COMIC REVIEW – Power Rangers Universe Issue 2

On Wednesday, January 26th, Power Rangers Universe Issue 2 will be released from Boom Studios.

Discover the truth behind the Phantom Ranger, the Morphin Masters, Power Rangers, and the Morphin Grid itself in the series that will unlock the secrets of the Power Rangers Universe! In the ancient past, six teens scramble inside the Masterforge to save a mysterious figure they rescue from the Morphin Grid. But in doing so, they strand themselves from their parents, the Morphin Masters, who ascend into the Grid itself to protect it from Dark Specter. Can they protect Earth and the Grid itself from the impending forces headed their way? That question will have to wait, because first they must defend themselves against…a T-Rex attack!

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

“After last month’s lore crammed issue, Power Ranger Universe continues with another jam packed issue. Unfortunately, the synopsis is misleading – there is no T-Rex attack. Phiro’s pet Whendi, whom we met last issue and looked like a typical Stegosaurus, panics after the attack of  Dark Specter’s forces. But in this issue the face looks more like a T-Rex, with sharp teeth and more boxy face. The spine plates and spiked tail remain though. 

Why focus on such a detail? Because readers already confused if they didn’t read last month’s issue twice to absorb everything, might be left scratching their heads. Fortunately, the rest of the issue is more straight forward as the teens help the Morphinaut to safety and dive deeper into the mysteries of why he is so full of Grid Energy. There is quite a bit of lore explained and we start getting answers pretty quickly. 

Writer Nicole Andelfinger brings these characters to life with witty banter and a believable friendship. The Morphinaut gets to talk a lot in this issue and I couldn’t help but imagine hearing the Phantom Ranger’s voice as he explains what’s going on with the Master Arch and Grid Energy. There is also a huge payoff from the first issue of the miniseries that will get a lot of fans excited for future issues. 

Artist Simone Ragazzoni and letterer Ed Dukeshire combine drawn and designed sound effects throughout the issue, which at times I found a little distracting. However, there are some nice instances where the sound effects act as panels and transitions which I think add to the chaos of their planet’s destruction. Colorist Mattia Iacono brings so much vibrancy to this issue, bright colors that make every panel pop and stand out. 

Power Rangers Universe Issue 2 is a step in the right direction for the mini-series, now that we know the characters and dive deeper into the main plot. A third of the way in, I am more engaged and curious with what will happen next.”

POWER RANGERS UNIVERSE #2
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Retail Price: $3.99
Writer: Nicole Andelfinger
Artist: Simone Ragazzoni
Colorist: Mattia Iacono
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:

• Main Cover: Dan Mora
• 1:10 Incentive Cover: Dan Mora
• 1:25 Dark Ranger Incentive Cover: Junggeun Yoon
• 1:50 Negative Space Incentive Cover: Goñi Montes
• 1:100 Incentive Cover: Raúl Allén
• FOC Reveal Holofoil: Songmuang Chuaynukoon
• FOC Reveal 1:10 Incentive Holofoil: Songmuang Chuaynukoon

POWER RANGERS UNIVERSE #2 features main cover art by Dan Mora (Once & Future) and variant cover art by illustrators Junggeun Yoon, Goñi Montes (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), Raúl Allén, and Songmuang Chuaynukoon.

Currently, Power Rangers is celebrating 28 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 celebrates its 28th season with, “Power Rangers Dino Fury” currently streaming on Netflix in the U.S., UK, NZ, AU & CA.

POWER RANGERS UNIVERSE 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; Abbott by Saladin Ahmed and Sami Kivelä; Proctor Valley Road by Grant Morrison, Alex Child, and Naomi Franquiz; The Many Deaths of Laila Starr by Ram V and Filipe Andrade; and Eve by Victor LaValle and Jo Mi-Gyeong. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Atreides from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Dev Pramanik; and Magic from Jed McKay and Ig Guara.

Print copies of POWER RANGERS UNIVERSE #2 will be available on January 26, 2021 exclusively at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the one nearest you) or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers like comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.

Softcover and hardcover 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 and 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.