Sunday, March 27, 2022

Godzilla vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1 Comic Review

In 1954, director Ishiro Honda and the Toho Company released a nuclear-powered monstrosity onto the world, Godzilla, a massive being that has captured the imagination of people ever since. Today the popularity of Godzilla and Japanese pop culture has reached gigantic heights, influencing works of cinema and artwork throughout the world. Following Godzilla came another popular Japanese franchise that sprung a new genre of superhero live-action TV shows called the Tokusatsu. Inspired by them, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers became an overnight sensation on the American airwaves. Now, these two pop culture giants meet for the first time thanks to the collaboration between Boom! Studios and IDW Publishing in association with Toho and it is as legendary as it is deadly.

Godzilla vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1, written by Cullen Bunn with artwork from Freddie Williams II and Andrew Dalhouse, brings to life what has been fan-fic until now. The Green Ranger, Tommy Oliver, has tracked down his arch-nemesis sorceress, Rita Repulsa, to an ancient tomb. Rita has found an artifact with the powers of multiversal travel hidden inside. As Goldar and the other minions rout through innocent monks, Tommy leaps into action before Zordon can call for backup. However, Rita gets the last laugh as she successfully opens the portal to a new world. But instead of finding a defenseless civilization ready to kneel at her feet, Rita meets her adversary, Godzilla, a colossal titan with a propensity for destruction.

RELATED: BOOM!'s Power Rangers #17 Comic Review

Like any great Power Rangers story, Godzilla vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1 starts with Rita Repulsa planning the takeover of the planet for the umpteenth time. But instead of scheming the end of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, she shifts her gaze to new worlds to conquer. Writer Cullen Bunn is no stranger to the world of Kaiju and his writing reflects the enormous weight of carrying the responsibilities of two beloved franchises. In quintessential Power Rangers style, the issue opens with a ferocious fight between the Green Ranger and Rita's evil generals that gives off the nostalgic and entertaining vibes of the '90s television series. But it is Godzilla's thunderous roar that clears the path for an adrenalin-fuelled narrative, as the King of monsters reminds both the Power Rangers and the readers who wield the most power here.

The primary objective of any artwork is to evoke an emotional response and Godzilla vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1 does that splendidly. It is not just the sentimentality of watching your favorite characters come together and share the same space that works, but also the sheer scale of the graphics that reminds the reader of the magnitude of this crossover. Its expansive layouts showcase the characters in their full glory and give them a wide berth to swing their swords (or tails), creating striking action-packed panels. The gristly lines of artist Freddie Williams II and the bold, blue-tinted colors of Andrew Dalhouse pull off the mean feat of depicting an all-out battle between the Green Ranger's Dragonzord and the behemoth Godzilla. From Machiko Soga's Rita Repulsa to Yoshio Tsuchiya's Supreme Controller of Planet X, key antagonistic figures from both franchises make a stunning appearance in the title.

RELATED: IDW's G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Saturday Morning Adventures #1 Comic Review

Godzilla vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1 celebrates the unyielding strength of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers as well as the godlike might of the King of the Monsters. While a straightforward story, it does not dwell on world-building and dives straight into its action. Bunn knows his audience and pulls on their heartstrings, kicking off a crossover event that fans will sing for the ages. Godzilla vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1 ends on a high note, bringing with it the arrival of the full roster of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and the promise of more thrilling battles to come.

KEEP READING: Iconic Godzilla Actor Akira Takarada Dies at 87


Source: Trendz OH

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