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Preface
Oh, Billy. What can I say about Billy? (No, seriously. What can I say?)
He was the very stereotypical geek, not a good fighter and constantly needing to be translated from techno babble to “normal” teenage language. He did become a better fighter at the end of the series (heck, he started training after the Green with Evil saga) and even was an asset to the team after he lost his Ranger powers.
But, there’s always one question that comes to viewers’ minds when they think about Billy: what was Zordon thinking? Why was this guy out of all of the people in Angel Grove (not the whole world of course) chosen to be a Power Ranger? Was it because of his intelligence? Sure, he was a genius when it came to technology (even building weapons for the team). But usually, in other Power Ranger seasons, the tech support was just that. Tech support. What did this kid bring to the actual battlefield as a Ranger that not any other Ranger could?
The Cover
It’s basically the Mighty Morphin’ / ZyuRanger team pose, but with Billy in the focus. I like it. It’s simple, it’s easy, and it conveys exactly who the story is about. I only wish it could tell me more about what the story is and that the background wasn’t just a bit bland with just some shades of blue. However, even then, the lighting in the background just shines on the Rangers and makes them feel more majestic, more powerful.
I do have some minor nitpicks about this cover. First off, if that is the ZyuRanger team pose, it’s a bit wrong. Kimberly and Trini need to be swapped. (Also, from this angle, it looks like Jason is about to get freaky.) Secondly, I tried picturing Billy without the helmet to see if the eye matches up with the helmet and yeah…. it doesn’t match up to me. It needs to be in a different position and have a different angle to it. And one last minor detail. The gloves in the show are composed of two things: the glove itself and a cuff being decorative with the diamonds. In the comics, it’s portrayed as just one long glove. Whether or not you like that change or not, the details on the main glove itself makes the glove look so cheap.
The Story
We begin, where every Power Rangers story starts, in Washington DC…….
……….where the Rangers are fighting a “Treegi” monster. Billy notices a weak spot and gets everyone to distract the monster while he tries to hit it. However, he freezes up and Kim hits it instead. Even though the day is saved, Billy is a bit disappointed in himself for his actions.
Later, Billy, in his bedroom, is reading “The Hero’s Quest”, a book that’s about how to find your inner hero, I guess. He morphs (look at that smug smile)….
…….and then demorphs. He leaves for school after putting on a varsity jacket. (I’m noting this because a varsity jacket is something Jason usually wears. Jason, in the show, is the one who was the first to teach Billy karate. Jason’s usually the first one to defend him whether Bulk and Skull try to mess with him. For Billy to imitate Jason even just a little bit, it just shows how much Billy looks up to Jason and how he sees Jason as an inspiration.)
At a training session, Billy tries to apply “The Hero’s Quest” to defeating Pudgy Pig’s distant cousin. He uses a “transdimensional power siphon” AKA bomb and molds the Putties into a giant slingshot where he shoots the bomb at the monster destroying it. (It’s pretty awesome, I will admit)
Zack tells Billy he did amazing but Billy sulks off and asks Alpha to make another simulation for him later. Zack asks Alpha how many times Billy has run the simulation since their battle in Washington DC. 64 times, apparently. That was fast.
Zack talks to Billy, in the…. uh, library?, where Billy tells Zack that he followed the book’s “formula” exactly and he’s still the same kid who’s afraid all the time. Zack tells him that it’s okay to be scared. He doesn’t judge him for being morphed all of the time, but reminds him that they’re a team and that they can rely on each other.
At a library / coffee house / bookstore, Billy shows the team off the new improved Communicators now with Twitter notifications and the ability to transport themselves anywhere in the world with the Morphin’ Grid (Wait, that actually makes sense). Billy returns the book to a shelf, saying to himself that “Not everything has to follow a formula.”
Ending Thoughts
Well… none of my questions in the preface were answered. But, still. This was my favorite issue out so far and coincidentally, it’s the one that has the least to do with the main story…..
Billy is just so great here. His fears, his insecurities….. they just make it so relatable. All of his emotions are what a normal person would be feeling in his position. Imagine yourself as a teenager having to face hideous monsters all the time with the very good chance that you have no idea what you’re doing and that you might not make it back. This is Billy in this issue. He’s acting like a real person would in this situation and is legitimately scared for his life. He even morphs under his clothes because he’s scared that a squad of Putty Patrollers can attack him at any time (which is actually a thing). The only thing that stops him from being scared all the time is that his friends support him as Zack rightfully points out.
Zack and Billy didn’t exactly have a deep relationship on the show so I’m glad that one’s being established for them. Zack is just supportive of him. He doesn’t judge his friend’s behavior. All he does is remind him that the Power Rangers are a team for a reason.
I usually don’t talk about the art unless it’s bad, but I’ll try doing it now (No guarantee for the future, though). Jonathan Lam, the guest illustrator, used a more sketch-like style to this issue and it looks amazing. Joana Lafuente, who works on the coloring, definitely did the job right. The bright colors and the drawing style gave the Rangers a much more “younger” vibe. To be honest, it somehow reminded me of the older Power Rangers comics made in the 90s so in a way, it was inviting to me.
Overall, I highly recommend this issue. The message, that a set strategy isn’t always the best method and that you need to rely on your instincts in order to succeed, is very applicable to our lives, not just heroics. The message is also supported by the fantastic art, great action sequences, and clever writing. There are some bumps in terms of the writing, but I still think you should go out and buy it. I know you won’t be disappointed in it.
Random Thoughts from the Morphin’ Grid
- No matter what that place is, I don’t think you’re supposed to just place a book back without going to the front desk….. unless Billy stole it……
- It was a little bit silly that Billy thought a book about World of Warcraft would help him become a hero. It’s like saying you should follow Pac-Man’s lead and eat everything in sight.
- The Command Center has showers. The more you know.
- Did you enjoy this uplifting, inspirational issue? Do you want more? Well, too bad! You’re going to have to wait because next time, we go back to a dark depressing dictatorship……