Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the complementary comic book blog to the ODPH podcast! For this edition, we’re taking a look at the latest chapter into the history of one of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers noteworthy characters. Power Rangers Universe #5 by Nicole Andelfinger, Simone Ragazzoni, Mattia Iacono, & Ed Dukeshire from Boom Studios has been a very fun read into the story behind the Phantom Ranger. With only two issues left, how does this story shape up now? Let’s jump into this issue and find out, shall we?

Power Rangers Universe #5 - on sale April 27th
Creative: Nicole Andelfinger, Simone Ragazzoni, Mattia Iacono, & Ed Dukeshire (Cover: Dan Mora)
Credit: Boom Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

This issue picks up where the Spectrum Rangers bet on themselves and appear to have won. They found a way to sustain morphing without killing themselves in the process. Now powered up, they’re ready to take the fight to the Dark Spector’s forces. Readers will enjoy all the action going down in this issue. As for the Morphanaut, his battle with the general becomes more than anyone expected with revelations exposed.

This moment becomes especially emotional & ultimately becomes the reason behind a desperate but noble action he takes later in this issue. The fallout with this battle carries thru the rest of the story as our heroes think they have the momentum on their side, until a final play is made where all bets are off heading into the final issue.

Andelfinger does a nice job with the build-up for the “big” reveal in this issue. It’s another element that is connecting the Morphanaut to the readers. This entire series, they have seen him go thru so many battling emotions that once we are at this point in the story, the moment becomes greater than expected. It also adds more weight to the final page of the book knowing what was done. The rest of the issue was solid action with a good dramatic fallout bit that works. Excellent job.

Ragazzoni & Iacono really made those action scenes pop off the pages here. They were great showcases on how upgraded their power set was. The “revelation” during the fight between the General and Morphanaut was very well done. There are some great panel shots of the emotional toll in this issue to put an exclamation point on that. Fantastic final page heading into the finale.

Overall, the saga of the Phantom Ranger heads into its’ final issue on a very strong note. Solid storytelling with emotional payoffs mixed with stellar artwork makes this a can’t miss issue at the LCS this week. Get caught up now beofre next month’s finale.

Let me know on Twitter what you thought of Power Rangers Universe #5. As always, thanks for reading.

POWER RANGERS UNIVERSE #5 (BOOM STUDIOS)

Ken M