Power Rangers Prime #1 Review

 

Power Rangers Prime #1 Review

Writer: Melissa Flores

Artist: Michael Yg

Colorist: Fabi Marques

Letterer: Ed Dukeshire

Designer: Madison Goyette

Editors: Kenzie Rzonca, Caroline Butler, Allyson Gronowitz & Matt Gagnon

Cover Artists: Dan Mora; Juni Ba; Bon Bernardo; Doaly; Joëlle Jones & Jordie Bellaire; Rafael Albuquerque; Inhyuk Lee; Jae Lee & June Chung; Michael Yg; Lauren Marshall; Matthew Waite; Guillaume Martinez; Ivan Tao; Lipwei; David Sanchez & Sean Lee; Shawn Daley; Marcelo Matere; Alina Urusov

Publisher: Boom! Studios

Price: $4.99

Release Date: November 13, 2024

 

Rita Repulsa spread Dark Specter’s infection through space and time. Billy Cranston shattered the Morphin Grid to halt the infection but spent the rest of his life trying to recapture what he lost. How did Billy’s act affect Earth? How might his unsanctioned actions have warped the histories of other Earths in the multiverse? Let's grab our Morphers, leap into Power Rangers Prime #1, and see what happens!

 

Story

Seventy years ago, the Beast Brigade of Gamma VII invaded Earth. Humans were rebuilding their homes, cities, and nations after the destruction of World War II. They weren't prepared for their first alien contact, let alone an interstellar invasion. A race of galactic protectors came to Earth’s aid. The Eltarians brought technology far in advance of Humanity’s capabilities in 1954. With their help, Earth repelled the Beast Brigade. But victory came at a price. 

 

In Power Rangers Prime #1, the students of Angel Grove University come from many worlds. They take classes from professors like the Eltarian Professor Barall. Earth is an Eltarian colony and takes in refugees from many planets. Whether they are Andresian, Aquitan, or other species, the refugees are haunted by the destruction of their homeworlds. They may be glad they found a new home on Earth. But they live in a society where non-Eltarians are judged guilty until proven innocent by the Earth Security Taskforce.

 

 

 

In Melissa Flores' story, Mark Zhao risks his place at Angel Grove University to protect and hide a Human. His roommate and their canine companion welcome her to their dorm room. While students train on the athletic field to become VR Troopers and protect society from Mutants, a young Eltarian from a prominent family is interested in Mark's visitor. Jun quietly disagrees with the official view that Earth is better off now that his people are in charge. He also knows about the mythic Power Rangers who once protected the endangered and oppressed. 

 

Art

As Lauren flees through the night, gunfire and explosions hasten her steps. Armored soldiers carrying laser rifles and bows pursue her. After shouting a familiar phrase, Lauren wades into the Eltarian troops with a sword. Yet when a young student opens a dumpster, he finds Lauren inside. Michael Yg fills Power Rangers Prime #1 with epic scenes. The students attending Angel Grove University are expressive and relatable, and one's painful past shows through his profile.

 

 

 

Fabi Marques lavishes a loaded palette on a campus filled with rounded towers, organic shapes, and a central dome. Inside an auditorium, blue-skinned Eltarians, a red-skinned elf, a bald, green-skinned student, and a humanoid with red facial markings wear blue vests adorned with school patches. Yet scarlet fills the sky as spaceships evoking Chitauri and Boglodite designs rain yellow and orange destruction on high-rises while purple-tinged people flee through the streets.

 

Ed Dukeshire orders black uppercase letters into white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. He shares Rita Repulsa’s musing as purple text in rounded lavender boxes. The lettering emboldens for inflection, swells for volume, and changes color when a hero shouts a familiar catchphrase. While sound effects enhance battles, explosions introduce heroes and villains in Power Rangers Prime #1. Thanks to Boom! Studios for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

A utopian dream perches atop a repressive regime where Humans are a repressed minority, and Power Rangers are Public Enemy Number One in Power Rangers Prime #1.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

For more interior art see my preview at The Dragon's Cache.

 

For more cover art see my cover art preview at The Dragon's Cache. 

To refresh your memories of Billy's actions, see my review of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Darkest Hour #1.