The Rangers are depowered, Zordon is dead (we think), and Rita is ready to rule the world. This is pretty much the lowest the Rangers have been ever, which is awesome if you like to live dangerously, but is it good?
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #7 (BOOM! Studios)
So what’s it about? The BOOM! summary reads:
The Black Dragon has come! As the balance of power shifts, Earth finally falls into Rita’s evil hands. Do the Power Rangers have a hope of saving their home and defeating the nefarious danger they now face?
Why does this book matter?
Writer Kyle Higgins has been able to balance edgy adult themes while keeping the core of the book for all ages. The silly cartoony backups certainly are for a younger audience, but the main books visuals, along with strong character work, have made this series feel grown up. That’s reason enough to take a look if you grew up with this series.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Billy is a rude dude.
This issue does a variety of things well, from revealing where Billy is, to giving the Rangers something to do even though they are depowered, to establishing that everything rides on the Green Ranger. All together it makes for a good setup issue that builds up to the action packed last few pages, driving the reader to question how the heck the heroes are getting out of this one. The stakes are raised even further too with a surprising turn of events as the Zords are actually being used to destroy landmarks across the globe.
While most of the issue is raising the stakes and focusing on the characters determining how bad of a situation they’re in, Higgins infuses the issue with action too; it doesn’t happen until the last few pages, but considering the stakes it’s exciting as hell. Plus, the mission has purpose due to the Green Ranger’s knowledge, and Red Ranger putting himself in danger out of trust, which gives the action more purpose.
I’ve determined the strength of Hendry Prasetya’s art lies in the textures and inks. The pencils are good of course, but there’s a gritty edge to his work that makes the story feel gritty and realistic. All the bad guys look great too, from Goldar to the new dragon looking villain, with plenty of evil and monstrousness abounding.
The poor Puddies.
It can’t be perfect can it?
Once again, the backup is laughably bad if you’re over the age of 6. It’s just too silly and childish to enjoy.
While the Rangers and bad guys have something to do, I didn’t entirely believe the Green Ranger’s heart to heart with the Pink Ranger. This scene seems to suggest they have a thing, or to at least get inside the Green Ranger’s head and see it’s all resting on his shoulders.
Is It Good?
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is a rollicking series that is gritty, exciting, and high stakes and issue #7 epitomizes that well.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login