COMIC REVIEW – Power Rangers Issue 6

On Wednesday, April 21st, Power Rangers Issue 6 will be released from Boom Studios. A first look of this issue was shown yesterday.

POWER RANGERS #6 – The New Power Rangers have formed an uneasy alliance with Lord Drakkon…but now must trust Astronema and Ecliptor in order to survive. But do the would-be Princess of Evil and her mentor have something else planned for their new allies?

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

“Who loves a good ol’ fashioned train heist? In keeping with the Wild West theme of the Planet Onyx, that’s exactly what you get in the newest issue of Power Rangers!

From the preview pages, Artist Simone Ragazzoni and colorist Igot Monti return from Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir to Darkness to sum up the backstory of Astronema from that issue. This is framed as the story Ecliptor is describing to Trini from those events as well as connecting to Power Rangers In Space.

This was a fantastic set up for readers who may have missed that issue, but we are shown ‘the truth’ in the artwork. Astronema’s parents weren’t killed by Power Rangers, but the forces of Dark Specter. And the kids orphaned by these attacks are processed into his ever expanding army. Seriously… everyone needs to read ‘Heir to Darkness’.

While we won’t spoil the rest of the issue in this preview, the overall theme is the grey area between pure good and evil. While the Omega Rangers’ quest is noble… saving the universe… how far are they willing to go to do that? Teaming up with the forces of Drakkon and Dark Specter?

The standout character once again is Trini. Writer Ryan Parrott has really made her a force of leadership and the moral compass of the team ever since his Go Go Power Rangers days. She is easily one of my favorite characters in the whole run of the comics.

The Omega Rangers are getting closer to their goal, but how much are they willing to sacrifice for the greater good?”

POWER RANGERS #6
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Francesco Mortarino & Simone Ragazzoni (Pages 1 & 2)
Colorist: Raúl Angulo with color assistance by Jose Enrique Fernández & Igor Monti with color assistance by Sabrina Del Grosso (Pages 1 & 2)
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Matteo Scalera
Legacy Cover: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Morphing Variant: Goñi Montes
Price: $3.99

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COMIC REVIEW – Mighty Morphin Issue 6

On Wednesday, April 14th, Mighty Morphin Issue 6 will be released from Boom Studios. A first look of this issue was shown last week.

Still reeling from the revelation of the New Green Ranger’s true identity, the New Mighty Morphin team must join with former Ranger Grace Sterling to save Angel Grove from a new threat tied to Zordon’s surprising past. But nothing could prepare the Rangers for the two people who stand in their way…

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

“Last time on Mighty Morphin, we got a glimpse of Matthew Cook becoming the new Green Ranger after his reveal at the end of Issue 4. In Issue 6 we see what’s going on outside of the dome, but not before another flashback to Zordon’s time over 10,000 years ago.

By now I think everyone knows how much I dig these glimpses into the past. We didn’t get one in the last issue since it focused on Matt, but I’m glad to see it return. Now that Zordon is Chief Guardian, there’s a moment between him and Zartus that needed to be shared. Supreme Guardian Zophram chose Zordon over Zartus, and Zartus was right to be upset. While he admits that Zordon might be a greater warrior than him, I wonder if Zartus will harbor some jealousy going forward.

In the final bit of the preview, we learn that the Power Rangers are now working with the Marines to help deal with the energy barrier. Later in the issue we find out there has been a 23-day time-skip. This is the only spoiler I’ll give in my review, but I’m glad some time has passed in the story. I appreciate we didn’t get four issues of them trying to figure things out with the energy field or the story being overly extended. It not only makes the situation of Lord Zedd’s energy field a bigger threat, but has some lasting consequences later in the issue. 

The rest of the issue has more great character moments, especially finding out more about Rocky’s family. Rocky has been increasingly one of my favorite characters in the last few issues and I’m glad the Stone Canyon trio are getting fleshed out. They got the short end of the stick during Necessary Evil, but they are coming into their own in this current run of the comics.

We get another twist at the end of the issue and I’m honestly not sure where the story will go from here. Writer Ryan Parrott has a knack for making these cliffhangers being interesting and leaving readers wanting more. I have so many questions, and I think everyone else will too. Why do we have to wait another month??”

MIGHTY MORPHIN #6
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Marco Renna
Colorist: Walter Baiamonte with Color Assistance by Katia Ranalli and Sara Antonellini
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Inhyuk Lee
Legacy Cover: Eleonora Carlini
Variant Covers: Peach Momoko
Price: $3.99

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COMIC REVIEW – Power Rangers Issue 5

On Wednesday, March 24th, Power Rangers Issue 5 will be released from Boom Studios. A first look of this issue was shown earlier this week.

POWER RANGERS #5 – The New Power Rangers are attacked by the young assassin known as Astronema, one of the most popular characters in franchise history! Meanwhile, Lord Drakkon and Trini face off against one of the greatest Power Rangers villains ever – with a shocking conclusion!

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

“Power Rangers Issue 5 advances the journey of the Omega Rangers into familiar territory – the planet Onyx. Teased in the previous issue, Onyx has been seen and mentioned in previous Power Rangers series most notably in Power Rangers In Space.

A lot of lore is established in this issue which expands the universe of the show and what we already know of Planet Onyx. There is a very surprising set of new characters introduced, aside from those mentioned in the issue’s description, which will make sense for longtime Power Rangers fans. Without giving anything away, I was VERY happy to see another perspective of established lore. There are also more answers about the mystery surrounding the Empyreals which is very satisfying for upcoming issues. 

Ryan Parrott delivers on his promise that Power Rangers will expand familiar elements from the show. I think this issue was the one I was waiting for because after reading it, my mind wandered to all of the possibilities this series could explore. Artist Francesco Mortarino keeps getting better with action and details of characters. For this issue, I was particularly impressed with the panel layouts and how they changed during the action scenes.

This month is an exciting time for Power Rangers fans since the events of this issue and the past of Astronema will be explored in two weeks with Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir to Darkness. It’s time to catch up if you haven’t!”

POWER RANGERS #5
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
Price: $3.99

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COMIC REVIEW – Mighty Morphin Issue 5

On Wednesday, March 10th, Mighty Morphin Issue 5 will be released from Boom Studios. A first look of this issue was shown earlier this week.

The New Green Ranger’s identity has been revealed. Now, for the first time ever, discover their top secret origin… and what comes next.

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

“For months Power Rangers fans have speculated, wondered, and even been spoiled on the identity of the new Green Ranger. Now we know it’s Matthew Cook, a former friend of the Power Rangers who figured out their secret. Matt was a character created by writer Ryan Parrott during the start of Go Go Power Rangers and has had as much of a journey and focus as some of the other Rangers in the past. Ex-boyfriend to Pink Ranger Kimberly Hart, Matt has popped in and out of the story since the end of Go Go Power Rangers, but is now back in full force.

As seen in the preview, Mighty Morphin Issue 5 fills in the gaps of the story of the new Green Ranger from his debut to his reveal to the citizens of Angel Grove in that month time span.  This issue feels like a break from the main story to focus solely on Matt and him handling being a Power Ranger. This technique to fill in the gaps was seen in the earlier issues of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers run from former series writer Kyle Higgins and is picked up again by Ryan Parrott.

I feel like I learned more about Matt as well as Grace from this one issue than in the past couple of years. This starts to turn the new Green Ranger from less of a gimmick into a fully realized Power Ranger.

Matthew Cook has always been writer Ryan Parrott’s creation and with this issue we get to see Matt’s personal life in a way that wasn’t focused on before, giving him new dimension. Artist Marco Renna continues his solid line work and impressive character detail, displaying some flashbacks with new flourish. The colors absolutely pop from Walter Baiamonte, Sara Antonellini and Katia Ranalli. I love the use of orange throughout the issue as a complementary color to green, simple but effective.

For new readers, this issue will give more insight into the character of Matt, turning him from a background character to main focus pretty quickly. I can’t recommend enough that newer readers who are interested, to dive into the trade paperback collections for Go Go Power Rangers. Now, the gloves are off. The secret is out and it’s time to watch the sparks fly…”

MIGHTY MORPHIN #5
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Marco Renna
Colorist: Walter Baiamonte with Color Assistance by Sara Antonellini and Katia Ranalli
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: In-Hyuk Lee
Legacy Cover: Eleonora Carlini
Variant Covers: Goñi Montes
Price: $3.99

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COMIC REVIEW – Power Rangers Issue 4

On Wednesday, February 17th, Power Rangers Issue 4 will be released from Boom Studios. A first look of this issue was shown earlier this week.

POWER RANGERS #4 – RETURN TO SHATTERED GRID! The UNLIMITED POWER era continues as the New Power Rangers – and Lord Drakkon – return to the new universe that Drakkon created in Shattered Grid. But will Drakkon choose to save the New Power Rangers from the surprising threat waiting there for them… or will he betray them?

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

“Power Rangers Issue 4 is the next part of the journey for the Omega Rangers as they continue to search for the Empyreals. As seen in the preview below, the Omega Rangers and Drakkon visit the reality that he created at the end of Shattered Grid.

For new readers, the might be a bit confusing as there are other events in the issue referenced from the FOC Story Covers during Necessary Evil. Not everyone was able to get their hands on these covers, but you can view them on our previous reviews to get the full story. This is a key issue in terms of resolving that lingering thread, and provides the Rangers with the next part of their quest. Unlike the previous two-issue ‘mini arc’, Power Rangers Issue 4 is bridging the story to the next chunk of issues. 

I’m glad that the focus is back on finding the Empyreals, but I wish there was a greater sense of urgency or that we could see what they are up to in a tease. Events seem to be picking up though as we a cut to a familiar location in the Power Rangers Universe towards the end of the issue. Without giving anything away, I applaud both writer Ryan Parrott and artist Francesco Mortarino for leaning into the wackiness of Power Rangers. As always, the artwork is fantastic and continues to be my favorite aspect monthly for both series. The amount of detail and continuity of visuals from the end of Go Go Power Rangers is greatly appreciated, kudos to Mortarino for packing so much detail into these panels. 

Power Rangers Issue 4 is a stepping stone to greater events coming down the path… but, I am ready to run.”

POWER RANGERS #4
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
Price: $3.99

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COMIC REVIEW – MIGHTY MORPHIN Issue 4

On Wednesday, February 10th, Mighty Morphin Issue 4 will be released from Boom Studios. A first look of this issue was shown earlier this week.

The UNLIMITED POWER era continues with the answer to the question everyone’s asking – Who Is The New Green Ranger? And what is their shocking connection to the Mighty Morphin team? It’s the last page shocker that no fan can miss!

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

“This is it. The issue everyone has been waiting for. Whether you were spoiled by other sites of the identity of the New Green Ranger or have been patiently (or not so) waiting, this issue is still a must read. Of course we won’t spoil the surprise, but this isn’t the only reveal in this issue…

From the previews below, we continue to get a glimpse into the life of Zordon of Eltar when he was younger.  Personally, I love this bit of lore dive into Zordon’s past and his emergence as a reluctant Guardian of Eltar. Much like the teenagers he will recruit ten thousand years later, Zordon does not see the potential in himself and it’s up to his mentor Supreme Guardian Zophram to guide him. Meanwhile, the Power Rangers are in a tough spot as Lord Zedd’s Putty Prime overwhelms the Thunder Megazord.

What happens in the rest of the issue will lead to some big revelations for both the Power Rangers themselves and readers. With so many developments happening, I expect future issues to deliver the consequences of past relationships to reward long term readers. If you haven’t participated in the now finished Kickstarter for the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers hardcover collection, I highly suggest that newer readers pick up the softcover collections for both MMPR and Go Go Power Rangers. 

Writer Ryan Parrott will definitely be drawing from past storylines and relationships between all of the Rangers. The Boom Studios Power Rangers universe has its own deep mythology five years into the comics. There is a lot to mine from, and right now Parrott is pulling from multiple story lines. Artist Marco Renna is still doing an amazing job with this book. I enjoy the way he adds details to the backgrounds and makes the action pop with dynamic perspective changes. Walter Baiamonte continues to rock as colorist, with most of the issue filled with vibrant colors from the daytime setting. Letterer Ed Dukeshire also is consistent with the entire line of Power Rangers comics and adds punch to big reveals. 

Like I said, the reveal of the Green Ranger may not surprise everyone, but readers should focus on what this means for the future of these characters and their relationships. Once the Dragonzord is out of the bag, it can never be put back…”

MIGHTY MORPHIN #4
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Marco Renna
Colorist: Walter Baiamonte with Color Assistance by Katia Ranalli
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: In-Hyuk Lee
Legacy Cover: Eleonora Carlini
Price: $3.99

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COMIC PREVIEW – Power Rangers Issue 3

On Wednesday, January 20th, Power Rangers Issue 3 will be released from Boom Studios.

POWER RANGERS #3 – Two New Series. Two New Teams. The UNLIMITED POWER ERA continues as Drakkon is the key to the Power Rangers‘ new mission. But to defeat the new cosmic threat, the new Power Rangers team – Jason, Trini, Zack and new members – has put their faith in their greatest enemy. And the only way they may be able to save the universe is by giving Drakkon exactly what he wants…

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

“Continuing the story from the previous issue, the Rangers must formulate and execute a plan to rid the Spectrum II of the HORRID. The Horrid, for lack of a better term, are space vampires. But with a twist, they are in a state of inter-dimensional phase shifting that makes some physical attacks impossible.

If this sounds like a bunch of Star Trek-like technobabble, you’d be right – Ryan Parrott previously wrote Star Trek comics. Here, it feels natural with the Omega Rangers and their deep space mission. Xi gets some much needed focus in this issue, bringing the Rangers together and helping put the plan into motion. If you were worried about the high emotions brewing these last few issues, don’t worry. At least by the end of this issue, the tension has died down between the Rangers. 

There are a couple standout moments in this issue that we won’t spoil, but one is a direct homage and mirrors a key event in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Issue 25. It appears some things may never change…

Writer Ryan Parrott successfully delivers a tight 2-issue mini-arc that leaves the door open for this enemy to come back, if they choose to revisit them. The next couple of issues seem to be leaning towards exploring what happened with Drakkon many issues earlier from the end of Shattered Grid and how he escaped his prison. How Drakkon will work with the team, or not, to deal with the threat of the Empyreals remains to be seen. Hopefully, the next issues start dealing with that threat more directly. I hope that we see them make an appearance soon. Otherwise, their threat might start to feel diminished as the months go on.

As always, artist Francesco Mortarino continues his style from the later run of Go Go Power Rangers. He is adapting to a ship-based story with tight closeups of characters and a claustrophobic feeling between panels. This only adds to the feeling of tension in the issue. Colorist Raúl Angulo has a wonderful dark palette, with a lot of purples, reds and rich blacks. Combined, Francesco and Raúl complete the atmosphere set in Ryan Parrott’s story. 

Overall, Power Rangers Issue 3 delivers a successful conclusion to this first mini-arc format. How this will play into the ongoing threat of the Empyreals remains to be seen.”

POWER RANGERS #3
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
Price: $3.99

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COMIC PREVIEW – MIGHTY MORPHIN Issue 3

On Wednesday, January 13th, Mighty Morphin Issue 3 will be released from Boom Studios.

Two New Series. Two New Teams. The UNLIMITED POWER ERA continues with a shocking betrayal by a member of the Mighty Morphin team… but WHY? With the Mighty Morphin team in disarray, Lord Zedd makes his deadliest attack yet – and no one is ready for what he’s got planned!

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

“The newest issue of Mighty Morphin starts with a flashback to over ten thousand years ago. As seen in the preview below, Zordan is with Zartus, another of the Guardians of Eltar.

I really like this scene because it reminds me of another favorite franchise, Star Trek. In this time, the Guardians are like the Federation. Before new worlds can be under their care or brought into the fold, they are observed before First Contact. The ‘supervision’ they are conducting is set before a reveal, which will make the world ‘complicated’ according to Zartus.

This sets up an interesting parallel to what we know of another Eltarian introduced two issues ago, Candice. She is on her own Supervision of Earth, going undercover much like Zordon and Zartus millennia ago. Is the mysterious figure she was talking to Zartus? We know he doesn’t become Supreme Guardian. That honor went to Zophram in last month’s flashback.

And that was all from the preview! The rest of the issue picks up right where the action ended in the cliffhanger last issue, with the teens fighting the new Chaos Putties. Without spoiling the rest of the issue, there are plotlines that start coming to a head in interesting ways. This sets up what is sure to be an explosive fourth issue, where supposedly the identity of the new Green Ranger is confirmed.

Writer Ryan Parrott continues to weave intrigue in the present with lore building of the past. Leaning on Zordon’s past as the connective tissue for this narrative, is heartbreaking. Seeing the optimism of his youth and wanting to lead a simple life, goes against everything we know of Zordon’s future. This is very much Zordon’s arc, even more so than it is about the new Green Ranger.

Artist Marco Renna continues to impress with super detailed backgrounds, characters and high kicking action. Seriously, Billy has MOVES in this issue.

Overall, Mighty Morphin Issue 3 is a fast paced issue that balances on the ground action with continued drama coming to a breaking point on a few different fronts.”

 

MIGHTY MORPHIN #3
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Marco Renna
Colorist: Walter Baiamonte with Color Assistance by Katia Ranalli
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: In-Hyuk Lee
Legacy Cover: Eleonora Carlini
Price: $3.99

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