Go-going onto the shelves this week, another exciting issue from Boom! Studios, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #45 continues the “Necessary Evil” arc with the craziest issue so far.
With the cliffhanger from issue #44, readers have been patiently waiting for this Omega Ranger showdown on the moon with Lord Zedd, and dare I say, it does NOT disappoint. The Omega Rangers have been nothing but badass and this is no exception. After seeing the clear gap in strength between the Earth’s Rangers, who are clearly still adjusting to their new team members, and the Omegas, the next question to come was, are they powerful enough for Zedd?
I won’t spoil anything from this issue because it is DEFINITELY something you will want to read yourself. Writer Ryan Parrott continues to prove he knows exactly what Power Rangers fans love to see in this serious take on the story, even taking the extra mile to add new characters that fit perfectly with lore while feeling fresh and new.
Yeah, you better believe one, in particular, I’m talking about is Kiya. Since she first made an appearance on the Omega team, saying she could take on Jason Zack and Trini in a three on one, she immediately became one of my favorite characters. Her cocky personality and having the sheer gusto to back it make her an exciting and welcomed addition to the cast.
The one thing I have enjoyed very much about the “Necessary Evil” story arc has been the further development of Jason’s character. At the beginning of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Tommy seemed like the focus character above all. He was the hero, and he was also the villain. While none of the cast felt slept on throughout the “Shattered Grid” story arc, (especially during the large gap where Tommy was not actually in it) when all was said and done he really was the central character everything revolved around.
While this series’ sibling comic Saban’s Go Go Power Rangers has fleshed out the other Rangers a lot more as it took place before Tommy’s arrival, Jason Lee Scott’s character development had not really taken the same center stage Tommy’s had in the past. While inarguable that Tommy Oliver is probably the most popular Ranger, (He’s been 5 different Power Rangers for crying out loud) Jason Lee Scott may very well hold the place of number two, being that he was the first Red Ranger, so seeing him take the spotlight for his own in this story arc has made for a good read. Especially for me since I am in fact a Jason fan to heart.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #45 keeps the pace with the phenomenal artwork and coloring we have come to love from this series. Daniele Di Nicuolo has been on since issue #40 and has done a killer job illustrating each scene, especially with the combat in this issue. Each action feels powerful and purposeful panel to panel and Walter Baiamonte’s coloring adds to the intensity of it all. Each Ranger suit glistens with detail, the gold trimming with its reflective sheen adds to the brilliance of the Omega Rangers’ designs.
I’ve mentioned in a previous review that I’m a big fan of this series maintaining one of the more silly elements of Power Rangers, this, of course, being the audible sounds yelled with each strike. Letterer Ed Dukeshire keeps this trend as every “Kee-ya!” continues to stay right where it should be and not a “Hoo-ha!” is out of place. As zany as it may seem to some, I’ve found this is something that adds to the experience of reading these Ranger comics and helps the series truly hit close to home. At heart, it’s still the good old Power Rangers we know and love.
This issue is another big step for the current story arc which has been a blast to keep up with. While we had a break from the main story with “Beyond the Grid” which was the arc before this, everyone surely wondered what they had in mind to follow up after the epic journey that was “Shattered Grid.” While Lord Drakkon’s story certainly took the world by storm, I do think “Necessary Evil” keeps the pace nicely and is giving us more of what we want from this franchise.
I’m happy to see that the transition in the cast is being handled so well and while Jason, Zack, and Trini have been replaced on the true team, their characters are not simply being tossed away like they were in the show (with the exception of Jason returning in Zeo) I am excited to see where else Boom! studios take these stories and what more creative ideas they have in store for us as it continues on. All in all, another strong issue for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
