Aside from being beloved staples of 1990s pop culture, it might not sound like thePower RangersandX-Filesfranchises are a natural fit for a crossover, but the case can be made that the iconic characters from both series could find common ground, and that a crossover story would benefit both.
Comic books are a perfect medium for unexpected crossovers, andblending the worlds ofX-FilesandPower Rangerswould be an engaging way for both franchises to capitalize on rampant ’90s nostalgia.
TheRangersfranchise already has a strong comic book presence, including a number of crossover adventures; althoughX-Filesmay not be as prominent in the comics world as Rangers’decade-long run at BOOM! Studios, it can be justified as to whyX-Filesshould bePower Rangers’next crossover.
What Would An X-Files Crossover With Power Rangers Look Like?
Ambitious, But Not Impossible
There are a number of ways the universes ofThe X-Filesand thePower Rangerscan merge together; naturally, the story elements are entirely dependent on the writers and artists involved in the creative process, but as far as making sense of how two previously distant universes can come together, there are numerous options on the table. The simplest would be sending one set of heroes to the other’s universe. This was the basis ofJustice League/Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, in which a battle gone awry teleports the Rangers and Lord Zedd to the DC Universe.
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Alternatively, it is also possible to revamp both worlds into one for a recontextualized world where both parties always co-existed, but never interacted. BOOM! Studios' new series,Power Rangers Prime, showcases an example of this, as a rebooted Rangerverse appoints the famousVR Troopers as this world’s police force. In simpler terms, working with pre-existing main continuities, theTMNT x Narutocrossover solidifiedthat New York City always existedin Naruto’s universe. It is also worth noting that one of the fewX-Filescomics does establish a similar connection for the franchise existing in the same universe asTwin Peaks.
Does The X-Files Have A Presence In The Comic Book Genre?
X-Files Comics History, Explained
The idea ofPower RangersandThe X-Filesmay feel particularly out there for some readers. This isn’t because of the surprising combination of two unexpected franchises – combining the unexpected is what makes the bulk of a crossover concept, after all – but becauseX-Filesdoesn’t have as much of a dominant presence in the comic space. That being said,X-Files’place in comics isn’t non-existent. There have been an array ofX-Filescomics over the years, most notably under the IDW banner;the publisher produced a canonical Seasons 10 and 11 from 2013-2015, overseen by franchise creator Chris Carter.
The X-Files (1995-98) featured writing by Stefan Petrucha, John Rozum, Kevin J. Anderson, and Dwight Jon Zimmerman, with artwork primarily by Charles Adlard. The series was first produced by Topp Comics, and later by DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint. In between,X-Filescomics were released by Titan Comics and Checker Book Publishing, respectively. Other comic series from the franchise includeThe X-Files Comics Digestand IDW’s run.
BecauseX-Filescomics have been so inactive lately, it is hard to determine who owns the comics IP as of this moment. Fox, the company and channel thatThe X-Fileswas originally housed under, could simply be sitting on those rights with no immediate plans to touch on the franchise, on or off-screen. Alternatively, since they were the last to do anything significant with the intellectual property in comic form, this could mean IDW still owns the comic publishing rights. Given IDW’s track record with franchise IP, this could instill a glimmer of hope forX-Files’comic future.
Power Rangers' Comics Are Already Known For Their Ambitious Crossovers
Power Rangers Crossovers, Explained
The Power Rangers are certainly no stranger to crossovers. Power Rangers teaming up with teams from past seasons was, at one time, an annual tradition onscreen. At the same time, Power Rangers has a habit of merging with some surprising franchises outside of their own, like when thePower Rangers in Spacemet theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesin the “Shell Shocked” episode. Ever sinceBOOM! Studios began producing itsPower Rangerslineof comics, the franchise’s crossover potential has only steadily increased over the last decade. The list ofPower Rangerscrossovers with other franchises is extensive.
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The Power Rangershave met with Usagi Yojimbo, joined forces with the Justice League tobeat a major Superman villain, battled Godzilla, and even reunited with theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, all in the confines of comics. The beauty of comic book crossovers is that they make the impossible all the more possible. Onscreen crossovers tend to have their limitations to what can’t be done between two franchises onscreen, but all such constrictions are thrown out the window in the comics' realm;anX-Filescrossover withPower Rangerscould only ever happen in comics.
Why Would Audiences Want A Power Rangers/X-Files Crossover?
Two ’90s Staples Make One Great Series
While comic books make it feasible forThe X-Filesto crossover withPower Rangers, it does not put into perspective why it should happen. Just because something can happen does not always mean it should, so it begs the question as to why Mulder and Scully should bother crossing paths with a crop of “Teenagers with Attitudes.” The answer is simple:it’s the perfect way to celebrate the 90s.Power Rangers and The X-Files were both on opposite ends of pop culture. One was directed toward a children’s demographic, while the other was aimed at adults.
Adults with a penchant for nostalgia are free to tune intoPower Rangersfor old-time’s sake, while those kids who were raised onPower Rangersgrew up to re-discoverThe X-Filesonce they were adults.
When parents tucked their kids in to watchMighty Morphin Power Rangerson a Saturday morning, they’d catch up onX-Filesin the other room. Simultaneously, these demographics themselves could crossover, and still can today. Adults with a penchant for nostalgia are free to tune intoPower Rangersfor old-time’s sake, while those kids who were raised onPower Rangersgrew up to re-discoverThe X-Filesonce they were adults. It all revolves around nostalgia, and there’s no better way to scratch that nostalgic itch than to pay homage to two of the 90s' greatest TV shows in one crossover.
The X-Files
The X-Filesis a groundbreaking science fiction and supernatural franchise that began with the television series created by Chris Carter in 1993. The series follows FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena, known as X-Files. The show combines elements of horror, thriller, and conspiracy fiction, making it a cultural phenomenon of the 1990s. The franchise expanded to include two feature films, multiple comic book series, video games, and spin-off shows likeMillenniumandThe Lone Gunmen. It was revived twice, first in 2016 and then again in 2018, with additional seasons continuing the story of Mulder and Scully.The X-Filesis credited with influencing numerous other television shows and has maintained a loyal fan base over the decades.
