Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay points, the complementary comic book blog to the ODPH podcast. For this entry, we’re checking out a companion piece for the “Charge To 100” in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Universe by Boom Studios. Power Rangers Unlimited: The Death Ranger #1 by Paul Allor, Kath Lobo, Anna Kekovsky Chandra, Fabi Marques, Sara Antonellini, Sharon Marino and Ed Dukeshire shows a spotlight on The Death ranger, who’s playing a big role in the monumental Might Morphin Power Rangers #100 coming in September. With so much story line involving this character, getting a deeper story on this mysterious figure will help compliment the future anniversary issue coming in late September. Let’s take a deeper look at this issue and see what’s happening here, shall we?

Power Rangers Unlimited: The Death Ranger #1 - On Sale August 31st
Creative: Paul Allor, Kath Lobo, Anna Kekovsky Chandra, Fabi Marques, Sara Antonellini, Sharon Marino and Ed Dukeshire (Cover: Keyla Valerio)
Credit: Boom Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The issue opens up with Maavi telling Young Andros and Young Zhane, who are both heavily featured in the Power Rangers book by Ryan Parrott and Marco Renna, a bedtime story. She is telling them the story of Spa’ark, the Gold Omega ranger. That story begins with the Omega Rangers taking care of Sister Supernova, a figure that poes a far greater danger than they realize. After neutralizing the threat, they bring Supernova back to Safehaven. During the down time, Spa’ark has a conversation with Haza, another ranger on the team. Haza brings up Spa’ark’s isolation and possible reasons why. Unfortunately, they don’t get to finish that conversation as Supernova escapes and does the unthinkable: kills Haza in the escape.

Feeling responsible for what happened, Spa’ak embarks on a dangerous path trying to fix this wrong. With another threat arising, Spa’ark does some questionable acts, including working with the Galactic Maw, who is up to no good. . How does this play into the creation of the Death Ranger? Can Spa’ark fix things or will he only make them worse? What will his teammates do about these actions? How does this tie into current times? Readers will have all those answers and a great final page to tie everything up before returning to the “Charge To 100” run.

This issue is a great companion piece to what’s going on in the present time of Power Rangers. Allor gives a nice spin on telling the Death ranger’s origin. Having this told to the kid versions of Andros and Zhane is a great touch to explain what is happening here. The story flows with a steady pace with giving the readers enough time to figure out what’s happening. This works well for new readers to the lore as there’s enough of a guide to steer them into who is who and what is happening. The overall story caps everything up and leaves readers with a final parting shot that echos in previous books to tie things together.

The art teams did solid work here as well. Bringing the range of emotions out of Spa’ark helped draw readers to his point of view and desperate actions. Once the tragedy strikes, the issue hits its’ high notes as it shifts gears in bringing Spa’ark’s plans front and center. The panels show a great deal of emotions with what is happening in the latter half of the book. There’s a lot to break down with how we see the Death Ranger emerge but it’s brought to the readers’ attention without being distracting to where a new reader could become confused easily.

Overall, Power Rangers Unlimited: The Death Ranger #1 provides noteworthy details to enhance the story in the overall books leading to the “Charge To 100” anniversary issue. The creative team make this very enjoyable for new and old readers alike. Make sure to check it out at the local comic shop this week.

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Thanks for reading.

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE DEATH RANGER #1 (BOOM STUDIOS)

Ken M