Good morning heroes, we have a spoiler free review for the one-shot Power Rangers Unlimited: Hyperforce #1 which releases today! Now, this is the return of the Hyperforce team in the comics, and they are getting involved with recent events. For those unaware, this team of Rangers was created by Saban Brands, and Hyper RPG for their tabletop RPG web-series. Thankfully, newcomers will not necessarily need to see their series to understand who they are. However, I recommend that fans should go watch the Hyper RPG series, especially when trying to get into TTRPG’s. Anyway, with that being said, thanks again Boom! Studios for this copy, and let us get into the review!
Comic Credits
- Artist: Federico Sabbatini
- Colorist: Bryan Valenza
- Lettering: Ed Dukeshire
- Writer: Melissa Flores & Meghan Camarena
- Designer: Nancy Mojica
- Assistant Editor: Kenzie Rzonca
- Editor: Allyson Gronowitz
- Cover Artist: Keyla Valerio (Main cover), Goñi Montes (Foil), Keyla Valerio, Goñi Montes, Inhyuk Lee (Variant Covers), Steve Morris (Boom! Studios convention cover)
- Hasbro Special Thanks to Irvin Ducournau, Tayla Reo, Michael Kelly, and Ed Lane
Review
Our story kicks off in another timeline where the Hyperforce team have really screwed things up, and changed history. Thankfully, the Hyperforce Pink Ranger, Chole Ashford gives a solid recap on how things have seriously changed. Also, the recap provides a solid introduce to who the Hyperforce team, how they were formed, and what they do. Especially, if a reader just vaguely knows about them, Chole’s explanation fills in how they are affiliated with Time Force. Then regarding current events, Chloe seems to have turned against her team, and helped the villains win in this timeline.
Whereas, at this specific moment, Chloe is trying to take out Time Force’s own, Jen Scott once and for all. However, it is actually a trap for Chloe, so Jack the Hyperforce Yellow Ranger can capture his former teammate. During their battle though, there is solid dialogue between the characters crafted by our writers, Melissa Flores and Meghan Camarena. Although, if one Ranger has to be consistent in this issue, it is Chloe since Meghan Camarena portrayed the character. Yet, once the others reappear in the story, Meghan and Melissa make sure they sound like their respective actors.
Now, Jack manages to capture Chloe with the help of Alpha-55, and soon we learn how the team split apart. Although, it is hard to accept, it is understandable how the team took to handling their defeat. However, Jack convinces Chloe to help him reunite everyone, and it is interesting where certain members ended up. For those who watched the web-series, there are several callbacks and love letter to those that came to adore Hyperforce. Whereas, seeing their hijinks ensue, it easily reminded me on how the team found themselves in many whacky situations. Unfortunately, once the team is fully together, a plot twist occurs that I really should have saw coming.
So, Chloe uses the reunion to actually capture her teammates, with this being how both Marv and Joe are reintroduced. Thankfully, as things get too hectic for Chloe’s morals and loyalty, she comes in clutch to save her team. As a result, we get a full team morph as some should expect, where the framing and coloring is amazing. Then the obvious battle to save the timeline ensues, with artists Federico Sabbatini and Bryan Valenza going wild. Interestingly, their use of the page and panels to convey distance really make the fights feel very alive. For example, a specific panel shows Jack sending a guy flying insanely high from being smashed with his hammer.
Then as for how things wrapped up with this story, I am left rather impressed having expected a definitive ending. However, instead things are showing that the Hyperforce team is going to be involved with the upcoming Darkest Hour event. So, collectively going into the event, the MMPR team, the Omega Rangers, the Coinless, and Hyperforce will be joining forces. Also, some other Rangers from different seasons might appear going by this issue’s ending, but it is currently inconclusive. Although, I assume we will see various perspectives since Mistress Vile will successfully unleash Dark Specter onto the multiverse.
Anyway, I really enjoyed reading this comic, as it allows fans a visualization that Hyper RPG could not fully present. From the suits to the action, it is great to see things regarding the Hyperforce team in more visible medium. Whereas, if someone followed their story from the TTRPG sessions to the comics, the story’s various emotions hit even harder. Hopefully, this issue inspires others to go check the web-series out, and get interested in table-top gaming. Nevertheless, fans can pick up Power Rangers Unlimited: Hyper Force #1, now at retailers or through digital platforms.
Final Score: 5 out of 5 Power Coins
