TMNT's April O'Neil Gets a Power Rangers Upgrade as Yellow Ranger X

At the end of TMNT's crossover with the Power Rangers, April O'Neil became the Power Rangers' newest Yellow Ranger, and she may be keeping this power.

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #5 April O’Neil is the first human ally of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but throughout most of her TMNT career, she has played a much more non-violent, investigative role on the team–at least, until her Power Rangers upgrade, that is. Now, April O’Neill is a superpowered hero in her own right, as the Power Rangers’ latest Yellow Ranger (well, sort of).

April O’Neil was introduced in the original Mirage Studios TMNT comic, but she wouldn't become a household name until the ‘90s cartoon. It was also that depiction of April that established her as a journalist as opposed to her original career as a computer programmer. However, this initial change wasn't the only time April would have a different role in TMNT continuity. In IDW Publishing's ongoing TMNT, April was introduced as a scientist intern working with the mutagen ooze before she eventually became a journalist. In the Archie Comics TMNT series, April is presented as a warrior. And now, within the crossover continuity of IDW and BOOM! Studios, April O’Neil is the Yellow Ranger X.

In Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #5 by Ryan Parrott and Dan Mora, the Ninja Turtles have teleported back to their world from Dimension X, where they found a few things of great importance. The Turtles discovered Dimension X Power Rangers morphers that were connected to an entirely different Morphin Grid. Once activated, each Ninja Turtle became a Dimension X Ranger (or Ranger X). While this Power Rangers upgrade was instrumental in the Ninja Turtles’/Power Rangers’ victory over Rita Repulsa and General Krang, they eventually gave up that power and returned to their normal status quo. However, the Turtles’ loss was April's gain, as when they gave up their morphers, she was given hers.

As it stands, April's tenure as Dimension X's Yellow Ranger was over before it really began–at least, for now. April and Casey (who has been a Ranger X since the start of this crossover) were tasked with returning the Dimension X morphers back to their original reality. In case they ran into trouble, Casey and April were allowed to keep their Power Rangers upgrades until the mission was complete. This is the strongest April has ever been in any of her previous incarnations, but unfortunately, it seems as though it will be over the second she and Casey finish their fairly simple mission. Or will it?

At the end of this crossover, Shredder and Lord Zedd have decided to join forces and take on the Ninja Turtles/Power Rangers themselves without the help of Rita Repulsa or Krang. This means that another TMNT/Power Rangers crossover is all but assured, which also means fans might see April hold onto this new power for a little while longer. As the Yellow Ranger X, April O’Neil will actually be able to get in on the fight, and challenge Shredder and Zedd along with her long-time Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles allies as well as her newfound peers, the Power Rangers.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #5 by BOOM! Studios and IDW Publishing is available now.

Spencer Connolly is a Staff Writer for Screen Rant. With years of writing and journalism experience under his belt, Spencer joined Screen Rant in 2020. Prior to writing for Screen Rant, Spencer was a Photojournalist and News Producer. Throughout his career as a journalist and even his entire life, Spencer always had a deep love for comics and is now applying everything he has learned throughout his career to the fun and informative articles he writes for Screen Rant. You can follow Spencer on Twitter: @TheSpencerVerse.