Throughout Power Rangers Prime #8, there’s a key theme: conflict. Of course, there’s the underlying conflict between the Power Rangers and the VR Troopers, but now it’s spread out to other characters. Lauren and Orion are finding themselves at loggerheads with Rita Repulsa, who’s prioritizing her own agenda over saving Mark. Jun and Valentina are growing distant from the Eltarian occupation, especially now that they’re Rangers.
But the biggest conflict comes between Valentina and her boyfriend Ryan. Putting aside the fact that she’s a Ranger and he’s a Trooper, there’s her increasing disillusionment and his desire to go back to the way things were, even if that’s not possible. Melissa Flores has been building up this conflict for a while, and Power Rangers Prime #8 is where it explodes, as Val and Ryan are forced to make hard choices. I also respect that Flores is also starting to humanize the Troopers, continuing the thread that VR Troopers #1 started. Antagonists with layers make for some of the best stories. Even better is the fact that the issue starts off with a look at Val and Ryan’s relationship before the events of Prime kicked off, showing how different things were.
Having a issue that thrives on conflict means that Michael Yg gets to bring his talent for action to the page. While I’ve previously praised Yg’s artwork, I don’t think I’ve given him enough credit for the way he draws movement. Every punch, kick, or jump feels like actual motion, to the point where it feels almost animated (and I mean truly animated.) Weapons also have a unique movement of their own; whenever Orion swings his massive mace, he nearly swings his whole body with it, showcasing that he’s still getting used to wielding a heavy weapon.
BOOM!
Yg’s best moment features the Rangers morphing for the first time, which has all the flash and dazzle you’d expect from a Power Rangers morph. Each Ranger is given their own panel, with the corresponding burst of color from Fabi Marques. Marques is another reason of why Power Rangers Prime works as well as it does – color is utilized in a great way, with the Rangers’ weapons and movements featuring the same hues as their respective Ranger colors. Topping it off is Ed Dukeshire’s lettering, literally leaping off the page. But Dukeshire also makes sure that the Rangers’ morphing call feels truly epic; for the first time, it feels like all of them are on the same page.
Most people picking up Power Rangers Prime #8 will more than likely be floored by the final page, which has a massive reveal. (I’d be more intrigued if a variant cover hadn’t already spoiled the big surprise.) What made the VR Troopers reveal in Power Rangers Prime #1 work is because it was so unexpected; most of the big twists I’ve seen in these reboots, from Ultimate Spider-Man to Absolute Batman, were kept hidden so that when they did land, it was for maximum impact. That being said, it’s an interesting dynamic and it lets the creative team pay homage to the highly underrated 2017 Power Rangers movie.
Power Rangers Prime #8 thrives on the conflict between various characters, as it sets the stage for yet another major status quo shift. Time after time, this series never fails to surprise me.
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