strongest of Rangers.

“Well, all good things I suppose, right? Honestly, if you would have told me six years ago that I’d have the amazing fortune of not only working with so many incredibly talented people on so many wonderful Ranger titles, but I would also accumulate over 100 issues of content, I would have questioned your sanity. But somehow… here we are. From Ranger Slayer to the Turtle Rangers, it’s been a transformative experience, both personally and professionally,” said Parrott. “Not many people get a chance to play with their favorite toys for a living, so to all the Ranger fans who have been so encouraging and supportive over the years, you’ll never know how much your kind words meant when I was struggling to hit a deadline or find the right line of dialogue. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone… and I sincerely hope that I was able to add just a few cool bricks to the already amazing wall of the Power Rangers franchise.”

MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 features main cover art by superstar artist Dan Mora (Once & Future) and variant covers by acclaimed illustrators Bon Bernardo (Mighty Morphin), Miguel Mercado (Magic), Goñi Montes (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), Mike del Mundo (Hulk), Tyler Kirkham (BRZRKR), and InHyuk Lee (Venom). Each copy of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 will also contain 1 of 10 random collectible trading cards featuring your favorite Rangers and villains, as well as an exclusive art print by a superstar artist!

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with an amazing array of creative talent on 100 issues about everyone’s favorite teens with ‘tude. We never could have imagined just how incredible the response would be from longtime MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS fans and new readers but thanks to you all, we’ve reached an incredible milestone in the legacy of this series, and we can’t wait to continue surprising you with shocking twists, new fan-favorite characters, and a deeper exploration into all that the Power Rangers universe has to offer,” said Dafna Pleban, Editor, BOOM! Studios. “Thank you to Ryan Parrott, who has been a part of this universe, and these characters, for over a half a decade, to all the writers and artists who have brought these stories to life on the page, and to all the fans who have supported their adventures throughout the years.”

Print copies of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 will be available for sale in September 2022 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one), or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers like comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.

For continuing news on the MIGHTY MORPHIN series and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

For more on Power Rangers, please visit www.powerrangers.com and follow Power Rangers on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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NEWS – The Battle for Earth Rages on in the First Look at MIGHTY MORPHIN #20

The Battle for Earth Rages on in the First Look at MIGHTY MORPHIN #20
Discover the Burden Rocky and the Power Rangers Must Carry with Zordon’s Absence in June 2022

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 2, 2022) – BOOM! Studios, under license by Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), revealed a first look at MIGHTY MORPHIN #20 (LEGACY #94), continuing the brand new story arc from highly acclaimed new writer Mat Groom (Ultraman), artist Moisés Hidalgo (Dark Blood), colorist Raúl Angulo, and letterer Ed Dukeshire, as the Power Rangers struggle to build a brand new team to face down new enemies and an uncertain future, in conjunction with the Mighty Morphin series CHARGE TO 100, available in June 2022.

Back in the Lion Galaxy, the Ranger’s plan to acquire the Command Center takes a dire turn, but help arrives from an unexpected source! Back on Earth, the battle against King Aradon rages on—and not in the Rangers’ favor. Can Rocky’s resilience carry them through, even with Zordon’s absence?

MIGHTY MORPHIN #20 (LEGACY #94) features main cover art by acclaimed illustrator InHyuk Lee (Seven Secrets), and variant cover art by fan-favorite artists Eleonora Carlini (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Bon Bernardo (Power Rangers Universe), and Raúl Allén (Dune: The Graphic Novel).

Currently, Power Rangers is celebrating 29 continuous years on the air, making it one of the longest-running kids’ live-action series in television history, with over 900 episodes aired to date. Created by Haim Saban and launched in 1993 with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the series will celebrate its 29th overall season in Spring 2022, with season two of “Power Rangers Dino Fury,” airing exclusively on Netflix in the U.S.

MIGHTY MORPHIN is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including BRZRKR by Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, and Ron Garney; Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera; Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora; We Only Find Them When They’re Dead by Al Ewing and Simone Di Meo; Seven Secrets by Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo; The Many Deaths of Laila Starr by Ram V and Filipe Andrade; Basilisk by Cullen Bunn and Jonas Scharf; Regarding the Matter of Oswald’s Body by Christopher Cantwell and Luca Casalanguida, Faithless by Brian Azzarello and Maria Llovet; Alice Ever After by Dan Panosian and Giorgio Spalletta and Grim by Stephanie Phillips and Flaviano. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Atreides from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Dev Pramanik; and Magic from Jed McKay and Ig Guara.

Print copies of MIGHTY MORPHIN #20 (LEGACY #94) will be available on June 8, 2022 exclusively at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one), or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers like comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.

Softcover and hardcover collections of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS and other Power Rangers releases from BOOM! Studios are available now, everywhere books are sold.

For continuing news on the MIGHTY MORPHIN series and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

For more on Power Rangers, please visit www.powerrangers.com and follow Power Rangers on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 200

It’s time to Ranger Up with @trekkieb47, @secretrangerfan & @ZachLaVoy as they talk all things Power Rangers on the Four Eyed Radio Network with RANGER COMMAND POWER HOUR!

Eric, A.P. and Zach celebrate 200 regular episodes of the podcast as we explain the upcoming hiatus for June. With host Eric soon to be a father, it’s time to take a break.

We answer listener questions, discuss a Hasbro Pulse leak of “Selfie Series” action figures, and an update on Austin St. John‘s federal indictment.

Then we are joined by guests co-hosts Dr. Ben (@doctorbenMD), Mason (@Masonmerrell) and Tyler (@TylerBozetski) and talk about thoughts on a possible 30th anniversary season for Power Rangers, what we want to see from the ZAP Megazord line and more!

Thank you all for listening! This isn’t a goodbye, but we’ll see you soon.

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 200 – “Ranger Command’s Future?”

APPLE PODCASTS – GOOGLE PODCASTSSPOTIFY – ANDROIDSTITCHERPODCHASERLINKTREE

Links mentioned in show:

GUEST EDITORIAL – Austin St. John Indictment Fits Into Broader History of Childhood Heroes Letting Us Down

Austin St. John Indictment Fits Into Broader History of Childhood Heroes Letting Us Down

Guest Editorial by Tyler Waldman (@aresef on Twitter, RitoRevolto on RangerBoard)

I want you to think back to your childhood. Think of all those afternoons spent idolizing superheroes in TV, in movies, in comic books. The action figure by your bed. The shirt in your dresser. The poster on your wall.

You want these actors to stay true to the role models they represent. You want them to fight for the little guy, you want them to be honest with you, you want them to be that hero. But Tom Holland can’t crawl up walls. Chris Hemsworth can’t summon lightning. And not all Power Rangers actors live their lives in a way Zordon would approve.

In the 15 years since ranger actors first started attending conventions, many fans have had positive experiences with fans. We’ve met and gotten to mug with, gotten to shake hands with, gotten to thank them. Many of these people have been gracious and just as happy to meet us—Paul Schrier, Jason Narvy, Ron Rogge, Neil Kaplan, Erin Cahill and, of course, the late Scott Page-Pagter and Robert Axelrod, to name a few. But there are elements of these interactions that are inherently transactional. Any table at Power Morphicon, of course, they’re not doing these autographs for free.

But beyond that, there are people who see us fans less as validation and appreciation of the work they did and more as a resource for whatever they plan next. Michael Copon took 257 fans to the tune of $13,738 for an “independent Power Ranger movie”. The Time Force blue ranger raised that money in 2015—to be sure, he raised well short of his goal— and went into radio silence for five years. He returned in June of 2020, after the start of the pandemic, to claim he had raised the rest of the money, Ironically, he claimed he had been “screwed over… by some con artist investor” and would be funding the film with $200,000 of his own money. Nary a peep since then.

In 2020, Jason David Frank and Bat in the Sun raised half a million dollars for Legend of the White Dragon, a legally distinct hero series that would star Frank, Michael Madsen, Mark Dacascos and fellow ranger alums like Cerina Vincent, Johnny Bosch, Ciara Hanna and Jason Faunt. Now, to their credit, Bat in the Sun has been very forthcoming about posting pictures and news of their progress. But sometimes visual evidence is not quite enough.

And that takes me to The Order. The brainchild of Karan Ashley, it raised more than $142,000 from 1,633 fans. They were promised prints, they were promised shirts but, most of all, they were promised a movie directed by Phantom Menace stunt coordinator Nick Gillard that would, in many ways, bring the band back together. Despite a trailer purporting to show a movie in progress, that movie never arrived. The movie we were told we’d get, Erin Cahill, David Yost, Brad Hawkins, Catherine Sutherland, Alyson Sullivan, David Fielding, on and on and on… and the protagonist, Austin St. John.

Where to start with this one. Short of JDF, St. John’s face is perhaps the one most synonymous with MMPR and, therefore, Power Rangers in general as much as the public consciousness is concerned. And, after he left the show in an admirable stand for principle, he went on to live up to what it means to be a hero. He became a paramedic. He worked with our troops abroad. He worked in northern Virginia. And at Power Morphicon in 2014, he tended to me after a medical incident on the convention floor. And after that incident put me in the hospital for the rest of the weekend, he quietly helped ensure I could get to RangerStop later that same year. I’ll never forget that.

It’s because of that experience—or what I was told of it—that I was willing to let slide the people he associated with, and some of the things he said and did. I would sit out arguments, I would scroll past threads. As long as he wasn’t hurting anybody, you know, I’d let it slide, I thought. I owed him that.

Then I got home Thursday night to learn the awful truth, that St. John and others had allegedly scammed the federal government and financial institutions out of millions in COVID-19 relief aid.

Many businesses and many business owners have been going through the toughest period in their lives. Getting federal aid is hard enough as it is. But, if what federal prosecutors say is true, he and his alleged co-conspirators defrauded the government and banks of millions that could have gone to help businesses and employees who are truly struggling.

The news came to us at a tumultuous time in the Power Rangers fandom. Resurfaced allegations of sexual assault against Copon, the invitation of Samuell Benta to two stateside cons (including PMC) for the first time since the staff of the first Power Morphicon said he stole a banner signed by convention guests, one of four intended to be auctioned off for The Make-A-Wish Foundation. It began a conversation about who we should and shouldn’t welcome in our community what is and isn’t forgivable and who should and shouldn’t be welcome. It is a reckoning that comes several years after a similar discussion in the anime fandom. It’s a conversation that should continue.

I don’t know if St. John is guilty. I don’t know if he’ll go to prison. My heart breaks for the fans who, like me, feel betrayed by this news and others who were looking forward to meeting him or taking their kids to meet him on the con circuit. What I can say for certain is that you should think hard before giving to any legal fund that may emerge, no matter what he promises you.

Tyler Waldman is a Baltimore media relations professional, recovering journalist and former host of Rangercast. You can follow him on Twitter @aresef .
Edited by Eric Berry (@trekkieb47)