This is an amazing comic that modernizes and revitalizes MMPR while still staying true to the "spirit" of the original, especially in regards to the cast, who are still the same characters we fell in love with in 1993 but with new dimensions. Unfortunately, Zordon and Alpha have only been plot devices thus far but Kyle Higgins has done a superb job with the vast majority of the ensemble.
Higgins is more of a character guy and it shows when the action scenes come second to character moments, in a Power Ranger story no less.
The villains are far more intimidating than before. Rita, Scorpina and Goldar are actually given motivations. Finster, Squatt, Baboo and even the Putties are utilized brilliantly. As are Bulk and Skull, who serve the purpose of showing us "this is 2016" references with their YouTube channel.
As for our six heroes, they're still the characters we know and love but with more depth and realism.
Higgins expands what already existed, like Kimberly's passionate defense of Tommy and her desire to make him feel welcomed as well as act on her feelings for him. She's still the sweet yet spunky girly girl with appropriate modernization, she's the one seen texting. Billy's insecurity as the lone non-athlete on the team is more front and center rather than a running gag, so he's still the awkward super genius with less nonsensical techno babble this time. Billy and Kim were the already most dynamic characters among the rangers in the show, so the comic has plenty to work off of to do them justice.
And the new stuff Higgins does add still maintains the essence of the original. Zack, the cocky showoff, sometimes resents not being the center of attention like his best friend Jason, being tempted by something as powerful as the Green Ranger powers and being a "go big or go home" type of guy who wants to do something with more of an impact makes sense. As does Trini, the zen intellectual, wanting to follow in her father's footsteps to practice medicine helping people through healing instead of fighting and travel to other parts of the world to witness different cultures. These developments also give both Trini and Zack clear motivations for the possible Peace Conference.
Jason is still the valiant and determined leader and his rival, Tommy is still the new guy and the loner. However, both those personas and their rivalry are far more explicitly emphasized. Tommy's personal struggle is front and center in regards to finding his place on the team and his past with Rita. Jason is the most conflicted by the his trust issues with Tommy and seems even intimidated by another karate guy arriving on the scene, all of this combined with his struggles as leader makes for a compelling conflict among our two fan favorites. Jason and Tommy are the faces of the franchise and it's absolutely fitting that through them Higgins demonstrates the resilience, nobility and overall badassitude of a true comic book hero.
ComicBook Awesome book with an awesome cast.
SPOILERS AHEAD
This is an amazing comic that modernizes and revitalizes MMPR while still staying true to the "spirit" of the original, especially in regards to the cast, who are still the same characters we fell in love with in 1993 but with new dimensions. Unfortunately, Zordon and Alpha have only been plot devices thus far but Kyle Higgins has done a superb job with the vast majority of the ensemble.
Higgins is more of a character guy and it shows when the action scenes come second to character moments, in a Power Ranger story no less.
The villains are far more intimidating than before. Rita, Scorpina and Goldar are actually given motivations. Finster, Squatt, Baboo and even the Putties are utilized brilliantly. As are Bulk and Skull, who serve the purpose of showing us "this is 2016" references with their YouTube channel.
As for our six heroes, they're still the characters we know and love but with more depth and realism.
Higgins expands what already existed, like Kimberly's passionate defense of Tommy and her desire to make him feel welcomed as well as act on her feelings for him. She's still the sweet yet spunky girly girl with appropriate modernization, she's the one seen texting. Billy's insecurity as the lone non-athlete on the team is more front and center rather than a running gag, so he's still the awkward super genius with less nonsensical techno babble this time. Billy and Kim were the already most dynamic characters among the rangers in the show, so the comic has plenty to work off of to do them justice.
And the new stuff Higgins does add still maintains the essence of the original. Zack, the cocky showoff, sometimes resents not being the center of attention like his best friend Jason, being tempted by something as powerful as the Green Ranger powers and being a "go big or go home" type of guy who wants to do something with more of an impact makes sense. As does Trini, the zen intellectual, wanting to follow in her father's footsteps to practice medicine helping people through healing instead of fighting and travel to other parts of the world to witness different cultures. These developments also give both Trini and Zack clear motivations for the possible Peace Conference.
Jason is still the valiant and determined leader and his rival, Tommy is still the new guy and the loner. However, both those personas and their rivalry are far more explicitly emphasized. Tommy's personal struggle is front and center in regards to finding his place on the team and his past with Rita. Jason is the most conflicted by the his trust issues with Tommy and seems even intimidated by another karate guy arriving on the scene, all of this combined with his struggles as leader makes for a compelling conflict among our two fan favorites. Jason and Tommy are the faces of the franchise and it's absolutely fitting that through them Higgins demonstrates the resilience, nobility and overall badassitude of a true comic book hero.