Good morning Heroes, and happy Wednesday to all! Today, we are back with a new review for the latest installment in Boom! Studios’ series, Power Rangers Prime. Currently, we are aware that our heroes are heading into a trap with how things left off in issue 7. So, I am interested in seeing if this will unite our new team, or divide them even further. Now, before jumping into the review, we would like to thank Boom! Studios for providing us this copy. Anyway, without further ado, let us get ‘back to action’ with our review for Power Rangers Prime #8!

Comic Credits

• Artist: Michael YG
• Colorist: Fabi Marques
• Lettering: Ed Dukeshire
• Writer: Melissa Flores
• Designer: Madison Goyette
• Assistant Editor: Caroline Butler
• Editor: David Mariotte
• Cover Artist: Dan Mora
• 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

So, to kick things off we are presented with Valentina and Ryan sparring at the Angel Grove Mesa Scenic Overlook. Firstly, I enjoy the perspective featured in the opening panel, illustrated by Michael YG. Like Michael frames the moon in the background, Angel Grove in the foreground, and focuses on the overlook amazingly. In addition, having the lighting come from Ryan’s motorcycle to present our characters is a great way for an introduction. Also, I enjoy how Michael displays speed, as seen with the blurring of the background during Val’s punch. Essentially, it gives the effect that the punch is moving incredibly fast for a static image.

Whereas, for the actual scene, Ryan remarks that Val should not hold back, so she complies. As a result, Ryan is left holding his stomach when Val socks him with an all-out punch to the gut. From here, we learn that the two are sparring because Val needs to blow off steam over a recent event. Surprisingly, Val is upset due to how a recent protest for refugee rights is seen as a problem. So, with this scene we learn where Valentina’s morals lie, and why she was chosen to be the Yellow Ranger. Especially, due to lore changes in recent years, Ranger Colors can represent an individual’s nature, personality, and morales. Additionally, this process builds off ideals from Mighty Morphin’s premiere as Zordon focused on abilities and skills for his selection. Then in later installments, production would occasionally feature characters having similar traits attributed to colors. Ultimately, this led to how things occur in the comics, like having Val advocating for people’s rights like Trini. Specifically, the comics’ version of Trini since the television series focused on the character being an environmentalist.

However, Ryan is quick to point out how this will put Val and others in the Eltarians’ crosshairs. Although Val tries to make a rebuttal that even Jun supports her decision to join the protest. Unfortunately, Ryan is quick to remind her that Jun is Eltarian, and should not be trusted either. Furthermore, as Ryan leaves he exclaims, “when it comes to Eltarians there’s still a lot to be afraid of.” So, with that statement coming from Ryan, a VR Trooper, it says a lot about the Eltarians’ power. Like even though Val and Ryan live in a higher standing than other citizens, they are seen as expendable. Coincidentally this collaborates with Valentina’s father’s concerns regarding Earth’s colonization, as seen in issue 7. Whereas, when Ryan returns home to Jeb, he reflects on things while looking at a hologram of his father.

Coincidentally, we then jump to the present with Lauren telling Rita and the others how the Eltarians captured her father. However, Rita responds by telling Lauren there is no way to verify that outside of finding his Samuraizer. Surprisingly, Orion is quick to interject that Mark might be held in the same facility as Lauren’s family. Yet, Rita reminds them that their main goal is to survive, and their powers were a contracted deal. So, they should continue to follow Rita’s lead rather than going off hunches implied by Jun or others. Unfortunately, Lauren does not take Rita’s order lightly, and proceeds to call her a ‘demented space witch.’ Sadly, that does not go over well with Rita, as she uses her powers to crush Lauren and Orion. Here, Rita goes on a great monologue, which is:

“I am so much more than you know. I have known goodness. I have known evil. And I know the pitfalls of both. The Morphin Grid does not play favorites. It manages a balance and should you swallow yourself in your own hubris, it will correct them.”

Now, by her saying that Prime-universe Rita skyrocketed to being my favorite character in this ongoing series. Especially, since this new Rita appears to be morally grey due to various circumstances prior to present events. Furthermore, before Rita snapped at Lauren or Orion, she was telling them how they need Zord training. So, it shows that Rita is already ahead of the game, and preparing for when things eventually escalate. Like I feel if other Ranger teams were thrown into this situation, they might follow Rita given their experience. However, with these Rangers being under Eltarian rule, and witnessing interstellar war their priorities are all over the place. Whereas, one thing I want to point out is close-up on Rita’s eyes narrowing onto Lauren and Orion. Personally, I love how Michael drew them and the magic that crippled the Rangers. Also, I am surprised by how Fabi colored those particular panels as they feel reminiscent of watercolor paintings.

Anyway, we fast forward to Jun and Valentina at the place where Ryan used to practice karate with his father. Coincidentally, this location is where the trade to save Mark is supposed to occur, as discussed in the previous issue. However, Val admits that she does not like setting up Lauren to exchange her freedom for Mark’s. Interestingly, the VR Troopers are having their own team issues, as Ryan only wants to capture Lauren. Whereas, JB and Kaitlin disagree with the plan, knowing that Lauren will not come silently. Also, they mention how the Eltarians will not like finding out more that Rangers exist, if they are discovered. So, the Troopers know that they should report and apprehend the entire Prime team, but will not for Ryan’s sake. As a result, the VR Troopers collectively know they are riding a fine line regarding their careers and lives.

Meanwhile, Rita encounters Bulk who is accompanied by Teezee, as they examine a jade artifact stolen from the museum. As expected, Bulk is quick to ask where the Rangers are, and Rita implies about their fight. Specifically, Rita mentions they chose to go their separate ways, as she takes interest in the jade too. Yet, as she examines the stone, Rita asks Bulk about his new found freedoms and being a hero. Here, Bulk admits if things remained the same without everything he recently learned that he would probably be happy. However, with everything that has transpired Bulk cannot overlook how people are treated under the Eltarians’ rule. Interestingly, this surprises Rita and she compliments that he is smarter than he appears to be. Then Rita proceeds to use the jade artifact and her magic to power the chamber they are in. Coincidentally, Bulk asks Rita about her connection to Morphin Grid, and why has she not taken any power for herself. As a result, this leads to another epic monologue from Rita that goes like this:

“I have tried, perhaps I do not trust the power within myself. Perhaps I no longer understand what is good or what is evil or what the point is of either. Or perhaps it was the Morphin Grid itself who called to me. Who asked an impossible task and in my foolishness I believe those children could be chosen to take it on.”

Surprisingly, this fills in Rita’s current mindset more since we do not know the full details about her origins. Like we know that prior to being in the dumpster, Rita was good and turned evil. Then after messing with the Morphin Grid, Rita was sealed in the dumpster to atone for her crimes. Whereas, once Rita became free in the present day, she is an agent of chaos and good because of circumstances. Additionally, Rita is trying to be a mentor and have trust in others due to her Morphin Grid connection. However, since the Rangers that Rita or destiny has chosen ignore her, she feels let down given their choices. So, this makes Prime-universe Rita very sympathetic for the time being, and more complex than most other interpretations. Also, why does the production team want fans to be down bad for Rita? Like this started back in the previous comic runs, but the production team is amping it up here lately.

Then as for the conclusion of this issue, we return the exchange point with Troopers converging on the Rangers. Here, they are quick to neutralize Lauren, and Ryan tells Jun that he made the right decision. However, Valentina is quick to point out that upon capture, Lauren most likely will be executed. So, Mark breaks free from the Troopers, causing a distraction to allow Lauren to recover. As a result, the Power Rangers are reunited and they decide it is finally time to be a real team. Now, the lines have been drawn and both sides engage their enemy, Power Rangers vs. VR Troopers Round 2 begins. Interestingly, the battle makes it appear that either the Rangers haven gotten stronger, or the Troopers are holding back. Although, when it seems that Trooper gave the Rangers too much ground, they retaliate with EMP which destabilizes morphing. Yet, as all hope feels lost, the appearance of a new Prime Green Ranger shocks everyone at the location…

Now, this is a great example on how Power Rangers comics should be, and how they should end. For example, we came off a solid cliffhanger from the previous issue, confronted that problem, and left with a new one. Like that is how good story progression occurs, at least when things have been so streamline with the Prime Era. So, in regards to the narrative, our team is seemingly becoming a cohesive unit, and we have our sixth Ranger. Currently, both the Rangers and the Troopers are unaware who this Green Ranger is, but solicitation already confirmed their identity. Personally, I kind of like where it is going since it pays homage to the 2017 Lionsgate film. Yet, with that in mind I do not know how the VR Troopers or the Eltarians will handle this situation. Overall, this is a wonderful issue that seemingly ends the introductory arc to the Prime Era. Especially since most arcs range between four to ten issues, I could say Prime Green is the cut off point. As a result, I am looking to see how this story progresses, since I expected a sixth Ranger much later. Nevertheless, we must wait until August, so with that I have been Ben Odionson and I am out of here.

Final Rating: 5 out of 5 Power Coins