PRESS RELEASE:
LOS ANGELES, CA (November 14, 2023) – BOOM! Studios, together with leading toy and game company Hasbro, is beyond thrilled to announce the previously teased MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE RETURN, written by the original Pink Ranger herself, Amy Jo Johnson along with co-writer Matt Hotson and artist Nico Leon (Ms. Marvel)!
Amy Jo Johnson, the actress, screenwriter, & director behind Kimberly Hart, the original Pink Mighty Morphin Power Ranger, returns to Power Rangers as part of its 30th anniversary to write her first comic book! Along with co-writer Matt Hotson and artist Nico Leon, Johnson pens a love letter to the franchise in MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE RETURN that imagines an alternate future for the original cast. BOOM! Studios, in collaboration with Hasbro, proudly presents Johnson’s comic writing debut directly to fans in the MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE RETURN BOOM! DIRECT RESERVE CAMPAIGN alongside a new edition of the beloved Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink series and exclusive, limited-edition collectibles.
Co-writer and original Pink Ranger Amy Jo Johnson said: “My most cherished aspect of portraying Kimberly Hart, the Original Pink Power Ranger, is the countless stories from fans who found solace in our characters. We became friends to many who faced bullying, challenging home situations or were on a journey of self-discovery. What this show has meant to an entire generation was beyond my initial intentions when I took on this role, but it has become one of the most precious gifts of my life. This comic book is my heartfelt love letter to all of you. Thank you for the enormous amount of love and support that has enriched my life because of you!
“It’s incredibly exciting to partner with my boyfriend, Matt Hotson, as we set out to offer our own interpretation of the Power Rangers. What if the original team had never separated? Where would they be 30 years later? This comic book is our affectionate tribute to an entire generation, and we genuinely hope it does justice to the legacy that means so much to all of you!
“Seeing our story come to life through Nico Leon’s artistry has been the most thrilling part of creating this comic book. Nico’s childhood love for the show adds a special layer to the project, as he infuses his incredible artistic talent and incorporates intricate Easter eggs and details throughout. We couldn’t be more ecstatic with the results!
“As the actress behind the original Pink Power Ranger, I’m stepping into the world of comic books and unleashing my creative vision with a ‘what if’ story that reimagines the enduring bond of the original Power Rangers. With this project, we’re eager to offer fans a nostalgic yet fresh perspective on these beloved characters while creating a whole new adventure!
“What if the original Power Rangers had never parted ways? Where would they be 30 years later? This comic is our ‘what if’ scenario and my heartfelt love letter to the entire generation that has kept these characters alive for 30 years!”
In an alternate universe, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers defeated Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd, but at a terrible cost…and in the wake of that tragedy, the team went their separate ways.
Twenty-two years later, the long-disbanded team reunites to mourn the losses of beloved friends, but Zack and Billy have some unexpected information to share: Jason–the Red Ranger, who has long been operating as a lone vigilante–has disappeared.
Will the remaining Rangers be able to track him down, especially with a mysterious figure in pursuit?
“To round out our year-long celebration of the monumental 30th anniversary of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, we wanted to give you, the fans, a real first look at the incredible alternate vision of the beloved franchise that Amy Jo, Matt, and Nico have been building,” said President of Publishing and Marketing Filip Sablik. “This campaign is for Power Rangers fans new and old. Comics are for everyone, and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are forever!”
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE RETURN #1 will hit shelves February 7, 2024.
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE RETURN BOOM! DIRECT RESERVE CAMPAIGN will continue for 28 days, with special surprises, product reveals, and hidden stretch goals to be announced all month long!
About Amy Jo Johnson
Amy Jo Johnson began her acting career as Kimberly Hart, the original Pink Power Ranger. For the next twenty years, she starred in a number of film and television productions, such as Susie Q, Perfect Body, Felicity, and Flashpoint. For the last ten years, she has turned her attention to behind the camera, writing and directing four short films, two feature films, and made her foray into TV directing on the CW’s Superman and Lois. Amy Jo is incredibly excited to reflect back on her time as a Ranger, and this comic book series will be a love letter to her fans and the franchise that gave her her start.
About Matt Hotson
When Matt Hotson saw his first comic book (G.I. Joe Special Missions #22) at the impressionable young age of four, he was blown away that someone had made a Saturday morning kids show he could take with him wherever he went. Since then, he’s read way too many comics, and worked as an assistant director on TV shows like DC’s Titans (and a bunch of other ones that didn’t have any superheroes in them for some reason). Now he co-writes Power Rangers comic books with Amy Jo Johnson, so he can take a Saturday morning kids show with him wherever he goes.
For continuing news on MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE RETURN and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE RETURN is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including BRZRKR by Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, and Ron Garney; Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera; Grim by Stephanie Phillips and Flaviano; Stuff of Nightmares by R.L. Stine and A.L. Kaplan; Damn Them All by Simon Spurrier and Charlie Adlard; Once Upon a Time at the End of the World by Jason Aaron, Alexandre Tefenkgi, Leila del Duca, and Nick Dragotta; Know Your Station by Sarah Gailey and Liana Kangas; A Vicious Circle by Mattson Tomlin and Lee Bermejo; The Neighbors by Jude Ellison S. Doyle and Letizia Cadonici; Ghostlore by Cullen Bunn and Leomacs; Sirens of the City by Joanne Starer and Khary Randolph; Coda by Simon Spurrier and Matías Bergara; Rare Flavours by Ram V and Filipe Andrade, and the upcoming Underheist by David and Maria Lapham. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Harkonnen from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Michael Shelfer; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers by Melissa Flores and Simona Di Gianfelice; and The Expanse: Dragon Tooth by Andy Diggle and Rubine.
About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios was founded by Ross Richie in 2005 with the singular focus of creating world-class comic book and graphic novel storytelling for all audiences. Through four distinct imprints—BOOM! Studios, BOOM! Box, KaBOOM!, and Archaia—the company has produced bestselling, award-winning original work, including Keanu Reeves’ BRZRKR, Something is Killing the Children, and Lumberjanes, while also breaking new ground with established licenses such as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Dune, Magic: The Gathering, The Expanse, and The Jim Henson Company properties. BOOM! brings their original series to life through a first-look relationship with Netflix including the animated series Mech Cadets available now. Please visit www.boom-studios.com for more information.
About Hasbro
Hasbro is a leading toy and game company whose mission is to entertain and connect generations of fans through the wonder of storytelling and exhilaration of play. Hasbro delivers engaging brand experiences for global audiences through toys, consumer products, gaming and entertainment, with a portfolio of iconic brands including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, Hasbro Gaming, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands.
Hasbro is guided by our Purpose to create joy and community for all people around the world, one game, one toy, one story at a time. For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute and one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50. For more information, visit https://corporate.hasbro.com.
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