Writer: Melissa Flores
Artist: Michael Yg
Colorist: Fabi Marques
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Designer: Madison Goyette
Editors: Caroline Butler, Allyson Gronowitz & Matt Gagnon
Cover Artists: Dan Mora; Chuma Hill; Bon Bernardo; Doaly; Keyla Valerio; R1CO; Jordan Gibson; Guillaume Martinez
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Price: $4.99
Release Date: December 18, 2024
Seventy years ago, the Eltarians visited Earth. After repelling the Beast Brigade of Gamma VII, they made Earth their 205th colony and hunted potential threats like the Power Rangers. How have people in Angel Grove fared under Eltarian rule? And what will happen to those who help a Power Ranger hide from the authorities? Let's grab our Morphers, leap into Power Rangers Prime #2, and see what happens!
Story
The students at Angel Grove University enjoy the benefits of Human culture and Eltarian technology. Yet Eltarian Guards patrol the streets. Residents outside after curfew are immediately suspect. Students from Eltarians colonies attend classes. Some, like Mark Zhao and his roommate Orion, are refugees and have no home to return to. Memories of Eltarian Detention centers haunt them. While Orion enjoys Human culture and Eltarian technology, Mark believes that he and Earth are worse off with the Eltarians in charge.
Was the Beast Brigade attack on Earth a false flag? The Eltarians have built an empire out of protecting planets and resettling refugees. Yet in Power Rangers Prime #2, Humans compete for the honor of serving the government. Lauren, a Samurai Ranger, hides from security patrols. She doesn’t know if her parents still live. But she’s grateful to Mark and Orion for hiding her from Eltarian security.
Melissa Flores builds humor and heart into her story. Mark rescued Lauren from a dumpster. After an explosion on the moon, Rita's space dumpster crashes into the one where Lauren hid from Eltarian security. Following his Lauren Lickfest, Mark and Orion’s dog protects her from capture in Power Rangers Prime #2. Flores’ story reminds us how swiftly the government and industry moved to protect us amid potentially world-ending threats like 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Rita Repulsa is amazed that Humans help the Eltarians subjugate them. But what does Rita know? Like the beautiful genie in I Dream Of Jeanne, the space witch recently escaped captivity. She hasn't even tried Crashcrunch protein bars!
Art
Rita gazes at the futuristic towers, flying cars, and the moon. She summons a sinuous stream of energy to retrieve Lauren's dropped Samuraizer. Rita glances over her shoulder and smiles without bothering to face the approaching guards. Then, a wrench-sized magic wand summons yellow fire and red energy beams.
Jun’s light blue skin shines beneath the darker blue evening sky. Mark places a silver and gold mask over his mouth to ease his breathing in Power Rangers Prime #2. The magenta skin blotches surrounding his eyes match his tie and suggest he is weaker than Jun or his roommate Orion. Yet Mark rescued Lauren, knowing the Human would endanger him but not that she was a Power Ranger.
Fabi Marques lavishes a loaded palette on Michael Yg’s attractive characters. The richly colored art portrays compelling characters, grand vistas, and a battle between Bulkmeier’s patrol and Rita Repulsa. Ed Dukeshire's black uppercase letters in dialogue balloons and narrative boxes draw us into this altered yet recognizable world.
Dukeshire's letters swell and change color, and balloons grow spiky when Captain Kanel's pike sweeps past Rita's face. Red letters help us hear her fire monster scream. But Doobie's growl suggests he doesn't share Orion's love of Crashcrunches. Either that, or he hears footsteps in the hall. Then, yellow knocking fills the dorm room as the security forces hunt for a weakened Samurai Ranger in Power Rangers Prime #2. Thanks to Boom! Studios for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
After Jun sees Lauren fighting members of his race, he befriends the “rufee” Mark Zhao. The Eltarian doesn't share his government's disdain for Power Rangers. But Jun is not the most practically minded person in the police state known as Angel Grove. Can the admiral’s son use his resources to shield Lauren from the authorities? Or will Jun’s interest doom her in Power Rangers Prime #2?
Rating 9.6/10
For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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