Rangers. Turtles. Short, punchy names for two fantastical teams fighting against the forces of evil. Both teams are color-coded. Both teams love to quip during battle and vanquish their foes with flair. In Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1, they are pitted against each other, and one of the characters who's usually called a hero is fighting for the bad guys. It's a premise that could come straight from the mind of an imaginative child, but it is brought to the page with such care and passion that you can't help but grin and gorge yourself on the tale.

The issue starts by showing the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in action against the usual suspects from their respective rogues galleries. The Rangers exchange words, blows and blasts with a brightly colored crustacean with a bad case of villain monologue syndrome. The Turtles take down hordes of the Foot clan, minions of their regular archenemy, Shredder.

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Simone di Meo's art showcases both the Rangers' over-the-top, laser-filled encounter and the Turtles' darker, more personal styles equally superbly. The similarities and contrasts between the two teams are presented clearly, without feeling forced upon the reader.

The tone of the book is joyous - the story of the issue would be right at home on a TV screen viewed early on a Saturday morning by a child with their mouth open in awe. It remains light without being dumbed-down.

The relationships within and between the two teams are clear but complex. Ryan Parrott's dialogue feels pitch perfect and remains a strength of the comic throughout the issue. Each character is developed neatly and feels true to the heaps of canon that both the Turtles and the Rangers have accumulated up until this point, without sacrificing the lively pace of the book.

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Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 is an example of how to bring together two different comic and entertainment franchises. The essence of both the Turtles and Rangers is celebrated, without relying on brand recognition alone. Ryan Parrott's crisp writing and Simone di Meo's action-packed art style bring the shellheads and the bright color brigade into the same space and allow them to interact organically. The first issue was a riot from front cover to back. Hopefully the series maintains its energy and creativity throughout its run.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 is available now.

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