Comic Book Review - Power Rangers Prime #1
Forget everything you know about the Power Rangers…
It’s been a few months since BOOM! Studios and Melissa Flores concluded their year-long swan song final arc to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. While the original Rangers have their well-earned rest, we're back into Power Ranger territory with a whole new series - and if this opening issue is anything to go by, it’s going to get very dark.
Back at the helm is Melissa Flores who’s joined this time by artist Michael Yg. With this opening issue, the duo do a very good job in building their new utopian world, to then start in motion the one simple thing that’s going to make it all crash down. So what makes this new interpretation so different to what we’ve seen before?
With Power Rangers Prime #1, Flores wastes no time in showing us how this new universe differs from that of what we’ve previously seen. The main thing here is that the Eltarians have seemingly colonised planet Earth. With Zordon’s people bringing a wealth of technology to our primitive planet, humanity was able to fend off an alien invasion to then welcome their guardians with open arms. Deciding to then stay full time the Eltarians decided to make Earth their 205th colony world, and for a time humanity flourished. But when a renegade Power Ranger comes crashing into the streets of Angel Grove, this fragile peace is about to be broken.
The beauty of Power Rangers Prime #1 is its establishment of a world where the titular heroes have become myths and legends. Aside from a few nods to those “glory days” of MMPR, everything in Prime is brand new. It’s also a story that for me is very akin to the recent Avengers: Twilight. Where the heroes have been beaten by the series’ villains and go into hiding.
While Prime does indeed have its Power Ranger who comes from Power Ranger Samurai’s Lauren Shiba, the bulk of this issue is the interactions between the half-human refugee Mark, and Jun - the son of a high-ranking warrior within the Eltarian ranks. It’s through these two ordinary people that Flores introduces us to the status quo of this world where the Power Rangers are public enemy number #1. With curfews, and armed guards patrolling the streets the seedy underbelly of this apparent paradise soon bubbles to the surface.
Writing-wise Flores uses her experience with MMPR to bring us this whole new spin on the classic formula. Much like her work with Biker Mice from Mars, Flores uses that fondness for the readers' nostalgia to then throw it into a new direction. Even if we only get two scenes that feature a Power Ranger, the writing here keeps you engaged right until that final - and somewhat shocking - conclusion that gives a classic villain a tantalising new twist.
Michael Yg is the perfect accomplice to build this new world with his style being very different to previous MMPR artists. Yg’s anime-inspired art hits from the first page by asking a simple question that builds across this opening issue. The world itself is also one of stunning beauty with Yg and colourist, Fabi Marques blending human and Eltar architecture. Fight scenes are also very well choreographed with Yg showing off Lauren’s skills as a Ranger, whilst simultaneously showing that she’s vastly outmatched by the Eltarian Guardians. We also get some very interesting moments where Yg can flashback to the past to embed both Power Rangers and Eltar into human history.
Overall Power Rangers Prime is the jolt needed to revitalise the Power Rangers mythology. It was always going to be interesting to see where BOOM! Studios took their “teenagers with attitude” after MMPR’s conclusion, and with Prime, it’s in a very different - and unique direction. Whether you're a longtime reader of MMPR or are simply intrigued by this new look, Power Rangers Prime is simply a must-read. And with Melissa Flores at the helm, we’re in for one blistering ride.
Rating: 9/10
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