BOOM! Studios is pulling double duty for its Free Comic Book Day offerings this year. In addition to its 20th Anniversary sampler, BOOM! is also putting out Power Rangers/VR Troopers FCBD Special #1, which features a unique throwback to the first ever published VR Troopers comics by Marvel. Those comics would feature a “flip book” with one story centered on the Power Rangers, and another on the Troopers; all you had to do was flip the book upside down.
It’s only fitting that BOOM! would return to this format, since Power Rangers Prime incorporated the VR Troopers into its narrative. Both stories also build upon previous events in Prime, as the VR Troopers story offers a different take on a moment from Power Rangers Prime #1, while the Power Rangers story focuses on an unlikely hero: Doobie, the Corgi adopted by Prime Rangers Mark and Orion.
The Power Rangers story wasn’t what I was expecting, but it’s surprisingly heartwarming, especially since it takes place mostly from Doobie’s point of view. His original owner had to let him go, which led him to Mark and Orion. Throughout all of this, one single sentence runs through his head: “Stay; be brave.” It’s a testament to Melissa Flores’ talents that she can center a narrative around a puppy and make it compelling, while Trish Forstner and Joanna Lafuente make Doobie look extremely adorable. In fact, their art style is highly reminiscent of a Don Bluth film at times!
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As for the VR Troopers story, it digs a little deeper into the dynamic between Troopers Ryan, JB and Kaitlin, and how they operate as public heroes in contrast to the Power Rangers being hunted and feared. What I like about this story is that the creative team of Mairghread Scott and Sebastián Piriz are continuing a thread from Power Rangers Prime and not casting the Troopers as villains. They’re genuinely protecting the world in their own way, though the ending hints that said world might have a rude awakening in store for them.
The story also moves at a steady pace; Scott’s script opens with a literal bang and has a brief, but badass battle sequence between the Troopers and group of thieves. She also knows how to leave the story hanging enough for folks to pick up the upcoming VR Troopers miniseries. Said fight is brought wonderfully to life, thanks to Piriz’s artwork. Not only does he perfectly replicate the look of the Troopers’ armor, but his work is clean and easy to follow – and with the action he’s putting on the page, it results in a visual delight.
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Each story also features a sheet of designs by Dan Mora, outlining the differences between the Rangers and the Troopers; the Rangers’ suits are sleeker and feature helmets modeled after the dinosaurs that give them their powers, while the Troopers’ are bulkier and more akin to something you’d see in RoboCop. While many fans might know Mora from his work on Batman/Superman: World’s Finest and Justice League Unlimited, he got his start working on Power Rangers and I’m glad to see he still has a hand in shaping this new universe.
Power Rangers/VR Troopers FCBD Special #1 delivers double the stories and double the action, resulting in a great entry point to Power Rangers Prime. It’s the comic I definitely recommend to newcomers and fellow ’90s kids alike.
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