The problem with many Power Rangers comics over the years is the creative teams not knowing how to tell a good story with the characters. Both Hamilton and Marvel Comics employed the usual formal from the show of defeating the monster of the week. Boom! Studios is trying something completely different and has found a way to make these comics a must read for fans of the franchise. They have discovered the missing piece to the puzzle which was to show the most human side of the characters.
Picking up after the previous issue, the team is still figuring out how to deal with the fact Tommy the Green Ranger is no longer their enemy and is now on their team. While in the original show this point was glossed over and the other five accepted him right out, this series is showing how awkward it would be to work with a former enemy. Billy feels inadequate next to the new arrival as he has always been more a thinker than a fighter and confides in Trini about it. Of course, this conversation takes place while servicing the Dragonzord which adds a nice bit of atmosphere to the issue.
Tommy continues to be the main focus of the issue as he has to fight off Scorpina and Rita Repulsa’s mind tricks. She’s attempting to bring him back to the dark side, but Tommy is doing all he can not to give in. Unfortunately, the strain might be more than he can handle.
The art is fantastic. Deciding to treat the Putty Patrollers as if they were actual living putty allows for some very destructive scenes of action. The different special effects of weapons colliding and when the Rangers teleporting are very illuminating thanks to Illustrations by Hendry Prasetya and Matt Herms on colors.
There is also backup comedy story with Bulk and Skull holding a disguised Putty they found hostage. It’s a fun little backup, but the main selling point is still the main story. Of course, it’s only two page, so it doesn’t distract from the main issue.
This series is proving to be more than a retelling and more than a simply cash into the franchise. Instead, it seems like it’s going to try its best to tackle the aspects of the show which some fans thought didn’t get the attention they deserved. It’s a good idea, and one can only hope writer Kyle Higgins has more stories planned out for the future.
