Hey there heroes, Boom! Studios has seemingly bombarded us with several issues to review lately. Thankfully, this should be the last one we need to cover until Power Rangers Prime #10 drops in September. Now, for today’s review we have the second issue in Boom! Studios all-new VR Troopers series. So, for those unaware this title is most likely a bi-monthly series, which means books release about every two months. As a result, for fans looking to check out the first issue, it was released back in June. Although, issue 1 may be out of print at some stores for those looking to buy a physical copy. Anyway, let us ‘Trooper Transform’ and jump into this review for VR Troopers #2!
Comic Credits
- Artist: Sebastián Piriz
- Colorist: JP Jordan
- Lettering: Taylor Esposito
- Writer: Mairghread Schott
- Designer: Madison Goyette
- Editor: David Mariotte & Lily Kessinger
- Cover Artist: Taurin Clarke
- Hasbro Special Thanks to Linda Lee, Lily Zahn, Tayla Reo & Ed Lane
[Warning: The following review contains spoilers, so readers should proceed at their own discretion]
Review
Now, our second issue of VR Troopers begins with Ryan meeting Kaitlin and J.B. at their headquarters with ‘bribe donuts.’ Like that is the easiest way to explain them, since they know Ryan plots something by bringing them donuts. So, this moment goes to expand upon how the team knows each other well enough. Especially, since this plan Ryan has could get them into trouble with their ‘Eltarian overlords.’ Specifically, Ryan wants to hunt down their mysterious visitor from another reality to question them before they are detained officially. Coincidentally, due to events in Power Rangers Prime, the Troopers are realizing how they cannot trust the Eltarians. As a result, the team is trying to figure out how to operate outside of their jurisdiction without being discovered. Additionally, I like how during this conversation, the panels help to emphasize each character’s body language. For example, the side-by-side panels where Kailtin says “no” alongside Ryan sipping coffee and not looking at his friends directly.
Thankfully, through this conversation J.B. and Kaitlin agree to Ryan’s plan of keeping everything a secret. In addition, they decide to fill Ryan in on things they discovered about the Skugs following their previous encounter. However, ‘Conspiracy Theory Kaitlin’ appears when she blurts out “Ziktor Industries is brainwashing people to get around minimum wage laws.” So, J.B. replies to Kaitlin about how all corporations are evil and they bicker about conspiracies in general. Hilariously enough, this made me laugh since the television series often played with the idea of Kaitlin having conspiracies. Although I believe those moments were mostly played as offhand jokes about Kaitlin or her boss Woody. Coincidentally, the book goes further into Kaitlin’s investigative journalist side, as she decides to go undercover as a reporter. Whereas, as Kaitlin speeds off to scope out Ziktor Industries, she leaves J.B. to tell Ryan about the mysterious man.
Immediately, the book transitions to Kaitlin infiltrating Ziktor Industries, and she quickly notices how some women look identical. Like Kaitlin suspects that these women are sisters, but long-time fans already know they are Ziktor’s Skug bodyguards. However, unlike their television counterparts these women are exactly identical, but feature different hair colors. So, I think this change is a great adjustment from the source material since that might have been the intention. Especially since in the television series, Ziktor’s female assistants/ bodyguards had uniform physical traits and fashion. As a result, I am loving the attention to details and easter eggs regarding the show from writer Mairghread Scott. Specifically, I like how Mairghread is adapting the original lore, and seemingly making it more eerie or menacing.
Anyway, Kailtin further infiltrates Ziktor Industries, as she sneaks off to tail a scientist into an unauthorized area. However, before getting into the meat of this issue, things transition back to Ryan and J.B. sparring. Here this scene feels like a tribute to these characters’ sparring sessions at Tao’s Dojo from the show. Now, during this sparring session we learn more about Ryan’s backstory, particularly more about his parents. Like how they got divorced, and Tyler Steele continued to love Ryan’s mother right until he disappeared. Additionally, neither of Ryan’s parents had extended families, so Ryan is left clueless regarding J.B.’s inquiry about them. Especially since J.B. recently discovered that the mystery man (Dark Heart) can only access Ryan’s Virtualizer if they were related. So, with that bombshell they suspect the mystery man is Tyler Steele, as he stalks Kaitlin in Ziktor Industries. Furthermore, this transition is framed beautifully, with the artwork, colors, and font adding to the suspense of Kaitlin’s looming danger.
Whereas, the following action sequence between Kaitlin and “Ryan’s Dad” (Dark Heart) is incredible, so props to Piriz and Jordan. Like we get to see Dark Heart try to strike Kaitlin, and she rolls away before being able to transform. Then Kaitlin proceeds to use her VR Double Team ability in an attempt to overwhelm her attacker. Overall the action flows amazingly well, and our two characters begin to realize they might be on the same side. Unfortunately, as their battle escalates, Ziktor’s staff become aware of their activity and they sound the alarms. As a result, Karl Ziktor gets proactive in wanting to root out the intruders once learning a Trooper is involved. Personally, I enjoy seeing Ziktor be active in the story rather than lurking in his office the entire time. Although, Ziktor probably still says his iconic line, “Force of darkness empower me! Take me back to my virtual reality.” Especially, given what is about to happen next regarding Kaitlin and Dark Heart possibly becoming trapped in Ziktor Industries.
So, to close out this issue, Dark Heart strips Kaitlin of her Virtualizer causing her to power down. Then Dark Heart proceeds to knock her into Ziktor and his bodyguards as a distraction to escape the building. Eventually, Kaitlin wakes up sometime later locked in a cell only to be met by Grimlord on the other side. Here, Grimlord exclaims to her that his gateway to their reality is near completion, and soon his armies will arrive. So, besides the Eltarian government being a threat to this universe, Grimlord looks to worsen things with a ‘reality war.’ Interestingly, I expected Grimlord to be a potential threat in this series, but not an immediate main villain. Although I appreciate that Grimlord is being written as a huge threat without the Eltarians being aware. Like this makes me hope that Grimlord’s invasion somewhat comes to fruition before being stopped by the VR Troopers. Especially, since Grimlord’s television counterpart seemingly never got to see his vision materialize in some capacity.
Ultimately, it feels like readers are finally seeing what we should expect from this VR Troopers mini-series moving forward. Currently, I am invested to see how this plays out since solicitations for Issues 4 through 6 are not available. So, we have no inklings on what could happen in later issues, or if a sequel series has been greenlit. Although with NYCC days after Issue 3 releases, we should expect more updates on this title. Whereas, for Issue 3, I hope it features J.B. as its main character, as Ryan and Kaitlin got leading roles. Additionally, it would be great if it has J.B. being able to unravel everything between Dark Heart and Ziktor Industries. Thankfully, our wait for VR Troopers #3 will not be too long though, and I am grateful for that. Nevertheless, I have been Ben Odinson, and I will see everyone next time!
