Power Rangers to meet Usagi Yojimbo

Word Balloons #1223: Mighty Morphin heroes sent to Usagi Yojimbo’s samurai era

It’s not quite as shocking as Archie meeting the Punisher, but it’s an unexpected meeting nonetheless. 

The Ronin Rabbit known as Usagi Yojimbo will cross paths with the superpowered teens with attitude known as the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in a Sept. 2024 comic-book one-shot from Boom! Studios.  

Usagi Yojimbo is celebrating 40 years in 2024. Stan Sakai’s character debuted in 1984 in the anthology title “Albedo Anthropomorphics” #2. 

The crossover, involving BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, and Hasbro, is written by veteran Power Rangers scribe Ryan Parrott, illustrated by Shawn Daley (Ogre), and colored by James Fenner (Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Shapeshifters).

Here’s how Boom! Studios describes the one-shot “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Usagi Yojimbo”: 

During a routine Rita Repulsa attack, the Rangers’ morphers do something unexpected…by hurling them back to the Edo era of Japan!

Upon arriving at their historic destination, the mysterious Ogasawara begs the Rangers for their help. But the enemy they face isn’t what they were expecting…and our band of heroes will have to face a painful revelation if they want to save the day and return home.

“I'm really excited with Usagi's crossover with the Power Rangers,” said Sakai in a news release. “This is the first time Usagi has teamed up with real superheroes (that do not have shells)!  It's a great story with fantastic art!”

Parrott is a longtime writer for the “Power Rangers” comics franchise, and previously crossed the heroes over with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

"I think one of the most exciting elements of comics is the unexpected crossover, so when BOOM! Studios asked me if I was interested in pairing the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers with Usagi Yojimbo, I didn't hesitate,” said Parrott in a news release. “I've been a fan of Stan Sakai's work and the epic story he's been telling my whole life, so it was a true honor to get to step into that world and play with those characters. Plus, the moment I saw Shawn Daley's artwork, I knew this had the potential to be an insanely fun, one of a kind ride that hopefully both Ranger and Samurai fans will enjoy."

This isn’t artist Shawn Daley’s first samurai – you may have seen his work on the graphic novel “Samurai Grandpa.” He said his own history with both characters came into play in the one-shot. 

"Some characters feel destined to cross paths, and I hadn’t realized how much I needed this team-up until I was asked to help bring it to life,” said Daley. “Stan Sakai’s legendary work was a formative introduction to comics for me, and as a lifelong fan of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the combination hits hard. That’s in no small part to Ryan’s incredibly fun script, which has been a privilege to draw. I also got to use my original Power Rangers figures for reference material–an artist's dream come true!"

This issue will feature a main cover by Taurin Clarke (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), along with variant covers by Sakai with colors by Emi Fujii; Jared Cullum (Usagi Yojimbo: Ice and Snow); Goña Montes (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return); and Takeshi Miyazawa (Mech Cadets).

The one-shot will go on sale Sept. 25. 

Going on in Norman

DMDave's Books and Games will celebrate its first anniversary with an event starting at 11 a.m. on July 6. 

The store, at 122 W Main St. in Norman, Oklahoma, has the following activities planned: 

• Catering (free donuts and coffee) at 11:00 am

• Raffle drawing with $500+ in prizes

• D&D for Kids and Adults

• Blood Bowl League Sign-ups

• Magic at Midnight (10:00 pm until 2:00 am)

More info on the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/455528100516195/

Speeding Bullet signing on Wednesday 

On Wednesday, July 10, Speeding Bullet Comics welcomes artist Eric “E. Danger” Wright to the store.

You’ve seen Wright at comic-cons including Houston Comicpalooza and Planet Comicon in Kansas City. Now you can see him at 614 N. Porter Ave. in Norman, OK, starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 10!

Here’s how Wright describes his comic “Truckstop Hipsters.”

“Really, it’s a comedy about four friends who get caught up in a wild adventure of waffles and murder. It’s about how self-identity does not make the person, but their attitude towards themselves and others does. It’s about many things, but nothing terribly serious, because the world is already too serious. So, let’s have some fun and enjoy some satire.”

Find out more about the project at the successful Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/edangerwright/truckstop-hipsters

Matthew Price, matthew@matthewLprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.