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Preface
I am busy at the moment. I’m sure we all are.
Let’s see how this issue holds up, shall we?
The Cover
It’s a good image, showcasing a freefall as Rangers try to desperately connect with each other. It easily captures people’s attention while teasing them for what’s coming.
The Story
At the Moon Palace, it turns out that the Rangers created a little Morphin’ Grid barrier for Zedd. Trini tries to comfort Anti-Trini about losing so much of her world, but Anti-Trini says she feels numb to it all now and tells Trini to talk to Zack before it’s too late.
At the Command Center, Anti Kim relays the events of Power Rangers Unlimited: The Morphin Masters, telling them that the Morphin’ Masters aren’t going to be able to help them. The Phantom Ranger argues against her before Zordon breaks the fight apart. Before Billy can think of a plan on how to proceed, Alpha draws everyone’s attention to the Viewing Globe, where Mistress Vile and Tommy are outside of the Moon Palace’s barrier fighting against Dark Specter personally.
At the Promethea Training Facility, Bulk and Skull are training when they overhear that Candice hasn’t been in contact with them in days, implying that Eltar has fallen. Skull laments his previous decision to stay on Earth before Bulk points out that they’re just teenagers and there’s not much they could have done since they’re not Rangers. But, Jason comes into the conversation, telling them that a Ranger suit only amplifies a person’s spirit, and as long as their spirit is unbreakable, nothing can stop them.
Back on the moon, Anti-Kim arrives, pushing Tommy into the barrier. Dark Specter is about to finish off Rita, but Zedd arrives to save the day, picking her up and teleporting the both of them away. Dark Specter tries to invade the barrier, but he is unable to, becoming injured as a result from the pure Morphin’ Grid energy.
While Tommy and Kimberly reunite at the Command Center, smooshing their lips together, Zedd and Rita share a dance of sorts, with Zedd wondering what will happen to them now that Rita’s hatred for him doomed the entire universe. At the Juice Bar, the original Omega Ranger trio hang out and train. Trini delays saying her goodbyes to Zack, just trying to enjoy the moment and not worry about what can happen next.
Right as she says that, at the Bermuda Triangle, Kiya sneaks in and steals one of the Power Eggs…
Ending Thoughts
This issue doesn’t do much for the overall story, admittedly. We have Tommy and Rita rejoining their teams while learning that Dark Specter himself can’t handle pure Morphin’ Grid energy. At the same time, this issue also has a lot of its plot threads start to develop, giving a wide range of character moments for this large cast.
Trini’s talk with her alternate self provided her with a bit of healthy self-reflection on the situation and the possibilities of what could happen, letting Trini choose whether she’ll remain hopeful even with what might come next. Bulk and Skull’s talk, not only ties into the plot thread of Candice’s relationship with them back in the Ultimate Power arc, but reflects on what a civilian must be feeling during this whole event, powerless and helpless. And, as I implied, that kiss with Tommy and Kim is so sweet and satisfying that you could literally feel the love fluttering off the page.
The best interaction out of the issue by far is Rita and Zedd’s reunion because of its complexity, how layered it truly is. Rita is on the ground, completely defeated, while Zedd sits in his throne, telling Rita all about evil. How hatred is who they are, but he doesn’t hate her. Rita says she needs to do more, but she can’t on her own. Zedd brings her up to his level, posing with her as if they were in a ballroom dance. Their relationship expertly turns a simple scene about betrayal into something that is both romantic and chilling at the same time.
MMPR #118 reunites all of our characters with their loved ones, showing our characters’ love for each other as they face certain doom at the hands of Dark Specter.
Random Thoughts from the Morphin’ Grid
- Billy in the corner of the room as his friends make out in front of them, one of them shirtless and the other wearing a spandex-like material: *blinks* “Can I leave now?”
