We love comic books. Anyone who has followed the site over the last eight years has probably noticed some comic book coverage. Our interviews over the years have grown, transformed, and continue to evolve. What began as email interviews with comic creators worked it’s way to a video format, which was elevated by video conferencing (Zoom), and now we’ve recently added a podcast channel featuring a variety of shows covering a wide spectrum of the comic book industry, and soon the cosplay & convention communities. From past content being revitalized to previously unseen/unheard material finally getting the respect they deserve, and on-site interviews at comic conventions (like this one!), PodCultHQ will have a little something for everyone.
“Beyond the Synopsis” is a new show from PopCultHQ‘s podcast – PodCultHQ – where we interview comic book creators and discuss their latest project(s). It might be the next exciting issue of a miniseries or ongoing, an upcoming title launch, a pre-order push, or the release of a trade paperback, hardcover collected edition, or an original graphic novel. And while a synopsis provides a sample of what you can expect with any release, “Beyond the Synopsis” seeks to explore the project(s) even further, through the interview with the creator(s), and provide even more reasons for you to check out, pick up, pre-order, or snag yourself a copy.
PopCultHQ had the honor to once again attend & cover Comic Con International: San Diego 2023 (SDCC). The four-day extravaganza has been a comic book fan’s dream: filled with the best publishers in the business, talented creators of varying degrees of experience, and industry professionals from all over the globe.
One such publisher is BOOM! Studios. While at SDCC, I had the opportunity to interview Power Rangers storyteller Melissa Flores and acclaimed writer, media personality and voice of the HyperForce Pink Ranger in the HyperForce RPG, Meghan Camarena. The duo teamed to bring the fan-favorite HyperForce Rangers from the screen to the page-for their first dedicated full-length story since their morphinominal first season!
As a life-long devotee of the Power Rangers franchise, reading the different comics from BOOM! Studios over the years has continued to deepen my love for a world of adventure that is ever-expanding and finding new fans every day. Getting the chance to chat with Melissa and Meghan about POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HyperForce #1 was delightful. It was clear from the moment we started talking that these two are not just dedicated fans; they are friends bound by the threads of creative partnership and a mutual appreciation for Power Rangers and its lore. Anyone who enjoyed the HyperForce webseries will want to pick up this comic because it will scratch the itch of seeing the team back in action after the show ended in 2018. Hats off to Melissa and Chloe. This comic was mega-awesome!
Check out the preview and then listen to the interview!
COVERS
POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HyperForce #1
Written by Melissa Flores & Meghan Camarena
Art by Federico Sabbatini
Colors by Bryan Valenza
Letters by Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Cover A by Keyla K. Valerio
Cover B by Goñi Montes (Foil Virgin Variant)
Cover C by Keyla K. Valerio (Virgin Variant)
Cover D by InHyuk Lee (Virgin Variant)
SPECIAL ISSUE.
The Debut of the DRAKKON RANGERS!
Mistress Vile, formerly known as Rita Repulsa, and Dark Specter have invaded the Morphin Grid, but it will take far more than just the Mighty Morphin and Omega Rangers to stop them!
As the dark contagion spreads and puts the Rangers in their most vulnerable state yet, the HyperForce Rangers will have to scour the multiverse for as many unexpected allies as they can, while they’re pushed to their limits…
PREVIEW PAGES
BEYOND THE SYNOPSIS – Ep. 1 @ SDCC 2023
<From the editor:> Special thanks to Melissa & Meghan for taking the time out to speak with us at PopCultHQ. And a big thanks to Anthony Mauro, the co-host of BOOM! Direct and the kickass marketing lead at BOOM! Studios, for offering this San Diego Comic-Con interview opportunity to us at PopCultHQ so we could share with all of you!
Be sure to follow Melissa and Meghan across their socials (below) for more awesome content!
Follow Melissa Flores Online!
Writer, producer, consultant, and creative executive, best known for her prolific work with the Power Rangers brand for over ten years, The Unleashed and her Image comic book series The Dead Lucky. She is the founder of KaChoppa Productions and co-founder of Amalgam Tales.
She specializes in developing and producing diverse and inclusive entertainment content that synergizes across multiple media platforms. She worked as a creative executive and producer for the long-running kids live action series Power Rangers, the animated series Glitter Force, Digimon Fusion, and Julius Junior.
She helped develop the 2017 feature film Saban’s Power Rangers, as well as the popular digital films Power Rangers Legacy Wars: Streetfighter Showdown and Power Rangers Shattered Grid.
In addition, Melissa has worked on several publishing titles, including the award-winning Boom! Studios Power Rangers comic books). Melissa helped develop and launch the hit console game Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid and the mobile game Power Rangers Legacy Wars.
In 2020, she wrote and co-created the popular Twitch digital hybrid series The Unleashed, which was also featured as a five issue backup comic series in the superhero Image series Radiant Black.
Her new Image ongoing comic book series The Dead Lucky was released in 2022.
She also voices the characters Kat Ranger and Gia Moran in Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid.
Follow Meghan Camarena Online!
Meghan Camarena, better known under her YouTube personality Strawburry17, is an American actress and internet personality who portrays Chloe Ashford/Hyperforce Pink in the Twitch RPG Power Rangers HyperForce and Ranger Slayer in Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid.
Follow BOOM! Studios Online!
BOOM! Studios was founded by Ross Richie in 2005 with the singular focus of creating world-class comic book and graphic novel storytelling for all audiences. Through the development of four distinct imprints—BOOM! Studios, BOOM! Box, KaBOOM!, and Archaia—BOOM! has produced award-winning original work, including Lumberjanes, The Woods, Giant Days, Klaus, and Mouse Guard, while also breaking new ground with established licenses such as WWE, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Cartoon Network, and The Jim Henson Company properties. BOOM! will also bring their original series to life through unique first-look relationships with 20th Century Fox for film and with 20th Television for the small screen. Please visit www.boom-studios.com for more information.
Follow Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Online!
About SDCC:
The SAN DIEGO COMIC CONVENTION (Comic-Con International) is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation organized for charitable purposes and dedicated to creating the general public’s awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, including participation in and support of public presentations, conventions, exhibits, museums and other public outreach activities which celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.
`
Follow Josh Winchester online!
Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Joshua has been a dedicated fan of comics and pop culture since childhood. An avid reader, a devotee of classic movies, and a passionate listener of jazz and rock music, he is best at home in the company of good friends or sitting down with a cup of tea and his nose in a book. If you ever want to talk comic books or discuss who is the best rock drummer besides Neil Peart, Josh is your guy.
Follow PopCultHQ online!
PopCultHQ is a professional entertainment media company covering all things pop culture, with concentrations in comic books, cosplay, and conventions. We have exclusive interviews with comic book creators, cosplayers, publishers, local comic shops, and entertainment celebrities. PopCultHQ is also active on the convention scene, covering many events on-site to obtain & provide exclusive content for our viewing audience. Celebrate your fandom with us!
Follow PodCultHQ online!
PodCultHQ is PopCultHQ’s official podcast. Maintained & managed by Jason Bennett, PodCultHQ is a feature-filled, ear candy of content highlighting the comic book, cosplay, and convention communities.
You can expect exclusive interviews with comic book creators, previous video features returning in audio format (“Pants Optional” Zoom interviews), crowdfunding promotions (“Just Kickin’ It!“), a deeper dive into the comic book world (“Industry Insider“), unpublished material finally seeing the light of day (“From the Vault“), plus so much more. And, of course, idle chatter.
And be on the lookout for some new, fun & exciting, outside-the-box shows, including a talk show, a weekend wrapup broadcast, and an amateur rap competition for comic creators where you, the fans, can vote for your favorite each week through our toll-free number! Crazy, right? Yeah, we question our sanity a lot of times. Every now and then, it replies.
Celebrate your fandom with us… audibly!
