Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 227

Originally recorded on February 28th, 2024.

It’s time to Ranger Up with @trekkieb47 as he talks all things Power Rangers on the Four Eyed Radio Network with RANGER COMMAND POWER HOUR!

In this episode, Eric welcomes back Melissa Flores, best known in Ranger Nation for her work at Saban Brands and Hasbro as well as her current work as a writer, producer, consultant and creative executive with over a decade of experience.

Her most recent works include the MassiveVerse title “The Dead Lucky”, co-writer of “Radiant Pink”, “Supermassive” 2023 & 2024 and “Power Rangers Unlimited: Hyperforce” as well as “Spider-Gwen: Smash”, and “NacelleVerse #0” from On iPress. She is also the writer for “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” which started with Issue 101.

Melissa talks about MMPR Issues 112-116 of the Darkest Hour event.

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 227 – “Ranger Command Interview – MMPR 112-116 with Melissa Flores”

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Timestamps:

  • 0:00:00 – Intro
  • 0:03:17 – Issue 112 – Grace dying, the Morphin Grid, Ranger color personalities, Rangers’ agency and therapy, Tommy’s sacrifice and Power Eggs
  • 0:20:00 – Issue 113 – Doctor Morgan, Creeper Keeper, Elastique, the HyperForce Rangers and Phantom Ranger’s return
  • 0:31:21 – Issue 114 – Ranger Cameos, HyperForce Megazord, Death Ranger’s hubris
  • 0:39:20 – Issue 115 – Rita’s motivations, Dayne is chaotic neutral, Kim and Jason moment, the fate of Xi
  • 0:48:29 – Issue 116 – Setting the stage for PRU: The Morphin Masters, Drakkon’s sacrifice, work ahead and looking back

Links mentioned in show:

NEWS – Dark Specter Looms over the Coinless Universe in Your First Look at POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS #1

Dark Specter Looms over the Coinless Universe in Your First Look at POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS #1
Witness the Rise of the DRAKKON RANGERS in Special One-Shot in June 2023

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 21, 2023) – To celebrate the monumental 30th Anniversary of the hugely influential Mighty Morphin Power Rangers franchise, writer Adam Cesare (Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal), and Mighty Morphin artist Moisés Hidalgo (Dark Blood), along with colorist Arthur Hesli (Heavy Metal Magazine), and letterer Ed Dukeshire (Irredeemable) enter the Grid this summer with a first look at POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS #1–a new 40-page one-shot from BOOM! Studios, available June 2023.

As if the medium-spanning, fan-favorite villain Drakkon wasn’t enough of a threat, Mistress Vile has special plans of her own… ones that will bring the Rangers’ greatest foe into our world! But this scheming isn’t without consequences for Drakkon, and he’ll have to take a page from Zordon’s book if he wants the world of The Coinless to survive.

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS #1 features a standard cover by Dan Mora (Once & Future), and variant covers by Goñi Montes (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) and Stephanie Hans (Journey into Mystery).

​​Currently, Power Rangers is celebrating 30 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 celebrates its 30th year with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, an anniversary special airing now exclusively on Netflix. The 30th overall season of Power Rangers, “Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury,” premieres Fall 2023 exclusively on Netflix in the U.S.

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS 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; Eve by Victor LaValle and Jo Mi-Gyeong; The Many Deaths of Laila Starr by Ram V and Filipe Andrade; Wynd by James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas; Grim by Stephanie Phillips and Flaviano; Briar by Christopher Cantwell and Germán García; Stuff of Nightmares by R.L. Stine and A.L. Kaplan; The Approach by Jeremy Haun, Jason A. Hurley, and Jesus Hervas; Damn Them All by Simon Spurrier and Charlie Adlard; BeholdBehemoth by Tate Brombal and Nick Robles; Specs by David M. Booher and Chris Shehan; Once Upon a Time at the End of the World by Jason Aaron, Alexandre Tefenkgi, Leila del Duca, and Nick Dragotta; Know Your Station by Sarah Gailey and Liana Kangas; A Vicious Circle by Mattson Tomlin and Lee Bermejo; Mosely by Rob Guillory and Sam Lotfi; Harrower by Justin Jordan and Brahm Revel; The Neighbors by Jude Ellison S. Doyle and Letizia Cadonici; and The Seasons Have Teeth by Dan Watters and Sebastián Cabrol. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Harkonnen from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Michael Shelfer; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from Melissa Flores and Simona Di Gianfelice; Magic from Jed McKay, Rich Douek, and Ig Guara; and The Expanse: Dragon Tooth by Andy Diggle and Rubine.

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS will be available in comic shops June 28, 2023. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop (use comicshoplocator.com to find the one nearest you). Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.

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

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NEWS – A New Threat Emerges for the Power Rangers this Summer at BOOM! Studios

A New Threat Emerges for the Power Rangers this Summer at BOOM! Studios
Witness the Rise of the DRAKKON RANGERS in June 2023

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 17, 2023) – To celebrate the monumental 30th Anniversary of the hugely influential Mighty Morphin Power Rangers franchise, writer Adam Cesare (Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal), and Mighty Morphin artist Moisés Hidalgo (Dark Blood), along with colorist Arthur Hesli (Heavy Metal Magazine), and letterer Ed Dukeshire (Irredeemable) enter the Grid this summer with POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS–a new 40-page one-shot from BOOM! Studios, available June 2023.

As if the medium-spanning, fan-favorite villain Drakkon wasn’t enough of a threat, Mistress Vile has special plans of her own… ones that will bring the Rangers’ greatest foe into our world! But this scheming isn’t without consequences for Drakkon, and he’ll have to take a page from Zordon’s book if he wants the world of The Coinless to survive.

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Adam Cesare is the writer of the Bram Stoker Award-winning Clown in a Cornfield series, the comic Dead Mall (with artist David Stoll), and several other novels and novellas including the cult hit Video Night. An avid fan of horror cinema, you can watch him talk about movies on YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, and the rest of his socials.

“I got to work in the world of the Power Rangers once before, a short story way back during Shattered Grid, and I’ve wanted back in ever since. And to get to help tell this story? Drakkon assembling a new team of rangers? And the Coinless world is super messed up so the storytelling’s coloring with shades of George Romero and Mad Max? And Moisés Freakin’ Hidalgo? Come on. This is incredible,” said Cesare.

Moisés Hidalgo is one of the newest freelance comic book artists and illustrators living in Santiago, Chile. Influenced by American comics and manga, he’s been drawing for four years, after studying at the Arcos Professional Institute of Art and Communications in Santiago, Chile. Active in the industry since 2018, he was published with Ariete and ActionComics in his home country. In 2020, he worked on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in 2021 he worked on Dark Blood, and from 2020 to 2022 he was the series artist for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers at Boom! Studios.

“Coming back to work with Power Rangers and Boom! Studios is such a special thing for me. As another Chilean (Pedro Pascal) says ‘This is the way.’ Adam´s scripts are really fantastic, and it’s a joy to draw each page. We are all doing our best work for all fans of the Power Rangers universe,” said Hidalgo.

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS features a standard cover by Dan Mora (Once & Future), and variant covers by Goñi Montes (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) and Stephanie Hans (Journey into Mystery).

“Bringing back Adam to write this horror-infused Power Rangers one-shot was a no-brainer. Seeing his vision come to life with the incredible art from Moisés is a treat for every Power Rangers fan, and is a story I’m incredibly proud of,” said editor Allyson Gronowitz.

​​Currently, Power Rangers is celebrating 30 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 celebrates its 30th year with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, an anniversary special coming exclusively to Netflix on April 19, 2023. The 30th overall season of Power Rangers, “Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury,” premieres Fall 2023 exclusively on Netflix in the U.S.

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS 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; Eve by Victor LaValle and Jo Mi-Gyeong; The Many Deaths of Laila Starr by Ram V and Filipe Andrade; Wynd by James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas; Grim by Stephanie Phillips and Flaviano; Briar by Christopher Cantwell and Germán García; Stuff of Nightmares by R.L. Stine and A.L. Kaplan; The Approach by Jeremy Haun, Jason A. Hurley, and Jesus Hervas; Damn Them All by Simon Spurrier and Charlie Adlard; Behold, Behemoth by Tate Brombal and Nick Robles; Specs by David M. Booher and Chris Shehan; Once Upon a Time at the End of the World by Jason Aaron, Alexandre Tefenkgi, Leila del Duca, and Nick Dragotta; Know Your Station by Sarah Gailey and Liana Kangas; A Vicious Circle by Mattson Tomlin and Lee Bermejo; Mosely by Rob Guillory and Sam Lotfi; Harrower by Justin Jordan and Brahm Revel; The Neighbors by Jude Ellison S. Doyle and Letizia Cadonici; and the upcoming The Seasons Have Teeth by Dan Watters and Sebastián Cabrol. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Harkonnen from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Michael Shelfer; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from Melissa Flores and Simona Di Gianfelice; Magic from Jed McKay, Rich Douek, and Ig Guara; and The Expanse: Dragon Tooth by Andy Diggle and Rubine.

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS will be available in comic shops June 28, 2023. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop (use comicshoplocator.com to find the one nearest you). Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.

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

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COMIC REVIEW – Power Rangers Issue 6

On Wednesday, April 21st, Power Rangers Issue 6 will be released from Boom Studios. A first look of this issue was shown yesterday.

POWER RANGERS #6 – The New Power Rangers have formed an uneasy alliance with Lord Drakkon…but now must trust Astronema and Ecliptor in order to survive. But do the would-be Princess of Evil and her mentor have something else planned for their new allies?

Host Eric (@trekkieb47) had a chance to read the issue in advance and shares his review:

“Who loves a good ol’ fashioned train heist? In keeping with the Wild West theme of the Planet Onyx, that’s exactly what you get in the newest issue of Power Rangers!

From the preview pages, Artist Simone Ragazzoni and colorist Igot Monti return from Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir to Darkness to sum up the backstory of Astronema from that issue. This is framed as the story Ecliptor is describing to Trini from those events as well as connecting to Power Rangers In Space.

This was a fantastic set up for readers who may have missed that issue, but we are shown ‘the truth’ in the artwork. Astronema’s parents weren’t killed by Power Rangers, but the forces of Dark Specter. And the kids orphaned by these attacks are processed into his ever expanding army. Seriously… everyone needs to read ‘Heir to Darkness’.

While we won’t spoil the rest of the issue in this preview, the overall theme is the grey area between pure good and evil. While the Omega Rangers’ quest is noble… saving the universe… how far are they willing to go to do that? Teaming up with the forces of Drakkon and Dark Specter?

The standout character once again is Trini. Writer Ryan Parrott has really made her a force of leadership and the moral compass of the team ever since his Go Go Power Rangers days. She is easily one of my favorite characters in the whole run of the comics.

The Omega Rangers are getting closer to their goal, but how much are they willing to sacrifice for the greater good?”

POWER RANGERS #6
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Francesco Mortarino & Simone Ragazzoni (Pages 1 & 2)
Colorist: Raúl Angulo with color assistance by Jose Enrique Fernández & Igor Monti with color assistance by Sabrina Del Grosso (Pages 1 & 2)
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Matteo Scalera
Legacy Cover: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Morphing Variant: Goñi Montes
Price: $3.99

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COMIC REVIEW – Power Rangers Issue 5

On Wednesday, March 24th, Power Rangers Issue 5 will be released from Boom Studios. A first look of this issue was shown earlier this week.

POWER RANGERS #5 – The New Power Rangers are attacked by the young assassin known as Astronema, one of the most popular characters in franchise history! Meanwhile, Lord Drakkon and Trini face off against one of the greatest Power Rangers villains ever – with a shocking conclusion!

Host Eric (@trekkieb47) had a chance to read the issue in advance and shares his review:

“Power Rangers Issue 5 advances the journey of the Omega Rangers into familiar territory – the planet Onyx. Teased in the previous issue, Onyx has been seen and mentioned in previous Power Rangers series most notably in Power Rangers In Space.

A lot of lore is established in this issue which expands the universe of the show and what we already know of Planet Onyx. There is a very surprising set of new characters introduced, aside from those mentioned in the issue’s description, which will make sense for longtime Power Rangers fans. Without giving anything away, I was VERY happy to see another perspective of established lore. There are also more answers about the mystery surrounding the Empyreals which is very satisfying for upcoming issues. 

Ryan Parrott delivers on his promise that Power Rangers will expand familiar elements from the show. I think this issue was the one I was waiting for because after reading it, my mind wandered to all of the possibilities this series could explore. Artist Francesco Mortarino keeps getting better with action and details of characters. For this issue, I was particularly impressed with the panel layouts and how they changed during the action scenes.

This month is an exciting time for Power Rangers fans since the events of this issue and the past of Astronema will be explored in two weeks with Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir to Darkness. It’s time to catch up if you haven’t!”

POWER RANGERS #5
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Francesco Mortarino
Colorist: Raúl Angulo
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Matteo Scalera
Legacy Cover: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Price: $3.99

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COMIC REVIEW – Power Rangers Issue 4

On Wednesday, February 17th, Power Rangers Issue 4 will be released from Boom Studios. A first look of this issue was shown earlier this week.

POWER RANGERS #4 – RETURN TO SHATTERED GRID! The UNLIMITED POWER era continues as the New Power Rangers – and Lord Drakkon – return to the new universe that Drakkon created in Shattered Grid. But will Drakkon choose to save the New Power Rangers from the surprising threat waiting there for them… or will he betray them?

Host Eric (@trekkieb47) had a chance to read the issue in advance and shares his review:

“Power Rangers Issue 4 is the next part of the journey for the Omega Rangers as they continue to search for the Empyreals. As seen in the preview below, the Omega Rangers and Drakkon visit the reality that he created at the end of Shattered Grid.

For new readers, the might be a bit confusing as there are other events in the issue referenced from the FOC Story Covers during Necessary Evil. Not everyone was able to get their hands on these covers, but you can view them on our previous reviews to get the full story. This is a key issue in terms of resolving that lingering thread, and provides the Rangers with the next part of their quest. Unlike the previous two-issue ‘mini arc’, Power Rangers Issue 4 is bridging the story to the next chunk of issues. 

I’m glad that the focus is back on finding the Empyreals, but I wish there was a greater sense of urgency or that we could see what they are up to in a tease. Events seem to be picking up though as we a cut to a familiar location in the Power Rangers Universe towards the end of the issue. Without giving anything away, I applaud both writer Ryan Parrott and artist Francesco Mortarino for leaning into the wackiness of Power Rangers. As always, the artwork is fantastic and continues to be my favorite aspect monthly for both series. The amount of detail and continuity of visuals from the end of Go Go Power Rangers is greatly appreciated, kudos to Mortarino for packing so much detail into these panels. 

Power Rangers Issue 4 is a stepping stone to greater events coming down the path… but, I am ready to run.”

POWER RANGERS #4
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Francesco Mortarino
Colorist: Raúl Angulo
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Matteo Scalera
Legacy Cover: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Price: $3.99

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COMIC PREVIEW – Power Rangers Issue 3

On Wednesday, January 20th, Power Rangers Issue 3 will be released from Boom Studios.

POWER RANGERS #3 – Two New Series. Two New Teams. The UNLIMITED POWER ERA continues as Drakkon is the key to the Power Rangers‘ new mission. But to defeat the new cosmic threat, the new Power Rangers team – Jason, Trini, Zack and new members – has put their faith in their greatest enemy. And the only way they may be able to save the universe is by giving Drakkon exactly what he wants…

Host Eric (@trekkieb47) had a chance to read the issue in advance and shares his review:

“Continuing the story from the previous issue, the Rangers must formulate and execute a plan to rid the Spectrum II of the HORRID. The Horrid, for lack of a better term, are space vampires. But with a twist, they are in a state of inter-dimensional phase shifting that makes some physical attacks impossible.

If this sounds like a bunch of Star Trek-like technobabble, you’d be right – Ryan Parrott previously wrote Star Trek comics. Here, it feels natural with the Omega Rangers and their deep space mission. Xi gets some much needed focus in this issue, bringing the Rangers together and helping put the plan into motion. If you were worried about the high emotions brewing these last few issues, don’t worry. At least by the end of this issue, the tension has died down between the Rangers. 

There are a couple standout moments in this issue that we won’t spoil, but one is a direct homage and mirrors a key event in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Issue 25. It appears some things may never change…

Writer Ryan Parrott successfully delivers a tight 2-issue mini-arc that leaves the door open for this enemy to come back, if they choose to revisit them. The next couple of issues seem to be leaning towards exploring what happened with Drakkon many issues earlier from the end of Shattered Grid and how he escaped his prison. How Drakkon will work with the team, or not, to deal with the threat of the Empyreals remains to be seen. Hopefully, the next issues start dealing with that threat more directly. I hope that we see them make an appearance soon. Otherwise, their threat might start to feel diminished as the months go on.

As always, artist Francesco Mortarino continues his style from the later run of Go Go Power Rangers. He is adapting to a ship-based story with tight closeups of characters and a claustrophobic feeling between panels. This only adds to the feeling of tension in the issue. Colorist Raúl Angulo has a wonderful dark palette, with a lot of purples, reds and rich blacks. Combined, Francesco and Raúl complete the atmosphere set in Ryan Parrott’s story. 

Overall, Power Rangers Issue 3 delivers a successful conclusion to this first mini-arc format. How this will play into the ongoing threat of the Empyreals remains to be seen.”

POWER RANGERS #3
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Francesco Mortarino
Colorist: Raúl Angulo
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Matteo Scalera
Legacy Cover: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Price: $3.99

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COMIC PREVIEW – Power Rangers Issue 2

On Wednesday, December 16th, Power Rangers Issue 2 will be released from Boom Studios.

POWER RANGERS #2 – Two New Series. Two New Teams. The UNLIMITED POWER ERA continues as the Power Rangers betray Zordon! A new cosmic threat is here and the all-new Power Rangers team will put it all on the line to stop it, even if it means trusting their mortal enemy Lord Drakkon. But as the new threat launches its first offensive against the Power Rangers, the question remains – will Drakkon act as friend or foe? After all, Drakkon always has a plan…

Host Eric (@trekkieb47) had a chance to read the issue in advance and shares his review:

“Do you remember the Power Rangers Lost Galaxy episode, ‘The Rescue Mission’? The one on a derelict ship that felt like the movie ‘Alien’ and less like a Power Rangers episode? Power Rangers Issue 2 feels exactly like that.

From the preview pages, you know something big is going down with Drakkon narrating and Jason seemingly in a pretty dire situation. I love stories that tease a future event and we see the actions leading up to it. The tension in this issue is very much like a horror movie. The story in this issue is NOT wrapped up by the end and is leading into a two-issue mini arc, both of which writer Ryan Parrott certainly teased in our last interview with him.

Each member of the Omega Rangers get their focus in this issue, including Drakkon, which feels more balanced than previous issues. This is another advantage of splitting the series, readers enjoy more focused interactions and story. And on the other side, writer Ryan Parrott is able to focus on Drakkon’s manipulations and their effects on the Omegas.

Artist Francesco Mortarino delivers with setting the feeling of a horror-based movie. With close-up shots, cramped quarters and extreme angles, the anxiety is palpable. This is enhanced with colors by Raúl Angulo using dark tones, contrasting shadows and a cooler color scheme.

With the Omegas going deeper into space as outlaws, issue two already feels like a rocky road for the team and Drakkon isn’t helping matters. I was already excited for this issue, and after reading it those feelings have already come back. There’s a cliffhanger, but I’m glad it’s only a month’s wait instead of two issues!”

POWER RANGERS #2
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Francesco Mortarino
Colorist: Raúl Angulo
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Matteo Scalera
Legacy Cover: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Every Ranger Cover: Dan Mora
Price: $3.99

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Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 170

It’s time to Ranger Up with @trekkieb47 as he talks all things Power Rangers on the Four Eyed Radio Network with RANGER COMMAND POWER HOUR!

Ranger Command releasing ANOTHER new episode on a Wednesday? Yup! It’s New Comic Book Day once again with the release of BOOM! Studios Power Rangers Issue 1.

Eric welcomes back writer Ryan Parrott to the show for a new interview to discuss the launch of both books, Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers.

For Mighty Morphin Issue 1, Ryan talks about Zordon’s past, writing a new side of Zordon, his favorite monster to date, Tommy’s sense of responsibility to the Green Ranger powers and the big reveal with Candice.

With Power Rangers Issue 1, Ryan talks about a sense of hope in seemingly dark times, a potential future story point for Jason’s Dad, expanding character moments with Jason and Rocky and more.

A big thanks to BOOM! Studios and Ryan Parrott for scheduling this interview. Enjoy!

This episode contains massive spoilers for Issues Mighty Morphin Issue 1 and Power Rangers 1, so please listen after you are able to read the comic.

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Extra Episode 170 – “Ranger Command Interview – Ryan Parrott – The Beginning of Unlimited Power”

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Timestamps:

  • 0:00:00 – Introduction
  • 0:01:36 – Mighty Morphin Issue 1
  • 0:27:46 – Power Rangers Issue 1

Links mentioned in show:

COMIC REVIEW – Power Rangers Issue 1

On Wednesday, November 11th, Power Rangers Issue 1 will be released from Boom Studios. Last week we got the first look of the second launch in the “Unlimited Power” era of Power Rangers comics.

POWER RANGERS #1 reveals a new cosmic threat that only the original Power Rangers, now known as the Omega Rangers – Jason, Trini and Zack – can hope to defeat! But their secret weapon is… the villainous Lord Drakkon?! Zordon forbids the Omega Rangers from engaging Drakkon, so if they want to save the universe then they’ll have to go rogue – and go up against their Mighty Morphin allies.

Host Eric (@trekkieb47) had a chance to read the issue in advance and shares his review:

“Following the launch of this past Wednesday’s Mighty Morphin Issue 1, the story continues in Power Rangers Issue 1. Think of the issues this month as a two-parter of the television show, kind of like a season premiere. While Issues 51-55 felt like a set up for this new arc, Mighty Morphin #1 and Power Rangers #1 are a launchpad for both series to take off in their own directions.

This particular issue sets the Omega Rangers on a quest that I don’t think will let them return to Earth anytime soon. The solicits make this point clear that they are on a forbidden path. Forbidden by whom? Zordon. Like Mighty Morphin #1, Zordon is an important part of the consequences going forward.

From the previews, readers should already know that there is a reunion between both teams as they discuss the Empyreal. The Omega Rangers are desperate for information, and it’s clear that Drakkon is the only lead.

There are some superb character moments in this issue. My favorite is a conversation that should have happened in the show between Jason and Rocky about what it means to be the Red Ranger. Members of both teams discuss the oncoming threat of the Empyreal and this sets up almost a division of viewpoints between the teams. Writer Ryan Parrott does a fantastic job giving every character a clear conviction in what they believe. Trini in particular is a standout character of this issue.

Out of the two issues this month, I enjoyed this one a bit more. Both issues are fantastic number ones, but Power Rangers sets up a conflict that won’t be resolved easily. After talking with Ryan on an upcoming interview with Ranger Command, I am excited for the direction the Omega Rangers can go. Like the universe itself, the possibilities are endless.

Artist Francesco Mortarino returns from the last arc Go Go Power Rangers. Seeing his art again feels like a comfy blanket. And his art just continually improves, you can feel the emotions in the conversations. There’s also an “action” scene towards the end that sets up the covert feel this series is going to take.

To sum it up, Power Rangers Issue 1 sets the Omega Rangers on a journey that will open up readers to the wider universe of show and comics. No longer are the Omega Rangers tied to a “main” book or event, this is their story. Omega now, Omega forever!”

POWER RANGERS #1
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Francesco Mortarino
Colorist: Raúl Angulo
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Matteo Scalera
Legacy Cover: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Connecting Cover: Jung-Geun Yoon
Price: $4.99

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