The sequel to the first Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book crossover got off to a strong start. Ryan Parrott and Dan Mora found the best way to kick things off to have a maximum impact out of the gate as Casey Jones not only got his own Power Ranger form but also turned traitor and joined Rita Repulsa’s side. This development certainly sent shockwaves as one of the Ninja Turtles’ most trusted allies turned against them and the Power Rangers. Now, what exactly is Rita Repulsa planning with her plot of gathering all the villains to work for her? Let’s find out with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #2.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Dan Mora
Colorist: Raul Angulo
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
SYNOPSIS
In Dimension X Rita Repulsa calls out Scorpina, Goldar, Bebop, and Rocksteady for failing to capture the Power Rangers or Ninja Turtles. No longer willing to show mercy to gain her followers’ loyalty to prepare to take over Earth the next day.
As they all prepare when Casey Jones speaks with Krang it’s revealed that Casey’s Power Ranger form comes from the only Dimension X Power Ranger Morpher that was not destroyed by Utroms.
Back on Earth, Tommy Oliver reveals his past of being brainwashed by Rita to work for her and how that may have happened to Casey.
The Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles then spend the next 24 hours training and making preparations for the next time Rita shows up. While that is going on Zordon and Master Splinter talk about their shared views on their kids.
The training is cut short as April O’Neil calls the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles about Rita leading her forces on an invasion of Earth.
Using the Shadow Morphers that Billy and Donatello developed the Power Rangers are able to share their powers with the other Ninja Turtles and April so they can use their Turtle Ranger forms.
As the Power Rangers and Turtle Rangers fight off Rita’s forces in Angel Grove, Scorpina, Casey Jones, and Bebop break into the Command Center. Jason, Raphael, and Tommy immediately teleport to the Command Center to take on the villains.
When facing off one-on-one Raphael is able to destroy Casey’s Power Ranger X weapon but Casey shows he is working for Rita on his own.
As both the Power Rangers and Turtle Rangers get overwhelmed by Rita’s forces Shredder appears in the Command Center out of nowhere. End of issue
REVIEW
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #2 carries the momentum created by the first issue and is built upon it. With the first issue delivering the major shocker of Casey Jones joining Rita Repulsa’s side Ryan Parrott and Dan Mora do a great job letting the reader settle into the story that they are telling.
Whether it’s intended or not the strength of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as a series is that it’s allowed to exist in its own universe. Sure there are connections to the Power Rangers and TMNT continuities but this series isn’t handcuffed by the other comics or shows for each franchise. At a time when the Multiverse is a more well-known concept, it’s to the series’ benefit that Parrott and Mora make this series feel like it takes place in its own standalone universe.
A great example of that is how the characters from the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles interact with each other. The villain side of things was a particular highlight in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #2. Parrott and Mora continue what has been a Rita Repulsa renaissance by making her the most terrifying villain. Her newly Dimension X-powered form makes Rita’s decision to go with a more “Show No Mercy” approach even with Scorpina, Goldar, Bebop, Rocksteady, and Krang pushing all that. You can see how all but Krang are taking Rita’s threat seriously, and Krang only doesn’t show fear because he knows Rita needs him in finding Shredder and using the Dimension Power Ranger morphers.
This development for Rita Repulsa’s character made her latest invasion of Earth something you take more seriously than any attempt she’s made before. Using the technology of Dimension X with her own magic has made Rita and her forces come across as overwhelming. There is instant credibility that these aren’t the same villains that fans are used to the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles beating all the time. Elevating the threat level helps Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II as a whole feel just as special as the first crossover.
Building up Shredder as a wild card is equally compelling. With how things went in the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover we know Rita and Shredder aren’t on the best of terms. Parrott using what he developed over the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to turn Shredder into a wild card character for the sequel works incredibly well. Now we have a third side that we don’t know if Shredder’s appearance will end up helping the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles, Rita Repulsa, or just himself.
On the heroes’ side of things, Parrott works Tommy Oliver’s previous brainwashing by Rita to address what most fans likely thought happened to Casey Jones. Immediately as Casey revealed his Dimension X Red Ranger form the thought is Rita manipulated Casey just like she did Tommy. What added to that is the fact we saw Rita having Goldar and her minions abduct other villains that you are led to believe she is doing to Casey and others as she once did to Tommy.
All that made the swerve that Casey became the Dimension X Red Ranger by choice a more compelling development. With how Casey fought Raphael and the others you are left wondering why Casey would turn against his friends. Given how Parrott has worked in a lot of elements from the Power Rangers franchise it’ll be interesting if that is what is going on here. Especially after the revelation of their once being Power Rangers in Dimension X, we could see the Morphin Grid factor into this story even more.
While the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles do come out looking like they have little hope against Rita’s forces Parrott did a lot of work to show how both teams are not just sitting around waiting for a new attack. Developing the Shadow Morphers and working on the Zords together shows that the two teams know they have to be ready for anything. With how things quickly escalated it wouldn’t be surprising if we see even more new technology brought in that taps into both the Power Rangers and TMNT franchises’ history.
With all that going on, we got a great conversation between Zordon and Master Splinter that spotlights both of their awareness of what their respective kids have to deal with in fighting villains. There is shown guilt in bringing in teenagers into fighting against evil forces in a long-running war. It’s a good way to show some self-awareness that doesn’t break the fourth wall. Parrott chooses Zordon and Master Splinter’s words carefully to show that they both care bout their kids and are doing everything in their power to watch over them.
Mora’s artwork was once again just a pure treat. Everything that happens in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #2 looks like a big event. The presentation of Rita Repulsa and the evil forces she has accumulated comes across as world-ending threats. Then there are spread pages like the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles doing their “It’s Morphin Time” sequence. All of the action got over how chaotic things quickly got as Rita’s forces overwhelmed both the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles with their numbers and power upgrades.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Ryan Parrott and Dan Mora deliver another can’t-miss issue in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #2. Everything from the various character moments and action sequences in this issue makes this story feel like a big event. This is all just further proof this is a must-read for all Power Rangers and TMNT fans.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10