After plenty of buildup and character dynamics, not to mention building a radically different version of the Power Rangers Universe, Power Rangers Prime #5 delivers the moment fans have been waiting for: our new Rangers have finally morphed. On top of that, they’re facing off against the VR Troopers. It should be an epic battle for the ages…
…yet, this new team has plenty of issues. Lauren, the Red Ranger, is the only one with any experience. Mark, the Blue Ranger, is scared out of his mind. Orion, the Pink Ranger, has the strength but not the finesse to wield his newfound power. Jun, the Black Ranger, is driven by anger, which can be a combatant’s downfall. And Val, the Yellow Ranger, is torn between her new team and the Troopers, especially since the latter is led by her boyfriend Ryan.
In short, this is not what fans would expect from a Power Rangers fight. But it’s part of why Melissa Flores and Michael Yg have made this such a compelling book to read. Flores has put forth a very realistic outcome: this team of Rangers, unlike other fan-favorite groups, haven’t had the deep bonds of friendship nor the training to work together as a team. In contrast, the Troopers move like a well-oiled machine. It leads to an ending I didn’t see coming, but only heightens the intrigue.
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Those who have come looking for a good fight scene won’t be disappointed, since Yg dedicates half the issue to the battle between the Troopers and the Rangers. In the process, he not only gets to show off the Rangers’ new weapons – Jun wields a quarterstaff, while Orion has a massive mace – but the Troopers’ abilities. Fabi Marques’ colors also highlights the difference between both teams; the Rangers have a vibrant collection of colors, while the Troopers’ uniforms feature a base red and silver color scheme, with heavier armor. That’s not even counting the chaos that happens when the living dinosaur skeleton enters the picture.
Yg’s standout moment comes with a two page spread featuring the Rangers dueling the Troopers. It’s a glorious scene to witness, as the blasters, swords and martial arts on display will warm the hearts of any ’90s kid who grew up with these characters (full disclosure: I am one of those ’90s kids.) But it’s also satisfying because of the time taken to build up to this. There’s personal weight involved, and that, more than anything else, is what makes a good fight scene.
That personal weight is shown on full disply with Val. Despite her efforts to try and talk the situation down, the Troopers are more than willing to arrest the Rangers. But what surprised me is a scene in the beginning of the book that involves Val, Orion and Mark; it not only highlights how Eltar’s supposed “utopia” is built on a foundation of xenophobia, but it shows that Val, for all her supposed haughtiness, has more to her than expected. I trust Flores will build upon that in future issues.
Power Rangers Prime #5 continues to cement itself as a standout comic, delivering a long awaited battle between the Rangers and the VR Troopers while continuing to deconstruct Ranger tropes. Power Rangers fans, if you’re not reading this comic, you’re missing out – and that goes double for comic book fans of all stripes.
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