RCPH Bolt Bites – September 2024

Welcome to Ranger Command Power Hour’s new BOLT BITES article series! BOLT BITES is a semi-monthly to monthly summary of all the news happening for Power Rangers merchandise, fan works, entertainment and other news. Depending on the news cycle for a given week or month, you may see this series grow to weekly.

Have something Ranger news related that you found? Are you an artist looking to promote your work? Do you make Power Rangers content on YouTube or Twitch? Drop us a line at rangercommandpowerhour@gmail.com or on our social media channels.

And now onto September 2024’s BOLT BITES.

JDF WATCH

  • A KickStarter from Tammie Frank, wife of Jason David Frank, is asking $200,000 to fund a documentary called “Jason David Frank: An Intimate Look into Your Hero”. The documentary “explores his life and legacy while promoting suicide awareness and mental health.” With only 11 days to go and only 8 backers, it seems like Ranger Nation is tired of funding Power Rangers actor-related projects.


OFFICIAL MERCH

  • SuperX has some new Power Rangers Workout Gear including:
    • Green Ranger Pullover Gen. 2
    • Green Ranger Performance Short Sleeve Gen. 2
    • Pink Ranger Unisex Shorts
    • Red Ranger Shorts
@aykroydandsons

POWER RANGERS X PRIMARK Run dont walk to get your Power Ranger Onesies!!! Our team have been so excited to see our onesies land in store. Available in store at Primark stores. Our team are the perfect Power Rangers, dont you agree?! #powerrangers #hasbro #primark #primarkhaul #primarkfinds #primarkuk #primarknewin #primark

♬ Go Go Power Rangers Theme – Power Rangers & Ron Wasserman

  • ThreeZero and Hasbro are releasing a 1/6 scale FigZero figure of Matt Cook as Mighty Morphin Green! Based on the comic books from BOOM! Studios the figure features 34 points of articulation, comes with accessories and is limited to 1,000 pieces. Pre-orders are available at Big Bad Toy Store.

  • Originally revealed exclusively by IGN, Diamond Select has opened preorders for a Power Rangers Gallery Death Ranger Deluxe Statue. The 10-inch tall statue is made of high-quality plastic and features detailed sculpting and paint applications. It comes packaged in a full-color window box. Designed by Joe Allard and sculpted by Salvador Gomes. This is available through Big Bad Toy Store, Entertainment Earth and Diamond Select Toys.
  • If you missed the Omega Rangers Lightning Collection figures on Hasbro Pulse… and all of the discounted sales, then you’re in luck? You can preorder the figure set on Big Bad Toy Store (Substandard Grade only).


COMICS

  • Out Now: IDW’s final issue of Godzilla vs. MMPR IIThis is it! The final battle between Godzilla, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and the terrifying combined forces of Rita and Astronema! And the fate of the multiverse hangs in the balance! But can the Teenagers with Attitude and the King of the Monsters stand a chance against the Kaiju Psycho Rangers now that they’ve absorbed the powers of Destoroyah, Megalon, King Ghidorah, SpaceGodzilla, and Gigan?
  • Out Now: Released this past Wednesday, September 25th – Mighty Morphin Power Rangers / Usagi Yojimbo #1! This special one-shot by veteran Power Rangers scribe Ryan Parrott, illustrated by Shawn Daley (Ogre), colored by James Fenner (Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Shapeshifters), and lettered by Ed Dukeshire (Once & Future), the crossover between the Ronin Rabbit and everyone’s favorite teenagers with attitude.

  • Next Week: Next Wednesday, October 2nd, Ranger Academy Issue 11. In the pulse-pounding penultimate issue of Ranger Academy, Sage and company head back to the Academy, with the only thing that can rid someone of Dark Specter’s influence. But they return to a rough sight, worrying they may be too late, especially with the most powerful person on campus having fallen to the enemy. Will Sage and her friends do what’s necessary to save their school, even when the cost is unthinkable?

    Below are the full covers and preview pages:

  • Upcoming: BOOM! Studios December solicits are out and includes covers for Power Rangers Prime issue #2 and an advanced look for February’s The Eltarian War softcover collection.


GAMES

  • Friend of the show Joshua Moore recently did a Q&A with James O’Connor, the writer of “Power Rangers Mighty Force”. Check out the interview at Joshua’s Ranger Reader Substack.


CANCELLED PROJECTS

  • Mock-up posters for the cancelled Power Rangers: Origins animated movie turned up on eBay this past weekend. Apparently these are from a former Saban BrandS employee looking to clean house. For those who haven’t seen it, you can view the concept trailer on YouTube.

BEHIND THE SCENES

  • A year after the release of Power Rangers Cosmic Fury, Simon Bennett was interviewed by Blue Screen Reveals. In the interview, Simon talked about ideas for a 31st season that will never happen and that the fandom was totally normal about online:

“I came up with a pitch for a possible Season 31, which never went anywhere. It was a fully fledged kind of bible document, and within it were types of Rangers that I would like to see in the future. I would have liked to have seen a plus-size Power Ranger. I would have liked to have seen a Power Ranger in a wheelchair that could transform into some kind of very cool fighting tool when that Ranger morphed. I would have liked to have seen a non-binary Power Ranger. That was actually something that we were kind of setting up … It was going to be [J.J. Oliver], Tommy Oliver’s teenage child who was established in canon in [Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel Episode 10] Dimensions in Danger. We saw potentially Minh from Once & Always and the non-binary character putting together a team of misfits. It was an idea that never actually went anywhere.”


CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS 

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NEWS – COMICS PREVIEW – Power Rangers Solicitations for December 2024

Boom! Studios

We received the advance solicitations for Boom! Studios Power Rangers comics coming out in the month of December 2024.

There are MAJOR spoilers below, so be warned!

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NEWS – COMICS PREVIEW – Power Rangers Solicitations for November 2024

Boom! Studios

We received the advance solicitations for Boom! Studios Power Rangers comics coming out in the month of November 2024.

There are MAJOR spoilers below, so be warned!

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NEWS – BOOM! Studios Presents a New Era of Ongoing Power Rangers Comics with POWER RANGERS PRIME

BOOM! Studios Presents a New Era of Ongoing Power Rangers Comics with POWER RANGERS PRIME
New Rangers, New Villains, New Stories

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 22, 2024) – Groundbreaking Power Rangers writer, and scribe behind Darkest Hour Melissa Flores, along with acclaimed artist Michael Yg (Iron Fist) ushers in a new era into the Rangers Mythos with an unmissable first chapter in the new ongoing series POWER RANGERS PRIME! Coming this Fall from BOOM! Studios, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro–the ONLY place to get new, official POWER RANGERS stories.

“With Power Rangers Prime, we’re bringing the comics into a reimagined world! Familiar characters and settings will pop up in unexpected ways, but this is an all-new adventure – a crazy journey I can’t wait to share with you that beats with the heart of what it means to be a Power Ranger,” said long time Power Rangers scribe, Melissa Flores. “With designs by Dan Mora and art by the incredible Michael Yg, honestly I’m just blown away and so thankful to be a part of it!”

Angel Grove University students face a difficult choice after crossing paths with a fugitive straight out of legend. The consequences for hiding her are dire…but her existence may not stay secret for long.

In the wake of Darkest Hour, prepare yourself for a bold new era and a brand new story unlike anything that’s come before! A perfect “Day One” jumping on point for new readers and old fans alike!

“What did I do to deserve drawing a Power Rangers book? Seriously! Back in the 90s, kids of my age in China got only a handful of American shows and cartoons and they were simply priceless! We’d rush back home from school to catch them regardless how pissed our parents were for not spending the time studying. But I had no regrets, because Power Rangers was one of the best,” said Power Rangers Prime series artist, Michael Yg. “Now, not only am I drawing it, but the book is also written by the unbelievably talented Melissa Flores, and designed by Dan Mora, one of my favorite artists out there these days that I look up to. So it is for the team, for my younger self, and most importantly for you, that I’m putting my absolute heart and soul into this book! I can’t wait for you to read it.”

POWER RANGERS PRIME #1 will be available in comic shops November 13, 2024. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including Kindle, iBooks, and Google Play.

Power Rangers is an integral part of BOOM! Studios’ DNA, and in the wake of the finale of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, we were never going to stop telling new and exciting ongoing stories,” said Power Rangers Editor, Allyson Gronowitz. “Melissa and Michael are putting together the most ambitious, ongoing Power Rangers story yet. It’s a brand-new era, a brand-new story, and I hope you all come along for the ride!”

POWER RANGERS PRIME #1 features a main cover by the incomparable Dan Mora, with variants by Juni Ba (The Boy Wonder), InHyuk Lee (Mighty Morphin), Bon Bernardo (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), Joëlle Jones (Catwoman), Rafael Albuquerque (American Vampire), and more!

POWER RANGERS PRIME 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; Grim by Stephanie Phillips and Flaviano; Stuff of Nightmares by R.L. Stine and A.L. Kaplan; Damn Them All by Simon Spurrier and Charlie Adlard; 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; The Neighbors by Jude Ellison S. Doyle and Letizia Cadonici; Ghostlore by Cullen Bunn and Leomacs; Sirens of the City by Joanne Starer and Khary Randolph; Coda by Simon Spurrier and Matías Bergara; Rare Flavours by Ram V and Filipe Andrade; Underheist by David and Maria Lapham; and Animal Pound by Tom King and Peter Gross. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Corrino from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Simone Ragazzoni; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers by Melissa Flores and Simona Di Gianfelice; and The Expanse: Dragon Tooth by Andy Diggle, Rubine, and Francesco Pisa.

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

About Melissa Flores:

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. Her new Image comic book series The Dead Lucky is now available. You can find Melissa on Twitter and Instagram @misty_flores.

About Michael Yg:

Michael Yg is the only son of two artists from Beijing. He sharpened his skills on lots of short comics and video games before breaking into American comics with Iron Fist. His style is a fusion of both Eastern and Western art practices with heavy influences from the greats such as Akira Toriyama, Alex Ross, and Greg Capullo. He lives in Beijing with his wife and cat. When not drawing he’d hit the gym or ride with his biker gang.

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NEWS – Final Power Rangers Battle For The Grid Season 3 character revealed!

Today nWay teased the next upcoming character for Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid and one could say she’s….got some sting to her. That’s right – fan-favorite and iconic villainess Scorpina is headed to the game as the last character for Season 3!

Scorpina will join the fight on December 8th as the final DLC in the Season 3 Pass.

The ruthless minion of Rita Repulsa and fighting partner of Goldar, Scorpina has repeatedly proven to be one of the Ranger’s most dangerous opponents. But just what kind of fighting style will Scorpina bring to the game? Expect more details and a full gameplay trailer the closer we get to her official release in the game. Until then, check out the short teaser video and screenshots.

And don’t forget – Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid Collector’s Edition on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One will be available at retail on October 13th for $29.99. Pre-order is now available at major game retailers, including Amazon and Gamestop. Those who pre-order will receive two copies of the Green Ranger V2 skin — one for themselves and one to give to a friend.

Finally, Lauren Shiba the Red Samurai Ranger, was added to the roster last week. Sweet, tough and kind-hearted, Lauren Shiba took over the role of Red Samurai Ranger momentarily and led the team against Nighlok. Lauren spent her life mastering the sealing symbol in secret, while her younger brother Jayden led the Samurai Rangers until her return. After Lauren used the Sealing Symbol on Master Xandred, she relinquished her leadership role back to Jayden to finish the fight.

Lauren Shiba’s combat style is heavily influenced by traditional samurai sword fighting. From dashing in for close combat with her to her quick jab attack using the butt of her sword, this Red Samurai Ranger proves to be a threat even with and without her weapon drawn. In addition to her Samuraizer Sword techniques, Lauren will be the most agile ranger to enter the Grid thanks to her special dash mechanic and double jumps.

Players will be able to digitally purchase Lauren Shiba on the PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, Microsoft Store, Steam and Stadia for $5.99 or alternatively purchase the game’s Season Pass at $14.99 which includes Lauren Shiba, RJ, and Scorpina. The Season Pass also includes the exclusive Phantom Beast King skin for Dai Shi.

NEWS – Robert “RJ” James joins Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid – Season 3 Out Now

Battle For The Grid Season 3 Jungle Fury Wolf Ranger Now Playable in Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid

Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, the fan-favorite fighting game from developer nWay, in partnership with Hasbro and Lionsgate, today announced the release of its first character for Season 3: Robert “RJ” James, also known as Jungle Fury Wolf Ranger.

Players can digitally purchase the new character on PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, Microsoft Store, Steam or Stadia for $5.99 or the full Season 3 Pass for $14.99, which includes RJ and two additional new characters, along with a bonus character skin that is exclusive to the Season Pass. With the exception of the additional Season 3 characters that will be available in the coming months, most of Season 3’s content — both paid and free — are available today.

Available Today:

  • New Character: Robert “RJ” James, Jungle Fury Purple Ranger ($5.99) – Courageous as a wolf, Robert “RJ” James joins as the Jungle Fury Rangers’ mentor before revealing that he is the Jungle Fury Wolf Ranger. Originally trained under his father, Master Finn, RJ rejected the Shark Style and instead adopted the wolf spirit for combat. When he is not fighting alongside the Rangers, he runs the Jungle Karma Pizza parlor that also acts as their headquarters.RJ, as the Jungle Fury Wolf Ranger, embodies the Wolf Animal Spirit. His fighting style derives primarily from the traditional Muay Thai style, clearly expressed through his barrage of elbow-and-knees-based attacks. As a momentum-based melee fighter, RJ overwhelms his foes with an oppressive litany of strikes, inevitably breaking their defenses.

Robert "RJ" James

  • New Character Skin: Phantom Beast King skin for Dai Shi (Free with Purchase of Season 3 Pass) – When Jellica freed the Phantom Beast Generals, they turned on her before using their powers to make Dai Shi the Phantom Beast King. With the Phantom Beast Generals and his new power, Dai Shi was able to defeat the Rangers time after time until finally, Jarrod was able to break through Dai Shi’s control and weaken him enough that the protectors were able to destroy the evil spirit once and for all. This skin is exclusive to Season 3 Pass.

  • New Ultra (Free): Samurai Megazord – We are united! Call up the power of the Samurai Megazord to assist your team in battle.

  • Megazord Revamp (Free): Megazord Ultra activation conditions have been revamped. Instead of requiring at least one character to be knocked out, you can now activate your Ultra based on the consumption of the Megazord Revenge Meter.

Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid pits current and classic Power Rangers and villains from the multiverse’s over 25 year history against one another in epic 3v3 tag team battles. The controls promote simplicity and fluidity, enabling beginners to enjoy the combat system and encouraging advanced players to delve into its gameplay mechanics, which include real-time assist takeover, dynamic defense through push blocking and aerial guard, customizable juggle combos, and a unique Megazord comeback mode. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid supports full crossplay across PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC and Stadia. More information is at battleforthegrid.com

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NEWS – Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid Announces the Upcoming Release of Season 3

Battle For The Grid Season 3 Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid Announces the Upcoming Release of Season 3

Popular Fighting Game Will Add Robert “RJ” James, Lauren Shiba, and a To-Be-Revealed Fan Favorite Character to Warrior Roster

Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, the crossplay fighting game for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC from developer nWay in partnership with Hasbro and Lionsgate, today announced the release of Season 3, providing players with three new fan favorite warriors, including Robert “RJ” James, Lauren Shiba, and a to-be-revealed third character. 

Battle For The Grid Season 3

Season 3 Content

Season 3 features a mix of free and paid add-on content:

Three New Characters:

  • Robert “RJ” James, Jungle Fury Purple Ranger – Originally trained under his father, Master Finn, RJ rejected the Shark Style and adopted the wolf spirit instead.
  • Lauren Shiba, Super Samurai Red Ranger – Spending her life to master the sealing symbol, Lauren’s singular goal was to return and lead the Samurai Rangers.
  • To-Be-Revealed Third Character

New Character Skin:

  • Phantom Beast King skin for Dai Shi – With his new power and the Phantom Beast Generals, Dai Shi was finally able to defeat the Rangers.

New Ultra (Free):

  • Samurai Megazord – We are united! Call up the power of the Samurai Megazord to assist your team in battle.

Megazord Revamp (Free):

  • Megazord Ultra activation conditions have been revamped. Instead of requiring at least one character to be knocked out, you can now activate your Ultra based on the consumption of the Megazord Revenge Meter.

Watch Season 3 reveal video on YouTube.

Players can digitally purchase on PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, Microsoft Store, or Steam each individual Season 3 character for $5.99 or the full Season 3 Pass for $14.99, which includes all three characters along with the bonus character skin that is exclusive to the Season Pass. New Season 3 content will be rolled out over several months. The first release, which will be available towards the end of next month, will include RJ, Dai Shi skin, Samurai Megazord, and the Megazord Revamp. Follow Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for announcements on additional Season 3 content release dates.

Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid pits current and classic Power Rangers and villains from the multiverse’s over 25 year history against one another in epic 3v3 tag team battles. The controls promote simplicity and fluidity, enabling beginners to enjoy the combat system and encouraging advanced players to delve into its gameplay mechanics, which include real-time assist takeover, dynamic defense through push blocking and aerial guard, customizable juggle combos, and a unique Megazord comeback mode. More information is at battleforthegrid.com