Power Rangers #1: Welcome to the Omega Rangers

Power Rangers #1 is here!

After a stellar first issue of Mighty Morphin last week, we follow up with the Omega Rangers as they confront the brutal reality of taking on the Empyreals. It’s a dramatic entry that pushes the Rangers even further into the dangerous unknown, forcing their hand to go against one another in ways they’ve never done before.

If you thought the mystery surrounding the new Green Ranger in Might Morphin #1 was a revelation, what unfolds in Power Rangers is sure to leave you shocked. Ryan Parrott has elevated the story and taken it almost disturbingly dark times as the stage is being set for a conflict even greater than that posed by Lord Drakkon’s reign. And who else would be better to have on your side than the former tyrant himself? This is where the story gets complicated, and also where it becomes more and more evident that two series wasn’t just an opportunity for more Power Rangers but a necessity.

Fans are certainly going to have thoughts on the lengths that the Omega Rangers are willing to go to save the universe, but this creative team certainly has a strong direction and are proving they can execute in an impressive way. Parrott has an uncanny ability to play on the dynamics between the Rangers with dialogue that feels genuine and keeps you engaged as a reader. This is likely the strongest aspect of the first issue of Power Rangers. The pacing is enjoyable and when the action hits, it hits hard and in a meaningful way. Sure fighting a huge Panda aka “Pandamonium” in Might Morphin #1 was a lot of fun, but the stakes feel so much more consequential in Power Rangers #1, helping it to feel more substantial.

While Parrott is undoubtedly weaving a Power Rangers tale between these two series that no fan will want to miss, such sincere characterizations are magnified by Francesco Mortarino and Raul Angulo’s artwork and punctuated by Ed Dukeshire’s consistent lettering. The visuals bring a sense of urgency even when the team is just sitting around drinking milkshakes that is difficult to pull off. It’s a contrast from Marco Renna and Walter Baiamonte’s lighter tone on Mighty Morphin but it still captures a familiar aesthetic that helps it to feel cohesive in the overall series. From the initial training sequence in space to the heist-style prison break at the end, the artwork excels in everything from panel layout to overall design, making it a well-rounded spectacle that is easy to enjoy.

Power Rangers #1 might not be as welcoming to new readers as last weeks Mighty Morphin #1 as it relies more heavily on previously established plot points like the coming of the Empyreals and the confinement of Lord Drakkon, but it pushes the story forward briskly and in an immensely enjoyable way. The balancing act that is unfolding in the two series is not an easy feat but the respective creative teams have already shown they are up to the task. There is still plenty of connective tissue between the two that makes reading both series not an absolute necessity, but quite important if you want the full picture. While Mighty Morphin might be having just a bit more fun with an exciting mystery, there is so much at stake in Power Rangers and the heavy consequences give it a weight that pulls you in and leaves you with a powerful setup for what’s to come.

Ultimately, Power Rangers #1 is an exercise of remarkable continuation that capitalizes on the events leading up to the new series even though it might not be as welcoming to new readers as the “number one” tag suggests. The numbering may not be too much to be concerned with though, as it seems BOOM! intends to keep a legacy numbering making this issue #57 in the overall run, but such is the nature of the business so it’s worth mentioning. With such a deadly new foe on the horizon however, throwing readers into the fray feels like the right choice to hit the ground running.

It’s the Dawn of a New Era for the Power Rangers and this is a crucial issue that you simply won’t want to miss.