COMIC BOOK REVIEW - Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Vol 8
By The Masked Medic
It wouldn’t really be a return to comic books without getting back into the Power Rangers novels from Boom Studios, now would it? I’ve raved about this series to almost everyone I can. Growing up, I loved the Power Rangers shows, and I feel that the way that Boom Studios has made these characters, not only relevant, but also reintroduced them to an older audience, has been fantastic!
‘Volume 8’ continues the “Shattered Grid” storyline, with Lord Drakkon slowly amassing more and more power from the Morphing Grid. Andros, the Red Space Ranger, finds the base where Drakkon is keeping other rangers prisoner, and then immediately reports back to the team, which consists of a number of the Mighty Morphin’ Rangers, Jen, the Time Force Pink Ranger and Lauren, the Red Samurai Ranger. They’re also assisted by Zordon and Doggie Kruger, amongst others. As the Ranger teams attempt to come up with a plan that may stop Drakkon and rescue their comrades, Zordon and Kruger consider another avenue. Jason realises that the team they have currently is not enough, and so a distress signal is sent out, and lo and behold, rangers from across the Grid arrive to stop this enormous threat. Before the battle begins, Zordon and Doggie seek the help from the last person they ever thought they’d need to work with. Drakkon is initially relatively unfazed by the attack on his base, his new powers aiding him in repelling the onslaught. However, when a shot by Kimberly hits him, and Zordon’s secret ally carries out their role, Drakkon finds himself on the back foot. He has only one option now: to claim unstoppable power, he must tap into the Morphin’ Grid, even if it’s unstable. Can the Power Rangers stop Drakkon once and for all? And what kind of future awaits them if they lose?
I have been full of praise for this series, and I will continue mostly in that vein. The character development in this novel is perhaps slightly less than in other novels, but I put that down to the nature of the story, with large battles going on, it’s hard to reflect. I did really enjoy the involvement of other Ranger teams, and I’ve always said that Boom Studios would do a superb job of it, if they did ever continue making novels for other teams. Okay, here is a tiny bit of criticism. I’d say that all the previous novels in this series built up tension and excitement slowly, but the first half of this novel is, in my opinion, a little boring. It naturally picks up in the latter half, and I thought the last few issues were sensational. It still remains one of my all-time favourite series, though!
You guys know that I love the artwork of this series. The early novels were done by Dan Mora, who is, in my opinion, already one of the G.O.A.T.s, but these novels were illustrated by Daniele Di Nicuolo, and I also love her style. The covers were, as always, fantastic. Overall, even though it wasn’t my favourite novel in this series, Boom Studios continues to prove that they belong in this business!
Favourite Panel:
I have been waiting for this moment to happen for a while now. It’s about time Drakkon learnt why there was only ever one true Tommy Oliver!
Favourite Character:
So many to choose from, but also this was the first novel where no one really shone in the spotlight. That being said, seeing Tommy back, chills!
Rating:
Story Arc: ★★★½
Character Development: ★★★
Artwork: ★★★★
Enjoyability: ★★★½
Re-readability: ★★★★
Level: Intermediate