With Netflix releasing a new trailer for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always the hype for Power Rangers content is at an all-time high. With that in mind, we have Melissa Flores and Simona Di Gianfelice’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers to help with getting our fill of Power Rangers. Since beginning their run we’ve seen Flores and Gianfelice dive deeper into the Morphin Grid mythology and Dark Specter. Specifically, Rita Repulsa’s transformation into Mistress Vile has completely changed the game for what fans knew about this period of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers period. Let’s see how things go next with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #106.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Melissa Flores
Artist: Simona Di Gianfelice
Colorist: Raul Angulo
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
SYNOPSIS
Thousands of years ago Lord Zedd defeats Rita Repulsa in a fight and tempts her to leave Master Vile to become a general in his army.
In the present, XI talks about the Grid Navigator’s purposes and Morphin Masters’s decision to destroy the Master Arches when Dark Specter tried to use it for his evil desires.
While Tommy and Kimberly want to help the Omega Rangers Zordon orders all the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers to return to protect Earth since it also was a location for a Master Arch like Safehaven.
Later, Zordon admits to Grace Sterling his fears about Mistress Vile currently having the Zeo Crystals and what it would mean if she gains access to a functional Master Arch.
Back in Safehaven Kimberly and Trini’s catch-up conversation is cut short by the arrival of Alpha 1 and an army of Super Putties. The Omega Rangers and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers immediately mobilize their Zords to fight and defeat Alpha 1
As that is going on Tommy visits Jason to talk about what is going on and his feelings about Matt being captured by Mistress Vile. Jason reassures Tommy it wasn’t his fault as tough calls must be made when you’re the leader. Tommy thanks Jason and says he misses him.
Elsewhere Grace and Terona (the 1969 Yellow Ranger) talk about what’s going on and decide to hold back using the Grid Navigator they have.
Meanwhile, Lord Zedd forces his way free from his cell and knocks out all the Promethea guards.
When Grace and Terona confront him, Lord Zedd reveals a Morpher in his possession. Lord Zedd uses the Morpher to transform into his own unique Power Ranger form. End of issue.
REVIEW
The sense of escalation is what takes Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #106 to another level. Melissa Flores and Simona Di Gianfelice have shown they are able to juggle multiple things at the same time without losing sight of what this story is about. This all adds to the scale of importance continuing to be high with everything we see happen in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #106.
One of the most impressive things about Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #106 is how Mistress Vile and Dark Specter are a constant presence without physically appearing in the present. Flores uses the way characters talk about the threat of Mistress Vile and Dark Specter to get across the threat both villains pose. The fear Zordon is unable to hide about what is possible if Mistress Vile gains control of an active Master Arch showed us what is at stake.
By extension, Flores is also able to expand on the continuity of the Power Rangers franchise from the Zordon Era. Because we once again see an emphasis on the Master Arch needed for Dark Specter to make his full return. Given that Dark Specter still hasn’t achieved the form we see him obtain by the point of Power Rangers In Space, this story could all lead to that. Because of that, there is even more to the threat the Power Rangers face.
Though there is a lot of unknown in terms of the path the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series is taking. Because we are once again seeing how the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are learning about things not revealed in the TV show until after them. Like with the Omega Rangers and Morphin Masters integration into the story, seeing the Dark Specter narrative take such importance does create the question if we will see events through Turbo, In Space, and other seasons take place much earlier.
With all this going on it makes the cracks in the relationship between Zordon and all the Rangers much more fascinating. We see again how both the Omega and Power Rangers want to tackle things from a united front. This comes into conflict with Zordon’s views of Earth needing to focus on protection. This is yet another instance of trust between Zordon and the Rangers not being there. It does come to a point where you do have to wonder if the Rangers will break away from their mentor.
We see this being a concern in the conversation Zordon and Grace Sterling have. Once again Zordon does show awareness that while they are teenagers that he is treating the Omega and Power Rangers as soldiers. Being aware of that fact does make Zordon even more protective of them as he does want them to live as teenagers as much as possible. But in trying to juggle this Zordon is not fully paying attention to other ways he should be mentoring all the Rangers individually.
This makes the two scenes with Tommy meeting Jason and Kimberly and Trini catching up. With Kimberly and Trini’s catch-up, we get more into how even though they’ve been living separate lives they are still best friends. The way Kimberly and Trini talk with each other is different from their interactions with others. They are more open about personal feelings and things thing they’ve been noticing. It’s refreshing to see that from these two long-term Rangers.
Similarly, Tommy and Jason have been through so much together that they have become a strong support for each other. With Tommy still learning how to handle the weight of being the leader it is great to see Jason being there to provide advice or just an ear to hear them out. This scene also highlighted how being a leader hasn’t come as naturally to Tommy as Jason is. It all makes how Jason is there to help guide Tommy to become the strong leader we know him to become a great scene.
With all that character work being done the last thing that was expected was Lord Zedd gaining his own Power Ranger form. Sure, we knew that Lord Zedd was not going to spend the rest of this story arc locked up. That is not who Lord Zedd is, especially with how Rita Repulsa as Mistress Vile embarrassed him in their fight. Lord Zedd getting yet another upgrade in with a Power Ranger form does create a lot of questions as to the direction this story will end up taking.
Simona Di Gianfelice has consistently delivered with her work on this series but Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #106 may be the best artwork we’ve seen. This issue had everything from deep character moments to crazy Zord action. There was intensity and heart in how the characters acted when talking to one another. Then with the Alpha 1 fight, we saw epic-scale fights that were well-choreographed. Gianfelice was more than comfortable with every type of scene given to make a great looking comic.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #106 is a spectacular comic book. Melissa Flores and Simona Di Gianfelice continue to find new ways to create even greater excitement for the future of this series. The way things end with where the Power Rangers and Lord Zedd are make you want to read the next issue right away.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10