Happy Holidays Heroes, today we have a new Power Rangers Prime issue to review for Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, the series is winding down though, as Power Rangers Prime is slated to end next year with Issue 16. Now, this is rather shocking as Boom! Studios barely established these new characters and just started a new arc. Although the new unannounced title could be a continuation of Prime, so maybe these issues are leading into something more. However, rumors are floating around that another reboot is coming for Boom! Studios Power Rangers comics. Anyway, with that said, let us see where Power Rangers Prime 13 takes us with this new arc!
Comic Credits
- Artist: Federico Sorressa
- Colorist: Joana Lafuente
- Lettering: Ed Dukeshire
- Writer: Melissa Flores
- Designer: Madison Goyette
- Editor: Tea Fougner & Caroline Butler
- Cover Artist: Andrew Griffith
- 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
Interestingly, today’s story begins months after the previous issue, and Lauren Shiba has become a Power Ranger vigilante. Here, Lauren works with Bulk to protect mutants and takedown overly corrupt Eltarian Guards. Currently, Lauren has altered her father’s Samuraizer to allow her to morph into a ninja-like Samurai Ranger to go undetected. Coincidentally, Lauren’s new suit mixes the standard Samurai Ranger suit, and the workout gear seen in the television series. Personally, I like the design and uncertain if that was the original intent, but it works for the aesthetic. Additionally, the action seen here is impressive with Sorressa depicting Lauren being pretty violent like breaking an Eltarian Guard’s leg. Furthermore, what makes this scene standout more is how it shown as an x-ray, and Lafuente coloring it bright red. However, unbeknownst to Lauren or Bulk, Valentina has been spying on their activities for some time.
The following morning it becomes obvious why Valentina is spying on Lauren, as we learn she is monitoring everyone. Specifically, Val is a snitch for Janessa to make sure the Rangers are keeping up their ends of the deal. For example, Janessa has helped the Rangers keep a low-profile as long as they are not active. Additionally, Janessa has even forged documents for Lauren live in Angel Grove as a new student at the university. Whereas, Lauren is Val’s new roommate since Jun left Earth, and the two are becoming friends somewhat. Also, we get to see Val’s perspective on how the team changed since the battle with Volar. Like Lauren seems to be more aggressive, Orion is learning magic from Rita, and Mark has become very reclusive. However, Mark is seemingly working on improving Teezee and make progress towards creating the other Zords. Now, what I enjoy about this discussion is how we get see Val assuming her role as the Yellow Ranger. Especially, since in the comics, Boom! Studios usually depict Yellow Rangers as someone worried about the team’s morale. So, even though Val is spying on everyone she expresses how she is also concerned about her teammate’s wellbeing. As a result, I hope we get to see Val become a more important or featured character this upcoming arc.
Eventually, Janessa enquires about Rita’s activities, and Val replies that she has barely seen Rita in months. However, Val does mention that Rita has been cooking up some sort of new plan, one most likely Megazord related. Anyway, we do get a slight update on Jun, and Janessa mentions how she sees Val as a surrogate daughter. Although we know that Val probably sees through Janessa’s statement since Janessa had Val’s mother arrested. Additionally, from the page panels it is still present that neither Val nor Janessa are proud about their actions. Like it is very noticeable through how Sorressa illustrated their eyes and overall expressions. Coincidentally, the following scene doubles down on Val questioning her decisions and doubting herself, as she meets up with Bulk. For example, Val addresses she gave her best friend, boyfriend, and social life to be a Power Ranger. Whereas, Bulk replies how he is not a Ranger, but has now sacrificed his entire livelihood for the Rangers. So, I like that Bulk tries to put into context that everyone lost something when the Prime team was born. Unfortunately, it seems Bulk’s rebuttal falls on deaf ears, as Val is more determined to confront Lauren about her ‘outings.’ Yet, we do get an awesome scene of Val diving off a roof and morphing, as she leaves Bulk behind.
Surprisingly, it does not take Val long to find Lauren, as she is fight with Rita once again. Here, Rita shouts, “Do you understand how close you have come to destroying everything we have worked for?” Also, Val is quick discover the entire team is together as the Red Ranger and Green Ranger duke it out. Personally, I love the splash page highlighting the battle as it intensifies as Lauren’s and Rita’s weapons clash. Currently, Lauren is frustrated at how the Rangers have hidden, and she is tired of waiting to go on the offensive. However, Rita points out that she waited centuries to be released from the dumpster, so a long game is acceptable. Especially, since the stakes are much higher for everyone than simply reuniting Lauren with her family, if they are alive. Thankfully, the other Rangers intervene before the battle takes a turn for the worse, but Val addresses Lauren’s vigilante activities. As a result, Lauren explains how she manages to go undetected when on patrol attacking Eltarian Guards. Furthermore, Lauren even adds that her missions has allowed her to obtain information on Eltarian black sites.
Immediately, Lauren reiterates that the team should go on the offensive to attack the locations. However, Rita rebuttals to explain that even though they have made progress, their faults have grown stronger and weaken them. Interestingly, Rita then begins to break down each Ranger and addressing their faults. For example, Mark is overcome by anger and unable to focus, while Orion has become reliant on ‘corruptible’ magic. Whereas, Valentina is conflicted by her decisions and doubts to the extent she needs to prove something to herself. Meanwhile, Lauren is a leader too determined to pursue her own goals, which will possibly lead everyone into certain failure. So, I see this scene as reiterating our heroes’ problems, and what has changed during the short time skip. Like the Prime team has go through a lot since the first issue, and only now are they seemingly united. Although, the team is trying to figure out who they are, and what is the best way to move forward. Personally, I appreciate this sense of being lost or uncertain from the Rangers, as it allows growth. Especially, since most teams usually just accept their fate, and inherently know what to do as a force for good. As a result, I think Melissa has crafted a decent Power Rangers team that is far from being perfect.
Anyway, Lauren tries to be snarky by asking Rita if she know of her own flaws, and Lauren gets burned. Specifically, Rita reminds Lauren that she is not good enough to be Ranger, but was chosen. Then Rita continues on to say how she is not a mentor nor a white witch, and accepts her faults. So, this makes me really curious to see where this arc is going, and what changes the team will undergo. Like I assume they will become a well-oiled machine that resembles a standard Power Rangers team before everything ends. However, I expect everyone is going to go through more radical changes before we can actually get to that point. Yet, as Rita’s and Lauren’s conversation ends, a jailbreak is occurring at one of the Eltarian black sites. Now, that jailbreak is none other than Jayden Shiba being rescued by what appears to be his father. As a result, it is confirmed they have survived, but now, are looking to reclaim their birthright as Rangers…
Overall, I have to say that I did not foresee this ending coming, and expected it would be about Jun. Like seeing Jayden Shiba become an active member of the story is way better than checking up on Jun. Especially, since the possibilities seem almost endless to speculate where the story is going next. For example, will the Shiba family be reunited quickly, or will Jayden be an adversary towards the Prime team? Personally, I do not know what is going to happen next, but I am worried everything will be rushed. Hopefully, the entire Prime Era is not ending with issue 16, but being reworked for the unannounced ‘replacement title.’ Anyway, I am rambling now since I am excited for the next Power Rangers Prime issue in 2026. Nevertheless, I have been Ben Odinson, and I will see everyone next year for more MMPR/ TMNT III!
