One Final Hope: Reviewing ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ #120

Dark Specter’s poisonous influence is spreading, through time and space, reaching one of the final bastions of light: The Void. With the clock ticking, the Solar Rangers of The Void might be one of the only remaining sources of power to assist the assembled force of good.

As Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #120 shows, things just might not be that simple. The Darkest Hour moves closer to its final moments with creators Melissa Flores, Valeria Favoccia, Valentina Pinto, and Ed Dukeshire.

It speaks to the strength of the team behind this massive event that any perceived ‘deviation’ from the main cast is anything but that. Each chapter, no matter who is featured or has the spotlight, is a carefully crafted piece of the overarching puzzle. It all flows and works, allowing Rangers of every type and stripe to get their moment. Even the Solar Rangers, a concept that only graced this almost nine year run of comics but for a moment five years ago.

That’s because Flores has a deep knowledge and love of all things Power Rangers. Making the reader care about characters that they might have only seen once or twice, and not just because they are Rangers and as fans we’re programmed to (mostly) like Rangers. No, these are fleshed out characters (even those that don’t have as much focus) with lives, wants, desires, heartaches, and losses.

Their story is filled with light and darkness, just like the rest of the Rangers we’ve come to know and love. Honestly, I would love to see even more of these Rangers after this brief focus time for them. Clearly they have a part to play in the final three chapters of this event, but more beyond that would be nice.

I love that in these pages, Flores tells a whole story (with a story within a story within a story at one point) of hope and loss that feels recognizable, relatable, and contained while also being part of an event. It’s a slice of time or life that ties into the overall story but stands on its own as well. Not an easy task, yet, here it appears to be a breeze.

A different type of Ranger with a different type of space seems an apt time to cycle in a different artistic approach. Not that this event hasn’t had its share of artistic shuffling through the previous nine chapters.

I’ve not encountered Favoccia’s work in the past, but I definitely will be seeking it out moving forward. Such energy that just instantly resonates with the vibe needed for a story of this type, with these types of characters. A healthy amount of whimsical stylings sprinkled in alongside heavier, weightier, grounded pieces. Giving each space a very powerful presence and sense of being. Quick fluid action pieces boosted by the paneling that keeps up the frantic pace on some pages, while helping slow down or focus it on others.

Matching a lot of the previous issues, Pinto’s colors here do the work of finding a smooth middle ground. Setting pieces that are darker, which fits since the void is a black and purple overall dark place overall, so that the more colorful costumes and skin tones of the various races of beings stand out. Hitting that Power Rangers trademark color spectrum without being too overly vibrant.

Colorful and energetic bleeds it’s way into all the lettering time and time again cause that’s how Dukeshire brings it. Letting the character’s feelings and personalities light up the space through their words. Dipping bubbles and font into different colors, sprucing up their style, and letting the volume and tone read clearly every time. Colorful characters need just as colorful voices and Dukeshire makes it happen.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #120 is now available from BOOM! Studios.