#animarium

I had so much fun with the first time, I decided to do a second one; this time with a mixture of series I love (like Wild Force) and with series I was less than lukewarm about (like Operation: Overdrive and Megaforce). 1. Wild Force – Jen Bartel

If you’ve ever seen Bartel’s work, she always seems to capture a certain kind of mysticism with her line work and forms in harmony with her cascade of colors; it has a nice paletted spectrum, feel to it. Hence, she ideal for Wild Force because this series constantly worked themes of mother nature, earth power, and animism with the Wild Zords, Princess Shayla, Animarium, and the animal crystals. 

The single reference that really solidified her as my choice for Wild Force (one of my personal favorite seasons of Power Rangers) was her guest art appearance in Black Panther #6 (2018). The way she was able to proficiently encapsulate the Afro-futurism (and mysticism) Wakandan visuals made Wild Force seem like a natural transition for her illustrations to lend their talents to.

2. Jungle Fury – Afu Chan

In truth, I have not seen that much of Jungle Fury. It was right after the abysmal season that was Overdrive – the season that, had it not been for the Retro Rangers, I would have quit Power Rangers all together – and unfortunately, it got the after affects of my disdain from that season. That being said, from the clips and scenes I have seen from the show, it really does go all in with the martial arts and wire fu, which I appreciate; it was a nice amalgamation of Super Sentai and Wushu films filmed and retooled for an American audience. 

It is because of these core traits of the show, that I think Afu Chan’s art would do major justice for Jungle Fury. If I had to describe Afu’s style, it’s like a more refined and intense version of Dan Hipp’s and it is because of these stronger traits that Afu is able to display that the action drawn really enthralls me to the page.

 Afu seems to know just the right panels to draw that the reader is able to weave a story of what happened before while also keeping the pace of the flowing rather nicely; the super moves, like the Rhino Blade Slash, I think Afu would truly sensationalize to great effect.  

I definitely think that Afu Chan’s designs would sync really well with the Jungle Fury Wolf Ranger and Jungle Fury Rhino Ranger, respectively, as well.

 3. Operation: Overdrive – Stefano Caselli

As aforementioned, I did not like Operation: Overdrive. Nonetheless, I still saw the POTENTIAL it had as series and potential is a horrible thing to waste. The characters and story elements were there for this to be good season but, it seemed to consistently abyss itself instead of apex. The more niche theme of global treasure hunting for the Corona Aurora and the weapons that all had an excavation factor to it were great elements that allowed it to differentiate itself from its predecessors. Another noteworthy thing about the series is its more blatantly metallic components to the Ranger suits. 

Stefano Caselli is good fit for this series of Rangers because his art work is no stranger to depicting technology (he constantly manages to give those more metallic and chromatic pieces of tech a nice sheen to them) and he is great at capturing the different, dynamic locales the Earth has to offer.

 4.  Megaforce – Juann Cabal

As stated just above, the worst thing to waste is potential and BOY, did Megaforce waste a multitude of it. This was supposed to be THE legacy series; a culmination of generations of Power Rangers being able to be used and siphoned to momentous effect in creative and exceptional ways unlike any we’ve seen before – and instead, we got less than superficial development, Zord sized plot holes, and outlines of core characters and arcs. That being said, the POTENTIAL is still there and a competent writer can quell, rectify, and invigorate the heap of loose ends and neglected prospective that was Megaforce and Super Megaforce. I can think of no better artist to illustrate this task than Juann Cabal who is more than capable to exhibiting massive splash pages filled with characters that each carry their own individuality to them.

Honestly, it his more like a lay up because of how uniform most the Ranger suits are. While I despise Orion’s Super Megaforce Gold Battlizer (it is very much is an atrocity for those with functional eyes) the spectacle that is the Legendary Final Strike, Shooting Rangers, and Slashing Rangers makes having to see the suit more than worth it.

5. Dino Charge – Francis Manapul

For me, Dino Charge never got a past a surface level enjoyment and couldn’t really say why. The actors playing the Rangers were giving their all in terms of acting but, they still felt like pastiches of other characters that I’d grown familiar with in the Ranger lore. One of the only breakaways for me was Sir Ivan. I think the real reason I could never get into was because of the fact we got Heckyl turning into the Talon Ranger or, the Talon Ranger in general – the series just seemed incomplete without him. Nevertheless, still did have fun with it (even with the blatant toy commercial moments) and I think Francis Manapul’s work is ideal with his perfect balance of smooth linework and bright, bold yet charming color palette. 

What it would really look forward to is if he was able to capture the chomp effects that come from morphing. Also, if this series DID happen, they absolutely HAVE TO BRING IN THE DARK (TALON) RANGER. So far, in Beyond the Grid, issue #35 has been my personal favorite issue and it stars Heckyl with a fantastic back story of how he became a Ranger.

It’s time to Ranger Up with @trekkieb47 @secretrangerfan & @ZachLaVoy as they talk all things Power Rangers on the Four Eyed Radio Network with RANGER COMMAND POWER HOUR!

In PART TWO of October’s extra episode, brought to you by our supporters on Patreon, we continue our fantasy Power Rangers Survivor season 2 with special co-host Doug (@dougwatchin)!

What happens when you take 16 Power Rangers and put them on a fantasy season of Survivor? A fascinating character study that collides two fandoms: Survivor and Power Rangers!

We run through episodes 8-15 of Power Rangers Survivor The Animarium. Through a merge and intense individual challenges… who will become the Sole SurvivoRanger?

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Extra Episode 021: “Power Rangers Survivor Season 2: The Animarium Part 2”

https://media.blubrry.com/fern/p/dl.dropbox.com/s/bko9a8s62vnaq1r/RCPHEX021-2.mp3

STITCHER – SPREAKER – ITUNES – ANDROID

LISTEN TO POWER RANGERS SURVIVOR ANIMARIUM PART 1

Links mentioned in the show:

Survivor Season 12 – Panama Exile Island

It’s time to Ranger Up with @trekkieb47 @secretrangerfan & @ZachLaVoy as they talk all things Power Rangers on the Four Eyed Radio Network with RANGER COMMAND POWER HOUR!

In October’s extra episode, brought to you by our supporters on Patreon, we return with special co-host Doug (@dougwatchin) to bring you, Power Rangers Survivor, Season 2.

Our first season of Power Rangers Survivor was so successful, we made a second season! What happens when you take 16 Power Rangers and put them on a fantasy season of Survivor? A fascinating character study that collides two fandoms: Survivor and Power Rangers!

In Part One, we run through a fantasy season of Survivor with 16 former Power Rangers. We discuss the new setting in the Animarium, cast 4 new teams of Power Rangers and run through the first 7 episodes of Power Rangers Survivor: The Animarium.

The Tribe has Spoken.

Listen now: Ranger Command Power Hour Extra Episode 021: “Power Rangers Survivor Season 2: The Animarium Part 1”

https://media.blubrry.com/fern/p/dl.dropbox.com/s/z0qa3nxtp3mohjr/RCPHEX021-1.mp3

STITCHER – SPREAKER – ITUNES – ANDROID

LISTEN TO POWER RANGERS SURVIVOR ANIMARIUM PART 2

Links mentioned in the show:

Survivor Season 12 – Panama Exile Island