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Preface
We finally have our Squadron Rangers.
For those of you who need a refresher on PR history, the Squadron Rangers aren’t comic-exclusive Rangers (mostly). They debuted in 2014 with the 21st season of Power Rangers, Power Rangers Super Megaforce. As advertised by their team’s mentor, Gosei, the Squadron Rangers are one of many “new powers” that were never before seen on Earth before that point. In reality, they were actually “Gosei Sentai Dairanger”, a team of Super Sentai members that weren’t adapted into a full season of Power Rangers (minus their 6th Ranger and mecha footage).
We’ve heard for years that this was a Legendary team, but had no other information besides that. Now, we get to see what exactly makes this team so legendary.
The Cover
Same thoughts as Power Rangers Universe #1’s cover. Love the energy swirling around this new hero debuting in this series and the whole black aesthetic with various Black Rangers from the franchise.
(Why does Zack get the Dragon Shield when Kim didn’t? What do you want to tell me?…
Other than that, cool selection of Black Rangers. Extra compliment for Danny since he doesn’t get much attention.)
The Story
The Squadron Rangers are so full of power now that they sweep the enemies away. But, as the fight rages on, the General keeps saying that the Morphinaut is the one responsible for all of this. Eventually, the Rangers manage to overpower him, but it turns out it’s not a him. It’s a girl! More specifically, Chendil, the Morphinaut’s lab partner from the beginning of the series. Turns out, after failure and failure of trying to bring the Morphinaut back home, Chendil started to hear Dark Specter’s voice. Dark Specter twisted every one of Chendil’s fears and regrets until she became one of his loyal subjects. As Chendil succumbs to her wounds and disintegrates, the Morphinaut can only whisper that he hopes the power will protect her.
Soon after, Ori and the other Rangers get a call from their family in the Morphin’ Grid, their phone call serving as proof that the Proto Arch is indeed connected to the Morphin’ Grid. In the lab, as Ori enters coordinates for the Proto Arch, a switch is flipped and suddenly, Ori blames her family for abandoning her. This leads to Aleia yelling at Ori and then Ori yelling at Rhian and then eventually, all of our teenagers suddenly have attitude.
The Morphinaut realizes that Dark Specter is searching for a new host among the six Rangers and corrupting them as a result. The Morphinaut is too weak to fight this so he offers himself to Dark Specter by admitting that this whole situation is his own fault. Dark Specter’s hold is released on the Rangers, but it may be too late for the Morphinaut…
Ending Thoughts
Let’s switch things up!
So, the Dairanger suits are still awesome and the action sequences for them are phenomenal. In fact, how the Squadron team fights is unique compared to the MMPR and Omega Rangers’ fights. Lately, a lot of the MMPR and Omega Rangers’ fights have them separated, usually having them one on one fights. With them against the General, it’s all 6 Rangers plus the Morphinaut. They’re able to work together and show off their fighting skills, both with their staffs and without.
Story-wise, through their inner rage, this issue is arguably the most we have gotten into the Rangers’ conflicts and relationships. The twist of the big bad general being the Morphinaut’s long-lost lab partner gives the General character a little more to it, but kind of falls flat in terms of impact. I want to save the discussion of the Squadron Rangers’ development for the finale since I feel it will be more impactful there.
Power Rangers Universe #5 has our Rangers fight back against Dark Specter’s forces but results in the perfect storm of attitude and dread for the finale.
Random Thoughts from the Morphin’ Grid
- …Who is Shandra?
