by R.C. Samo
Editor-in-Chief
Pasadena, CA August 17, 2012 – The third ever Power Morphicon, honoring all things Power Rangers is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the smash hit syndicated television show based on the original Japanese Super Sentai series.
Originally airing during the Fox Kids after school line up, Might Morphin’ Power Rangers was brought to America by Egyptian born Israeli, Haim Saban and has been broadcast in various incarnations ever since. The show eventually moved from the Fox network in 2002 and into the hands of Disney who purchased Fox Family Worldwide changing the official name to ABC Family Worldwide Inc. and has been running on numerous Disney owned stations.
This year’s Power Morphicon includes original series stars Walter Jones (The Black Ranger), Paul Schrier (Bulk), Jason Narvy (Skull) and David Yost (The Blue Ranger). Several other cast members such as Johnny Yong Bosch (Might Morphin’ Power Ranger, Power Ranger Turbo), Jessica Rey (White Tiger Wild Force Ranger), Herbie Baez (The Green Hunter Beetleborg & Titanium Silver Beetleborg), Nakia Burrise (Yellow Zeo Ranger) and Jason Faunt (Red Time Force Ranger) will be on hand as well.
The fans have come out from across the United States and across the globe to celebrate this monumental occasion.
“I came over last week and it’s my first time to the States,” said Gary Doyle, 25. “I got on the phone and Walter Jones talked to my sister who lost her mind,” said the Brisbane, Queensland, Australia resident.
A group known as the “Texas Rangers,” which started only a year ago at the Austin Comic Con, in Austin, TX, has already made a stirring at Power Morphicon.
“We had a small fan table in Austin, last week where we met Jason David Frank (the original Green Ranger). He did a shout out video endorsing us. My mind was blown when my idol acknowledged me!” said Brandon ‘Da Black Ranger’ Bartley, 25, a driver out of Houston, TX.
Meeting up with Bartley, were Bryan Vaughn and his fiance Anna Smith, who were several that made the trip out from Texas and the Mid-West to meet face-to-face for the first time.
Over the past two decades, the Power Rangers have meant so much to so many people of different walks of life. Just like any other “fandom,” the Rangers have an extensive female fanbase.
“I’m excited to be at Morphicon because it’s like being a kid again. I remember playing Power Rangers. My inner child is starstruck over the Black and Red Rangers,” said Allison McDaniel, 23, an employee for PBS in the Marketing and Promotions department located in Washington D.C.
Jessica LaBossiere, 23, a law firm receptionist also from D.C. added to McDaniel’s statement, “When I first walked in I was 8 years old again!”
There will be several panels throughout the weekend from, a behinds the scenes look at the production of the Power Ranger on Saturday to a spotlight showcasing the villains on Sunday. Also, don’t forget the venders and the exclusive Two Figures – Shark Attack Red Ranger and an evil Mooger – both with full metallic paint!
“It’s fun to geek out for the weekend. I found some cool loot and it’s good to find out I’m not the only one who likes this stuff,” said Shannon McDaniel, 25, a legal assistant in Washington D.C.
For more information on the Power Morphicon visit their official website at http://officialpowerMorphicon.com/home/
Like them on Facebook at The Official Power Morphicon Convention
Follow them on Twitter @PowerMorphicon