This is it. After all the build-up in both Go Go Power Rangers and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, we’ve finally reached the conclusion of “Necessary Evil.” There have been a lot of twists and turns to get to this point. But now with the Mighty Morphin and Omega Power Rangers united they are ready to take on Kiya and her Anointed. The results of this battle on Safehaven will likely define the rest of the Power Rangers comic book franchise moving forward. Will the two Power Ranger squads be enough to defeat Kiya’s Anointed? Let’s find out with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #50
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Colorist: Walter Baiamonte and Katia Ranalli
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
Synopsis: Somewhere in space a giant ball of energy is speeding through. A closer look inside the energy speeding by shows someone inside it.
On Safehaven, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers continue to fight Dayne. Aisha notices that Jason is struggling against Garrison in their Zord battle. She suggests Tommy to go help. Tommy is hesitant given how they are still struggling against Dayne. Adam and Rocky tell Tommy to trust them to handle Dayne. Tommy says he will and teleports to the White Tiger Zord.
Aisha tells Rocky and Adam that they need to changed things up by trading weapons. After they do that Aisha tells them to execute the Beta-7 maneuver. They do the move, launching Rocky at high speed right at Dayne. The blow ends up sending Dayne flying through several trees. Aisha then follows it by using the Power Axe to blast Dayne.
Kimberly is impressed by the strategy. Aisha mentions that they need to change things up so Dayne can’t predict their moves.
Adam then contacts Xi to see how he is doing. Xi says he is doing all he can to keep the gateway the Ranger Slayer used open.
Elsewhere Jason and Zack continue to struggle against Garrison in their Zord battle. Tommy suddenly appears in the White Tiger Zord. While Jason tells Tommy to go use his Zord to help Arkon and the others leave Safehaven. Garrison does not give Tommy or Jason time to talk and quickly overpowers the White Tiger Zord. Jason is able to knock Garrison’s Zord down with a surprise attack.
With this opening Jason reveals that the Omega Zords were created with the ability to naturally adapt and combine with any other Zord. Jason and Tommy immediately combine their Zords to create the Red Tiger Megazord. Jason and Tommy are able to use the Red Tiger Megazord’s overwhelming power to easily defeat Garrison, cutting his Omega Zord in half.
Suddenly, the rest of the Anointed appear and use their combined powers to overwhelm the Red Tiger Megazord.
Just then the Violet Solar Ranger (Ellarien from the “Beyond the Grid” storyline) appears and immediately uses her Solarix to drain the Annointed of their Morphin Grid energy. The Orange Solar Ranger (also from the “Beyond the Grid” storyline) appears and checks on Ellarien to make sure she is okay after all the energy she drained. Ellarien says she is okay.
On the ground the Ranger Slayer and Xi appear and tell all the powerless Anointed to stand down.
With no more allies Dayne is completely overwhelmed by the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers now that they’ve changed their battle styles by switching weapons with each other. Dayne decides to teleport away rather than be arrested.
Elsewhere Trini has finally tracked down Kiya. Trini tells Kiya she no longer has her Anointed army or mainline connection to the Morphin Grid. Kiya knew that Trini would be the one to find her and wonders if she is there to offer help once last time. Trini says she is done with that. Trini and Kiya them morph into their respective Omega Ranger forms.
Inside the Omega Rangers base, Dayne releases Lord Zedd from his confinement. Dayne says this is payment for when Lord Zedd freed him. Dayne then warns Lord Zedd to never contact him again. Lord Zedd taunts Dayne as he teleports away. Standing alone Lord Zedd says Dayne better pray they never meet again.
Back outside Trini and Kiya continue their intense fight. Kiya is able to kick Trini away to get some distance so she can summon her trident weapon. Trini stops Kiya’s attack with her sledgehammer weapon. Trini then immediately disarms and smashes Kiya to the ground.
Trini then jumps high into the sky. Kiya stands back up and tries to stop Trini’s attack with a punch. As their strikes clash, Trini is able to overpower and knock out Kiya. Trini sadly reflects on how things went as the sun sets behind them.
A few weeks later the Poer Rangers have been able to revitalize the city on Safehaven. The former Anointed wonder what their punishment will be. Jason says there will be none as both sides made mistakes. Jason goes on to say that with their connection to the Morphin Grid now gone they are no longer a threat to anyone or themselves so all of the former Anointed have a second chance at a new life.
Elsewhere Ranger Slayer Kimberly thanks Ellarien and Remi for their help. Ellarien is happy they were able to return the favor by helping Ranger Slayer Kimberly her universe. Ellarien and Remi then go back to their universe through the dimensional portal.
Trini asks Ranger Slayer Kimberly if she wants to get a bite to eat. Ranger Slayer Kimberly says she has to go back to her world as she feels like it is time to stop running from what she’s done or who she is. Ranger Slayer Kimberly then goes through the dimensional portal.
At a beach on Safehaven Zack is talking with Billy, Kimberly, and Tommy back on Earth. Tommy mentions that Jason’s karate class kids wanted to say “Hi.”
Trini and Jason appear and Jason tells Tommy to say “Hi” back. Tommy then mentions that Jason’s class already accepts him as the superior teacher and warrior. Jason says they’ll have to settle that later. Everyone smiles and Kimberly jokingly says she liked it more when Jason and Tommy weren’t talking.
Tommy, Kimberly, and Billy get a call from Alpha about a large amount of energy heading to Earth. Trini says that if they need help the Omega Rangers are on call. Kimberly says not to worry as they have this, which Adam, Aisha, and Rocky all agree with.
On the Moon, Lord Zedd is finally able to get his snake to transform back into his Z Staff. Lord Zedd reflects how he hasn’t lost the war yet. He then spots the large energy heading to Earth.
The Power Rangers teleport to where the energy is supposed to hit, which is not too far from Earth. The energy hits the ground hard and causes a major crater.
After the energy dissipates the Power Rangers are shocked to see a heavily scarred Lord Drakkon. Lord Drakkon, with a terrified look on his face, says “They’re Coming.” End of issue.
The Good: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #50 is a comic book that does not make contact with every pitch thrown. But while there were a few swings and misses Ryan Parrott and Daniele Di Nicuolo were able to make contact enough times to hit in the runs needed to make this another winner in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series.
As a big anniversary issue Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #50 works extremely well in delivering the hype moments you expect from this type of milestone issue. There is almost no time to rest as everything that has been built-up throughout “Necessary Evil” pays off in this issue. The fast pacing of this issue gets over how “Necessary Evil” was another big event in this franchise.
Hitting the mark on feeling like you are reading the conclusion of a big event is all credit to Parrott, and his Go Go Power Rangers co-writer Sina Grace, work on this franchises two comic books. Every chapter from both Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Go Go Power Rangers built to all the moments we got in MMPR #50. And while this issue is a payoff for both series Parrott made sure Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #50 was detailed enough that if you didn’t read to read Go Go Power Rangers to understand everything that goes on.
The best example of that is the final battle between Trini and Kiya. Trini being the one to finally defeat Kiya came across as what needed to happen. Through their back-and-forth, you could tell Kiya cross the final line that Trini knew she had to be the one to take down her friend. Even though it was painful it was a responsibility Trini felt because she was the one that connected most with Kiya out of all the Omega Rangers.
Having that personal stake made the battle between Trini and Kiya have a greater intensity. That intensity added to the power both showed as they went back-and-forth in their Omega Ranger forms. Their fight reminded me a lot of battles you would get in animes and mangas as energy was flowing with every strike thrown. The final clash that ended with Trini’s victory put over the power being shown. It made the final panel of this battle with Trini looking up as the sun set an even more powerful image.
The success of the Trini and Kiya battle is a reflection of how well done the battles the Mighty Morphin Power and Omega Rangers were having with Dayne and Garrison. These two fights each had a different setting and tone to them. Having three different major fights that were connected but meant different things for the fighters involved was a great way to put over how multi-layered the overarching plot in “Necessary Evil” was.
With the fight the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers had with Dayne there was time for the team to show all the development they have been through. Specifically for Adam, Aisha, and Rocky, this was what their respective character arcs have been building to. We’ve seen how they have struggled to adapt to being Power Rangers with high expectations placed on them. Throughout this arc, Parrott has done a good job pointing out that Adam, Aisha, and Rocky have been placed in a tough spot as they haven’t had time to get used to fighting bad guys. They were thrown right into the middle of fighting major threats like Lord Zedd and now Dayne that the others had time to get used to fighting.
To Parrott’s credit, this was all part of the plan to show that there is a reason why Adam, Aisha, and Rocky were chosen to be the new Black, Yellow, and Red Rangers, respectively. They showed through the battle with Dayne in this issue that they were quick to adapt. Aisha in particular has stepped up to show her own leadership qualities as she was the one to get Adam and Rocky on the same page to execute the Beta-7 maneuver.
Kimberly and Billy giving Aisha and the others props for pulling off the maneuver worked well to put over how far they’ve come as a team. While there is still work to do with their teamwork we do see how everything is now clicking for this team after Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #50. Tommy, Kimberly, Billy, Aisha, Adam, and Rocky all have the confidence in each other to face whatever threat Lord Zedd and others have to throw their way together.
Tommy and Jason also repairing their friendship through teaming up against Garrison, who was piloting Kiya’s Omega Zord, was a great way to continue their arcs together. These two Power Rangers leaders have a rivalry that even though doesn’t always show itself often will always exist. But it is through that rivalry that their strong friendship is formed. Even the way they joke with each other shows that.
That rivalry made the moment when Tommy and Jason combined their Zords to create the Red Tiger Megazord a greater moment. For one, seeing a new Megazord was awesome in itself. That is something your fanboy and fangirl head explodes as you immediately want the action figure. At the same time, Parrott opens up greater opportunities down the road for even more different Megazord combinations with the revelation the Omega Zords were created to adapt to any Zord.
The one story choice that will likely be divisive with readers will be with the last-minute appearance of the Solar Rangers’ Ellarien and Remi from the “Beyond the Grid” storyline. While I did have my problems with what their appearance meant to the story Parrott did a good job addressing how “Beyond the Grid” did happen and is not something to be forgotten. This adds to how important every story arc has been an important part of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers as it all builds to the next story. That sense of continuity makes this series more must-read as there is this big connected, epic tale being told.
It also worked in the context of completing the Ranger Slayer Kimberly Hart’s character arc. She is not only the tie to “Shattered Grid” and “Necessary Evil” but also the “Beyond the Grid” storyline. Her connection with Ellarien and Remi are important to who she is at the moment. Ranger Slayer Kimberly coming to terms with how she has to accept her past and present made her arc be even more satisfying to see be concluded. It sets her up to have a story in her own one-shot and other comics to be about how she moves on to the next phase of her life.
Though that may not be the easiest for not only Ranger Slayer Kimberly but all of the Power Rangers now that Lord Drakkon is back in action. Lord Drakkon’s return was certainly a major surprise. Especially seeing how the confident overlord who almost took over the entire Multiverse now appears completely terrified. That is not a visual we ever saw Lord Drakkon being throughout his evil reign. It immediately makes you concerned for whatever threat is next has to be a big enough deal that even has Drakkon terrified.
One of the big questions with Drakkon’s return is which version of the character this is. Last time we saw him he was stepping into the light as the Multiverse folded into itself as it reformed into the current continuity. There is a possibility with how the Multiverse has been established that we are dealing with a Drakkon from a different timeline.
But if it is the Lord Drakkon who did take over the Multiverse then that leads us to if it’ll lead to Tommy, Kimberly, and Billy also remembering the events of “Shattered Grid.” As of right now only Jason, Trini, and Zack remember “Shattered Grid” thanks to the Blue Emissary giving them their memories of that event back. Now with Lord Drakkon back in the equation, it could mean Tommy, Kimberly and Billy will also be triggered to remember those events. That could lead to an even bigger arc for both the Mighty Morphin and Omega Rangers.
Tommy is possibly put into the toughest spot. Because throughout “Necessary Evil” we’ve seen how Kiya has emphasized having any version of Tommy Oliver around is dangerous for the universe. Lord Drakkon’s return will further that specific sub-plot as Tommy once again comes face-to-face with what would’ve happened if he followed the path of evil. That could all play into the role as the wielder of the White Light that was a major focus for Tommy in the first half of “Necessary Evil.”
Daniele Di Nicuolo once again delivered truly excellent artwork throughout Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #50. Even with all the characters involved, including big Megazords, Nicuolo kept all the action clear. The energy of each fight was off the charts good. It all played into the big anime level fighting that was going on in different locations. There was an impact to all of the punches, kicks, and energy blast thrown that made all the character arcs behind these fights even more meaningful.
The Bad: For as much as I enjoyed Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #50 this was not a perfect comic book. The biggest wall hit by this issue was the use of the Solar Rangers as a deus ex machina to defeat the Anointed. While Ellarien and Remi are great characters they were really only used as a plot device to solve the problem with all the characters powered by the Morphin Grid being too great in numbers. Not having them interact with the other Power Rangers added to them being Deus ex Machina’s. This is such a shame because they deserve to be more than simple plot devices.
The other noticeable thing that Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #50 did not address well was the death of Blue Emissary. So much happened with Kiya and her Anointed that it became easy for “Necessary Evil” to forget the major moment of the Blue Emissary’s death. That should’ve been something address at some point in this issue. Its an odd and noticeable omission as “Necessary Evil” concluded.
Overall: Ryan Parrott and Daniele Di Nicuolo combined to deliver an excellent conclusion to the “Necessary Evil” storyline with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #50. All the character arcs developed through the course of “Necessary Evil” had the hype and rewarding payoff fans expect from the end of a major comic book event. The conclusion of “Necessary Evil” sets up a future you are fully invested in seeing play out in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and other comic books in this franchise.
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