Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #119 is published by BOOM! Studios, written by Melissa Flores, illustrated by Simona Di Gianfelice with Marco Renna, coloured by Raúl Angulo with Jose Enrique Fernández and lettered by Ed Dukeshire. Main cover art (left) is by Taurin Clarke.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #119 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
Despite an unrelenting onslaught from Dark Specter, Earth is the last bastion of relative safety, but is surrounded by an entirely corrupted Morphin Grid! But it’s only a matter of time before the enemy breaks through, and it will take the combined might of every surviving Ranger to enact their plan!
Review
The Rangers’ “Darkest Hour” has reached a turning point. There’s a light in the darkness and it’s at the centre of today’s brand new issue of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. As the series strives to bring an incredible longevity to the arc it turns another corner which further illustrates the versatility of the franchise and this creative team.
What’s continually impressive about Flores and the “Darkest Hour” arc is that it isn’t relentless. Not in the way many might expect. Whilst our heroes are really going through the wringer, Flores is continually varying the pacing of the story to add nuance and a satisfying ebb and flow. So this issue becomes something of a moment for characters to exhale, catch their breath and consider their next moves. When you consider this arc has been running for the better part of a year there’s no sign of it bowing under its weightiness. Flores has finessed keeping each of the plot lines running in a way which services both characters and story without making each issue feel cumbersome. That’s certainly not easy and should most definitely be commended.
Picking up in the wake of last month, Zedd has now locked Rita away in her prison for her betrayals. Meanwhile the Rangers are also feeling bruised from recent losses with one of their own attempting to steal the Power Eggs. As several of the Rangers take time out to recharge we’re reminded they’re still people under their masks and that feels key to what has made the various BOOM! Power Rangers series’ a success. Where on TV they were often caricatures, these comic book versions feel like real everyday people and Flores uses this moment between battles to focus on that.
It would be too easy to get caught up in the high stakes, high spectacle action sequences. Bringing things back down to Earth and pairing off characters with potential romantic interests boosts the personal impact of everything going on. Seeing Kimberly struggle to watch Tommy’s ordeal, Aisha mourning both Rocky and Adam then counterbalancing that with Trini and Zack’s refusal to give up the fight is really engaging to read. Something no writer should forget is as fans we have our favourite characters and not just our favourite colour of Ranger. The overall effectiveness of the series is increased by tapping in to that as Flores does here.
Equally as fascinating to read is Flores’ characterisation of Rita Repulsa. Now trapped in the prison where she was first discovered back in 1993, her story is breathing new life in to a once two-dimensional character. The level of depth we’re seeing here is impressive and I can’t signpost where it’s going which is exciting.
But don’t worry action fans. There’s still plenty for you to sink your sink teeth in to. After all of the talking is done and with several of the Rangers back in to a corner, it’s time to morph for one of the coolest visuals in the series. No major spoilers from me, but the idea behind how the Rangers begin to turn the tide is fantastic. Flores gives plenty of in-universe explanation through the dialogue. Whilst the visual team bring a really cool look to these scenes not just in the action but also how the change in the Morphin Grid is reflected in their costumes.
Verdict
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers “Darkest Hour” feels like it has reached a turning point this month. As the Rangers push back the series galvanises itself for what is to come with an issue focussing on personal relationships.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
