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Preface
Now seems like a good time to talk about Bulk and Skull.
In the TV show, they have had a lot of growth and development and evolution in their characters. From bumbling bullies to fame-seeking Power Rangers fanatics to junior policemen to trained detectives to true heroes. It’s one of the aspects of their characters that’s beloved by the fandom, that they have grown so much over time it’s hard not to root for them at times.
In the comics, we haven’t gotten a lot of that evolution because they are still rooted in the era of MMPR S1 to S2, but they still have been portrayed as people. People with backstories, people with who you can sympathize with.
But the question is are they strong enough characters to have a satisfying story solely focused on them? Bulk and Skull have always had their moments both in the comics and the TV show. However, their TV focus episodes have had varying success and this is the first time the comics have done something like this for them (No, I’m not counting their original side story in the first MMPR issues). So, how does this go?
The Cover
Well… it gives you exactly what you’re going to get. Bulk and Skull vlogging. Not a lot to say about it, other than the retro art style used for this cover is a good choice. It complements the old school feel of watching a superhero battle for the first time.
The Story
After Flashback Land, actually Flashforward Land, shows us a couple of minutes of the movie Cloverfield, we see Bulk and Skull trying to get interviews for Ranger Station about the Warbunny attack when they find out about “The Ranger Report”. “The Ranger Report”, another vlogging channel about the Power Rangers, has live footage of the Warbunny fight and has grown its channel faster than Bulk and Skull’s (and the main guy running it is a piece of garbage). Realizing they have some stiff competition, Bulk and Skull ready themselves and gear up for the next monster attack so that they can get some good up and close footage of the battle.
And when a monster does attack, they both head into the area to get the right angle for the perfect attack.
However, on the roof, Skull sees a group of teenagers in trouble, getting hit by debris and not being able to breathe. Though there’s initial resistance from Bulk, both he and Skull use the tools they brought to help save the teens, leaving the camera Bulk set up to get destroyed in the fight. And, again, this causes the Ranger Report to get all of the glory and attention.
Later, at the Juice Bar, in honor of Bulk’s bravery, Ernie creates a brand new milkshake and names it after Bulk: “Bulk’s Guts”. Candice, one of the teens he saved, meets up with Skull and basically asks him out on a date sometime, which Skull immediately agrees to. Even though he did the right thing, Bulk’s depressed that they lost to the Ranger Station again. But, Skull cheers him up by pointing out the fact that they survived a monster attack, not with Ranger armor or the Ranger Station’s money, but with something even more important.
Ending Thoughts
Ranger Nation’s report on this issue: Totally filler. And that’s perfectly fine.
I mean, it was to be expected with a Bulk and Skull focus. And, after the ending of the first Necessary Evil arc the last issue, this was the best place to have one of these, especially because Bulk and Skull had no focus at all in GGPR #21 – 23. But, ignoring that for a second…
This is a charming story for these two, seeing them so determined on their goal and preparing to go in a literal warzone. But, of course, just getting in there wasn’t the challenge. The real challenge was seeing if they would choose to listen to their hearts and their guts whenever people are in trouble. And, it wouldn’t be a Power Rangers story without a lesson like that.
In addition to having this new focus on these characters, there’s also a new artist for this issue, Daniel Bayliss. Daniel brings his own unique old school style into this, working well with the art style of the previous issues, but adding more cartoonish touches to help with the humor of the scene. Even the style change, there’s still a good amount of detail in all of the scenery. The Thunder Megazord fight is a great example of this. Though we don’t get to see much of it due to the story, it’s impressive, seeing it from all of these different angles and immersing us more as bystanders in this universe.
Go Go Power Rangers #24 takes a step back from the Ranger action and gives us a fun story with great artwork and showing us Bulk and Skull as heroes like the ones they’re always on the lookout for. This is Ranger Nation, signing off.
Random Thoughts from the Morphin’ Grid
- Just saying, the timing of this issue worked out in its favor because if this filler issue isn’t for you, you still get a more dark and serious story with “The Psycho Path”.
- I’m totally fine with filler. Absolutely. Some of the best issues of my favorite comic book series are just based on filler. Heck, some of the most memorable episodes of Power Rangers are just filler.
- I’ll be honest. I was a little confused about what exactly Lady Grumptruck was supposed to be based on. I thought it looked like lettuce or something. But, I think it’s supposed to be something based on something from the Renaissance. (Didn’t put it up there, but I’ll also give props to the monster design. It’s unique, with a different body type than we’re used to and the mouth at the center of it just makes it look so cool. Also, its name is pretty cool.)
- Surprised those Ranger Report guys aren’t on mopeds just to show off their fancy money (Or are mopeds not cool anymore?)
- I didn’t even mention the guy’s name from the Ranger Report because hopefully if I ignore him, he goes away.
- Ok, I remember when Matt did this and no one stopped him. This police officer let five kids sneak into this zone. No offense, they really need to a better job.
- I’m pretty sure that fortune teller sign is from “Beauty and the Beast”, but right now, I’m too lazy to double-check.
- Is anyone brave enough to try and make Bulk’s Guts and tell me if it’s good or not?
- I’m kinda surprised that not one of the Rangers stopped by and at least told them “good job”.
- This issue actually made me think of something. There are always photographers sent to warzones to capture the violence and the reaction of the people. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a serious one that moved specifically to Angel Grove for that purpose.
