When it comes to franchise crossovers there are very few that I’ve had as much fun reading as the two Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossovers we’ve gotten from BOOM! Studios and IDW Publishing. The crossovers have done a great job in tapping into the fun of these two teams working together. It’s done so while also not holding back on getting dark and introspective when needed. Now that we are getting a third comic book crossover between the teams can the momentum be kept up? Let’s find out with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Vincenzo Federici
Colorist: Raul Angulo
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III #1 SOLICITATION
“The crossover sensation is back for a third epic adventure! With Rita and Krang defeated, the bad guys aren’t cutting the Rangers and Turtles no slack! Lord Zedd and Shredder have a new plan to take down the radical teen heroes and if they don’t act carefully, they may just succeed.
The amazing new series from veteran Mighty Morphin Power Rangers writer Ryan Parrott and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Nation artist Vincenzo Federici kicks off with a moment you have to see to believe!” – Marvel Comics
HIGHLIGHTS OF MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III #1
Rewarding Fans of Power Rangers x Ninja Turtles Crossover
This is not a comic book that will be slow playing all the build up to the reward. The reward is that with fan support we are getting a third Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover. The history is all there with how the characters, both on the hero and villain sides, interact with one another. It is a reminder that this is really being made for fans of both franchises. Ryan Parrott and Vincenzo Federici use the franchises respective tones to create a universe where they work together seamlessly.
Epic Crossover Right Out of the Gate
Right away, opening with a sequence of the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles fighting Lord Zedd and Shredder’s forces around the world made an immediate statement. There’s a sense that the previous two crossovers built up to us now having this global adventure. Because of that Parrott and Federici can really go all in on how serious things are with the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles having to respond to their villains teaming up. It is not something where they can simply wait for Lord Zedd and Shredder to strike.
Power Rangers & Ninja Turtles Chemistry Shines
With what the stakes are we see the chemistry between Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles continue to shine. Parrott makes great choices on which characters are paired up with one another. Tommy Oliver and Raphael being the ones who want to actively find out what Lord Zedd and Shredder are up to make sense. They are the wild card characters in their respective cast. Kimberly also voicing her concern but accepting that Tommy and Raphael want to go further than the others was a nice touch to show her trust in the former.
Lord Zedd and Shredder Presence as Most Dangerous Villains
For as much as the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles chemistry shines it is the presentation of the Lord Zedd and Shredder partnership that steals the show. When both are standing side by side, and sometimes face to face, you get the feeling they are the greatest villains in the universe. And with them teaming up they come across as unstoppable even if the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles have fought off their minions. That is something already paying off with Tommy and Raphel learning that Lord Zedd and Shredder were able to create their own Morphers. That is a game changing development from the villains.
Shocking Ending Creates Great Unknown For Latest Crossover
Speaking of game changing development, the ending to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III #1 was genuinely shocking. Everything up to until the final page came across as the logical build to what’s gone on in the previous two crossovers. That expectation turned into shock with the moment of Lord Zedd appearing to kill Master Splinter. That was never something I thought would happen in the first issue for this crossover. It drove home how high the stakes are as Lord Zedd and Shredder are not holding anything back with their latest plot.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III #1
Story Continuity Heavy May Not Be For New Fans
As a fan of all these Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover comics I love it. At the same time, it is easy to see for fans just jumping into this crossover with this third instance could be lost. Most of what happens here is built on what the previous two crossovers established. You can still enjoy it as long as your okay with learning on the go as Parrott does drop some explanation on certain elements.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III #1 is a fantastic continuation of one of the most epic crossovers. Ryan Parrott and Vincenzo Federici utilize the history established in the previous two crossovers to create an even bigger story. The ending of this first issue was jaw-dropping. If that ending is a hint of what could happen then we are in store for memorable story.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
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