Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Power Rangers Prime #1!Power Rangersfans have just been thrown into an all-new continuity, and after reading just the first issue, I am absolutely loving it. This new series is a darker take on the familiar franchise in a way that’s reminiscent of Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, or DC’s more recent Absolute continuity. Plus, we’re introduced to a wholenew Power Rangers roster, and even though they haven’t even morphed yet, they’re already on their way to becoming my new favorites.
InPower Rangers Prime#1 by Melissa Flores and Michael YG, readers are presented with a Power Rangers universe like no other. Right off the bat, it’s revealed that the Power Rangers are dead, and anyone who somehow still has any of their artifacts (like a morpher or power coin) are hunted down by officers of the extraterrestrial occupation. Yep, Earth doesn’t even belong to humans in this continuity, as the Eltarian race took control over the planet decades before the events of this issue. How’d they do it? Simple:the Eltarians killed the Power Rangers.
Now, in the present day, Earth is an Eltarian colony where aliens within the Eldarian Empire from all over the galaxy are free to live alongside the human and Eltarian residents. We’re introduced to this new societal structure through the eyes of high school-aged students, all of whom have differing opinions about the occupation. Some think it’s a good thing that the Eltarians took control over Planet Earth, while others see them for the fascist aliens they really are. But, despite their differences, one group of unlikely friends are about to come together as this newcomic’s Power Rangers.
Who Are the New Power Rangers? Full Roster, Explained
The New Power Rangers will Have to Overcome Their Differences for the Greater Good
The ‘call to adventure’ moment inPower Rangers Prime#1 came in the form of a descendant of a Power Ranger named Lauren Shiba, who’s running for her life from Eltarian officers. After she ditches them and hides in a dumpster, Lauren is found by a half-alien (Aquitian) teenager named Markon Zhao, who brings her back to his home where she is attended to by Mark’s roommate, an Andresian alien named Orion. However, Mark is seen helping the Power Ranger by one of his classmates, an Eltarian named Jun, who confronts Mark about it at the end of the issue.
Before confronting Mark, Jun also introduces us to his human friends, Ryan Steele and Valentina, during a combat training class at their school. And with that, the stage has been set for the new roster of Power Rangers. Jun is an Eltarian who supports the occupation, as do his human friends Ryan and Valentina, while Mark, Orion, and Lauren are decidedly against the Eltarian’s control over the world. But, in the end, all of them will be called to become Power Rangers, and their differences will add an interesting dynamic to the team that I can’t wait to see more of.
One Potential Power Rangers Recruit will Actually Become Their Greatest Enemy
Every character I previously mentioned has been set up as a new Power Ranger, as they’ll be introduced to that power by Lauren Shiba before accepting their roles as Power Rangers themselves. At least, almost all of them. The only one who isn’t going to become a Power Ranger is Ryan Steele, who is destined to leadthis universe’s new VR Troopers. Ryan Steele was the name of the character who led the VR Troopers in the ‘90s live-action series, and he’s working to earn that title again inPower Rangers Prime.
Power Rangers Is Ready to Reject the Original Show’s Top Theme and Turn the Rangers Loose
The Power Rangers have always represented agents of order in the classic television series, but now, they’re rejecting that to become agents of chaos.
When he finally accomplishes his goal, Ryan will be duty-bound as an Eltarian officer to kill the new Power Rangers, which is another level of drama established by Power Rangers Prime that I can’t wait to see. But, aside from Ryan, the rest of these characters are about to become the newPower Rangers, and based on their character development thus far, they’re already on track to be my new favorites.
Power Rangers
Power Rangersis a long-running multimedia franchise that debuted in 1993 with the TV seriesMighty Morphin Power Rangers. Created by Haim Saban and adapted from the JapaneseSuper Sentaiseries,Power Rangersbecame a cultural phenomenon by combining action-packed footage fromSuper Sentaiwith new scenes featuring American actors. The franchise follows teams of young heroes who transform into Power Rangers to battle various villains, using martial arts, special powers, and giant mechas called Zords. Over the decades, the franchise has expanded into multiple TV series, films, comics, video games, and merchandise, becoming one of the most successful children’s franchises in the world.
