Power Rangers Needs a New Crossover, And X-Files Is Ripe For the Picking

Aside from being beloved staples of 1990s pop culture, it might not sound like the Power Rangers and X-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, and blending the worlds of X-Files and Power Rangers would be an engaging way for both franchises to capitalize on rampant '90s nostalgia.

The Rangers franchise already has a strong comic book presence, including a number of crossover adventures; although X-Files may not be as prominent in the comics world as Rangers' decade-long run at BOOM! Studios, it can be justified as to why X-Files should be Power 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 of The X-Files and the Power Rangers can 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 of Justice League/Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, in which a battle gone awry teleports the Rangers and Lord Zedd to the DC Universe.

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 famous VR Troopers as this world's police force. In simpler terms, working with pre-existing main continuities, the TMNT x Naruto crossover solidified that New York City always existed in Naruto's universe. It is also worth noting that one of the few X-Files comics does establish a similar connection for the franchise existing in the same universe as Twin Peaks.

Does The X-Files Have A Presence In The Comic Book Genre?

X-Files Comics History, Explained

The idea of Power Rangers and The X-Files may 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 because X-Files doesn'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 of X-Files comics 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.

Because X-Files comics have been so inactive lately, it is hard to determine who owns the comics IP as of this moment. Fox, the company and channel that The X-Files was 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 for X-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 the Power Rangers in Space met the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the "Shell Shocked" episode. Ever since BOOM! Studios began producing its Power Rangers line of comics, the franchise's crossover potential has only steadily increased over the last decade. The list of Power Rangers crossovers with other franchises is extensive.

The Power Rangers have met with Usagi Yojimbo, joined forces with the Justice League to beat a major Superman villain, battled Godzilla, and even reunited with the Teenage 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; an X-Files crossover with Power Rangers could 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 for The X-Files to crossover with Power 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.

When parents tucked their kids in to watch Mighty Morphin Power Rangers on a Saturday morning, they'd catch up on X-Files in the other room. Simultaneously, these demographics themselves could crossover, and still can today. Adults with a penchant for nostalgia are free to tune into Power Rangers for old-time's sake, while those kids who were raised on Power Rangers grew up to re-discover The 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

Created by

Chris Carter

First Film

The X-Files

Latest Film

The X-Files: I Want to Believe

Upcoming Films

The X-Files 3

First TV Show

The X-Files

Latest TV Show

The X-Files

The X-Files is 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 like Millennium and The 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-Files is credited with influencing numerous other television shows and has maintained a loyal fan base over the decades.

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