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Preface
Xi’s Log, The Spectrum II, Stardate 2021.6:
“The Omega Rangers are currently attempting to save the world of Hartunia, the home planet of an empire that has been ruthless to other planets for countless centuries. Although no one will feel any remorse if Hartunia is destroyed, this is about defeating the Empyreals once and for all. Drakkon believes that their leader, Rether Til, will be an obstacle in the Omega Rangers’ mission.
For now, it’s unknown what the current situation is with the Omega Rangers. Meanwhile, Drakkon wants sensitive information from me regarding the location of Zachary’s secret stash of snacks. I believe I’m dealing with the more daunting task.”
The Cover
Taken straight from the Mighty Morphin #8 review:
“Both concepts are great. Matt carrying out a damaged Tommy after their Megazords are downed and the Omega Zords floating in space against the even bigger threat that is the Empyreals. And, when both covers are put together, you can tell the different lighting and coloring that goes into each one, but both still convey the same ominous mood of a disaster happening.
It’s close, but I’m giving the win to the Power Rangers comic because it uses an excellent amount of negative space with the Empyreal.”
Mighty Morphin – 3
Power Rangers – 5
The Story
The Orange Empyreal has now arrived on the planet Hartunia. Rether Til sends out his army against the Empyreal’s forces while Jason and Trini, encouraged secretly by the queen, summon their Zords and face the Orange Empyreal head on.
Meanwhile, Zack takes a group of Hartunian refugees to the Spectrum II along with their queen. However, a group of the king’s guards stop them in their tracks. The queen tells Zack to take the refugees with him to safety while she holds off the guards, promising she’ll be there soon.
Although Jason and Trini’s zords are able to inflict some damage on the Empyreal, they’re not able to stop it from destroying the planet. As the Spectrum II is forced to leave the Hartunian queen, Zack notices the king desperately running to escape the doomed planet on their ship. Though, honestly? I don’t think he minds that much.
On the Spectrum II, the Hartunian refugees vow to honor their queen by starting anew. As Zack is still feeling a bit of angst from their failed efforts to save Hartunia, Drakkon gives the group a bit of guidance. He tells them that they need to seek out the one thing in the entire universe that knows how to kill the Empyreals.
As the Empyreal comments on its version of a job well done, it is then revealed that the Empyreals have been working for someone this whole time…
Ending Thoughts
Honestly, I’m not a big fan of the hook here. It’s an excellent tie-in to the Mighty Morphin’ series, already showing that Zartus is not to be trusted. However, I personally liked the idea more that the Empyreals were operating on their own and their ideas on what planets deserve to live or not were based on their own long experiences. For now, I’ll be open to this idea that Zartus was the secret mastermind behind it all.
Anyway, besides that plot point, this issue is fairly solid. Action is great, especially with the Zord fight against the Empyreal. Unlike the last couple of Omega Zord fights, this one reminds us of the massive scale that these Zord fights are happening in. Trees getting crushed, a giant monster destroying a castle. It’s pretty great. Not to mention the fact that this fight also allows for some fighting strategy between Jason and Trini with Jason distracting the Empyreal so Trini can fully charge up. This is one of the better Zord fights we’ve gotten in awhile.
As for character moments, Drakkon got some small humorous bits here and there, but the stars of this issue are both Zack and the Hartunian queen. Both of them have some great dialogue bouncing off of each other and powerful moments for the reader. For example, the queen’s final words “Forgive me” are not about her, but are about her people that she wanted to help but couldn’t do anything because of an arrogant king. It pairs well with Zack’s struggle in the end and contrasts his conflict in the previous issue, wanting to save as many of those space-pets as possible.
With dark coloring that sets the mood for a planet’s devastation, Power Rangers #8 is a fantastic action-filled issue, giving a glimpse into a looming threat for the Mighty Morphin’ team and making the Omega Ranger team even more desperate to defeat their own menace.
Random Thoughts from the Morphin’ Grid
- So, like I said, I’m just not a fan of the big twist here. I mean, even though Eltar throughout the franchise has been shown to be a pretty great place, Zartus himself felt a bit sketchy from the flashbacks. So, I knew him being evil was coming eventually. But, I still need to be sold on the idea on these god-like beings listening to this bozo.
- Also, speaking of Zartus, that thing he’s holding in the end? I have a theory right now. It’s some sort of variation of the Zeo Crystal or just a chunk of it from Flashback Land. And, why is this important? I think this may be the thing that powers up the Gold Zeo Ranger from Triforia. Which I think would be a cool way to tie this continuity together and give an explanation to his powers. But, I wouldn’t be that psyched about it because I’m not the biggest fan of Trey.