COMIC REVIEW – Power Rangers Issue 1

On Wednesday, November 11th, Power Rangers Issue 1 will be released from Boom Studios. Last week we got the first look of the second launch in the “Unlimited Power” era of Power Rangers comics.

POWER RANGERS #1 reveals a new cosmic threat that only the original Power Rangers, now known as the Omega Rangers – Jason, Trini and Zack – can hope to defeat! But their secret weapon is… the villainous Lord Drakkon?! Zordon forbids the Omega Rangers from engaging Drakkon, so if they want to save the universe then they’ll have to go rogue – and go up against their Mighty Morphin allies.

Host Eric (@trekkieb47) had a chance to read the issue in advance and shares his review:

“Following the launch of this past Wednesday’s Mighty Morphin Issue 1, the story continues in Power Rangers Issue 1. Think of the issues this month as a two-parter of the television show, kind of like a season premiere. While Issues 51-55 felt like a set up for this new arc, Mighty Morphin #1 and Power Rangers #1 are a launchpad for both series to take off in their own directions.

This particular issue sets the Omega Rangers on a quest that I don’t think will let them return to Earth anytime soon. The solicits make this point clear that they are on a forbidden path. Forbidden by whom? Zordon. Like Mighty Morphin #1, Zordon is an important part of the consequences going forward.

From the previews, readers should already know that there is a reunion between both teams as they discuss the Empyreal. The Omega Rangers are desperate for information, and it’s clear that Drakkon is the only lead.

There are some superb character moments in this issue. My favorite is a conversation that should have happened in the show between Jason and Rocky about what it means to be the Red Ranger. Members of both teams discuss the oncoming threat of the Empyreal and this sets up almost a division of viewpoints between the teams. Writer Ryan Parrott does a fantastic job giving every character a clear conviction in what they believe. Trini in particular is a standout character of this issue.

Out of the two issues this month, I enjoyed this one a bit more. Both issues are fantastic number ones, but Power Rangers sets up a conflict that won’t be resolved easily. After talking with Ryan on an upcoming interview with Ranger Command, I am excited for the direction the Omega Rangers can go. Like the universe itself, the possibilities are endless.

Artist Francesco Mortarino returns from the last arc Go Go Power Rangers. Seeing his art again feels like a comfy blanket. And his art just continually improves, you can feel the emotions in the conversations. There’s also an “action” scene towards the end that sets up the covert feel this series is going to take.

To sum it up, Power Rangers Issue 1 sets the Omega Rangers on a journey that will open up readers to the wider universe of show and comics. No longer are the Omega Rangers tied to a “main” book or event, this is their story. Omega now, Omega forever!”

POWER RANGERS #1
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Francesco Mortarino
Colorist: Raúl Angulo
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Matteo Scalera
Legacy Cover: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Connecting Cover: Jung-Geun Yoon
Price: $4.99

POWER RANGERS #1 features main cover art by Matteo Scalera, and variant cover art by Daniele Di Nicuolo (Seven Secrets), Jung-Geun Yoon, Peach Momoko, and an “Every Ranger” cover illustration by Dan Mora (Once & Future) that connects with MIGHTY MORPHIN #1, MIGHTY MORPHIN #2, and POWER RANGERS #2.

Currently, Power Rangers is celebrating 27 continuous years on the air, making it one of the longest running kids’ live-action series in television history with nearly 900 episodes aired to date. Created by Haim Saban and launched in 1993 with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the franchise continues with the 27th season, “Power Rangers Beast Morphers” currently airing on Saturdays at 8 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon in the U.S.

POWER RANGERS is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including BRZRKR by Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, and Ron Garney; We Only Find Them When They’re Dead by Al Ewing and Simone Di Meo; Seven Secrets by Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo; Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera; Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora; Faithless by Brian Azzarello and Maria Llovet; and Alienated by Simon Spurrier and Chris Wildgoose. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties including Dune: House Atreides by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Dev Pramanik;  Buffy the Vampire Slayer from Jordie Bellaire and David López, and Firefly from Greg Pak, Lalit Kumar Sharma & Daniel Bayliss.

Print copies of POWER RANGERS #1 will be available on November 11, 2020 exclusively at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one), or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers like comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Madefire.

Softcover collections of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS, and other Power Rangers releases from BOOM! Studios are available now, everywhere books are sold.

For continuing news on the MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS series and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

For more on Power Rangers, please visit www.powerrangers.com and follow Power Rangers on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.