2023 has been a big celebration year for the Power Rangers franchise. The year has marked the Power Rangers 30th anniversary. To mark the occasion we got the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always special and the final season of the series in Cosmic Fury on Netflix. On the comic book side the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series just started its year long Darkest Hour event. Now this week BOOM! Studios is launching Ranger Academy to add to the comic book offering. Unlike other Power Rangers comic books, Ranger Academy is venturing into new waters the cast is made up of original characters. We got the chance to check out an early copy of Ranger Academy #1. Find out how it turns out with our advance review of Ranger Academy #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Maria Ingrande Mora
Artist: Jo Mi-Gyeong
Colorist: Fabiana Mascolo
Letterers: Cardinal Rae and Ed Dukeshire
SOLICITATION
“Power Rangers Meets My Hero Academia as a Brand New Team Debuts! If you had a chance to join the Power Rangers, would you do it? 13-year-old Sage lives on an isolated lunar colony with her adoptive father, but her days on the farm will change forever when she comes across a wreckage with wounded passengers… people from an academy training to be something called… POWER RANGERS!
Fresh off their Free Comic Book Day preview, acclaimed YA author Maria Ingrande Mora (Fragile Remedy) and superstar artist Jo Mi-Gyeong (Eve: Children of the Moon) introduce a bold new expansion of the Power Rangers Universe!
For the first time, discover the amazing school where Rangers are trained, and find out for yourself which Ranger color you would join! Would you test your might as a Red Ranger, never surrender as a Black Ranger, inspire those around you as a Pink Ranger, show no fear as a Yellow Ranger, or prove that you’re the smartest kid on the team as a Blue Ranger? Enroll today!” – BOOM! Studios
REVIEW
Ranger Academy #1 is a comic book that reads like a prelude chapter to what the concept of the series will be. What that led to is a first issue that acted was told with a one-shot style to introduce us to the series lead characters. Given that this is a series led by brand-new characters to the Power Rangers franchise this was the right way to begin.
In many ways the approach taken by Maria Ingrande Mora and Jo Mi-Gyeong is a reminder of a new Power Rangers season. Right down to the fact that, like in the modern era, the first issue focus on introducing three lead characters. Going with an episodic approach does lend Ranger Academy #1 well as an introduction to a new entry in the franchise. If the entire series has this approach it’ll be a great way to differentiate itself further from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series.
As for our three lead characters themselves, we see even more classic Power Ranger elements at play. We quickly get established to the lead of the trio in Sage established as the outsider who live a solitary life with her father in the forest. Then there are the two Ranger Academy cadets in Mathis and Tula who bring Sage into the Power Rangers world. Mora does a great job at quickly establishing the natural chemistry between Sage, Mathis, and Tula when they meet. Through their interactions we see how while Sage appears to be the lead character of the series Tula is more of the leader.
Outside of establishing our three lead characters we do see some interesting plot threads set-up. Specifically when it comes to possible greater connections to the Power Rangers history that is still to be uncovered beyond Ranger Academy. That along with how it appears we could see past Rangers be honored there are a lot of cool things established for the future.
Helping get over the entire concept of Ranger Academy is Mi-Gyeong’s artwork. Mi-Gyeong art style is a great fit for this series that stars young teens. Even while Ranger Academy #1 is dialogue heavy Mi-Gyeong finds a way to inject energy to every page. The characters personalities shine because of how they are drawn to compliment the dialogue they have. Mi-Gyeong also nails how once we see Ranger Academy we are entering a fun new world to explore.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Maria Ingrande Mora and Jo Mi-Gyeong understood the assignment and delivered a beginning to Ranger Academy #1 that instantly draws Power Rangers’ fans in. The main trio we are introduced to are each brimming with personality that makes their chemistry natural. If you’re a Power Rangers fan then do yourself a favor and pick up Ranger Academy #1.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10