Power Rangers Prime #4 Review

 

Writer: Melissa Flores

Artist: Michael Yg

Colorist: Fabi Marques

Letterer: Ed Dukeshire

Designer: Madison Goyette

Editors: Caroline Butler, David Mariotte & Matt Gagnon

Cover Artists: Dan Mora; Matt Taylor; Bon Bernardo; Doaly; Mike Huddleston; Haining; Guillaume Martinez; Jordan Gibson; Dax Ramirez

Publisher: Boom! Studios

Price: $4.99

Release Date: February 19, 2024

 

Mark and Orion are alien refugees. Jun is an Eltarian admiral’s son. Valentina has a powerful Human father. Their plan to help Lauren find a Morpher and free her imprisoned parents goes wrong when Rita Repulsa and Bulk break into the museum. But they would never slip in and out of the Angel Grove Natural History Museum anyway. Valentina told her boyfriend that Jun was helping a Power Ranger. Ryan mobilized his VR Troopers and told his Eltarian superiors they knew where to capture the Power Ranger.

 

Can Lauren escape the Eltarian Guard and the VR Troopers to rescue her parents? What will happen to Jun, Valentina, Mark, and Orion? And who will take care of Doobie if the Eltarians imprison the dog’s masters? Let's grab our Morphers, leap into Power Rangers Prime #4, and see what happens!

 

Story

Jun may feel more at home on Earth than Eltar, but he doesn't inhabit the same world as Humans or alien refugees. Commander Yorlam insists Jun should become a Guardian. His mother has other plans for him. Yet among all the options available, Jun is like Eve hungering for the forbidden fruit. Rita Repulsa’s spell helps Lauren become a Ranger again. Yet Rita’s magic also changes Lauren’s suit and powers in Power Rangers Prime #4. Like disciples watching fabled heroes appear, Jun wants to stay and soak in every moment of this transfiguration. Unfortunately, Valentina knows they're in danger and wants to protect Jun.

 

Valentina didn't want to break the law and help a Power Ranger. Jun's decision to help Lauren blows up Valentina's Date Night. Ryan may have little in common with Steve Carell. But his fervor to capture a Power Ranger threatens their romance.

 

Frustrated by her conflicting loyalties to Jun and Ryan, Valentina unleashes her anger on Mark and Orion. Yet the displaced alien students have risked their places at Angel Grove University to rescue the endangered, whether strays like Doobie or hunted like Lauren. Melissa Flores' story forces Valentina to choose where she belongs. It's not an easy decision. But then, figuring out where you belong never is.

 

The Eltarians conquer worlds and scatter the survivors across their empire. As they cannot run their empire without the help of other races, they empower those they conquer. In Power Rangers Prime #4, Ryan and Captain Kanel must decide who takes the lead in attacking a Power Ranger. The Guardians want to apprehend the criminal. Yet the Eltarians have glamorized VR Troopers to get Humans to join their ranks. And the VR Troopers wield more firepower than Eltarian Guardians.

 

Art

Jun pilots an elegant spaceship to land on Eltar. His uniqueness grows apparent as Jun mixes with others of his race. Amid the sweeping architecture that recalls Angel Grove's new look, Commander Yorlam yanks on Jun's black hair to highlight his crime. Yet Yorlam wears a circle beard proudly in Power Rangers Prime #4, while most Eltarians are cleanshaven.

 

As Michael Yg shows Rita Repulsa wielding her recreated magic wand, Fabi Marques colors it red and gold. Rita's wand and white dress match Lauren's red, gold, and white suit. The bluish-purple interior of the Angel Grove Natural History Museum reminds us of the Eltarians’ faces. Yet the walls and ceiling evoke the Guardians' uniforms.

 

Ed Dukeshire casts uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. The letters turn purple when Rita Repulsa summons her magic. Giant, colored dialogue bursts balloons, and red laughter fills the air as a T-Rex roars. Yet a plaintive cry mixes triumph with tragedy in Power Rangers Prime #4. Thanks to Boom! Studios for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Bulk sought a government job for the health benefits, stable employment, and a pension. Rita Repulsa may call him an idiot. Yet the space witch sees value in him that the Eltarians do not. Bulk thought he knew what his future held. But like Jun, Valentina, Orion, and Mark, Bulk must decide where he belongs in Power Rangers Prime #4.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.