Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 178

L.L. McKinney

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!

In this episode we interview writer L.L. McKinney (Elle – @ElleOnWords). Her works include the Nightmare-Verse books, Nubia: Real One through DC, Marvel’s Black Widow: Bad Blood, and more. For Power Rangers, she has written POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1 which goes on sale March 31st.

We discuss her history with Power Rangers and writing early fanfic, being the first Black female author to write for Power Rangers, taking moments from Power Rangers In Space, approaching Astronema’s backstory through life experiences and more.

Thanks to BOOM! Studios and L.L. McKinney for coordinating their time to make this happen!

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 178 – “Ranger Command Interview and Review – L.L. McKinney – Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir To Darkness”

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Timestamps:

  • 0:00:00 – Review of Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir to Darkness #1
  • 0:17:30 – Interview with writer L.L. McKinney

Links mentioned in show:

Ranger Command Power Hour Extra Episode 073

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!

In our Extra Episode for March 2021, brought to you by our supporters on Patreon, Eric, A.P. and Zach discuss Power Rangers Dino Fury episodes 2-4. We see the Sporix Unleashed which causes a Lost Signal on the podcast. We didn’t hire any New Recruits to help with editing, but we wish we did!

We talk about the skirt debate, connections to other seasons, and how much simple changes affect the show in positive ways. We also discuss the news including the upcoming Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest, June comic book solicitations from BOOM! Studios, Sarah Dalton in Episode 5 of Dino Fury, and more!

Finally, in our Ranger Nation Answers segment, our listeners discuss their favorite moments of Power Rangers Dino Fury so far.

Cool, cool, coolio!

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Extra Episode 073 – Rangers Review Dino Fury Episodes 2-4

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Timestamps:

  • 0:09:07 – News
  • 0:30:55 – Dino Fury Episode 2 “Sporix Unleashed” Review
  • 0:56:40 – Dino Fury Episode 3 “Lost Signal” Review
  • 1:12:40 – Dino Fury Episode 4  “New Recruits” Review
  • 1:41:30 – Ranger Nation Answers

Links mentioned in show:

COMIC REVIEW – Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir to Darkness #1

On Wednesday, March 31st, POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1 will be released from Boom Studios. A first look of this issue was shown earlier this week.

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1 – Astronema is one of the most popular Power Rangers villains ever and her true origin is revealed for the first time in a one-shot directly connected to the events of Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers! Before she became a Power Ranger, a young girl named Karone was kidnapped by bounty hunters and brainwashed into the assassin known as Astronema by two of the greatest threats in the galaxy – Dark Specter and Ecliptor. But what is Dark Spector’s true plan…and what does it mean for the new Mighty Morphin & Power Rangers teams? Acclaimed author L.L. McKinney (A Blade So Black) and artist Simone Ragazzoni (Power Rangers: Drakkon New Dawn) present a powerful new story that no Power Rangers fan can miss.

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

“Last week Power Rangers Issue 5 released and gave us a first look at a younger Astronema, before the events of Power Rangers In Space. The first in a new one-shot series, Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir to Darkness, explores the rise of Karone as Astronema and leads directly into Power Rangers Issue 5 and next month’s Issue 6. 

The comic has a lot to live up to, but thankfully writer L.L. McKinney delivers. A longtime fan of Power Rangers and particularly of In Space, she fills the issue with clever references and ties into events we have seen in the show. Rivalries are explored as well as the motivations of Dark Specter, Darkonda and Ecliptor. Astronema is the center of it all and she has a journey throughout this issue to earn the title of ‘Princess of Evil’. Like me, you might be surprised at a reveal towards the end of the issue and leave you wanting to read it again.

In terms of the artwork, Simone Ragazzoni returns from ‘Drakkon New Dawn’. While the painterly style is back, the detail of the characters and action is in top form. I really enjoyed the style of Ecliptor and Darkonda which pushed their look from the series even more. Darkonda’s expressions in the issue are twisted. For the action, there are some beautiful spreads that take advantage of sharp angles and excellent panel layouts. Colorist Igor Monti makes the issue bold and colorful, a stark contrast to an issue focusing on villains. A lot of greens, oranges and purples set the palette for the issue. 

Overall, Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir to Darkness is a pivotal and must read issue for longtime fans of Astronema. Even though it ties into the current arc in the comic series, this is a great standalone for those who haven’t kept up with all of the releases. Highly recommended!”

Stay tuned next week for a more in-depth review on the podcast as well as our interview with writer L.L. McKinney!

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: L.L. McKinney
Artist: Simone Ragazzoni
Colorist: Igor Monti with color assistance by Sabrina Del Grosso
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Dan Mora
Connecting Variant Cover: Junggeun Yoon
Villain Variant Cover: Vincenzo Riccardi
Variant Cover: Jenny Frison
Variant Cover: Dan Mora
Price: $7.99

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1 features main cover art by Dan Mora (Once & Future) and variant cover art by illustrators Junggeun Yoon (Spider-woman), Vincenzo Riccardi (Something is Killing the Children), and Jenny Frison (Wonder Woman).  

Currently, Power Rangers is celebrating 28 continuous years on the air, making it one of the longest running kids’ live-action series in television history with nearly 900 episodes aired to date. Created by Haim Saban and launched in 1993 with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the franchise celebrates its 28th season, with “Power Rangers Dino Fury”, currently airing Saturdays at 8 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon in the U.S.

Print copies of POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1 will be available on March 31, 2021 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 Madefire.

Softcover 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 and 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 – First Look at Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir to Darkness #1

Your First Look at POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1
Discover the Dark Hidden Truth Behind Everyone’s Favorite Power Rangers Villain in March 2021

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 19, 2021) – BOOM! Studios, under license by Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), today revealed the variant cover by acclaimed artist Jenny Frison (Wonder Woman) of the brand new oversized special issue, POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1, as acclaimed author L.L. McKinney (A Blade So Black), artist Simone Ragazzoni (Power Rangers: Drakkon New Dawn), colorist Igor Monti (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), and letterer Ed Dukeshire (Once & Future) present a powerful new story that no Power Rangers fan can miss in March 2021.

Astronema is one of the most popular Power Rangers villains ever and her true origin is revealed for the first time in a one-shot directly connected to the events of Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers! Before she became a Power Ranger, a young girl named Karone was kidnapped by bounty hunters and brainwashed into the assassin known as Astronema by two of the greatest threats in the galaxy—Dark Specter and Ecliptor. But what is Dark Specter’s true plan. . . and what does it mean for the new Mighty Morphin & Power Rangers teams?

 

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1 features main cover art by Dan Mora (Once & Future) and variant cover art by illustrators Jungeun Yoon (Spider-woman), Vincenzo Riccardi (Something is Killing the Children), and Jenny Frison (Wonder Woman).  

Currently, Power Rangers is celebrating 28 continuous years on the air, making it one of the longest running kids’ live-action series in television history with nearly 900 episodes aired to date. Created by Haim Saban and launched in 1993 with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the franchise celebrates its 28th season, with “Power Rangers Dino Fury”, currently airing Saturdays at 8 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon in the U.S.

Print copies of POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1 will be available on March 31, 2021 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 Madefire.

Softcover 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 and 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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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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NEWS – First Look at Power Rangers #5

Astronema VS the Omega Rangers in POWER RANGERS #5 from BOOM! Studios
An Epic Showdown of the Omega Rangers VS Their Greatest Villains in March 2021

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 18, 2021) – BOOM! Studios, under license by Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), revealed today a first look at POWER RANGERS #5 from superstar writer Ryan Parrott (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), acclaimed artist Francesco Mortarino (Firefly: The Sting), colorist Raúl Angulo (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and letterer Ed Dukeshire (Once & Future), in conjunction with the Mighty Morphin series. Two New Series. Two New Teams. The Era of UNLIMITED POWER continues HERE—and only Lord Drakkon, their greatest enemy, can save the Power Rangers in March 2021!

The Omega Rangers are attacked by the young assassin known as Astronema, one of the most popular characters in franchise history from Power Rangers: In Space! Meanwhile, Lord Drakkon and Trini face off against one of the greatest Power Rangers villains ever – with a shocking conclusion!

POWER RANGERS #5 features main cover art by Matteo Scalera (Black Science), and variant cover art by fan favorite artists Daniele di Nicuolo (Seven Secrets) and Peach Momoko (Wynd).

Currently, Power Rangers is celebrating 28 continuous years on the air, making it one of the longest running kids’ live-action series in television history with nearly 900 episodes aired to date. Created by Haim Saban and launched in 1993 with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the franchise celebrates its 28th season, with “Power Rangers Dino Fury”, currently airing Saturdays at 8 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon in the U.S.

POWER RANGERS 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; We Only Find Them When They’re Dead by Al Ewing and Simone Di Meo; Seven Secrets by Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo; Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera; Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora; Faithless by Brian Azzarello and Maria Llovet; and the upcoming Proctor Valley Road by Grant Morrison, Alex Child, and Naomi Franquiz. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties including Dune: House Atreides by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Dev Pramanik; The Expanse from Corinna Bechko and Alejandro Aragonand; and the upcoming Magic series from Jed MacKay and Ig Guara.

Print copies of POWER RANGERS #5 will be available on March 24, 2021 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 Madefire.

Softcover 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 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 Presents “Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest” – A New Virtual Event – Power Rangers and More

HASBRO PRESENTS “HASBRO PULSE FAN FEST” – A NEW VIRTUAL EVENT DEDICATED TO THE HASBRO FAN COMMUNITY

On April 9th Hasbro will host the first-ever “Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest,” a collector-focused event featuring exclusive activations, engaging panels, and product reveals across collectors’ favorite Hasbro brands. 

PAWTUCKET, RI – March 15, 2021 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) has officially announced the launch of a brand-new collector-focused event, Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest. The virtual event, occurring April 9 at 11 a.m. EST, will be hosted by SYFY Wire on-air correspondent, writer, and producer, Jackie Jennings, and available to watch exclusively on the Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest page. The event will bring never-before-seen content and product reveals directly to Hasbro’s passionate community of collectors in lieu of the company’s annual Entertainment Brand Preview Event held during New York Toy Fair each year. Fans can look forward to engaging panels and activations from Hasbro brands, including G.I. JoePower Rangers, and Transformers as well as premier partner brands MarvelStar Wars and Fortnite.

Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest brings collectors a schedule filled with exciting brand panels that will offer exclusive news and opportunities to secure their favorite products before anyone else, as well as special guest appearances including Henry Golding, star of the upcoming film Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins and cast members of the new series Power Rangers Dino Fury. In addition to panels, fans can look forward to product giveaways, behind-the-scenes content and more!

“Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest allows us to engage with our dedicated fan community in a meaningful way by delivering unique product reveals and exclusive pre-orders. Fans will have access to behind-the-scenes content from our designers and brand teams, which allows them to share in their fandom for these brands with special content and panels,” says Eric Nyman, Chief Consumer Officer, Hasbro. “This unique event, in addition to Hasbro PulseCon happening later this year, will bring the relationship between our fans and the brands closer than ever before.” 

See here for the announcement video and included below is a peek inside the programming that will be available exclusively on the Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest page and live on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel April 9 at 11 a.m. EST.


 

FORTNITE

A new collection has just landed! It’s OFFICIAL! Hasbro has partnered with Epic Games and created an all-new toy line! Join members of the Hasbro Marketing & Design teams as they debut the all-new Victory Royale line! Get ready to drop in as we unveil three legendary new items, including a first-time character to appear in toy! Gear up for some next-level reveals!

TRANSFORMERS

Worlds continue to collide on Transformers! Join members of the Hasbro Marketing & Design team as they reveal toys from Wave 3 Kingdom and share some exciting news about the final chapter of Netflix’s Transformers: War for Cybertron trilogy.  Don’t miss out as we take a closer look at Kingdom Commander and Titan Class figures, including a first-time character to appear in toy! And if you thought the Pulse exclusive weapons pack was epic, you’ll find the next one to be a blast. Finally, we will reveal a new Pulse exclusive toy capsule in partnership with IDW Publishing that will turn the Transformers universe upside down. Get ready for a panel that’s… More Than Meets the Eye!

POWER RANGERS

The Hasbro Power Rangers team will share MORPHINOMINAL news and updates around the expanding Lightning Collection product line. Power Ranger fans will get early looks at cool new action figures coming soon, as well as a sneak peek at what’s coming up later this year. “It’s Morphin Time!”

G.I. JOE

YO JOE! SNAKE EYES: G.I. JOE ORIGINS toys revealed! Join members of the Hasbro Marketing & Design teams as they debut exciting new products from the upcoming SNAKE EYES feature film. Get an in-depth look at the stealthy Snake Eyes Ninja Strike role play toys and the latest additions to the highly detailed Classified Series collection. Plus, we’ve received intel that Snake Eyes himself, Henry Golding, will be making a guest appearance to unveil his signature action figure!

MARVEL

Hasbro Marketing & Design teammates will assemble to share exciting news about the popular   Marvel Legends product line. True Believers will get a sneak peek of upcoming Marvel Legends action figures and premium role play offerings.

STAR WARS

Join members of the Hasbro Marketing & Design teams as they discuss the popular Hasbro Star  Wars line, including the Black Series and The Vintage Collection. Attendees will get an in-depth look at Hasbro’s latest action figure and premium roleplay offerings from across the Skywalker saga and beyond. Word on the Holonet is there may also be a few surprises. Continue reading

Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 177

Simon Bennett

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!

In this episode we interview Simon Bennett, best known in Ranger Nation as the current Showrunner and Executive Producer for Power Rangers Dino Fury.

He started directing for Power Rangers during Ninja Steel and continued through Beast Morphers. Aside from Rangers, he is an accomplished television director and producer which includes the long-running “Shortland Street”, “The Almighty Johnsons”, “Outrageous Fortune”, “Maddigan’s Quest” and more.

We discuss how his career prepared him for producing Dino Fury, influences in media, directing the 25th Anniversary team up “Dimensions in Danger”, directing the premiere and finale of Power Rangers Beast Morphers and interacting with fans.

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Episode 177 – “Ranger Nation Interview: Simon Bennett”

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Links mentioned in show:

NEWS – Exclusive Variant Cover Reveal of Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir to Darkness #1

Fan-Favorite Artist Jenny Frison Covers POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1
Discover the Dark Hidden Truth Behind Everyone’s Favorite Power Rangers Villain in March 2021

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 11, 2021) – BOOM! Studios, under license by Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), today revealed the variant cover by acclaimed artist Jenny Frison (Wonder Woman) of the brand new oversized special issue, POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1, as acclaimed author L.L. McKinney (A Blade So Black), artist Simone Ragazzoni (Power Rangers: Drakkon New Dawn), colorist Igor Monti (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), and letterer Ed Dukeshire (Once & Future) present a powerful new story that no Power Rangers fan can miss in March 2021.

Astronema is one of the most popular Power Rangers villains ever and her true origin is revealed for the first time in a one-shot directly connected to the events of Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers! Before she became a Power Ranger, a young girl named Karone was kidnapped by bounty hunters and brainwashed into the assassin known as Astronema by two of the greatest threats in the galaxy—Dark Specter and Ecliptor. But what is Dark Specter’s true plan. . . and what does it mean for the new Mighty Morphin & Power Rangers teams?

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1 features main cover art by Dan Mora (Once & Future) and variant cover art by illustrators Junggeun Yoon (Spider-woman), Vincenzo Riccardi (Something is Killing the Children), and Jenny Frison.  

Currently, Power Rangers is celebrating 28 continuous years on the air, making it one of the longest running kids’ live-action series in television history with nearly 900 episodes aired to date. Created by Haim Saban and launched in 1993 with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the franchise celebrates its 28th season, with “Power Rangers Dino Fury”, currently airing Saturdays at 8 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon in the U.S.

Print copies of POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1 will be available on March 31, 2021 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 Madefire.

Softcover 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 and 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.

Continue reading