A few weeks back, I had the opportunity of attending the Fairfax Comic Con in Fairfax, VA. This was the second con I've attended with the first being the Big Lick Comic Con in 2023 (coincidentally held in the same venue). To experience such magnitude filled with attendees that have a strong interests in all things entertainment feels surreal; Whether it would be comic books, toys, gaming, autograph signings or cosplaying, comic conventions are an event in which a community of people gather around who share similar interests as one another. I had a blast walking around to explore the amount of merchandise displayed throughout the facility.
The same weekend, I met up with two of the original Power Rangers cast members. As an avid fan of the franchise since the beginning, it was a dream I never thought would ever happen. When they were announced to be part of this year's event, I did not hesitate than to mark it on my calendar. That day, I even wore the same colored polo shirt as David Yost (Billy) who played the Blue Ranger. We talked briefly discussing some of his favorite episodes, notably Food Fight, Power Ranger Punks, and Switching Places all from season one. Given the large lines coming from his and Amy Jo Johnson's, it took quite awhile for me to have my moment at a meet and greet.
When I heard the news she was publishing a comic as a way to pay homage to her time on the show, I was hyped. After hearing positive feedback, combined with my lifelong attachment with the franchise, I purchased a copy of one online. Within a week, I breezed through all of the chapters. I was hooked. This novel is an alternate reality if Jason, Zack, and Trini never resigned as Power Rangers as well as the debut of a new villain exclusive to the series. The biggest moment saw Selena being teased as a descendent of Trini's family only to be revealed as the daughter to Rita and Zedd was such a clever twist. The menacing power couple went off the deep end by taking out Zordon and Alpha as well as destroying the Command Center, the rangers' main headquarters in the show. It was then that the six had to fight back. At some point, Tommy planted a device in an attempt to destroy Rita and Zedd's palace. Just when it was about to blow up, Rita used her magic to trap her and Tommy in a time warp thus leaving them in exile for the next 3 decades. Did I forget to mention that he and Kimberly ended up giving birth to a daughter?
Overall, I dug the graphic novel. I look forward to a sequel to the Return just to see how Olivia blends in with the six established rangers. The thought of having the Green and White Rangers on the same team is a concept I wish we got more of. Can you imagine the Dragonzord merging with the Tiger and Thunderzords? Now that would make an ultra combination.
I had a lot of free time on my hands with this fan made morph sequence from Dino Thunder. While the season did not have a Pink Ranger, I used a variety of app tools on my phone to repaint Kira's Yellow Dino Ranger suit into a pink shaded color. This was a rework of a series of screenshots I worked on from 2020 using an Adobe photoshop that I no longer use. By using a photo enhancer of close up shots of Kimberly from a season 3 MMPR episode, these were the "ingredients" I used and merged them using screen captures of Kira's morph. Upon review, I was impressed with the end result.
Seeing Kimberly returning for Dino Thunder would've been an interesting approach. Tommy now a paleontologist and mentor of his new ranger team meeting up with his former girlfriend and how they would've interacted since the controversial Dear John Letter. Imagine the reaction from Connor, Ethan, Kira, Trent, heck even Hayley regarding Dr. O facing a ghost from his past again? Logistics wise it wouldn't have been possible given Power Rangers has been a non-union produced show whereas Amy Jo was signed to a Union. Add the fact that by this point, the series' production relocated from California to New Zealand. Still the thought of her having a one-off return would've been awesome to see.
I wish I could have shown Amy Jo these during the convention (I tagged the photos via her IG account, close enough). Though I can't determine if she has seen other Power Rangers seasons outside of her own, I think she would be fascinated, especially given that her co-star and lifelong friend Jason David Frank returned for that season. I'm thankful I had the pleasure of meeting her and David that day. They were very sweet with their fans.
This autograph of the original cast holds a special place in my heart. I wish Thuy Trang (Trini) & JDF were still with us so we can have a full reunion. Although they are no longer with us, their legacy in the franchise will forever live on. May they rest in peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment