Synopsis
After the shocking events of Power Rangers: Ranger Slayer, Kimberly is determined to purge the world of Drakkon’s legacy, starting with Deadlock; the prison tower where Drakkon held all those who opposed him. But even the Ranger Slayer has no clue of the true power kept in Deadlock — and what unlocking the doors will set into motion. As Kimberly investigates the worst of Drakkon’s secrets, she sets in motion Drakkon’s final plan — one that will pit her against a fan-favorite Power Rangers villain.
Review
A huge draw for BOOM! Studios Power Rangers has been the series ability to flesh out the world of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series.
The publisher has introduced and maintained a level of continuity which is old hat to the worlds of DC and Marvel but absolutely a new and revolutionary concept for the group of colour coded, heroic teenagers.
The level of gravitas this new outlook has added to the series is boundless. By far its biggest success has been the introduction of Lord Drakkon. A version of Tommy Oliver from an alternate universe who, as his name suggests, uses his Ranger power to lord over the shattered remains of humanity.
But with Go Go Power Rangers now in the rear view mirror and the current Mighty Morphin series drawing to a close the universe, in its current form, is tying up some loose ends.
One of those ends is the former “Ranger Slayer,’ the Kimberly Hart of Lord Drakkon’s universe.
Whilst Drakkon himself has been a formidable character who is already beginning to bleed in to order areas of the franchise, Ranger Slayer Kim has had by the more interesting character arc.
When we first met her she was working for Drakkon as an assassin, mopping up the remains of the Rangers on his Earth. During the Shattered Grid crossover she learned the error of her ways and fought against Drakkon.
Now in this new, three-part limited series we find this version of the first Pink Ranger taking up mantle and trying to reunify the people of this disparate Earth.
Writer Anthony Burch bringing as interesting, conflicted nature to the character. Fighting her own battles on all sides as she tries to not repeat Drakkon-Tommy’s mistakes of the past.
Drakkon New Dawn is very much a story of redemption and rebuilding. For this alternate Earth but also for Kim. Her people mistrust her. Each of her advisors has their own idea about how to reunify (or not) the people. There are also Drakkon loyalists out there who would rather see her dead than sitting atop his throne.
Burch anchors the book through Kim’s narration. We’ve never far from understanding her train of thought and it perfectly communicates her own misgiving around the role she has found herself inhabiting.
It’s absolutely the right decision to approach the narrative this way by ensuring the voices around her are complimentary to the narration and not dominating it.
Though there are a number of strong characters within the narrative, namely Scorpina, Adam, Zack and Trini, their presence never pulls focus from Kimberly.
Given the series is only set to run for three-issues there’s already a certainly narrative fire burning underneath. But Drakkon New Dawn’s first issue wastes no time in getting down to business.
There’s unrest amongst the people, a prison full of Drakkon’s victims to rescue and a shady secret lurking down below which needs unravelling.
Burch brings an excellent pacing in this first issue. It neither feels too slow nor does it travel at breakneck speed forgoing the chance to allow plot points to land with the reader.
Simon Ragazzoni and Raúl Angulo’s artwork takes on a cartoonish like quality which sets it apart from the two main series. Where Go Go Power Rangers often felt like MMPR’s anime cousin, this feels like a step towards a series more like IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles where the artwork feels easily accessible but doesn’t pander to younger readers who may pick up the book.
Drakkon New Dawn is another unique entry in to the pantheon of Power Rangers comics and I’m excited to see where the series goes next.
Verdict
Drakkon New Dawn #1 is a powerful opening entry in to the limited series. Bursting with conflict both physical and emotional.
8/10
Power Rangers: Drakkon New Dawn #1 is written by Anthony Burch with pencils by Simone Ragazzoni, colours by Raúl Angulo and a cover by Jung-Geun Yoon.
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