Power Rangers Prime ended the first quarter of its run with the monumental moment of Lauren Shiba the Red Ranger of the titled team. Lauren’s new Red Ranger form, which appears to be a more armored version of the Mighty Morphin suits, was given to her by none other than Rita Repulsa. This new origin story for the Power Rangers Prime further shows how different things are in this continuity for the franchise. Now with the Red Ranger established what will happen next? We got the chance to find out early with an advance copy from BOOM! Studios. Find out how it turned out with our advanced review of Power Rangers Prime #4.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Melissa Flores
Artist: Michael YG
Colorist: Fabi Marques
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
POWER RANGERS PRIME #4 SOLICITATION
“An epic battle ensues between the new Prime Red Ranger and deadly VR Troopers, but not without a little help from a familiar foe… In a dire moment, Rita Repulsa sacrifices the last of her wand’s strength to create the keys to their survival… but will it be enough to save the teens from capture?” – BOOM! Studios
REVIEW
After all the world building that the first three issues needed to do Power Rangers Prime #4 is where we see this series really come into its own. There are things done that start paying off what could be said the first act of Power Rangers Prime. Now starting the second act we see the rising action really kick off as we Lauren Shiba shine as the new Red Ranger. That then ends up extending to the rest of the cast of this series in very intriguing ways.
As promised this was the full debut of Lauren Shiba as the Prime Red Ranger. Through that we see her establish what the Power Rangers Prime are. They are the rebel group who will not be positioned as heroes. Like Rita Repulsa, the Power Rangers Prime will be promoted by the Eltarians as villains that disrupting the peaceful society that they’ve created.
The messaging by the Eltarians is something that not hidden at all. Not just in the last three issues, but in the opening of Power Rangers Prime #4 establish this. Getting more insight into the mentality of the Eltarians in this continuity is so interesting.
Flores does a very good job not deviating from what their portrayal was in the original BOOM! Studios Power Rangers Universe. The Power Rangers Prime Universe pushes the idea that this is who the Eltarians would’ve been if they were the controlling force in the galaxy. Even with certain adjustments that are made to them they aren’t all that different from who the Eltarians are.
This portrayal makes the inclusion of Jun, the lone Eltarian in the main cast, something that stands out even more. Jun being a key character is something that Flores spends a good amount of time in Power Rangers Prime #4 on. What is revealed about Jun really makes you wonder exactly what direction his character will go as things develop. Because whatever decisions Jun makes is at least established important to the grander plot of the series.
Through all of this it does emphasize how important Lauren’s decision to team up with Rita Repulsa and become the first Prime Red Ranger important. There is now a force in this Power Rangers universe that can fight against what the Eltarians have built. And Flores and Michael YG make sure to emphasize how badass Lauren is. Even when faced against the overwhelming odds of the Eltarians and VR Troopers, Lauren fights back. That leads to the subtle ways it is shown she gets quickly use to her powers as Prime Red Ranger cool to see.
How all of that goes to Lauren and Rita spark a new Power Rangers era so intriguing. Their decision to team-up completely changes the status quo. What that means drives up the interest how the entire cast of this series will develop from here. And that’s not just for the main cast we’ve been following so far. It extends to the other Eltarians and VR Troopers as Lauren and Rita’s decision has major impacts on them as well.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Power Rangers #4 is a strong start to the second act of this series. Lauren Shiba’s decision to team-up with Rita Repulsa and become the Prime Red Ranger is treated as the game changer it needed to be. This decision along with what we learn about the Eltarians side of the plot drives up the interest in what happens next.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Check out the textless preview of Power Rangers Prime #4 by clicking here.
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