Power Rangers: Heir to Darkness #1 – Step Forth, Champion

With one hit after another for the Power Rangers franchise, BOOM! Studios takes on the origins of fan-favorite villain Astronema also known as Karone in a one-shot that has no time to waste.

For fans of the Power Rangers franchise, in particular the Lost in Space series as well as Lost Galaxy, this one-shot issue lives up to the marketing calling it a comic no fan can miss. It balances influences from the TV show counterpart played by Melody Perkins but also fits genuinely well within the comics aesthetic and approach to storytelling that has allowed them to become so successful. Karone is a character you just can’t help but be drawn to, and this creative team captures that charisma with ease.

Those who follow the comics more closely will also find plenty to love as the connective tissue between Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers is apparent from the very beginning all the way to that one-liner cliffhanger leading into Power Rangers #6. It’s a rather expansive story unfolding between the two series that feel more determined than ever to grow the Power Rangers universe in ways the franchise has never really done before.

The real strength of Power Rangers: Heir to the Darkness #1 is the character drama with Karone, however. There is a darkness to her that we could feel even in the kids-focused TV show and despite her eventual tuning of a leaf, the story of how she becomes the number two in the United Alliance of Evil finds a sense of heart that gives her depth and adds even more significance to her involvement in the overarching narrative for the comics. As we bounce back and forth in the timelines exploring her youthful raising steeped in violence under Ecliptor in order to become a weapon for Dark Spector we find someone in need of identity and more importantly, family. This pushes Karone to take up the role of Astronema after a brutal series of fights that highlights the remarkable artwork Ragazonni and Monti bring to the table.

The color palette is familiar and suits the character and despite a few chaotic layouts and extensive dialogue that Dukeshire does their best in lettering to add clarity to, the interior art is enjoyable to look at. But it does have some room for improvement. Some of the newest Power Rangers comics have a tendency to utilize modern layouts that feel more creative and filled with motion which typically works very well, but sometimes less is more and that is certainly true here. This issue could’ve benefited from just a bit more dialed in approach to the visuals.

As an origin, the most important aspect is that it makes sense for Astronema’s character. It feels true to who she is and seeing an almost-child version of Karone adds context to the older character we’ve come to love. Seeing her fail over and over again but never give up, even when it’s the only thing she could tell herself to do, makes for a heartfelt comic that you just don’t want to end. Her struggle to impress Dark Spector and especially Ecliptor while she fights her own internalized insecurities sets the stage for an exploration of a character who is more than worthy of such an emotionally charged story.

For fans of the character this is obviously a must read. If you’ve been a longtime fan of Power Rangers and have a fondness for Karone as the Pink Galaxy Ranger or villain Astronema, this could possibly be a strong back door entry into the main comic series. It might not give you the overall clear picture of everything happening but it does a great job at pulling you in, delivering a satisfying origin story and all while keeping you wanting more.