With the show's 30th Anniversary nearly upon us, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are shouting back to action in more ways than one, as in addition to the upcoming Once & Always Netflix special, the original Pink Ranger Amy Jo Johnson has announced, via Variety, her plans to debut a brand new comic book series with publisher Boom Studios.
The untitled series, which is tentatively scheduled to launch in 2024, was co-written by Johnson and her partner and director Matt Hotson, with the concept originating during the pandemic, “I was daydreaming about it and mentioned it to my boyfriend, Matt. He said, ‘Why don’t you try to write it as a comic book?' We had all the time on our hands, so we daydreamed up this entire comic book series knowing the 30th anniversary was coming.”
Johnson tells the trade that her series will be different from the original series, as it's her own version of the story, but it sounds like it will still center on her era of the saga, as she watched MMPR episodes - apparently for the first time - to draw further inspiration and get reacquainted with the series that made her a household name in the '90s.
“This is my thank you, this is my love letter to the fans. It’s just been incredible to have these kids who are now adults support me through all of [my career] changes.”
Now, as for the upcoming 30th Anniversary special, where she won't be a participant despite the return of her original co-stars Walter Jones and David Yost, Johnson again clarifies that her decision to not come back wasn't monetary, but had more to do with her just having moved on from acting. She explains,
“There were a bunch of different factors that came into play. One of them [being] I was working on other projects, and I also have a 14-year-old…I stopped acting and switched my focus to writing [and] directing almost 10 years ago. I can give you a list of excuses.
It just didn’t even occur to me [to join the reunion] because I was so focused on this comic book and telling this story.”
However, that doesn't mean she isn't excited to see Once & Always, and will continue to root for her friends and fans. “The whole franchise will always be very special to me. I can’t wait to see it.”
Thirty years after the wise and powerful Zordon formed the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the team comes face to face with a familiar threat from the past. In the midst of a global crisis, they are called on once again to be the heroes the world needs. This 30th Anniversary Special is inspired by the legendary mantra from the franchise “Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger,” meaning once you become part of the Ranger family, you are always welcome back.