The great thing is, this new series (issues 0 through 4 of which are collected in this volume) strives to be that version of the Rangers – the one we think we remember.  It’s an unabashed take, celebrating the best parts of the Power Rangers while realizing potential that the limited budget of children’s programming never let the show fulfill.  Frankly, I was caught off-guard by just how good this comic is.

Though this is a reboot of sorts, it doesn’t start completely at square one.  The Power Rangers – Jason, Billy, Zack, Trini, and Kimberly – have been at this for a little while.  The story picks up after the original show’s first major plot: Rita Repulsa’s attempt to overcome the Power Rangers with her own Green Ranger.  As most anyone who is likely to read this comic (or force it upon their kids) fondly remembers, Tommy is able to overcome Rita’s brainwashing and, ultimately, join the fight on the side of good.  But Rita is far from defeated, and she intends to take advantage of the doubt the Rangers have in Tommy – and that he has in himself.

Yes, this comic is set in the modern day, more or less, but other than that, this is the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers you remember – not the after-school-special reality, but the dramatic struggle between a few young teenagers with attitudes and an evil witch that lives on the moon.  Every piece is here, not re-imagined (like in Marvel’s Ultimate universe) but simply updated.  Zordon, Alpha, and even perpetual screw-ups Bulk and Skull are the same as ever – trying to ride the Rangers’ coattails to internet stardom, no less.  Kyle Higgins (Nightwing) gives the characters enough definition to drive the dramatic moments, and art from Hendry Prasetya (Power Girl) gives the action the sort of brightly-colored tension that we always hoped for.  The freedom of the comic page allows the sort of great moments that every Power Rangers fankid would have salivated over, as the Rangers are able to use their Zords independently of each other to deal with major crises that would’ve just been too expensive for the original show.  This is the best kind of reboot.

My best advice?  Grab your copy, put on a color-coordinated outfit, crank that rockin’ guitar riff (that still absolutely holds up), and let this book remind you why you ran around the playground shouting, “Tyrannosaurus!” for a month when you were eight.