Review: READ ONLY MEMORIES #1 is Masterful Cyberpunk Noir

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Read Only Memories #1, the first chapter in a new four-issue limited series out this week from IDW Comics, is a true sci-fi treat. Inspired by the critically-lauded game 2064: Read Only Memories, the book takes us into some fascinating territory.

A robot hires private investigator Lexi Rivers to track down her lost human lover, dragging her into the middle of a gang war in the process. For full disclosure: I never actually played the game on which this book is based. That said, newcomers will have no problem getting invested.

The Writing

What begins as a seemingly-mundane P.I. story quickly develops into a much richer tapestry of sci-fi tropes, creative ideas, and social commentary. By the halfway point of Read Only Memories #1, it’s clear that writer Sina Grace has something much more interesting to say than paying basic homage to genre clichés.

One of the book’s greatest assets lies in the worldbuilding. While it can be a bit jarring to drop straight into this world at first, readers can quickly pick up on the lay of the land. The society introduced here is a fascinating, libertine vision of cyberpunk neo-noir. It’s not dystopian, instead remaining thoroughly believable and grounded. At the same time, the book retains its authenticity by hewing to real-world concerns.

There are clear references to class, gender, and queer politics throughout Read Only Memories #1, which Grace handles tactfully. He largely avoids overt comments, instead showing how the political and economic climate nonetheless shapes the world around the characters. The result is an impactful and ultimately much more satisfying touch to navigate these dynamics. At the book’s center, though, is a genuinely interesting story. While narratives about detectives on the fringes are dime-a-dozen, this one stands out from the pack.

Overall, the writing is sharp, well-scripted and focused throughout. With each page, you find yourself drawn further into this world, its characters, and the story unfolding.

The Artwork

Read Only Memories #1 is a gorgeously-stylized book. Each page drips with a neon, eighties-inspired aesthetic. At the same time, it avoids feeling like another tired throwback; artist Stefano Simeone’s crisp artwork and soft lines give the book a very contemporary vibe.

The style is reminiscent of the artwork of Patrick Nagel in some regards, but it still feels very its own thing. The softer lines are somewhat sketchy, but it fits the tone of the book, retaining a very clean presentation. Details in the background are used selectively, giving the reader an impression of the world without providing a great deal of laborious or overwhelming scenery. The result is that the focus remains on the characters and the mystery unfolding in Read Only Memories #1.

For color, the artist bathes every page in a palette of blues and pinks. While reds and other colors sneak in here and there, those two tones dominate the color scheme. It melds perfectly with the inks, creating a singular, cohesive presentation.

Final Thoughts

By the end of Read Only Memories #1, you find yourself hooked into the story and its fascinating futurist vision. This is one of the most intriguing new comics on the stands, and it comes highly recommended.

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DC Comics Exclusive Preview: BOOKS OF MAGIC #15

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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December 19, 2019

Books of Magic #15 hits your local comic book store on January 1st, but thanks to DC Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive six-page preview for you.

About the issue:
For months, as his magical abilities have grown, the edges of Tim Hunter’s mind have been haunted by a vision of his future self…an older Tim Hunter who’s grown to become a living nightmare. So with his friends turning away from him and the magical law officers of the other side on his trail, what will Tim do when that nightmare steps out into our world?

Books of Magic #15 is written by Kat Howard. Layouts are by Tom Fowler, with finishes by Craig Taillefer, colors by Jordan Boyd, and letters by Todd Klein. The cover is by Kai Carpenter.

The preview below shows that Tim Hunter is still dealing with the fallout from the Sandman Universe Presents Hellblazer Special, in which readers see a future version of the young wizard gone evil.

**Check out the Books of Magic #15 preview below:**

Are you reading Books of Magic? What is your favorite Sandman Universe title? Sound off in the comments!

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INTERVIEW: Composer Jim Lang Talks Making Music For Cartoons And Burlesque

By

Ruben Diaz

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December 19, 2019

What do legendary filmmaker John Carpenter, 90s cartoon Hey Arnold!, and a brand new musical from the Independent Shakespeare Co. (ISC) called Anita Berber is Dead! based on a true story about a burlesque star have in common? It’s composer Jim Lang who helped create the music for all that and more.

Anita Berber is Dead! is a story written by Melissa Chalsma, and David Melville which tells the tale of a German dancer trying to push the envelope of artistic expression during the chaos of World War I. As described by the production, “Defiant and extreme, Anita’s work reached its apotheosis in the stunning, strange, and ultimately doomed creation: “Dances of Vice, Horror, and Ecstasy.”

PopAxiom spoke with Jim Lang, Melissa Chalsma, and David Melville about creating a scintillating story about one of history’s most compelling characters for Anita Berber is Dead!.

Sound Check

Having grown up with the funky theme to Hey Arnold!, I ask Jim to describe the major difference in the process for that project versus Anita Berber Is Dead!. “The subject matter is entirely different.”

He elaborates, first in regards to making music for TV and film: “That being said… I think as a composer, you’re asked to be a little bit circumspect. You don’t want to be, what do they call it in animation, too much on the nose. You don’t want to be telling people exactly what to think.”

In a musical like Anita Berber Is Dead!, the goal changes a bit. “… you really are telling the emotional journey and being more direct.”

About Anita Berber Is Dead!

As with many stories, it all starts with a spark that, according to David, “… naturally lead to Wikipedia.” After some reading, he thought, “I couldn’t believe she had been forgotten.”

The whole idea and history of Anita Berber, to David, “… seemed like a natural fit for a musical.”

Travel back about a year in time. “Jim and I play in a band at a Vaudeville show ever year.”

The star of the show was actress and burlesque superstar Tonya Kay.”… Backstage I said to Tonya, ‘Have you ever heard of Anita Berber? Look her up. I think we should do a show.”

David recalls telling Melissa, “Let’s do a show about an erotic, provocative, drug-addled, dancer who is a queer and feminist icon.”

Melissa’s answer: “Yes, I want to do that show!”

Titillating Tale

For Melissa, she explains, “I was drawn to that it’s a kind of world that we think about this sort of dance from a male, sexual perspective. This was a possibility of telling a story about a woman who was very much about sexuality and your body but told from her perspective. The male gaze is something we play with.”

For audience members, nudity is often shocking. But in Anita Berber is Dead!, Melissa says, “By the end, the nudity is just nudity. It’s not about titillation anymore.”

David co-wrote Anita Berber is Dead! With no intention of acting in it. However, late in the game, he joined the cast. “The part I’m playing called Mr. Jolly is based on a real person from that era who was a ‘starvation artist’ that lived in a glass box in a restaurant. People would come in and eat, and he’d sit in there smoking while wasting away. People would be told to pay respect to Mr. Jolly’s art and not offer him any food or drink.”

David and Melissa created the story of Anita Berber together. The pair joined forces with Jim for the music. And it all came together at the same time. “David did the first pass at the story where he created an outline. We stuck pretty closely to it. We wanted the structure. There were maybe one or two instances where we inserted a song here or removed a song there.”

Song & Dance

Melissa talks about the musical aspect of Anita Berber is Dead! “There’s a lot of singing. And what I was hoping for was to make the play dance-driven. It’s the story of a dancer, so we created sections where it focused on the dancing.

In roughly a year, the trio hit the ground running while putting the performance together. As David and Melissa put the story together, they also worked on music with Jim. David says, “He didn’t really know where it was going.” Rewrites and updates were happening on the fly.

Wrapping Up

As storytellers, what film remake would each want to be a part of. Melissa jokes, “I’m going to guess that David will say Casablanca. Though he’d be horrified if anyone tried to remake it.”

David answers, “I always thought you should do a TV version with James Bond and do the Ian Fleming stories set in the period in which they were written.”

Jim’s answer: “I would like to see somebody make a version of Spirited Away, the Miyazaki film, that wasn’t set in Japan. It’s an incredible film, and if someone could do that film and translate that message of spirituality to another culture. It could be amazing.” It seems like a job for the Wachowskis.

Melissa takes the question to a whole new, sci-fi level. “I’m changing your question to where would I want to travel back in time to work on a movie. I would travel back to be a part of the original Star Wars.”

Anita Berber Is Dead! played before audiences in Los Angeles in November. So, what’s next for Melissa and David? “David and I run ISC together, so we’ve got things coming up. We’re doing an experimental version of Macbeth at our indoor space. In the summer we do our outdoor Shakespeare festival. We’re already working on that. We get about 45,000 people over the course of the festival. It’s at Griffith Park. Two full productions of Shakespeare plays, bands, and dance companies.”

Making Anita Berber Is Dead! was a non-stop, year-long process. Jim’s plans? “I’m looking forward to getting some good sleep. And taking long walks with my wife and dog.”

Fans of Hey Arnold! will love what they are about to read. Jim says, “There is a very good chance that in the first quarter of the year, we’re releasing an album of the original score from Hey Arnold!”

Thanks to Jim Lang, David Melville, Melissa Chalsma, and Impact24 PR for making this interview possible.

Want to read more interviews like this? CLICK HERE.

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AfterShock Comics Exclusive Preview: DARK RED #9

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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December 19, 2019

aftershock comics exclusive preview dark red

DARK RED #9 hits your local comic book store January 8th, but thanks to AfterShock Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive four-page preview for you.

About the issue:
Rural vampire Chip may have just caused a massive urban vampire war in the streets of Chicago. And he seems kinda happy about it.

Tim Seeley (BRILLIANT TRASH, Hack/Slash, Grayson) and Corin Howell (Ghostbusters, Bat-Mite) bring you a contemporary and horrifying tale of vampirism in the heart of America—one that’ll make you jump right out of your boots.

DARK RED #9 is by writer Tim Seeley and artist Corin Howell, with colors by Mark Englert, and letters by Carlos Mangual. The cover is by Meghan Hetrick.

The series uses vampires as a way to talk about the isolation of Middle America and the political divide our nation is facing. You can read Monkeys Fighting Robots’ review of the first issue by clicking here.

Check out the DARK RED #9 preview below:

Have you been reading Dark Red? Sound off in the comments!

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Review: LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #2 Fleshes Out The World

By

Jose "Jody" Cardona

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The Plot of the Legion thickens!

The Legion of Superheroes has made a return in the DC Universe. They hail from the 31st century where Earth has been broken up into sections floating over the remains of the planet. During Unity Day, where the planets joined to for the United Planets, the Legion bring a guest from the past. Jon Kent meets the heroes of tomorrow, including Ultra Boy. It turns out Ultra Boy has taken the Trident of Aquaman from a group of criminal aliens called the Horraz. Before the Legion can send Jon to a proper orientation to their organization, the Horraz strike out. Will Superboy’s time in the 31st century be over it begins?

**Some Spoilers Below**

Story:

Picking up right where we left off, The Horraz assaults the Legion of Superheroes. They are hoping to regain the Trident of Aquaman to use to help their pursuits. As the Legion begins to get overrun, Saturn Girl tries to shut down their minds through a psychic attack. The problem is she ends up knocking out most of her own team. As the Horraz leader tries to grab the trident, Jon accidentally activates its power. This causes the base to be flooded with seawater, sending the Horraz running.

Meanwhile, the Legion liaison, Rose Forrest meets with the President of the United Planets. The U.P. appears to have an issue with how the Legion does things and demands to be kept informed.

This issue might start out with an epic battle with an amazing conclusion, but it slows down really quick. There is a lot of dialogue in this issue to help Jon and the audience to understand the world that they’ve entered into. While it seems like this would be incredibly helpful, it comes off as a bit boring. They’re talking about a planet that is completely like Gotham and I end up wanting the Horraz to show back up.

That being said, there is one conversation that stands out: The talk between Rose and the U.P. President. You can cut the tension with a knife as it is a true example of verbal sparring. At first, it appears the President gains the upper hand on the teenager, but soon turns around and becomes evenly matched. By the end of the conversation, you want to give the unpowered liaison a pat on the back for standing her ground.

Art:

Ryan Sook does a fantastic job of illustrating the future world of DC. He continues to provide a colorful cast of characters that pop off the page, thanks to the bright colorwork of Jordie Bellaire. While there might not be tons of action to draw, he does a spectacular job with it. Superboy inadvertently activating the powers of the trident was breathtaking as it washed away all of the Horraz. When we get more action, I can’t wait to see Sook go all out with the Legion and their powers. I am not sure how long this team will be with us, but it’s clear they’ll keep providing us a great look for this tale.

Conclusion:

Overall, the second issue of the Legion of Superheroes was an okay one. While I would love to see more action, I understand they are still setting up this world for the readers. The characters are the real reason to come back, as each is becoming more fleshed out as time goes on. The art team knocks it out of the park thanks to their spectacular styles. Add all this to a cliffhanger that will certainly get Super Sons fans excited and the future is looking bright for this series.

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NSFW Review: MONEY SHOT #3 – Those Who Sleep Together, Explore Space Together

By

Jason Jeffords Jr

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Vault Comics’ MONEY SHOT #3 contains just about everything a comic lover looks for; the concluding origins of the XXX-Plorers, character development, explosive orgasms, dirty humor, and it releases this Wednesday (December 18th).

A joke that hits to close too home. — Money Shot #3 interior art by Rebekah Isaacs. Colors – Kurt Michael Russell. Letters – Crank!

The climax is always better with build-up, meaning if you haven’t read the previous two issues go check out our Money Shot #1 and #2 reviews!

The Money Shot Heard Around The Universe

Every great show has a theme song. Think back to your favorite show, and you’ll most likely remember their opening or closing song. Dr. Ocampo understands this need for a song that is equal parts catchy while explaining the meaning of the said show. But, a show can’t thrive without steamy content. That’s where Money Shot #3’s main plot comes in, a threesome of Kneels Bore (Omar), Tesla Coyle (Dr. Ocampo), and Warlord, Daughir.

Much like the amazing team name, The XXX-Plorers, each member has their own name that’s equally fantastic and hilarious. Kudos to whoever came up with said names, be it writers, Tim Seeley, Sarah Beattie, or another team member. Although we’ve mentioned some more humorous things, Money Shot #3 is more than just humor. The duo of Seeley and Beattie are able to accomplish a myriad of feelings doing character interactions.

One of Money Shot’s greatest strengths is even though it’s about humans traveling space to have sex with aliens it retains moments everyone can relate too. Each character on the team goes through different emotions and reactions that we all go through. This is due to the Seely and Beattie’s great characterization of each of the XXX-Plorers.

Yay theme songs! — Money Shot #3 interior art by Rebekah Isaacs. Colors – Kurt Michael Russell. Letters – Crank!

Art

By keeping the original crew seen in the previous two issues, Money Shot #3 keeps the same visual quality, you’ve come to expect. Artist Rebekah Isaacs continues to keep the story grounded, which bodes well with the writing team. Although the team of sexplorers are on an alien planet, it all feels visually realistic. But, Isaacs doesn’t make Money Shot #3 look too realistic, adding in a little bit of a cartoonish feeling to make the visuals more lively.

On the subject of lively, Kurt Michael Russell’s colors help bring the world and characters to life. This is due to the brightly colored XXX-Plorers costumes compared to the vast water void planets orange-yellow colors. Besides the dry planet, part of the team resides in a bright, brilliant prison cell, while Omar and Dr. Ocampo are in an equally colorful spot.

Keeping the trend seen throughout Money Shot, letterer Crank! continues lettering aliens in a different font style. But, when the aliens are translated from Little Shot the font reverts back to the normal ones you’d see with the humans. Thus showing said alien being translated. This, and Crank!’s ability to never cover the art with dialogue bubbles helps keep readable for the reader fun, while not covering important moments.

So, does Marvel and Star Wars exist in Money Shot's universe? — Money Shot #3 interior art by Rebekah Isaacs. Colors – Kurt Michael Russell. Letters – Crank!

A Climax To End All Climaxes

Vault Comics continues to knock each new release out of the park, Money Shot #3 included. When the book first came out, it seemed that it would be all sexual situations and humor. But, three issues in and it’s becoming one of the most human stories out there.

Memorable Quote: “When I was a kid, my dad had this Youtube channel, and he used to film the pranks he played on me. Every video had like two million views. Totally humiliating.” – Omar

Damn Omar, that’s some new age childhood drama, and surprisingly, I haven’t seen a sad kid story like this in any other media, yet.

Viewers of XXX-Plorers

What did you think about Money Shot #3? Let us know down below!

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Betrayal and Loyalties Abound in ONCE & FUTURE #5

By

Cat Wyatt

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ONCE & FUTURE #5, out this Wednesday from Boom! Studios continues Duncan’s epic (but involuntary) quest to stop a legend from becoming truth. He may not have realized this was the life he was groomed for, but that won’t stop him from stepping up.

And so the quest continues, with our antagonist taking the forefront in this issue.

***SPOILER WARNING***

Once & Future has been a delightfully warped tale of the legend of King Arthur. The series has added a much needed horror element to the lore of this once mighty king, making the idea of his resurrection a terrifying thought.

That is a problem for Duncan, however. And we do not envy the position he’s been placed in. This is a man who was groomed to play a part in legend – a backup plan, so to speak. Up until this week, he never knew that fact. You’d think that’d make him bitter. And perhaps if they survive all of this he’ll have time to feel all of that.

Perhaps not the most cheerful beginning to this issue…

The Plot

Once & Future #5 is an issue full of dramatic reveals, clever twists, and character development. For five issues now the fans have been hoping to get answers to all of our questions about Duncan and his history. That’s plenty of time for us to form a theory or two, and now it’s time to see what theories were spot on.

Kieron Gillen has woven us a most twisted tale, one of history and lore, but with some deliciously dark twists. This is the bite that the tale of King Arthur has always needed. It makes for a thrilling and chilling read.

This issue is no exception, with several dramatic moments to shock readers – and what we feel pales in comparison to what the characters themselves must be experiencing. These twists are shocking, naturally. But they also fit in with the characters we’ve come to know.

In many ways these moments are ones the series has been building towards since the very beginning. They feel right, even as they shake us to our core. And that’s the sign of skilled writing. Though it does leave readers wondering what will happen next.

The Art

Once & Future #5 features some striking artwork, in which case it fits in nicely with the rest of the series. The whole series has been so vibrant and alive, with the magical elements taking on a sinister look to match their darker traits.

Dan Mora’s linework is something to behold. His characters are fierce and unafraid to show their emotions. And let’s not forget all of their dramatic poses – though some do it better than others (no offense, Duncan).

Meanwhile, Tamra Bonvillain’s colors truly make this series what it is. They’re the reason the series is so bright, which may seem strange for a horror/fantasy series. But it honestly works brilliantly here, leaving the reader desperate to see more.

Finally, Ed Dukeshire is the letterer for this series, and he’s done an excellent job. His choice of placement and font allow for all of the dialogue to fit in organically with the images, while not being obtrusive. It’s an impressive balance.

In Conclusion

Once & Future #5 was another brilliant and vivacious addition to this chilling series. Thus far the balance between shocking twists and thematic storytelling has found a fine balance. The end result is something dramatic that feels right while leaving us readers eager to see more.

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A Grandfather’s Quest in FAMILY TREE #2

By

Cat Wyatt

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FAMILY TREE #2, out this Wednesday from Image Comics continues the horrifying tale of one grandfather trying to save his family from a grisly and disturbing fate. This issue is not to be missed if you’re seeking answers and chills.

Grandpa Judd’s story is looking more complex by the minute.

***SPOILER WARNING***

Family Tree is a new joint project from the minds of Jeff Lemire, Phil Hester, Eric Gapstur, and Ryan Cody. And so far the series has been doing everything possible to get our attention. If you’ve been on the lookout for a series that blends together family drama with some truly horrifying elements, then this is a series worth checking out.

The first issue of this series introduced us to a world in which a family has been torn apart. And is only facing more trials with each turn. A single mother has been left to raise her family. First, there’s the troubled teenage son. And now by all appearances, her daughter is being affected by some strange disease.

Enter Grandpa Judd, who seems to have all of the answers. Not that this is the sort of situation where one can actually take a few minutes to sit down and explain the said situation. But thanks to the magic of flashbacks, the readers are at a slight advantage in that regard.

The Plot

Family Tree #2 was a blend of the past and the present. Granda Judd is not the villain that his family made him out to be, nor is his son. That twist was unexpectedly heartbreaking. And it is very well suited to the family drama Lemire has worked so hard to create here.

There are still so many questions that need to be answered, and thus there’s still a long way to go in this series. While we may know a bit more about each of the family members now – we know less than ever about what is actually happening to them. Or more accurately, why. At least we’re well and truly invested now, so we’re more inclined to see it through to the end.

The Art

While the plot has raised as many questions as it has answered, the artwork has been all around pleasing. Our artists have gone for a highly stylized look, but it’s one that works to great effect in a horror series such as this. The jagged edges and blocks of shading are as dynamic as they are dramatic, and that serves to enhance the tension of the series.

Family Tree #2 reads like a horror series, through and through. One can tell at a glance the subject within – which is perhaps why the family drama can come as such a surprise. That being said, the artwork is the ideal support structure for this plot.

Horror is frequently at it’s most terrifying when it has an organic edge, and that is exactly what we’re presented with, within the pages of Family Tree #2. The lines between humanity and trees blur and get lost in transition, and that is just terrifying.

In Conclusion

Family Tree #2 was a fascinating continuation of this horrifying family drama. It has raised just as many questions as it has answered. However, we’re left with little doubt that it will all get covered in time. One thing is certain, we’re invested in seeing what happens to this warped family.

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TONY STARK: IRON MAN #19 Is The Start Of A Hero Going Down A Dark Path

By

Anthony Wendel

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The prequel to Iron Man 2020 is here in Tony Stark: Iron Man #19 thanks to Dan Slott, Christos Gage, Francesco Manna, and Edgar Delgado. Will Iron Man be able to defeat Ultron? He may but when its all over he may never be the same again.

Summary

THE ULTRON AGENDA FINALE! What if there is no Tony Stark? What if there is only the Iron Man? At the end of 2019, the boundaries between man and machine are blurred and broken… and the Marvel Universe will be a very different place in the year 2020. A new Iron Age is coming… and you do NOT want to miss this pivotal issue.

Writing

Credit with this issue should first be given to the team for bringing a massive change to Iron Man in his actual series. Too often the character has been at the mercy of crossover events and the major changes to his character have come from those stories. This issue instead takes the time to lay the seeds for Iron Man 2020 and in the process cause Tony Stark’s world to crumble around him.

There are a lot of good moments and it seems like this has all been what Dan Slott and Christos Gage have been leading up to. This is the start of Tony’s journey down a dark path. Though he is able to best Ultron, things move away from him fast. The state of who he is, his business, and his future as Iron Man are all thrown into a state of chaos in this issue. It is an intense ride and will make the reader eager to pick up Iron Man 2020 #1 next month.

Artwork

The artwork by Franchesco Manna helps to deliver the emotion behind each blow Tony receives. Through his facial expressions, you are able to tell just how tired and defeated the character feels as each of the negative changes reign down on him. The final page is off with the reveal of Iron Man 2020 (come on we all knew it was coming) but otherwise, this is some pretty solid art.

The colorwork by Edgar Delgado once again brings some perfect efforts to the issue. Ultron still looks unsettling, energy blasts look devastating, and the action is intense thanks to the attention paid to the colors. A special shout out to a particular panel which holds a lot of dark foreboding thanks to Delgado’s work.

The lettering by VC’s Joe Caramagna aids with the soundtrack for the issue. Special attention is paid to making sure important background noise comes into play in the issue. Really helps to nail the New Years’ Eve countdown at the end of the issue, heralding the coming of Iron Man 2020.

Conclusion

Tony Stark: Iron Man #19 ends what has been a fantastic run for the series. Every Iron Man fans need to read this issue as it heralds the beginning of some grim times for Tony. By the look of it, things will get a lot worse for him before it gets better.

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MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #46 Is Very Thought Provoking

By

Samuel Pratt

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MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #46 Is Very Thought Provoking — Cover by Jamal Campbell

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #46 comes out this week from BOOM! Studios with another bombshell of an issue in this exciting arc.

As the plot thickens, the “Necessary Evil” storyline continues to gain momentum leading to some exciting new takes on some old ideas. One of these points being the idea of other Rangers.

More specifically, this issue starts by showing us how some of our Veteran Rangers respond to the idea that there are other Rangers out there. In Season 3 of the television series for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, we do see other Rangers for the first time with the introduction of the Rangers of Aquitar, a mostly water-based planet filled with thriving marine life. But since the Rangers were transformed into children for the entirety of that story, due to logic from the first Superman movie I kid you not, they spun the earth backward. We never get to see the Rangers respond to the idea that they are not the last line of defense against evil.

First, we see Tommy is becoming somewhat lax on the Rangers training, which would seem pretty crucial as three members of the team haven’t been Rangers for very long, and it shows. Tommy feels since the Omega Rangers exist, it lifts some of the burden off their shoulders, that and the fact that Zedd and Rita are both gone and Goldar seems to be the worst of their concerns, there’s far less incentive for being battle-ready.

Relationships seem to have the same problems, whether you’re a Ranger or not…

Some might argue that this seems out of character for Tommy Oliver, some see him as the pinnacle of doing good at all cost, and given that in Saban’s Go Go Power Rangers #26 Tommy is literally doing everything he can to become a Ranger again, it’s a valid point.

Something worth noting; Tommy clearly shows that the reason he is fighting so hard to become a Ranger is that his friends need him. Keep in mind Tommy lost his powers to Zedd at a vital time. The team was then down a Ranger, and Zedd continued to send wave after wave of monsters their way, and Tommy could do nothing to help. With the Omega Rangers having defeated both Dayne and Zedd, who by far posed the most significant threats since Drakkon’s defeat, it’s not unlikely that Tommy would feel somewhat relieved that all this stress is finally clearing up.

He went from thinking he was the only one who could even the odds for his friends against Zedd to seeing that there are other Rangers out there who were able to clean house on the Moon like it was their day job. Furthermore, this is not the same Tommy Oliver from the television series, not yet anyway. That Tommy had been through years upon years of being a Ranger on and off, confronting his evil past when he went to obtain the Zeo Crystals from Zedd’s palace, and been a team leader for much longer than the current Tommy in the comic series.

The other Ranger we see react to this is Kimberly, who’s response foreshadows her character’s direction in the Pink Ranger solo comic written by Brendon Fletcher, Kelly Thompson, and Tini Howard. Kimberly shows that being a Ranger is not something she can just put the breaks on and feels even if there comes the point where she moves on like she believes Jason, Trini, and Zack did, it will stay with her for the rest of her life.

Kimberly Hart was the second to last of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers team of five teenagers with attitude to move on from the show, the last being Billy. Knowing this having Kim be the one who wants to continue the Ranger life despite the lack of a threat looming seems fitting and potentially a reason why she will stay so much longer than the others.

As the team at BOOM! Studios continue to explore this franchise in its own way; it is essential to remember that these comics have not been a retelling of the source material in comic form, or even an adaptation of these stories for the older audience. The highlights of the BOOM! Comics have always been the writers’ clear understanding of the source and what new and creative ideas they’ve put together with it.

On the other side of the narrative, we do see more of what’s going on with the Omega Ranger team after the last issue’s cliffhanger. This issue is building up to what might potentially be the climax of the “Necessary Evil” arc and gives us a lot to look forward to in the next issue.

We haven’t seen a whole lot of XI, but based on these panels, it seems like him and the Emissary are much like Alpha and Zordon.

With what we have seen so far, there are a lot of questions worth asking about the current direction of the series. For one thing, with the Blue Emissary of the Morphin Grid now seemingly dead, will the Omega Rangers continue past this? Is this arc just becoming a send-off for Jason, Zack, and Trini to no longer be mainstays in the comic itself? Maybe they’ll be written out of Mighty Morphin but continue to be in Go Go when all is said in done? There’s also the question of if the creative team will ever decide to move past the Mighty Morphin series into Zeo, Turbo, Space, and so on.

As a whole, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #46 continues to impress as we come closer and closer to what seems like the end of an entire era. Much like how it was in the show when Rocky, Adam, and Aisha, replaced Jason, Zack, and Trini.

While we’re all interested in what happens next, it’s hard not to focus on what has happened so far, especially with Daniele Di Nicuolo’s phenomenal art backed by Walter Biamonte’s colors. There’s a lot to be impressed by this arc, between the brand new original Omega Ranger designs and how these new characters are being written in so well. The lettering even feels just as much a part of the art like everything else as Ed Dukeshire slides these sound effects in that pop out at you.

The Tiger looks so CLEAN here I swear! The Zords are done just as much justice as the Rangers in this art style.

Overall the BOOM! Studios Power Rangers comics have shown a lot of heart and passion for making a series for the fans who grew up with the show. Mighty Morphin #46 is no exception as it continues to give us the great art and story we’ve come to love this series for. As they continue to play with new ideas that work with the source material in fun and creative ways, we can’t help but keep coming to the same question over and over again. The same question any good story should strive to make its readers ask, so I ask if you can, leave your response in the comments to this same question:

What happens next?

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