Writer: Melissa Flores
Artist: Michael Yg
Colorist: Fabi Marques
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Designer: Madison Goyette
Editors: Caroline Butler, David Mariotte & Andy Schmidt
Cover Artists: Taurin Clarke, Crystal Kung, Vash Taylor, Emilio Lopez, Tula Lotay, Eleonora Carlini & Huy Dinh
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 6, 2025
Ryan holds Mark in custody. If he officially arrests Rita Repulsa's Blue Ranger, the young orphan will lose everything: his place at Angel Grove University and his trusted docent status at the Natural History Museum. If the refugee doesn't spend the rest of his life in an Eltarian prison, Mark will likely end up living underground like the other unregistered aliens.
But Ryan also has Valentina and Jun to consider. His girlfriend is the daughter of Angel Grove's mayor. Ryan doesn't want Admiral Janessa to learn that Valentina and her son have become Power Rangers. He may not lose sleep if Lauren, Mark, and Orion go to prison. Jun might survive his mother's wrath. But Valentina and her father would join Mark in whatever future the Eltarians decide to punish them with.
The Red (Samurai) Ranger's arrival in Angel Grove set all these events in motion. To protect his girlfriend and the Aquitan orphan who lost his mother and his world, Ryan proposes to swap Mark for Lauren. Will Jun, Valentina, and Orion agree to Ryan’s proposal? And what might Rita say about Ryan’s optimistic strategy to safeguard their futures? Let's grab our Morphers, leap into Power Rangers Prime #9, and see what happens!
Story
Along with Kaitlyn and JB, Ryan is a VR Trooper. His mother vanished long ago. His father disappeared more recently. So he meets his friends in a Japanese garden that was important to him and his father. The Space Witch has corrupted his friends. Rita Repulsa has given them the forbidden power of the Power Rangers. And in Melissa Flores’ story, Rita has taken the mantle of the Green Ranger. Once, she created the Green Ranger to destroy the Power Rangers. Now, Rita uses it to inspire them to destroy everything Ryan loves.
Melissa Flores gives each character a chance to shine in Power Rangers Prime #9. While Valentina and Jun have enjoyed a life of privilege, they are beginning to understand why Rita said their lives were illusions. Admiral Janessa and her Eltarian supervisors see this more clearly. If they want to retain control of their 205th colony world, the overlords must prevent uncontrolled non-Eltarians from tapping the Morphin Grid.
While Rita's contemplation opens Power Rangers Prime #9, their confrontation at Ryan's special place gives each of the characters much to consider. Considering her history, Rita demonstrates exceptional wisdom. But despite the power they all wield, each realizes that winning is about more than who can deliver a colossal blow. While the Eltarians have rebuilt Earth on a foundation of deception, the divisions separating them are the greatest lie of all.
Art
The Green Ranger hovers above the crowd, forcing the Power Rangers and the VR Troopers to look up at her. As she leaps into battle, Rita wields her wand instead of a musical dagger. When Kaitlyn splits in two to battle the Space Witch, a character goes from being protected to defending others. The transformation evokes a fan-favorite catchphrase from the original TV series. Amid the explosive battle, Michael Yg shows Admiral Janessa conferring with her superiors in her headquarters.
Unlike the opening of the series, when Rita painted colors with her fingers, Fabi Marques opens Power Rangers Prime #9 with Rita as an ethereal being composed of white and green. Yellow links Valentina with Rita’s wand, while red connects the VR Troopers with Lauren. Amid the fury of the lavishly painted fight, pink and blue link the Eltarian overlords with their lowliest alien refugees.
Ed Dukeshire places uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. While the Space Witch's purple incantations fill jagged white dialogue balloons, Rita's purple pondering fills lavender narrative boxes. The letters grow bold, swell, and change color amid dramatic and action-packed confrontations. Sound effects crackle off would-be heroes and survivors, while sighs and gasps accompany monstrous roars. Thanks to Boom! Studios and Hasbro for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
Rita Repulsa has known good and evil. She has learned the pitfalls of each. To secure her survival, Rita always opts to destroy her enemies. Yet time has taught her to expect her minions to fail her. So the Space Witch bides her time, while her new Power Rangers, the VR Troopers, and the Eltarian leadership of Earth adjust to the changes Rita has wrought in Power Rangers Prime #9.
Rating 9.8/10
For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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