Go Go Power Rangers # 22 // Review
Continuing to explore the gap between the episodes "Green No More" and "White Light," Go Go Power Rangers #22 opens with the Blue Emissary of the Morphin Masters trying to recruit Red Ranger, Jason Scott. Emissary explains to Scott the massive cosmic crisis that threatens all reality, and how Jason is needed to assist him without telling Zordon and the other Rangers. Meanwhile, the other rest of the team deal with the emotional drain and duress caused by Tommy Oliver losing the Green Powers, and the escalating dangers of Lord Zedd's personalized monsters.
Picking up from the exciting cliff-hanger of Go Go Power Rangers #21, issue #22 offers a slower build with a pace differing from the other entries in the unraveling "Necessary Evil" storyline. Go Go Power Rangers must always be ancillary to the main Mighty Morphin Power Rangers title. Writers Ryan Parrot and Sina Grace understand this and use it as an opportunity to explore pathos rather than rush to the finish line. It's great to see how Tommy's departure affects each member of the team, demonstrating how the traumatic event manifests given their varied personalities. The Blue Ranger Billy, for example, is a problem solver who is unable to control a chaotic uncertain situation. The Black and Yellow Rangers Zach and Trini are trying to give back to the community, and Pink Ranger Kimberly reconnects with old flame Matt. These excellently handled moments of humanity are not the only shining moments of characterization by Grace and Parrot, with the writing team also excelling at the portrayal of the cast's villains.
Anyone familiar with the Power Rangers franchise will tell you that when Zedd took over as the series' main villain, monster creator Finster was retired. Zedd used his own magic to create monsters, mutating everyday objects and animals connected to the Rangers in some way. The writing team take this aspect of the show and expand upon it, giving insight into Zedd as a more tactical advisory to the Rangers. Through his monstrous transformations, Zedd is adding an element of psychological warfare in his battles against the Rangers. This is once again a great moment of additive material to the Boom books, that expands on the elements of the show, while still making a new product for readers.
Issue #22 may frustrate readers for not speedily continuing the on-going story of Necessary Evil. However, there's something to be said for a story that wants to take its time. By allowing the gradual development of their narrative, Parrot and Grace can plant seeds now that can fully blossom into more rewarding climaxes in the story's later stages.
A-
