Good morning heroes, today is another Wednesday, so new comic titles are hitting stands right now. Currently, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #114 is one of the releases for today, and this is our review for it. However, we are going to switch things up, and discuss the issue more in-depth, so this will not be spoiler free! As a result, please keep in mind that when progressing further fans should read this at their own discretion. So, for those wanting to avoid spoilers, we suggest returning to this review after reading issue 114 in its entirety. Also, thanks again to Boom! Studios for providing us with this review copy.
Now, with that said, before diving into Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #114, let us recap what happened last time. So, in issue 113, Billy ended up encountering Drakkon and the Coinless, who have arrived to help the Power Rangers. Although, Billy is hesitant to work with Drakkon, who is already plotting a counteroffensive with the approaching HyperForce Rangers. Meanwhile the situation on Safehaven worsens, as Dark Specter has taken it over as his new kingdom. Furthermore, the Dino Charge team made their official debut, or transition into the comic universe. Anyway, that is it for the recap, as we morph back into action with this review of issue 114...
Comic Credits
- Artist: Simona Di Gianfelice
- Colorist: Raúl Angulo with assistance by Jose Enrique Fernandez
- Lettering: Ed Dukeshire
- Writer: Melissa Flores
- Designer: Madison Goyette
- Darkest Hour Logo Designer: Dylan Todd
- Assistant Editor: Kenzie Rzonca
- Editor: Allyson Gronowitz
- Cover Artist: Taurin Clarke
- Hasbro Special Thanks to Irvin Ducournau, Tayla Reo, Michael Kelly & Ed Lane
Review
So, our issue begins on Safehaven, which has undergone more changes since the last time we saw it. Currently, a prison has been constructed or retrofitted to house Dark Specter’s prisoners, which Rocky and Adam are among. Surprisingly, their scene is rather brief, but it foreshadows what is to come later within the issue. Like they sort of get shafted, but I think it is because they were nothing characters during season 2. Thankfully, Adam grew as a character in the show though, and these comics establish Rocky as a likeable character. However, it is fun to see them interact with other Rangers that they discover were also captured throughout time. Yet, without spoiling which Rangers appeared, Raúl Angulo and Simona Di Gianfelice managed to capture their likeness perfectly. Especially, when some of the characters do not even talk with Rocky or Adam during this prison scene. Additionally, I hope there is some type of prison break storyline down the road, but I heavily doubt it.
The book then jumps back to the Bermuda Triangle, where Billy and Coinless Trini encounter the Phantom Ranger. So, for those who have not read the Power Rangers Universe stories featuring the Phantom Ranger do so now. Especially, because it gives the full backstory of the character within the franchise’s ever-expanding canon. So, with the Phantom Ranger’s arrival, he explains that the Power Eggs could re-shatter the Morphing Grid. Specifically, he states that “the Power Eggs hold a power we haven’t even begun to understand.” As a result, that adds some weight regarding our heroes’ actions and how they should proceed moving forward. Like I assume their power can either be something that could potentially save the day, or ruin it even further. Coincidentally, it makes me wonder how these Power Eggs will be used though to most likely save the multiverse.
Following the Phantom Ranger’s exposition dump, the story transitions over to the Angel Grove Quarry. Here the remaining MMPR and Omega Teams are meeting up with the HyperForce Rangers to combat Finster’s forces. Also, among their group are the Rangers that the HyperForce team managed to save like the Dino Charge Purple Ranger. In addition, the weird zombie creatures are officially being referred to as the Thralls moving forward. Interestingly, Finster creates a monster-zord for Squatt called the Crano-phant which leads to a battle with the Chronos Hyperforce Megazord. Then seemingly out of nowhere the Death Ranger appears, and they attempt to seduce Kimberly with their evil. Now, what is great about this scene is Simona’s artwork regarding Kimberly’s facial expression. Furthermore, Green Ranger/ Matt intervening to save Kimberly is great, as it proceeds towards his redemption arc.
Meanwhile, as Death Ranger plays with Kimberly’s emotions, we finally get learn what happened to Tommy. Currently, Tommy has been taken to Safehaven, where he is in the presence of Mistress Vile and Dark Specter. Surprisingly, the conversation seems rather ominous, as Dark Specter seems to be aware of Tommy’s potential or future. Especially, when Dark Specter refers to Tommy as the mythical White Ranger, like there is more this color than others. As a result, Dark Specter intends to corrupt Tommy into one of his Thralls, which seems somewhat impossible in lore. Additionally, Rocky and Adam reappear as Ranger Thralls to incapacitate Tommy when he attempts to defend himself. Furthermore, even though Ranger Thralls act feral when fighting, they do seem to retain their senses and memories. However, this might be a case-to-case situation when pertaining to a specific corrupted Ranger, or team. For example, maybe Rocky and Adam have more personality because they main series Rangers, while the others will be monsters.
Finally, the book closes on the Phantom Ranger catching up with Zordon, and talking about their personal situations. Again, this is another pairing of characters I did not know I needed to interact with each other. Although, it makes sense seeing that during the television series, the Phantom Ranger appeared as a loyal ally to Zordon. However, due to circumstances with the show’s production their association never got developed, and was left to be a mystery. Yet, from their discussion, it appears as though Phantom Ranger has a plan to stop the Darkest Hour. Unfortunately, it requires everyone returning to the Bermuda Triangle to fix the Master Arch, which is actually the Proto-arch. Whereas, while Drakkon begins to throw a fit, Kim realizes their only chance now is to retake Safehaven. Surprisingly, I love this plan, as their situation is dire, and many Ranger teams are already corrupted. So, if the next issue is a raid on Safehaven, it will definitely be an uphill battle for our heroes. As a result, with our heroes being outmatched and outclassed it will make their victory even sweeter when it happens.
Overall, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #114 continues the trend of increasing the stakes beyond previous expectations. Currently, Melissa Flores is telling a story that I feel is on par, or even better than Shattered Grid. However, at this time this is solely my opinion, and it may change when things finally get resolved. Anyway, the Darkest Hour is an event that I am coming to really appreciate after being originally hesitant towards it. Specifically, I am glad the Zombie Varient covers seem to just promotional art rather than Thralls being exactly zombies themselves. Thankfully, the zombie-like themes seem to be just that, or they are foreshadowing something even crazier happening in the future. Nevertheless, I insist that Ranger fans should check out this storyline, as soon as possible rather than being further spoiled.
Final Score: 5 out of 5 Power Coins
