The thing I’ve loved about Power Rangers Prime, aside from the simple fact that it’s a Power Rangers book, is how it embraces everything fans love about the Rangers’ world while taking it in a new direction. Zordon helped the original Rangers, yet in this world his people have colonized Earth. Rita Repulsa is arguably one of the greatest threats the Rangers ever faced, yet here she’s their ally. Power Rangers Prime #12 continues this tradition, especially as the Prime Rangers have their first full-fledged fight against the Eltarian Volar.
This is a battle that’s both physically overwhelming for the Rangers, since Volar has years of combat experience on his side, and emotionally taxing as he captured Lauren’s family and happens to be Jun’s father – a pretty crappy one at that. Melissa Flores doesn’t shy away from this dynamic, instead using it to strengthen the bonds between the new team of Rangers. She also continues to twist the classic Ranger tropes, including the classic “Monster vs. Megazord” fight at the end – albeit with only one Zord in the form of Teezee.
It’s the ending of Power Rangers Prime #12 that really stands out. On the one hand, it reads like a final issue; thankfully, it isn’t, as the series is slated to continue. On the other hand, it fully establishes the new status quo, and provides Flores with plenty of threads to set up future story arcs. Some of those threads mean that this ending lands on the bittersweet side, particularly when it comes to one Ranger’s final fate.
Power Rangers Prime #12 also features one of the series’ best fight scenes, with Michael Yg going all out to deliver incredible action. Under his pencils, the Rangers move as one, striking with precision and force. Volar, on the other hand, is a hurricane; he sends the Rangers flying with kicks, and when he swings his sword it’s with enough force to split the Earth (quite literally). That’s saying nothing of his “final form”, which nods to Pacific Rim and Neon Genesis Evangelion. I’ve joked with my best friend that Power Rangers Prime is basically “Power Rangers going full manga”, but it looks like Yg is taking that challenge seriously and I welcome it.
Yg’s artwork also shines thanks to Joana LaFuente’s color art, which delivers the vibrancy and intensity a Power Rangers story needs. LaFuente draws an immediate distinction between Volar and the Rangers, as his black-and-gold armor contrasts sharply with their brighter suits. It also serves as a mirror image to Jun in so many ways. Jun’s Ranger armor feels like it’s part of his body, signifying that he’s accepted his life as a Ranger. Volar’s armor is sharper and bulkier, looking like it’s literally built for combat. LaFuente’s colors don’t stop there, as she gives each setting its own distinct color; Angel Grove is bathed in golden California sunlight, while the Rangers’ Command Center has a cool blue hue.
Power Rangers Prime #12 might close the door on its current story arc, yet it also opens the door to many more adventures. With the way this series is going, I hope that Flores and Yg have all the time they need to tell more stories in this world, and that Ranger fans and comic book newcomers alike pick it up.
