Since its launch, Power Rangers Prime has delighted its incredible longtime Ranger fans who have given a twist to Mythos. But the biggest surprise was the presence of Rita Repulsa. Instead of serving as the Rangers’ arch-foe this time, Rita appears to be their very passive mentor and has her own agenda. Her ultimate goal has not been seen yet, but Power Rangers Prime #9 throws another wrench into gear by introducing Rita as the Green Ranger.
This is a development that makes sense on so many levels. Prime’s previous issues show that Rita is not in the way of entering the fight, especially if she can use magic for destructive effects. By making her a Green Ranger, Melissa Flores can play with another longtime Power Ranger trope. Introducing the sixth Ranger. In this case, Rita is somewhere in between. She is not completely evil, but she is not completely reliable.
If that’s not enough, Michael YG opens up Power Rangers Prime #9 with a flashback to Rita’s time at Space Prison, and gets the opportunity to portray her in a variety of ways. Her original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers form, current Prime form, and countless others, all supported by shades of green courtesy of Fabi Marques. YG and Marques can even provide another incredible battle scene where they pit Rita against VR troopers. And her magical use brings out some intense images that need to be seen as believable.
One of those moments includes Teezee, the little zord first introduced in Power Rangers Prime #7. If you’re familiar with Power Rangers lore, you’ll see that part of Rita’s magic is to grow things, and Teezie is no exception. In one page space, Teezee will go from Funko pop size to Godzilla size.
Rita as a Green Ranger is not the only surprise that Power Rangers Prime #9 has. Midway through the book there is an incredible development that completely overturns the new Ranger team. Part of the reason it works is because Flores drops the twist where you most expect it. And that’s because Prime has built up since the first problem. On top of that, the final page features yet another new wrinkle for the Ranger, and we can’t wait to see how it is being explored. The same applies to VR troopers who continue to be fleshed out between Prime and his current miniseries.
Power Rangers Prime #9 presents new rangers, new plot twists, new reasons why you’re still excited about future issues. It’s also one of a handful of comics that shows you can make new takes on characters without bringing it to nostalgia completely or throwing away the core values of what made the original story great.
“Power Rangers Prime” #9 gives an unexpected plot twist
Power Rangers Prime #9
Power Rangers Prime #9 presents new rangers, new plot twists, new reasons why you’re still excited about future issues.
Rita Repulsa is set on a central stage, with the results being confused (in a good way).
Flores continues the jig where most readers expect her to become a zag, especially in the back half.
YG pushes his artwork to the limit for a massive battle scene.
I continue to play alongside the Ranger lore.
