Growing up, I was a bit too old for the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. When the series debuted in the United States I just wasn’t the target audience. Due to that, I’ve generally ignored BOOM! Studios various series and events. It’s just not a property I was “in to”. After having read Power Rangers: Ranger Slayer #1, I feel like I may need to rethink that decision.
When I think of the Power Rangers I think of spandex-clad kids fighting people in rubber suits. There’s a campiness that never appealed to me. I clearly missed a lot in recent events that shifted all of that. Power Rangers: Ranger Slayer #1 is dark, full of action, and feels like a property that grew up.
Written by Ryan Parrott, Power Rangers: Ranger Slayer #1 sees the Ranger Slayer return to her world. Forces battle for control as a power vacuum remains after the disappearance of Lord Drakkon. The Ranger Slayer has seen the error of her ways and is looking for redemption. Those errors are never quite explained for new readers but doesn’t impact the quality of the story at all.
The story is nearly all action as dual forces must battle undead ghosts from an unknown source. The revelations and twists and turns Parrott deliver keep the reader engaged. It’s a comic that is sure to excite long time fans and new readers as key moments are nailed and presented with the fun excitement of someone who clearly loves the property. This is just a fun comic to pick up and enjoy and as a relatively new reader, it has me wanting to read more.
Parrott is helped by Dan Mora‘s art which just nails the excitement of the comic. There’s an energy about it all that sucks the reader in. Much like I said above, it’s fun. With color from Raúl Angulo and lettering by Ed Dukeshire the comic could easily have gone too “dark.” Instead, it delivers a nice balance from the bright aspects I associate with the Power Rangers and the concept of an undead army. The team too really nails the emotions the characters experience. Whether it’s initial distrust or guilt to the excitement of piloting a Zord, the emotions ooze from the page.
Power Rangers: Ranger Slayer #1 is a fantastic one-shot that has me, someone who’s not a Power Rangers fan, wanting to read more. There’s just a fun ride to it all that’s easy to follow but clearly delivers a bit more for those who are long-time fans. It’s also a one and done comic that you can pick up and just enjoy while also acting as a follow-up to what was and leading into what’s to come. I began the comic not a fan of the Power Rangers and ended wondering what I missed out on and where to start.
Story: Ryan Parrott Art: Dan Mora
Color: Raúl Angulo Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics
