Teenagers With Attitude
Written by: Kyle Higgins, Steve Orlando and Mairghread Scott
Art by: Hendry Prasetya, Daniel Bayliss, Corin Howell, Matt Herms, Jeremy Lawson, Ed Dukeshire and Jim Campbell
Cover: Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 13, 2016
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that I just started reviewing recently, I was not a big fan (I was beyond the targeted age range) of the Power Rangers when they hit the scene. I actually had a friend who was into them, but that was more of a Pink Ranger thing than anything else, but because of him, I knew a bit more about the show than I admitted to anyone else. If truth be told, I actually liked it for it's over-the-top goofiness, but until this review, haven't really dealt much with them over the years. So, why am I reviewing this issue? Mainly because I love Kyle Higgins and haven't been able to review any of his books lately since he is not doing much of anything at DC Comics these days. Since I can force the Power Rangers into our whole "Saturday Morning Weirdness" concept, it's all a free pass to get back to reviewing one of my favorite writers and hopefully get a few smiles and laughs along the way. With all that being said, if I come across as a moron concerning the Power Rangers mythos, please forgive me since I am a big dummy. On with the review...
While Kyle Higgins plays around with the Power Rangers formula a bit, it's a great combination of new and old that had me smiling right off the bat. We aren't in the 90's anymore, but the issue picks up with the "Green with Evil" storyline from Season One. The issue opens with Tommy standing among the other fallen Rangers while Rita gloriously gloats behind him. Higgins pulls us out to show that it is all going on in Tommy's head, but as he and Jason head to school, all is definitely not well.
When they get to school, it's a "gang's all here" moment with Trini, Kimberly, Zach and Billy that all leads to... Before I continue, I have to give Higgins some major props. Setting the series in the present had me worried that either the update would lose some of the 90's charm or Higgins would stick with the 90's characterizations (and dialogue) which could easily go wrong. Neither is the case. This is an update, but the charm is intact.
Back to the issue...after a brief scene with Rita, we are launched into our first big battle and it was really good. Really, Higgins didn't hold back at all as we get Megazord Power right away and while it's exciting as hell, we see that Tommy is still not right. As the battle rages on, he misses on some crucial attacks all while Rita is messing with his mind.
Because there are two backups, we zip through the rest of the story and see that Tommy has some ways to go to fit in with the group and that Rita's plan for revenge is well on it's way. If this #0 issue is supposed to get fans fired up by showing them the franchise is in good hands, then I'd have to say, "Mission Accomplished"!
The backups are quick little stories..Steve Orlando gives us a little Bulk and Skull and Mairghread Scott's "What Time is It?" is a cool battle between the Rangers and Goldar. Scott's story is a little longer and while everyone will be way more interested in the main story, these were good little diversions to end with.
The art throughout the entire issue was great. It's accurate, colorful and just makes me happy looking at it. This is not a dark book and thankfully, the art really nails that point home.
Bits and Pieces:
I really liked this look at what we can expect from Kyle Higgins' Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The story is a clever little update that is subtle in it's changes because it is obvious how much Higgins knows and enjoys the source material. While I am not a Power Rangers scholar, I did notice enough to say that this book isn't exactly new user friendly. Sure, if you are looking for a fun teenaged superhero book, you can do a whole lot worse, but this is obviously set up for fans of the franchise first and foremost.
8.5/10
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