Ever since Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return was announced, the lingering question was “what happened to the Power Rangers?” After all, something had to happen for the team to go their separate ways and for Kimberly Hart to sever all ties to her former life. The answers come in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #2, as the bulk of the issue’s dedicated to the final battle between the Power Rangers and the the forces of Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa.
Reading this issue, I was shocked at how much raw emotion Amy Jo Johnson and Matt Hotson poured into their script. A large part of that is due to the interactions between Kimberly and Tommy Oliver, who at this point in time are married. Anyone who read the first issue knows that Tommy didn’t have long for this world, but to see Kimberly break down in tears over the loss of her husband is a heartwrenching moment. The fact that this has just as much impact as a battle on the surface of the moon or a plot twist that happens later in the issue is impressive.
There are only so many ways you can say an artist’s work is good, but Nico Leon’s artwork is deserving of the praise. He can draw big moments – the Rangers landing their Zords on the moon is up there and so is their battle with a giant sized Goldar; moon dust and debris go flying everywhere in a modern day clash of the titans. It doesn’t hurt that colorist Dono Sanchez-Almara and letterer Ed Dukeshire contribute to said action with larger than life letters as well as vibrant color work worthy of a Power Rangers comic.
But where this creative team truly excels is in the quieter, more human moments. A great example of this comes toward the end of the comic, where Tommy and Kimberly have their last conversation. Leon draws plenty of closeups of the two, making sure readers notice the tears streaming down Kimberly’s face as well as the resigned yet determined look on Tommy’s. Johnson and Hotson’s dialogue showcases just how strong the bond between the two is; not just as Power Rangers but two people who love each other.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #2 is a carefully crafted and well thought out tragedy that details the last days of the Power Rangers. Readers shouldn’t feel too sad though: the last page promises that the Ranger legacy will carry on.
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