Ah nostalgic tension.

Oh this was fun! I’m sure that nostalgia plays at least some part in that, but this is a really solid title. It does help to come into it knowing a bit from the original tv series. Kyle Higgins does a great job of recreating the characterizations and dynamics from the show, while also trying to improve them in translation. The show was aimed at little kids, and the comic is going for something a little more grown up. The only character that seems a little off is Zach. He comes across as angry with not much actual development.

The book does focus on Tommy, given that it picks up right after he joins the team. There is a separate series (“Go Go Power Rangers” by writer Ryan Parrott and artist Dan Mora) that focuses more on the original 5 rangers, if that’s what you’re looking for. From what I can tell, the book isn’t exactly going to follow the tv show, and that’s pretty exciting. I’ve seen some of where the series is heading, and it seems like a really interesting journey.

There’s also already some good groundwork put down already. I especially liked a scene between Trini and Tommy where she talks about wanting to see the world and help people. It sets up that she may not be a ranger forever and that the book (and its roster) can grow and change over time, just like the original tv show did.

Hendry Prasetya does a fantastic job on the art, as does Matt Herms with the colors. The lines are clean with heavy inks. The colors are bright where they need to be and less saturated when it makes sense. The faces are expressive, and the rangers are still emotive even with their helmets on. The zords look amazing, too. Everything about this title is gorgeous from the first page to the last.

My only complaint is about the backup story around Bulk and Skull. I never liked the characters to begin with, and I still don’t care about them. I know that they are central to the MMPR mythos, I just think they’re boring. Steve Orlando does well writing his satire, and Corin Howell’s art complements the story perfectly. If I cared, it would’ve been enjoyable. I also am not the type of person to skip over the backup story (if it’s in the trade, I’m going to read it).

Overall, it’s a really fun book, and I can’t wait for more. I love starting a book when I know there are already a bunch of trades available. I also should compliment Boom! Studios for featuring the author, illustrator, colorist, and letterer so prominently.

Since the real start of the story is 'Issue Zero' and only available in e-book form, I feel like I missed out on some part of the story, since I don't have access to eBooks, so this book only gets 3 stars for the confusing 'middle of the story' start.

Even so, I really liked how the story was handled. The art reminded me SO MUCH of the original TV show from when I was a kid, I love that they stayed true to that for the most part.

Tommy's story is so interesting, and I have a feeling it's not quite done yet, can't wait to read volume 2!
medium-paced

reading in chronological order. read after ggpr vol. 6

the first time i read this in 2024 i had given it a 3 stars rating. this was due to having previously read go go power rangers vol. 5 and 6. vol. 5 especially was the best comic i had read and the high left from it made it feel like this one should've been better. i still felt like it was a solid first vol., but not engaging enough story-wise for me.

re-reading this had me rethinking my previous rating. i enjoyed it more than i remember. as a first vol. this is actually pretty good, especially having to live up to the nostalgia of a beloved franchise, which is does. it introduces us to the dynamics of the group and the conflicts arising because of tommy, although it's not really an introduction to the story: it leaves a lot to be explained still, like tommy's arc with rita, how they became rangers, how zordon got there, etc. but it works if you think your main audience will be those who used to be fans of the original show, we understand where in the story we are starting.

my main issue with this first vol. is the conflict they decide to resolve. it introduces us to the shaky dynamic between the rangers and tommy, their distrust and other issues arising from tommy's previously being controlled by rita and his internal conflicts that came as a consequence. the resolution is focused in tommy's internal conflicts and hallucinations, which i felt was resolved rather quickly but loosely. i'm not sure if this is done so as to come back to it throughout the story, but with such a strong scene from tommy, that's not what i thought reading it, more like i wished there was more buildup to that moment for it to be more effective.

i still would not discourage anyone from reading this. it is probably the best remake i've seen in a long time. 

I heard that there were comics of the original MMPR and I thought I’d give it a shot. Honestly - these comics are better than they have any right to be. The story is a more dramatic version of the Green Ranger/Tommy post-being-Rita’s-henchman and how he becomes part of the team. The story is updated, true, but the essence of the characters is still there. It’s all the nostalgia, though less of the ‘90s cheese (which, ‘90s cheese has a place, don’t get me wrong). But I am impressed with this retelling of the story). Other reboots/remakes could take notes from the writers of this comic.

I look forward to reading more as I can get hold of them 😁

I loved Power Rangers as a kid (the original, not any of the follow-ups, mind you!), so I was eager to jump on this comic for a while. Reading it was a nostalgic experience - there were a lot of things in the book that I remembered from the show, and the creators don’t shy away from all the original weirdness. The story itself also had a lot of great moments regarding the relationships between the characters and the meaning of teamwork - all things that I think the original show prioritized. There were some things in the storytelling that I wish had been handled better, but overall, if you want a nostalgic read, this comic is perfect for Power Rangers fans.

Things I Liked

1. Character Relationships: Every once in a while, the comic would feature small moments where the Rangers would interact with one another in very meaningful ways. For example, Jason and Zack have a real bro moment where the former asks what’s going on and reiterates that he’s always there if Zack needs to talk - all without pushing boundaries. Trini and Billy also have a nice exchange where they address Billy’s insecurity and his value to the team as someone who is better with tech than with actual fighting. Moments like those really give the reader the sense that the Rangers are friends rather than just a team thrown together by chance.

2. Psychology of the Green Ranger: I was very intrigued by the way this comic handles the psychology of the Green Ranger. Tommy sees Rita Repulsa from time to time, and she gives voice to his deepest insecurities in a way that utilizes some of my favorite storytelling tropes. Because this run begins with Tommy already having defected to the Power Rangers team, readers will have to kind of know his backstory a little to get the full weight of what’s going on, but the way the aftermath itself is handled is, I think, fantastic.

3. Updating: This comic doesn’t 100% replicate the 90s tv show, but instead gives it some updates to be readable to a modern audience without taking away defining features. Of course, it doesn’t update at the level of the new film - all characters are still recognizable versions of their original selves. But it does take away some of the cheesiness of the show and grounds the story more in reality.

Things I Didn’t Like

1. Story Fluidity: At times, it felt like the narrative was moving a bit too fast and bringing together too much at once. I wish the narrative had slowed down enough to give more time to the character dynamics and relationships, as well as giving time to bring in such a wide range of weird story elements so as not to overwhelm readers.

2. Under-utilizing Zack: Zack is a bit underused in this comic. He seems to be mostly there to point out that there’s something wrong with the Green Ranger, and I wish we got to see more of him growing into his own character.

Recommendations: I would recommend this book if you’re interested in Power Rangers (original 90s tv show), kaiju movies, and giant robots.

I love the artwork in this.

timreadstoday's review

5.0

This is a really cool book!! It takes off from one of the most successful arcs in the TV show’s history. It really takes an adult perspective on the basic concept of the show.

I’m here to stay.
dark tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I saw I had this comic downloaded and I figured I'd give it a quick read. I didn't think I would continue the series, but I ended up buying volume 2. Loved the tension between the characters. 

The Short Answer
A fun update of the Power Rangers that adds enough depth to justify its existence without sacrificing anything that made the show what it was. If you're nostalgic for the Power Rangers, you're better off reading this than watching episodes of the old show.

The Long Answer
This is a surprisingly engaging series. It does a really good job of making the whole Power Rangers thing feel at least slightly believable while still embracing the goofy side of everything. It also smartly start after all the key plot points that most people remember from the show. That means we don't have to sit through another boring origin story, or watch while the characters are "amazed by their new powers we all knew they were getting". Instead it just jumps right into the story shortly after the Green Ranger has joined the good guys. Mostly this works, but occasionally you feel like you're missing some important details. Though maybe if I'd watched the show more religiously when I was younger I wouldn't feel that way.

The characters are deeper than in the show, just enough to be engaging. The writing is generally solid, but when you haven't paid attention to the Power Rangers since you were a kid it's hard to take terms like "the morphin grid" seriously.

Thankfully the art is fantastic, and the action is solid. It hits all the beats the show hit, but gives it that extra layer of depth my 6 year old mind thought the original show had. While it's not exactly award winning material, it's a lot of fun, and a great way to revisit the Power Rangers as an adult. Recommended if you loved the show. If you didn't you'll just be confused.

The art is good, as is the action, which is good.