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Preface
We have only started “Shattered Grid”, but one thing’s for sure. No matter what happens with Shattered Grid, whether or not it will be great or not, there’s one thing we can say for sure about this event. It is definitely one of the unique comic events that has been released in the last couple of decades.
Just think about it. Usually, for comic book events like this, if there’s a character or a team that a newcomer would want to learn more about, there’s a comic book series where you can learn more about them. With “Shattered Grid”, if a newcomer wanted to know more about a team they’re not familiar with like the Samurai Rangers, they’d have to sit down and watch hours of 23-minute-long episodes.
It’s something to keep in mind for this whole event that not every single fan of this comic has seen every season of the show. Odds are, there’s a large percentage of fans who have either only seen just the first season or stopped watching after In Space or a Disney-era season. This is a challenge for creators of events like this one, to not only honor these characters for longtime fans but to appeal them to possible newcomers to the franchise.
Does this annual accomplish this? Only one way to find out.
The Cover
Yeah, to be honest, there are actually two main covers to this annual. The left cover was the one that was with the annual’s initial announcement. The right cover was a variant cover that was, for some reason, switched to the main one.
I like the right cover’s style, looking like a retro sci-fi movie poster. Though, I think I prefer the left one more. While it is just generic posing, it works with the simplicity of the shattered background. (Also, fun fact. If you go up on the cover, the Rangers are placed in the order for the original Rangers’ morph call. 6th/Black, Pink, Blue, Yellow, Red)
Though, there is one problem with both covers. One of the stories in the annual is about Power Rangers Ninja Steel. None of the Rangers on any of these covers belong to Power Rangers Ninja Steel. Seriously, what the heck?
The Story
Power Rangers Zeo – Set after the events of “Good as Gold”, the Zeo season finale, the Rangers throw Jason a going-away party. Secretly, Lord Drakkon poses as their Tommy to not only steal Adam’s Zeonizer and kill Tommy (again) but to learn how the other Rangers interact with their Tommy.
For newcomers or casual fans, this story has an advantage over the other stories here. Any casual fan knows who Jason and Tommy are from the first season. So, even if they haven’t seen Zeo, they instantly feel a connection to some of the characters in here. It works to great effect, with the emotional moment between Jason and “Tommy” and the final panel at the end. It’s both heartfelt and tragic, a trait of a good story.
Power Rangers in Space – As if searching for Zordon wasn’t hard enough, the Space Rangers are forced to deal with Lord Drakkon invading the Astro Megaship. Things go from bad to worse when TJ’s morpher is stolen and he is thrown out into the cold vacuum of space.
This was basically a decent story about TJ saving Andros life while showing that he’s valuable even if he isn’t the Red Ranger anymore. There wasn’t that much action and the art was just ok. (Also, we’ve seen Alpha die so many times that it’s kinda lost its edge by now). Out of all of the stories in here, this is probably my least favorite.
Power Rangers SPD – It’s going to take the teamwork of not just the B-Squad, but all of Space Patrol Delta to defeat Lord Drakkon when he and his army come-a-knocking.
This story is the most Power Ranger-like story than everything else in here. It’s straight-forward, a story about teamwork that fits with SPD, showcasing that it’s more than just the main Rangers that matter. It’s a bit reminiscent of the SPD finale. Not to mention, it does build up the world and lore that SPD has. For example, it would be a bit interesting for newcomers seeing normal aliens working with humans like typical sci-fi. With a central message of teamwork and showing off how much Power Rangers has changed from the first season, in terms of honoring the 25th anniversary, this story is probably the best in this annual.
Power Rangers RPM – It may be Dr. K’s birthday, but she’s the one who’s going to give some much-needed payback when Lord Drakkon offers her a chance to join him.
Art-wise, this is the worst. While the style fits in with the setting and tone of the show, visually, the art doesn’t look that great. It’s mainly in the human expressions. Sometimes, they look too simple, but at other times, look too angular. Either way, they both don’t fit with the backgrounds. Story-wise, this is the most interesting and complex, having moments of fun and levity while having complex themes and dark tones. This is also the only story that doesn’t focus on any of the Rangers themselves. It instead focused on Dr. K, the “main” character of RPM, giving her backstory for newcomers and paralleling her with Lord Drakkon. Compared to the other stories, it’s actually the best representation of the show it is based on.
Power Rangers Ninja Steel – Wanting to recreate the “Seeing Red” effect from “Galvanax Rises”, Brody tries breaking his Power Star again, to no effect. Although Mick is able to fix the damage and Brody’s powers are restored again, Lord Drakkon manages to steal a piece of Brody’s Power Star.
While Ninja Steel isn’t the best season we’ve gotten, this story has the best parts of Ninja Steel. Ninja Steel is known for its battle setpieces and those setpieces are in here, not just in Brody’s nightmare, but the entire fight at the Romero Farm. Even though Zeo has the best art for character expressions, this art is the best for the action sequences. All of the motion just flows between panels naturally. Not to mention, this story does showcase concepts and ideas that the show probably wouldn’t use: Lion Fire White Ranger, using the Ninja Super Steel Blaster outside of the cockpit, giving more depth to Brody’s character, “concluding” Mick and Dane’s times as Rangers. Personally, this is my favorite story in the annual.
Ending Thoughts
Unlike the previous annuals, each story in here essentially has the same premise. Lord Drakkon “invading” a team and trying to take their morphers. However, even with the same premise, each story feels entirely different from each other with all of the different characters and environments each story is set in. And, through the annual, we get heartfelt writing, tragic moments, and action-packed sequences. Art-wise, it differs between each story, but each one is at least decent and fits the story of their respective season.
In comparison to the previous annual, it does improve on how some of the stories are told. Here, there aren’t any fun stories like “Sabrina’s Day Out”. Most of the stories in here are relatively serious due to the overall nature of the event storyline. And, compared to some of the other stories like “Forever Mighty Morphin’ Black” or “Trini’s Vacation”, every story in here has an actual meaning towards it, with repercussions for the overall storyline.
This annual is a must-buy. It digs into the entire PR universe, honoring favorite characters and teams for fans while giving newcomers to the franchise a chance to learn more about characters they’ll undoubtedly see in the event “Shattered Grid”.
Random Thoughts from the Morphin’ Grid
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- Power Rangers Zeo – Since this takes place after Power Rangers Zeo, King Mondo and his family are in smithereens thanks to Lord Zedd and Rita. So, why are there just random Cogs on Earth for the Rangers to fight?
- The Power Chamber looks more like the Turbo version than the Zeo version. Not sure if that’s supposed to be intentional or not.
- By the way, I still can’t believe we saw the same character die twice in one month’s time and have the second time be as tragic as the first time!
- Also, this story gave an in-story explanation for how Jason could morph in “Forever Red”, but might’ve also undercut Jason’s actual ending in the show since I highly doubt Emily is fine with him going to the Philippines without telling her.
- Power Rangers In Space – Cassie has an Astro Blaster right next to her on her bedside table. Note to self: do not mess with her.
- Andros and Ashley share bunk beds. Hm…..
- Power Rangers SPD – This story was immediately placed after the Zeo story and introduced the Green Zeo Sentries, basically mobile tanks. But, Lord Drakkon himself doesn’t look any different than the last issue. As far as I could tell, there’s no Zeo alteration to his suit.
- Also, teamwork’s good and all, but couldn’t Jack just phase through the door, get R.I.C. 3.0 and have him blast the door? Just sayin…
- By the way, Boom’s dialogue was sometimes in orange. Nice detail.
- Power Rangers RPM – Can I get the scene where Lord Drakkon is telling Venjix to make his robot double a custom-made motorcycle jacket and helmet for this one-time thing?
- Also, Anti-Tommy got in Corinth the same way Scott and Summer did. Someone’s clearly ripping off somebody.
- Dr. K, the “smart” one, is the person who doesn’t make the sudden stranger who knows exactly what she wants to hear not do a scan.
- Wait, Dr. K. Them throwing you a birthday party is the thing that brings disgrace to the Ranger Series Program…? Ziggy, if I were you, I’d take that as a compliment.
- Dr. K, this might not be the best birthday ever, but look at it like this. You could be spending it trapped in a cave with no air left.
- What’s interesting about the parallel between Dr. K and Lord Drakkon is that Dr. K’s initial decision that destroyed the world was selfish, but because of that decision, it ultimately made her a better person. Lord Drakkon’s decision was initially for the greater good, but that caused him to be evil and malignant.
- Also, let’s all take a moment to appreciate Dr. K blowing up Lord Drakkon with no hesitation.
- Power Rangers Ninja Steel – This story was actually written by the current writers of the show right now, Becca Barnes and Alwyn Dale. Regardless of your current feelings about the show right now, you have to admit it’s pretty cool that in a way, the show is collaborating with the comics right now. Also, it would have been pretty sad if they weren’t in some way involved in this.
- Technically, this takes place during Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel. So, false advertising, sir.
- Even though I do like this story, I will acknowledge that there is a weird thing about this story. Most of Brody’s caption boxes are in quotes, implying that he’s narrating the events of the story. However, we don’t actually see him in the ending scene finish his narration nor does it seem like information the other Rangers wouldn’t have guessed. So, what I’m saying is, “huh”?
- Wait a minute, Hayley. How do you that Calvin woke up screaming? Do you two…? *sly grin* Good job, Calvin.
- Another thing that Ninja Steel likes to do is repeat Brody’s father’s history for Brody. Similar to how Galvanax initially brought his army to Brody’s backyard to attack one Ninja Steel Red Ranger and how Dane had to destroy his star to keep it from falling into evil hands, the same thing happened here with Brody and Lord Drakkon. However, there’s one difference between the two. Dane and Brody ultimately failed in their respective fights, but for Brody, his friends and family looked out for him. You could say that’s ultimately what the Power Rangers represent.