“Yesterday’s” Comic> Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1 (Hamilton)

It’s not flying, it’s “jetting”. Which hadn’t been introduced into the show yet.

Saban’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1

Bruce Hamilton Company (December, 1994)

Billy sets up an exhibit at the science fair which included a “Dracula Moth”, who can hypnotize it’s prey. And being stuffed and mounted leaves it still able to affect Skull as he and Bulk work on their “how yeast rises” project. Lord Zedd steals Billy’s moth to create another monster, who in larvae form traps all but Billy and Kimberly in cocoons that can only be dissolved with a special venom of a giant spider in another dimension. (Because it’s Power Rangers.) By the time the others are freed it has become a moth, which zaps Billy for a moment. Then Zedd makes it grow, but it’s soon stopped by the ThunderMegaZord. Billy restarts his display with new insight and Bulk and Skull’s project makes a huge mess.

What they got right: You can tell Markstein really paid attention to the show. This was the first Power Rangers comic ever, and things match up to the show, right down to Zack’s hatred of bugs, Kim not getting Billy’s big words until Trini translates, and all of the other proper personalities (save one but I’ll get to that). The characters in the comic look like the actors, a credit to Morrow. The Dracula Moth wouldn’t have worked in the show, even from Sentai footage, but works just fine in the comic.

What they got wrong: One character isn’t quite right, Lord Zedd. He has Finster turn the Dracula Moth into a monster and he gets a headache when he loses. Both of these where actually Rita’s thing. Zedd made his own monsters with his staff and Rita had the headaches. I’m guessing the new episodes hadn’t been out for Markstein to see before he wrote the early issues.

Recommendation: For a further review Linkara brought this to one of his live convention shows. It’s a really good start as an adaptation with only minor hiccups. Power Ranger fans should seriously track this one down.