Dragon their heels.
For as many giant pigs, chickens and eye-ball men the Power Rangers faced during their original television run, actual stakes were hard to come by. That’s changed in a big way since their BOOM! Comics debut, creators Kyle Higgins and Hendry Presetya dialing up plenty of drama over the first eight issues. While issue #9 continues that trend by introducing yet another Morphin malady, its way of doing so somewhat shortchanges the events leading up to it.
At the start of the issue, the Rangers find themselves with their collective backs to the wall. Billy is missing, their powers are gone, and their Zords are in the control of the very monster they’re set to face. It’s high-stakes, all-or-nothing stuff, and Higgins does a great job of setting the tone to match. Tommy gifting his powers to his fellow Rangers was teased last issue, but it’s still fun to see Team Green in action. As far as memorable moments go, Jason’s arrival to reclaim his Zord stands as easily one of the series best, both in terms of narrative impact and in the awesome splash shot by Presetya. It’s some inspiring stuff, which makes the book’s back-end all the more disappointing.
Higgins has done a solid job transitioning between arcs, but here his plotting is a little forced. The Black Dragon has been a serviceable foe up until now, but rather than deliver on the expected promise of his setup, Higgins instead takes an alternate route at the last possible second. That alone isn’t so egregious, but he also maneuvers Billy’s dormant storyline to conveniently coincide with this new direction, a move that ultimately nulls the very drama Billy’s absence initially created. The reasoning behind the move is sound – The Black Dragon is better served as more of a long-form villain, something Higgins seems to tease late – but the way in which it’s initiated is a bit deflating given all the excellent lead up.
That same sudden swerve also dulls what initially looks to be a breakout issue for Presetya. The large scale drama and action heavy focus play well into the artist’s strengths, his early pages delivering some tremendous Ranger moments. Beyond the aforementioned Jason splash, the initial brouhaha between the Black Dragon and the reclaimed Zords is a treat, as is his use of the numerous Green Rangers. Higgins’ change-up turns the action to the civilian Billy and Tommy, a move that, while certainly entertaining, doesn’t carry the same level of visual excitement. Presetya manages to end the issue on a high note with his awesomely moody final reveal, but what should have been an excellent Ranger issue instead ends up as a pretty good one.
Pacing problems aside, issue #9 is a solid chapter in a strong arc, the book’s high stakes and excellent action creating a lasting impact. Higgins and Presetya take the unexpected road forward, and while the early returns don’t quite live up to the initial promise, the tantalizing final hook all but ensures our return next month.
The Verdict
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #9 is a strong installment, though one can’t help but think it could have been stronger. Kyle Higgins dials up the drama to a fever pitch before ultimately taking things in a different direction, resulting in a bit of setup that’s as frustrating as it is intriguing. Hendry Presetya makes the most of his pages, but his contribution too falls just short of greatness. With a strong ending hook and even stronger art, this uneven issue is still a worthy read.
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