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Preface
Xi’s Log, Safehaven, Stardate 2022.7:
“Hello, my name is Xi. I am a robotic helper designed to help the Omega Rangers of Safehaven. Today, before giving the Red Ranger a report on the location of the Astro Megaship, I have another matter to deal with.
Journey’s body and mind have now developed to be that of a regular Earth ‘teenager’, similar to the current Omega Rangers. However, now that we know her body is changing, it is time to have the ‘talk’. I have already prepared all of the necessary diagrams describing the body’s functions in graphic detail. She’ll soon learn the best way to handle herself while with males. (Or females. I don’t judge. I’m a robot.)“
The Cover
In concept, it’s a bit of a generic shot similar to Mighty Morphin #21. Although, this one has more for it because it’s a unique team shot of the Omega Rangers with Andros. Not only that, but it’s them facing off some cool monsters that were teased. I especially love the lighting coming off the Rangers as it illuminates our heroes.
The Story
So, like the preface said, Journey’s a teenager now. And, boy, she’s going through some changes. The girl even has a crush on Kevor, the teen thief from a few issues ago. And, immediately, Zack goes into overprotective parenting mode. Meanwhile, now that he has the location of the Astro Megaship, Andros wants to go alone to get it back, but Jason insists that the Omega Rangers come with him. And, so, Zack and Trini tell Journey they have to go on another business trip. And, so she storms out of their house, angry that she can’t live a full life.
Soon, the Xurix defend themselves from an attack by the Power Rangers. Zack and Trini fight off the invader ships in their Zords while Jason, Yale, and Andros teleport inside of the Astro Megaship.
Meanwhile, Journey and Kevor are having a good time together, walking along the beach, when they suddenly notice a bunch of masked thugs AKA the followers of Vox. They already knocked out Xi and captured Arkon and they’re now trying to break into Safehaven’s vault to rescue their master. Journey is nervous about fighting them since she’s never fought someone in her life, but Kevor convinces her that if she wanted to do something with her life, now is the time to do it.
Back with Andros, he says something cryptic to Jason and Yale before disappearing. Jason warns Zack and Trini about Andros being all shady, but it’s too late. He returns with his old friend Zhane, the Silver Space Ranger. Who’s now wearing the Gold Omega Morpher and showing off a bit too many teeth…
Way to go, Andros! Yay! You hear the applause, right? Oh, wait. You don’t. Because this is really a bad idea!
Ending Thoughts
I’ll make this quick and sweet since the issue itself only has two real highlights to it. The entire fight sequence between the Rangers and the Xurix and Journey’s new storyline.
Journey is now a teenager and like Zack, we all miss the days when she was just a little kid. There’s obviously some teenage angst we have to deal with as Zack and Trini have to figure out how to be parents with their little kid all growing up so fast (literally). Meanwhile, Teenage Journey almost feels like an entirely different character. Instead of being just cute and adorable, she’s acting out, wanting to explore and have a life of her own as she realizes that pretty soon she’ll age to the point where her entire life was. Although there are moments when the storyline feels cliché, it is actually an interesting concept so far and I’m genuinely invested to learn what will happen to Journey.
As for the fight sequence with the Xurix, it was fun to have an outer space battle since we hadn’t seen one in a while. Having all of the troops being flung by the zero gravity fight and showing Andros surfing past all of the attacks with his Galaxy Glider integrated both aspects of the Zords and Rangers together, making the battle both large-scale and small-scale.
Power Rangers #21 had our Journey wake up as her life was passing her by while our Zhane is awoken by something far more sinister.
Random Thoughts from the Morphin’ Grid
- So, it’s revealed that Andros’s all Black outfit is actually his shame outfit. It’s not a cool stealth mode and apparently, it meant that Andros wasn’t morphed this whole time. Which begs the question of like why does he still have his morphed weapons and how the helmet disappears and acts like a Ranger suit and where would he even get something like this… It just raises too many questions.
