Caving To The Darkness: Reviewing ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ #113

As the darkness spreads, Rangers from all times, planets, and universes find themselves divided and in search of unlikely allies. Dark Specter’s grip on the morphing grid tightens and all hope seems just about lost.

Good thing the Rangers have Lord Drakkon to turn to.

The “Darkest Hour” continues as Melissa Flores, Simona Di Gianfelice, Raúl Angulo, and Ed Dukeshire turn up the heat for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #113.

This year is the 30th anniversary of the Power Rangers as a franchise, and what better way to celebrate than touching as many eras/characters as possible? What might seem too tall an order on the surface works so smoothly here.

In fact, the very premise of this story helps with that regard. A year-long event that has the main cast scattered across time and space, with an enemy trying to corrupt the entire morphing grid. Lends itself perfectly to a cameo fest.

Flores does more than that though. There is a natural rhythm and reason for the characters we see. No characters or space feel neglected, even if they aren’t in the issue.

Also, it builds on what the BOOM! Studios series has already done over the years. From the first event, “Shattered Grid,” to now, we’ve seen tons of varied Rangers over the years. There is history and precedent behind a few of the meetings/mingling.

Longform storytelling in comics is never easy. There are so many things that can derail stories both within them and from outside. Working on a series like this probably makes it a bit easier since there aren’t the same sudden changes that might come from the much older comic franchises. Either way, Flores has a plan and it’s so intricately enacted that each chapter feels complete, but is also clearly part of the larger whole.

After a few issues off, Di Gianfelice and Angulo are back to bring their fun touch to this series.

Power Rangers has often balanced on a line right between serious heroic and silly heroic. A perfect example of that here is how one of the story villains Elsastique is handled. Visually, there is a campy silliness about this character with the dress, skirt, pearls, and powers. The way her mouth is, with the flesh of her lips connected and haunting eyes, makes it clear she is a monster. Di Gianfelice and Angulo are masters at creating this really compelling balance in their issues.

There is just an epicness always baked into what Di Gianfelice presents. Even on a smaller more character-based scale, there is weight that can be felt. It pairs well with the vibrant bold color palette Angulo employs. Power Rangers are colorful, and we feel that here, but there is a heavier element here with this being a very dark event. That darkness feels almost overwhelming, as it should.

All the same said above can be said for the lettering. It’s fun, dark, light, and powerful. Because Dukeshire knows how to weave in those emotions and tones through the words on the page. Dropping in the big colors or bolds or bubble/font and other elements when they are most needed. Allowing the personality and emotions to seep through as well as the volume. We can hear this world and these moments perfectly in our head, with just the right buttons pushed to make it even better.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #113 is now available from BOOM! Studios.