Good morning, heroes, today we have the penultimate issue for Boom! Studios’ VR Troopers mini-series to review! Personally, I am excited to see where things go, as the creative team has been really consistent thus far. Like there are so many amazing references to the original series, while rebooting it to fit with Power Rangers Prime. Interestingly, with things ramping up it appears Ryan and JB are ready to storm Grimlord’s digital castle, Ziktor Industries. Hopefully, they manage to rescue Kaitlin here, so the final issue can be an all-out epic battle with Grimlord. Anyway, as always thanks again Boom! Studios for providing Hero-Club with this review copy. So, with our introduction out of the way, let us ‘TROOPER TRANSFORM’ and check out VR Troopers #5!
Comic Credits
- Artist: Sebastián Piriz
- Colorist: JP Jordan
- Lettering: Taylor Esposito
- Writer: Mairghread Schott
- Designer: Madison Goyette
- Editor: 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
Our issue begins with Ryan, JB, and Ryan’s mother Amy planning on how they are going to storm Ziktor Industries. As expected, JB questions Ryan on if they can trust his mother, and Ryan comically replies 3.5 out of ten. Whereas, Amy exclaims that she thought that she raised Ryan better than that. However, Ryan’s rebuttals with “You didn’t raise me at all… You can smother my childhood trauma in coconut cake later.” Now, even though I am paraphrasing it, the full reply had me dying and literally sends Amy for a loop. Especially, since the issue presents a flashback to Ryan and Amy sharing a piece of that cake at one point. Personally, that flashback is a beautiful scene to indicate how things once were and unfortunately changed. Additionally, the scene layout is amazing as Ryan and Amy are the focal point with a simple white background. Interestingly, what makes that scene standout more is how it is a single panel just slapped into the conversation. Like the scene appears as a natural recollection of a past memory a character would have on film.
Anyway, as our heroes continue to plan their attack on Ziktor Industries, Ryan points out how Amy got Kaitlin captured. Immediately, Amy exclaims how her original mission did not include Kaitlin’s safety, but now it does. However, JB has to pull Ryan aside to remind them how things are constantly are escalating regarding Grimlord. Specifically, JB brings up how they have to worry about rescuing Kaitlin and avoid this becoming a mission about revenge. Here, Ryan tells JB that he cannot fully trust his mother, so he must trust in his teammates. Then they proceed to link up Amy and have an epic ‘Trooper Transform sequence before leaving to save the world. Although rather than going in guns blazing, Ryan and JB decide to walk right into Ziktor Industries. Hilariously, Ryan decides to be blunt with the receptionist, telling her they know everything and prepare to battle. Personally, this scene immediately became a favorite of mine from the entire mini-series just because everyone drops all pretenses. Like some times a great scene is just the heroes telling their villains let’s just jump right to the fight. Thankfully, the receptionist and her clones do just that, revealing themselves to be Skugs before lunging at the Troopers.
Now, I really like how Sebastian and JP illustrated this entire sequence, as well as the oncoming fight. Personally, I think the rainbow-colored digital effect that they use to indicate VR reality shifts are perfect. Also, regarding the Skugs seen here, I like how they are drawn to be glitching in-and-out of reality while transforming. Like these creative choices really help expand elements from the source material, and standout when compared to Power Rangers Prime. Whereas, for actual the battle in Ziktor Industries’ lobby, Ryan reminds JB that Skugs are still people being controlled. So, they have to hold back from injuring the civilians the Skug are hijacking, which causes them to be overrun. Thankfully, Amy breaks in using an EMP and a sound grenade that nullifies and delinks most Skugs from their hosts. However, one Skug remains that appears to be a skilled assassin type that seemingly knows all of Ryan’s moves. Coincidentally, Ryan realizes this Skug is Kaitlin as she nearing the killing blow causing Amy to get involved. Here, we are presented with a creative red and black panel of Amy sending Kaitlin flying far. Although Amy becomes more aggressive and shoots Kaitlin through the shoulder to release her from the Skug’s control.
Finally, the VR Troopers are reunited, but Kaitlin is a little shook up from everything as she comes to. Immediately, Ryan reminds Amy they are not killers while she enforces Grimlord’s ideology of “turning what you love against you.” Additionally, Amy tries to reiterate how she is better working solo as she does what is needed to be done. Whereas, the VR Troopers have too many rules and policies that they must while ensuring the world’s safety. Meanwhile, as Ryan and Amy continue their argument, Grimlord orders an assistant to finally open the VR portal. Surprisingly, this is assistant is somewhat reluctant and fearful, but obliges Grimlord’s order to open the portal. As a result, Grimlord’s most loyal general enters this reality, and it is none other than the real Dark Heart…
So, the stage has been set for an epic action-packed final issue to conclude this VR Troopers mini-series. Currently, it appears the VR Troopers and Amy Steele will be facing off with only Grimlord and Dark Heart. However, I assume Grimlord’s other generals from the television series might appear in some capacity. Personally, I would have never imagined a VR Troopers comic to fill me with so much joy. Yet, it has managed to do exactly that since it is not entirely retreading the original television series. Especially, since that was an ongoing complaint with the original run of the Power Rangers comics. Heck, I would even say that this titled has managed to do things that the show could not do. Overall, I will be sad when VR Troopers ends in not just the next issue, but next year too. Although I can proudly say that this title has been one of my favorite series released in 2025. Nevertheless, I have been Ben Odinson, and I will see everyone maybe on Christmas Eve for Power Rangers Prime #13!
