Good morning heroes, as the title suggests today we are looking at the newest issue of VR Troopers. Now, we are getting to this issue from Boom! Studios late, but it just released two weeks ago. For those following along, this series runs parallel to Power Rangers Prime, but its placement in time is a mystery. However, from the books released thus far, we know Grimlord is preparing to invade “our reality.” In addition, our heroes received a huge revelation as to how their powers even came into existence. So, the drama is really ramping up to where we really need to Trooper Transform and jump into this review…
Comic Credits
- Artist: Sebastián Piriz
- Colorist: JP Jordan
- Lettering: Taylor Esposito
- Writer: Mairghread Schott
- Designer: Madison Goyette
- Editor: Tea Fougner, Lily Kessinger, David Mariotte
- 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, I want to start off by saying that this issue is very dialogue heavy, but in the best way possible. Like we finally get some answers that we have been wanting since the VR Troopers mini-series began. So, we officially begin the story with Ryan’s mother being quick to push Ryan away. Here, Ryan has an inner monologue about trying to forget what his mother, Amy, looked like, but never succeeding. Personally, I find the accompanying panel depicting how Ryan saw his mother versus her current appearance amazing. Specifically, because having this drastic contrast should invoke readers to have sympathy towards Amy’s ordeal. For Amy, she has constantly been fighting against Grimlord by herself for years, and it has destroyed her. Coincidentally, this issue further explores everything that happened to Amy, including the body horror done to her.
Continuing on, Ryan and JB question what they should do with Amy, as she explains Grimlord’s origins. Especially, since Amy exclaims that neither of them are ready to face both Grimlord and Karl Ziktor. Here, Amy explains that Karl Ziktor and Grimlord connected, and their consciousnesses are entwined. Interestingly while Grimlord looks towards conquest of multiple realities, Ziktor wants the power from Grimlord’s dimension. As expected though, this confuses JB who assumes that their merger allows them to breach reality barriers. However, Amy explains that they are transferring energy to assume the other’s form, but not their physical matter. Furthermore, this explains how the Skugs were able to briefly materialize or control their hosts in earlier issues. Thankfully, since they have not been able to transport their matter or override existing matter, Grimlord’s actions have been reversible.
Unfortunately, Grimlord is closing the gap on mastering Inter-Reality Matter transfers due to Tyler Steele’s and Professor Hart’s research. Here, we learn that Ryan’s parents’ split due to their professions, as Amy worked for the Department of Defense. Originally, Dr. Steele and Hart were trying to create a program to help protect Earth. However, Amy knew the Eltarians would see their technological discovery as a threat to their control of Earth. Surprisingly, Amy does joke about how she always thought Tyler cared more for work than family. Although Amy later goes on to confirm that Tyler was always the better parent. Personally, I found these statements from Amy to be very interesting because she wanted a better life for Ryan. Additionally, it shows that Amy was hurt because Tyler could not trust her due to her political position. Ultimately, that trust led to why Tyler took Ryan and left, while Amy completely distanced herself. Yet, Ryan rebuttals with how she did not try to be a parent or wife by letting Tyler leave either. So, their bad decisions went on to not just alter Ryan’s life, but the safety of the universe. Especially, when Amy confirms that the accident that “killed” Tyler and Professor Hart was caused by Eltarians.
Apologies for this tangent, but I want to address the art and color choices for this issue right now! Personally, I love colorist JP Jordan’s use of red, blue, and orange to convey the emotions of Ryan’s and Amy’s conversations. Like obviously the use of red depicts rage and anger, while blue is for the sorrow regarding their situation. However, using orange to depict the tension between Ryan and Amy as they argue is impressive. Additionally, since this issue is dialogue heavy, I love Sebastián Piriz ability to depict body language. For example, when Ryan and Amy are arguing, readers can tell Ryan’s pissed while Amy is being defensive. Especially, given how Amy constantly assumes that she is by herself in her war against Grimlord and Eltar. So, for their combined work on this issue, Piriz and Jordan delivered on the visual storytelling aspect.
Anyway, the night of the accident, Amy decided to confront Tyler again to stop his research. However, while Tyler and Professor Hart tested their portal during the confrontation, an Eltarian police squad came to arrest them. Additionally, the Eltarians were baffled that humans created something that they could not do. Although in the ensuing chaos the panels imply Amy opened the portal to help Tyler and Hart escape. Unfortunately, all three were pulled through, and the Eltarian forces decided to destroy the machine. Whereas, the Eltarians took any surviving research to recreate and reproduce the technology for themselves. Coincidentally, this validates Grimlord’s quote, “Sometimes the illusion of power is enough to make people think you have it.” Especially since the modern Eltarians’ research led to the creation of the VR Troopers in the present day. So, by covering everything up it paints the Eltarians as being the superior intelligent race they depict themselves as.
Meanwhile, as Eltar “made” the VR Troopers, Professor Hart and the Steeles were captured by Grimlord’s force. During this time, Grimlord experimented and brainwashed all of them to advance his primitive society. Additionally, Grimlord wanted Professor Hart and Tyler Steele to create him a portal to conquer other worlds and realities. However, since Amy was not a scientist, Grimlord used her for experiments and turned her into a warrior. Interestingly, Amy confirms that she and Professor Hart managed to barely maintain their sanity, plotting to rebel against Grimlord. As a result, Professor Hart managed to send Amy back home to combat Grimlord and Ziktor. Whereas, Tyler was fully converted into Grimlord’s general, the actual Dark Heart, and not Amy in disguise. Then I guess if Tyler is Dark Heart, fans should be referring to Amy as Rebel Hart. Hopefully, that is Amy’s callsign too, because then we can continue making Johnny Gargano references, but I digress.
Eventually, we return to the present day, and Amy confirms to Ryan she is upholding her duty to defend Earth. Sadly if that meant Amy had to fight Ryan and his friends countless times before assuming they were Eltarian dogs. Thankfully, from all the arguing, and explanations with one another Ryan and Amy are in agreement to defeat Grimlord. However, they first need to rescue Caitlin from Ziktor Industries, as the shadow of Dark Heart looms over them. Honestly, that is probably the best visual to end the issue on too, as it implicates so many things. Especially, since this mini-series is set to be six issues, I assume Tyler Steele will appear soon enough. Although like the TMNT crossovers, this VR Troopers series could be one part in a greater anthology.
Overall, this issue is leaving me wanting more from the VR Troopers, and I hope this is not just one series. Especially, since Mairghread Scott really made this comic a love letter to the television series and its fans. Personally, I love the darker and serious tones that this issue covered, as I was not expecting body horror. Also, I enjoyed some of the issue’s lighter tones like when Ryan scolds JB by exclaiming “Not helping.” Additionally, I like how Ryan states the Troopers are not killers, which is probably foreshadowing something. Like either the Troopers will need to kill someone, or they will be tempted within the next two issues. So, I cannot wait to see how Mairghread concludes this story even though I do not want it to end. Nevertheless, I have been Ben Odinson, and I will see everyone next time!
