Comic Book Review - Power Rangers #19

Rob reviews Power Rangers #19...

Ever since I started covering Power Rangers just after 'Shattered Grid', I've often wondered how Ryan Parrott could top his previous story arc. While there was a lot of emotion at play in the 'Eltarian War', this seemingly normal issue of Power Rangers hits like an emotional freight train - not only for the unprepared reader but for its cast too! 

Power Rangers #18 saw the team split up in an attempt to cover both distress calls at once. Trini and Zack discovered a derelict spacecraft with its single infant survivor, while Jason and Yale met up with 'Power Rangers In Space' character Andros on his own decimated planet. Power Rangers #19 continues these threads as we see Zack and Trini attempt to be parents to their rescued alien, and Andros recruits Jason and Yale in his quest for vengeance. With two plots running concurrently a lot is going on, however, it all comes together into a world-shattering finale for one of the teams. 

Kicking this issue off is the more lighthearted of the two plots. Zack and Trini are back on Safehaven and have started to care for the rapidly-ageing-rescued-alien-baby. They've got no idea what species it is, and XI is currently running an analysis on the derelict hull to determine its origin. So in the meantime, Zack has been left holding the fort as Trini speaks to XI. When she returns the infant has run rings around an exhausted Zack, who's also named the infant "Journey". In a typical cliché moment, Trini also reminds Zack that they shouldn't bond with the infant - when it's exactly what they're doing.

Meanwhile, Jason and Yale are fully introduced to Andros as the Space Ranger informs the duo of his connections to Zordon, the Morphin Grid, and the ever-present - Dark Specter. However, in the here and now, Andros needs the Omega Ranger's help in freeing what remains of his civilisation from Dark Specter's minions. What follows is essentially a covert operation as the vengeful Andros takes the fight to the Xurix. The following fight is a bit sided while Jason and Yale rescue the prisoners Andros allows his thirst for revenge to take over, which sees Jason have to physically restrain him from further harming the beaten Xurix. 

This issue then ends with the four Omega Rangers reuniting (with Andros in tow) back on Safehaven. With new introductions to be had, Ryan Parrott then throws an almighty spanner into the works as he reveals that one of the Rangers has suffered a loss back on Earth. I won't spoil who, but it's something I certainly didn't see coming. 

With the "Charge to 100" in front of us, it's allowing both Ryan Parrott and Mat Groom to start bringing both of their narratives together. With the emotional punch to the gut that ends this issue giving the Omega Rangers reason to return to Earth, could we be seeing the imminent reveal of the mysterious Dark Specter? 

Overall, Power Rangers #19 is quite a touching issue filled with emotion and a lot of character-driven moments. From comedy to tragedy, this issue has it all. Both Parrott and long-time collaborator; Marco Renna know this cast extremely well, and with both at the helm, you're guaranteed a brilliant read! 

Rating 9.5/10 

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