Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #11 Review

Seems like we were just talking about Power Rangers yesterday. Anywho, let’s keep talking Power Rangers, because why the hell not, Power Rangers is awesome.

Last time we left our heroes, they had finally destroyed the Black Dragon, only to learn that it was only a puppet for someone else entirely. Said someone ended up being an evil Power Ranger from another world and/or time period who may or may not be Tommy. Our Tommy, along with Billy found themselves trapped in this evil Rangers’ world at the end of the last issue. Anywho, let’s jump in.

We open with something we Power Rangers fans thought we’d never see: the Rangers actually interacting with their families, something that to my recollection, only actually happened once in the show itself. The Rangers told their parents that during the attack by the Black Dragon they were trapped by the docks, unable to safely escape. Unfortunately, Billy and Tommy’s respective parents don’t have the luxury of knowing their children are safe because, you know, they’re in the future or something. Speaking of Tommy and Billy are exploring their new surroundings as Billy theorizes that this may be the future, but just as likely may be an alternative reality (though sadly, one without Batman) or even possibly both. In any case wherever or whenever they happen to be, at least they’re in Angel Grove, according to the 1984 style expositional loudspeaker that tells us that Angel Grove is now the capitol of Rita’s Power Coalition and is ruled over by someone called Lord Drakkon, which in all likelihood explains the big ass statues of Rita and The Green Ranger. Tommy and Billy are more confused than anything else, but they’re soon stopped by what appears to be a cop dressed as a black ranger. The Black Ranger spots the Dragon Dagger at Tommy’s hip and wants to bring them in for questioning. Tommy and Billy run as the cops give chase. Soon the two Rangers find themselves at what’s left of the command center, which has apparently seen considerably better days. Soon, the two hear a voice from inside the center. Whoever the voice is, he seems to know who Tommy and Billy are. Tommy asks who the voice is, but the voice only says that if they want answers, they’ll have to come inside. Tommy goes in alone as Billy stands guard outside. As it turns out, the voice belongs to Saba, a talking sword that Tommy used, or in the case of this particular Tommy, will use, as the White Ranger. Unfortunately, there’s no time for answers from the magical talking sword, as the Ranger cops, accompanied by Lord Drakkon himself, have caught up to them. And of course, to end the comic, he reveals himself as on older version of Tommy. This would be more surprising if we hadn’t already teased Drakkon here at the end of last issue, but what you gonna do?

What Works: I really like the design of Lord Drakkon’s armor, which appears to be a hybrid of the white and green ranger outfits. This actually leads to another thing I like about this twist. Both the armor and the presence of Saba seem to allude to the fact that Tommy became Lord Drakkon sometime after he became the White Ranger, implying that his apparent corruption came long after he had joined the side of good. Corrupt power rangers are a cool story idea and sadly, it’s something we’ve only ever really seen once back in Power Rangers SPD and even that wasn’t taken full advantage of. Something else I noticed, all the cops were dressed in Black Ranger gear. I’d be interested to see if the other Ranger colors play a role in Drakkon’s kingdom.

What Doesn’t: Nothing this time Overall: 5/5

This series has easily been one of the best comics I’ve read in a long time and is a treat for Power Rangers fans old and new. I highly recommend this issue and all that came before it.