Writers: Sina Grace, Meghan Camarena, Danny Lore, Nick Marino
Artists: Sina Grace, Zachary Sterling, Jodi Nishijima, Juan Romera
Colorist: Sina Grace, Ellie Wright, Joshua Jensen, Andrew Cramer, Juan Romera
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists: Miguel Mercado, Nicole Goux, Nick Roche & Sketch Ellis
Designer: Madison Goyette
Editors: Tea Fougner, David Mariotte, Caroline Butler & Andy Schmidt
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Price: $7.99
Release Date: October 22, 2025
What terrors threaten you on Halloween? Pumpkin Rapper wants you to know that Rita Repulsa is a schemer, and this spooky season’s a screamer. He is determined to make you think twice about what you eat, drink, and dig your knives into. Will Pumpkin Rapper make you regard this most howling of holidays in a new light? Let's put on our costumes, leap into Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Halloween Special #1, and see!
Putty for Your Thoughts: Story
Our appearance influences our position in society. But it also affects how we see ourselves. In Sina Grace’s story, Rita Repulsa plays Mind Swap with Kimberly Hart. But instead of doing Freaky Friday with the Pink Ranger, Rita transports Kim’s mind into a Putty.
The first story in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Halloween Special #1 forces Kim to empathize with the life of a Putty. When Rita usurps Kim's place among her friends, she also leaves Finster free to pursue his whims. Kimberly must choose between playing it safe and risking everything to protect her friends.
Putty for Your Thoughts: Art
Sina Grace gives Pumpkin Rapper front-page honors as he introduces the first story in this collection. Then the art jumps to after Operation: Mindcrime. A putty looks into a vanity mirror framed with pink wood. The blue putty shapeshifts, adopting Kimberly's casual attire. But her arms and face, and then her entire body, revert to blue clay when others attack her. Sina Grace and Ellie Wright lavish bright colors on Putty for Your Thoughts. But blue, green, and pink dominate as Kimberly confronts the possibility of not just giving up her powers but leaving her Humanity behind.
Terror Toad’s Trick-Or-Treat Takeover: Story
In Meghan Camarena's story, Rita Repulsa's Terror Toad returns to Angel Grove on Halloween. Like all the trick-or-treaters, he's hungry for goodies. But his favorite treat is swallowing Power Rangers. This second story in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Halloween Special #1 puts Billy Cranston into the hot seat. As the other Rangers fall victim to Terror Toad's tongue, the Blue Ranger must find a way to attack the villain's weak spot.
Terror Toad’s Trick-Or-Treat Takeover: Art
In Angel Grove, children dress up not only as traditional ghosts and witches, but also as Rita Repulsa and Goldar. Zachary Sterling opens with Black Ranger as an Ooshies figure in a candy-filled Jack O’lantern. Then, as Blue Ranger runs off to rejoin the Power Rangers, a panel shows Terror Toad in his updated form. Joshua Jensen provides beautiful coloring to this endearing story set on Halloween. But most colorful of all is Terror Toad's new neck armor. The metal showcases a blue and pink sheen trimmed with gold.
Pumpkin to Sing About: Story
In Danny Lore's story, Zach and Jason take time off from college to chaperone a group of teens. After visiting Joe's Pumpkin Patch, Raina's pumpkin rings like a phone. When it leaps toward Jason, he tosses it out of the bus. The pumpkin sprouts a torso and limbs. Then, it chases after and attacks the bus.
Zach and Jason are no longer teens with attitude. Still, they are quick to comfort the teens in their care. Adhering to his responsibility inspires Zach to draw on his strengths and demonstrate leadership in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Halloween Special #1.
Pumpkin to Sing About: Art
Jody Nishijima contributes detailed pencils with an anime vibe. Jason leaps into action when danger threatens the teens. As the bus hurtles around a corner, Pumpkin Rapper springs off the ground in time-release images. Andrew Cramer's vibrant palette and lighting help this story stand out.
Candy Cornered: Story
In Nick Marino's story, Trini feels like an outsider. While she enjoys hanging out with her friends, she's not into watching scary movies. When they devour the candy corn in the large bowl, Trini visits the store. An attack by the Putties while filling her cart is just the start of the night's adventure.
This final story in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Halloween Special #1 doesn’t focus on Trini’s heritage. Still, it acknowledges that we may embrace some traditions while having a disconnect with others. Like all great Power Rangers stories, when her friends are in danger, Trini rises to the challenge to protect them from Rita Repulsa’s mischief.
Candy Cornered: Art
Trini looks bored while her friends sit rapt on the couch. Arising from her telescope, Rita exults as she raises her wand. Putties attack when Trini reaches the store’s Halloween decorations aisle. She smiles as she morphs into the Yellow Ranger. Juan Romera contributes a subdued palette that focuses on white, yellow, and orange. Blue, purple, and pink fill backgrounds, while green dominates the final portion of a story that urges readers to enjoy their favorite Halloween snack in moderation.
Lettering
Ed Dukeshire fills white balloons and colored narrative boxes with black uppercase letters that grow bold for intonation. Sound effects often accompany enlarged, colored dialogue. Pumpkin Rapper insists U Can't Touch This as white dialogue in orange balloons. Zordon’s instructions appear in blue balloons, while white letters in a green balloon signify lip-smacking flavor. Thanks to Boom! Studios for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
Zordon gave Kimberly Hart, Billy Cranston, Jason Scott, Zach Taylor, and Trini Kwan great power. But while protecting people from Rita Repulsa's menacing magic, they care for others. Zordon’s first Teens with Attitude empathize with others and work together to confront danger. Alongside Tommy Oliver, they inspire the next generation and sacrifice for others' happiness in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Halloween Special #1.
Rating 9.5/10
For another cover see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
No comments:
Post a Comment