“Well, it’s just a major!”
With no crossovers with the Transformers and Power Rangers franchise, it may seem strange to start this review with a quote from Beast Wars. The word “prime” is the first importance and the highest possible quality. It might be quick to say that it is the best possible quality from the first volume of Power Rangers Prime, which covers the first four issues, but this is the beginning of something truly exciting.
It’s booming for almost 10 years! Studios has been working on the nearly 200 public issues with Power Ranger comics incredible ways. Since last year, Power Rangers Prime has presented a rebooted continuity and acts as an entry point for new readers while not denies the established fanbase of previous comics and franchises in general.
In this new timeline, Earth was invaded by the Beast Brigade and defeated the Power Rangers until the Eltarian army arrived. When the Eltarians colonize the Earth and share their technology with humans, they view all rangers as a threat, and force Lauren Shiva to escape the law despite her family being imprisoned. As Lauren realizes that some of the refugees from other planets are in the company of four young adults, they are all faced with the illustrious return of the authoritarian empire, the alien monster and the repetition of Rita.
I’m getting some established elements from Power Rangers Lore, but that’s a new element that really stands out. The story may still be set in a fictional city of Angel Grove, with a university for young heroes to do many physical education, but the interaction between multiple alien races makes it very ingrained in multiple alien races that initially catch off guards.
Melissa Flores, who previously wrote Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Recharged, is not interested in playing the biggest hit. Instead, we choose to establish this alternative timeline where these four issues are apparently more obviously unfolding than those that arise. Pacing is slow in place, but the five leads that become rangers have compelling dynamics with each other. Most notably, Half Akitia refugees and Jun Marcon Zao, an Earth-born Eltarian trained under the guidance of her mother and instructor Admiral Janessa.
Power Rangers are always about good and evil, and one of the main themes Flores explores is the occasional blue line between right and wrong. It’s easy to portray her as the main antagonist, as Rita Repetition makes her a spectacular entrance. And, especially in her jokes and making her jokes (where is it?), she can write her a lot with such a pleasant nasty, but she doesn’t at all. Whatever conflict the five heroes may have internally or with one another, their decision to become power rangers is a way of retaliating against the system.
Despite the title, there isn’t much ranger action. But the world visualized by artist Michael YG and colorist Fabi Marquez is a vibrant thing where Angel Grove is a mixture of American cities and alien architecture. Dystopia has its shades, but you won’t lose the action inspired by the colorful vibrancy and inclines you want from a Power Ranger. There’s a great redesign of Rita and bulk, but the VR Trooper (another Saban franchise) is a visual highlight.
Remixing old and new ones, the first volume of Power Rangers Prime is an exciting and successful reboot to see how it unfolds as an ongoing series.
“Power Rangers Prime” Vol. 1 review
Power Rangers Prime Vol. 1
Remixing old and new ones is an exciting, successful reboot to see how the first volume of Power Rangers Prime unfolds as an ongoing series.
Mixing existing characters with new players enables interesting dynamics within nominal teams.
The art team offers the colorful vibrancy and incorporation-inspired action you want from this franchise.
In a science fiction setting, it leaps hard towards the theme of authority and morality…
…Storytelling is sometimes slow and doesn’t always offer Rangers spectacles.
Despite the final page of a great cliff dressed, four or more issues will benefit.
