REVIEW: ‘Mighty Morphin,’ Issue #1

Mighty Morphin #1 is written by Ryan Parrott, illustrated by Marco Renna, colored by Walter Baiamonte (with assistance by Katia Ranalli), and lettered by Ed Dukeshire. It is published by BOOM! Studios. The Power Rangers encounter a mysterious individual who has taken up the mantle of the Green Ranger and helps them in their battle against Lord Zedd. Meanwhile, flashbacks shed light on Zordon’s past.

Despite picking up on plot threads from the previous Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comic, Mighty Morphin manages to stand on its own. Parrott’s script deftly introduces the Rangers and their allies as well as Zedd and his minions. I’ve always felt that every first issue should be a reader’s introduction to a series and this delivers on that front. Whether you are a longtime Rangers fan or a newcomer to the franchise, you can easily follow along.

Parrott also introduces an element from his previous Rangers series, Go Go Power Rangers, in the form of an opening flashback. This particular flashback focuses on Zordon’s time as a Guardian of Eltar, and it feels appropriately epic. There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding the Power Rangers’ mentor, and this sequence sheds light on his past as well as providing a potential glimpse into the reason he decided to form the Power Rangers.

Renna’s artwork continues the BOOM! Studios’ trend of simultaneously encompassing the martial arts action the Rangers engage in while also having an anime-esque influence. A clear example of this is the morphing sequence. When the Rangers morph, their faces are half-hidden by their helmets and they strike a pose while lightning crackles in the background. Renna also gets to design a new monster in the form of the appropriately named Pandamonium who is—you guessed it—a giant panda. Albeit is a giant killer panda with thousands of spears in his back. Baiamonte brings the vivid palette one would expect from a Power Rangers book, especially in the opening sequence which takes place in a lush alien forest.

He also gets to update the Green Ranger’s look. The new Green Ranger has a golden stripe on his helmet, and his Dragon Dagger is curved at the end which gives it a more lethal look. The Guardians of Eltar also have a really cool look, with their bright white uniforms and helmets giving them the look of cosmic knights.

If I have one problem with this issue, it’s that the Green Ranger’s identity still remains a secret. It’s obvious that he is someone the other Rangers know and I understand the element of surprise, but it feels like that would have been the proper note to end on. Hopefully, when his identity is revealed, it packs the proper punch.

Mighty Morphin #1 is a great introduction to the world of Power Rangers, setting up new challenges for the titular teenagers with attitude. Given the ending of the first issue, it looks like the Rangers will have to not only worry about Zedd but also a possible secret from Zordon’s past which makes for good drama.

Mighty Morphin #1 is available wherever comics are sold.