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Comic Book Review - Power Rangers #4

Rob Lake reviews Power Rangers #4...


Comic Book Review - Power Rangers #4

Regardless of if you're a Power Rangers fan or not, the Unlimited Power era has shaken both the Power Ranger dynamic and its established world to its core. 

While the Angel Grove team deal with their issues, the Omega Rangers are in deep space and even deeper trouble. If anything it's a tough time being a Ranger, regardless of what team you're on...

This time around we're back with the Omega Rangers. After last months shocking conclusion, Ryan Parrott brings us back to a remnant of the Shattered Grid. Yes, we're back in Angel Grove albeit Drakkon's twisted version of it. With the Omega Rangers chasing the remains of the Red Emissary on the planet, we get quite a bit of character building for the former Lord. This issue feels very much like a Drakkon focused issue, and to an extent it is.

What we soon learn is that this former "paradise" was Drakkon's prison. You've got to feel a little sorry for the villain as we see that time moves at a different pace on the planet. Ryan Parrott gives us a different side to Drakkon as we see how he spent his many years of isolation due to the Emissaries. Drakkon's prison guards are of particular interest as they represent a physical manifestation of the Morphin Grid. The one thing Drakkon set out to control ended up being his jailer, it's a fantastic piece of storytelling, even if it's a small part of the Power Ranger "pie". 

There's yet more dialogue between Trini and Drakkon as the Yellow Omega Ranger sympathises with Drakkon. This then results in Drakkon helping her to her feet when the tiger manifestation crashes through the wall. Again it's these little details that portray Drakkon in a different light, with the character coming a long way from his apparent betrayal in issue #3. 

The issue closes out with a hint at what's to come, and it seems the Omega Rangers are off to the space equivalent of a Spaghetti Western. Its all card games and shoot-outs as the Empyreal hunt continues. 

Oh boy, what another fantastic issue. Ryan Parrott's writing continues to build the Unlimited Power era at a fantastic rate. Both Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers are vastly different in terms of story, but I can't help but feel that the Empyreals are the threat that Candice is warning Zordon about at the end of Mighty Morphin #4. If it is then it's going to be very interesting to see the two teams come back together. 

Francisco Mortarino gives us some fantastic accompanying art. The whole portrayal of Drakkon's prison is amazing. The shattered remains of the White Tiger Zord and the Dragon Zord hanging in the air is a constant reminder of what once was. Raul Angulo gives us a fantastic use of a muted pallette to his coloure throughout this issue which works well against the bright colours of both the Rangers and the tiger manifestation.

Rating 9/10

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev


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