Comic Book Review - Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir To Darkness #1

Rob Lake reviews Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir To Darkness #1...

Ask any Power Ranger fan to name their top three villains and you'll no doubt hear the name, Astronema. This new one-shot, that ties directly into the events of both Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers delves into Astronema's checkered past. 

"Before she became a Power Ranger, a young girl named Karone was kidnapped by bounty hunters and brainwashed into the assassin known as Astronema by two of the greatest threats in the galaxy - Dark Specter and Ecliptor. But what is Dark Spector's true plan...and what does it mean for the new Mighty Morphin & Power Rangers teams?"

While this question is still largely unanswered writer L.L. McKinny gives us a fantastic origin story that takes us on an emotional rollercoaster of how a girl named Karone became the much loved villain. 

Heir To Darkness begins in media res as we see Astronema in the midst of a battle against a team of Rangers. Things don't go according to plan as the young villains inner battle allows one of the Rangers to escape. The situation don't get much better as Ecliptor summons Astronema, which she promptly ignores. 

We then switch to the past as we see Kay (as she's known at this point) in training. Training doesn't seem to be going too well as the youngster is both the weakest fighter in her 'class' and is known as "Baby" by her fellow trainees. This flashback not only shows us more of Karone/Astronema's self-doubt, but builds more character to Ecliptor as he takes the youngster as his prodigy. 

The rest of the issue switches between the past and the present as we follow Kay on her eventful journey to becoming Astronema.

This one-shot was a fantastic thrill-ride from cover to cover. McKinny really taps into the characters psyche as we follow her journey from self-doubting youngster, to badass assassin. While much of the previous Power Rangers stories naturally focus on the Rangers dynamic, it has been great to 'spend time' with the villains for once. It's also hard to not, not like Astronema throughout this issue as she overcomes those who have wronged her in a blistering final act. 

Simone Ragazzoni and Igor Monte give us some amazing art and colours that's full of vibrant detail and really brings McKinny's script to life.

While Astronema and Ecliptor's story continues in the upcoming Power Rangers #6. I personally can not wait! 

Rating 9/10

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