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Preface
The Power Rangers and the TMNT crossover sequel continues… with some callbacks to the original.
The Cover
A good cover for this issue. Even though the Rangers and Turtles never go to the abandoned warehouse district we’re all familiar with, it illustrates exactly what happens in this issue. All of the Rangers and Turtles gearing up for a fight when someone unexpected pops by. (One small note is that Billy is the only weak part of this cover since he’s not actually looking at the reader. Rather, he’s looking off into space. Feels unconnected.)
The Story
So, in Dimension X, Rita Repulsa in a new Maleficent outfit berates her minions for failing to destroy the Power Rangers or the Turtles yet again. After a quick squabble between Casey and Rocksteady, Rita orders an attack for the conquest of Earth tomorrow.
The Rangers and Turtles discuss what happened with Casey or as they’re calling him, Ranger X. The Rangers tell the Turtles that Casey might be under a mind-control spell similar to what happened with Tommy way back when. They figure that potentially breaking something sentimental to Casey, like his favorite hockey stick, in order to break the spell.
While Zordon and Splinter, Ranger X has a talk with Krang, a floating brain in a tube. There was apparently a whole team of Rangers in Dimension X, but they were all wiped out by Krang. Casey’s morpher is now the only one that works. As Krang makes Casey kneel to him, Rita comes in asking about the whereabouts of Shredder, but apparently, he’s MIA.
Later, in Angel Grove, Bulk and Skull are showing April around the sites of various Ranger attacks when a portal opens in the sky, and out comes Rita, Goldar, her Putties, and a whole load of TMNT villains I’m not going to be able to name without looking up. Since the army is so big, Billy activates shadow morphing, which allows the Turtles to morph into their Ranger suits from the last crossover with our regular Rangers as long as they stay together.
However, it all turns out to be a diversion as Scorpina, Professor Stockman, Ranger X, and Bebop manage to bypass the security protocols of the Command Center and barge in. That leaves Jason, Tommy, and Raphael to defend their home. Raphel manages to break Casey’s hockey staff, but turns out it’s not a spell after all. Casey says he’s doing this of his own free will and it’ll make sense eventually. (Hopefully.)
As the villains finally breach through the base and enter Zordon’s chamber, they’re about to blast him down. However, an unexpected hero arrives.
I want my green pajamas now!
Ending Thoughts
We’re continuing the energy from the opening issue of this crossover with all of our heroes and villains bouncing off of each other with their dialogue and character. With the overall cast growing larger, we get new combinations of this chemistry like April with Bulk and Skull or Splinter with Zordon. They are able to have some good scenes, talking about the individual worlds that they live in and reflecting on them. It’s a great example of this crossover’s ability to naturally combine both franchises together and take the opportunity to show them genuine care and appreciation.
Artwork continues to be strong as ever in this issue, especially regarding the action sequences. It’s incredible to see the Rangers together and the morphed Turtles side-by-side. It’s a different feeling from seeing the Rangers with the regular Turtles. The slender, agile human vs the bulky, muscular Turtle. (They even call out April not having a skirt, which even I didn’t notice when I read it initially.) Having them essentially wear the same outfit adds to the fun concept of both teams of heroes fighting together as one cohesive unit.
MMPR / TMNT II #2 continues the hyped crossover by building on what chemistry works, experimenting with new combinations, and creating a team with 11 Rangers on it.
Random Thoughts from the Morphin’ Grid
- Bulk and Skull don’t get better with this Monster Tour it seems, after what I’ve seen in Turbo.
- By the way, I’m patiently waiting for a prop maker to give us those Dimension X Morphers, baby!
- So, there was a team of Rangers in Dimension X, but they all have been destroyed. Now, we need a prequel!
- So, are Bulk and Skull referencing real monsters to April? Or are there actual monsters where one of them had the head of a barbecue grill? And, if so, why haven’t I seen the glory of that yet?
- I want that toy Billy’s holding. You can’t fool me! I know that’s a Zenkaiger thing! Change Zenkai!
- Quote of the month: “So we just have to turn back an alien invasion and save the world in the length of a Saturday morning cartoon.”
- Scorpina: “And I see you’ll turn anything into a Ranger these days.” Girl doesn’t even know about the Meower Rangers, man.
- We’re all waiting to see if Casey’s reasons are justified. Sorry, Casey, but I barely know you.
- I’m not using Power-Bunga! You can’t make me!
