Power Rangers Prime #8 Review

 

Writer: Melissa Flores

Artist: Michael Yg

Colorist: Fabi Marques

Letterer: Ed Dukeshire

Designer: Madison Goyette

Editors: Caroline Butler & David Mariotte

Cover Artists: Dan Mora, Colm Griffin, Keyla Valerio, Takeshi Miyazawa, Dan Panosian, Elizabeth Torque, Francesco Tomaselli, Huy Dinh, Garrett Gunn & Marcelo Matere

Publisher: Boom! Studios

Price: $4.99

Release Date: July 2, 2025

 

Freed from her captivity on the moon, Rita needed the right energy and technology to rebuild her life on Earth. Yet, like the mutants and Power Rangers, Rita found herself hunted by Earth’s Eltarian masters. The Space Witch enlisted a group of young people to help her retain her freedom. Now, only Lauren, Orion, and Bulk stand by her side.

 

Lauren wants to find her father. Orion wants to reunite with his roommate, Mark. Bulk thought a government job was his ticket to happiness. That's behind him now. Jun called to arrange a meetup. Like Admiral Ackbar, Orion and Lauren don’t realize it’s a trap. Will Orion and Lauren join Mark in the VR Troopers’ cells? Let's grab our Morphers, leap into Power Rangers Prime #8, and see what happens!

 

Story

Valentina owes her position in society to her father. The mayor’s daughter wants to use her power to uplift the less fortunate. Valentina met Orion and Mark when she prevented high society bullies from getting the refugees into trouble. But she must mind her steps. Valentina might lose her spot at Angel Grove University. The Eltarians could strip her father of his duties and his mayoral office. Depending on how much Valentina displeases them, her family could even end up living among the mutants and refugees beneath Angel Grove.

 

Ryan struggles between his love for Valentina and his duties to the state in Power Rangers Prime #8. Lauren is on the Eltarians' radar. Admiral Janessa can protect Jun. Perhaps Ryan can make his masters forget about refugees Orion and Mark. But this puts him on shaky ground with JB and Kaitlin. His fellow VR Troopers know that if Ryan sweeps all this under the rug, it will come back to haunt them. But Ryan has already lost his father. He doesn't want to lose his girlfriend.

 

While Ryan feels like his world is falling apart, Melissa Flores’ dramatic story also shines the spotlight on Rita Repulsa. The Space Witch is used to dominating others. She enjoyed hatching evil plans. But her new Rangers aren’t responding to her old methods. And Bulk, the lackey of the Eltarian state, isn’t the craven sycophant she imagined. Despite her abilities, Rita is as much a fugitive as the mutants underground. If she wants to regain her power and wield an effective fighting force, Rita must earn her Rangers’ respect in Power Rangers Prime #8.

 

Art

An immense moon hangs over the buildings ascending the hills surrounding Angel Grove. While their motorcycles’ headlights illuminate the scenic overlook, Valentina demonstrates she doesn't need Rita's help to be a formidable opponent. After his first appearance in VR Troopers #1, Jeb reveals another similarity between Earth native Ryan and the Andresian refugee Orion. When their mutant friend leads them into less inhabited areas of The Belly, pipes, conduits, and hanging wire surround Rita, Orion, and Lauren. Yet when Michael Yg zooms in on the explorers’ eyes, Rita sees defiance in Power Rangers Prime #1.

 

Pink, yellow, and orange dominate the picturesque evening as Ryan, JB, and Kaitlyn drive along a winding coast road. Fabi Marques contrasts Jun and Valentina standing amid the evening colors with a blue and white view through Ryan’s macrobinoculars. Pink and yellow enliven the soft green plants surrounding a tea house gazebo as Ryan prepares to visit one of his special places. Lens flare from the setting sun and vehicle lights suggest the cosmic import of the meetup. Yet, as Rita contemplates her future, a glowing white orb burns in her red and black eyes.

 

While Michael Yg and Fabi Marques fill panels with attractive characters amid cool vehicles and inviting settings, Ed Dukeshire places uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. The letters grow bold, swell, change color, and rarely shrink. Enlarged colored dialogue and sound effects enliven aggressive negotiations amid reminders of Rita and the Eltarians’ power. Thanks to Boom! Studios and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

The school of hard knocks hires the best teachers. Their lessons can leave you burning with anger or quivering with fear. Rita is a powerful space witch. Her Rangers face an uncertain future. Like the others, Ryan fears losing everything he has. But whether a space witch, a VR Trooper, a lowly refugee, or an influential socialite, everyone must navigate a path between anger and fear in Power Rangers Prime #8.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

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