Preface
Oh hey, so many people have raved at how good this is! Time to see how good!
The Cover
I love this cover. It’s a simple concept with Kim holding her daughter as she morphs for the first time. But, the morphing effect is so cool, being this mix of green and pink liquid as if it’s splashing onto her like a lava lamp. It’s amazing. (Not to mention that it is just wholesome to see a mother supporting her daughter in this way.)
The Story
At the Moon Palace, Kim wakes up to find herself trapped in a forcefield with Jason, Billy, and Zack. Selena, revealing herself to be Rita and Zedd’s daughter, tells them all what she has been up to. She tracked the Rangers’ Power Coins, finding Jason, Billy, and Zack’s easily while finding Trini’s in a safety deposit box. And, now that she has all five of them, she’s going to bring Rita back, who trapped herself in the Morphin’ Grid for years in order to escape the bomb’s explosion. Finster, rocking a sick beard, is also alive due to eating the leftover buffet of monster corpses left on the moon. He soon unveils his device, the Morphin-Matic, a device made from his magic clay and Zedd’s staff and powered by the Power Coins.
Kim then questions how exactly Selena survived the explosion. The villain tells her that her mother saved her, but a flashback reveals the truth. In the past, right as Tommy was about to detonate the device, he discovered Selena as a little girl. Realizing exactly who she is, Tommy plans on teleporting her off the moon. But, Finster comes in, seeing Rita’s dead body, and immediately sics the Putties on him. The number of Putties overwhelms Tommy, pushing him on the detonator and activating the countdown. With the Putties unrelenting, Tommy found no other choice but to give his Communicator to Selena and teleport her away. Selena then finds herself in Angel Grove Park, being picked up by Officers Bulk and Skull.
Back in the present, Selena activates the Morphin-Matic, only it doesn’t work due to not having a full connection to the Morphin’ Grid. Kim then reveals the truth to Selena that before Kim left Tommy, he had given her his Morpher in the event he didn’t make it back. He wanted to be sure it could be given to the right person when they’re ready. And, soon enough, the Dragon Power Coin becomes active again as it teleports the newest Green Ranger to the moon to save the Power Rangers: Olivia Hart, Kim and Tommy’s daughter.
Ending Thoughts
So, for those of you not in the know, the solicitations gave away Olivia Hart a while back. We knew this twist was coming even before the series had its first issue out. Heck, even the cover for this issue doesn’t shy away from telling you about it. So, it’s due to this that the reveal is lessened as a result. However, all that said, the scene itself is pretty awesome, showing her in the cliffhanger.
In fact, the quality is just like that throughout the entire issue. A majority of this story is essentially an explanation as to who our villain is, what her backstory is, and what her plan is now. And, with this being her full introduction, Selena is shown to be a very unique and memorable character. Whenever a villain is pitched to have a secret child that no one knows about, the idea can be contrived, mainly being used to justify the continuation of a story. (Kinda like now.) But, Selena’s backstory of wanting revenge against her parents’ enemies, not at all knowing that one of them was the reason why she was still alive is gripping in its execution.
MMPR: The Return #3 sets up the stage for the final battle as our main villain is introduced while our newest Ranger needs no introduction at all.
Random Thoughts from the Morphin’ Grid
- I really love Old Man Finster’s design. Absolutely battle-hardened.
- Was Pudgy Pig in the leftover remains of the moon? I feel like if he was, Finster would have gotten a good meal out of him.
- Also, I am very surprised that not one single group of astronauts decided to come to the moon and try to collect some monster materials.
- I do want to point out that Tommy in that flashback is dressed like a teenager, even though he’s supposed to be an adult. Which is very sad for your style, dude…
- Tommy should have pulled a Scott Truman and thrown the baby in the air while he was fighting. He might have done better.
- Yo, if I encountered a police officer that was wearing an entire skeleton earring, I’d put that online. That would trend easily.
- I do love the subtle dialogue of someone saying “Nimrod” and Selena immediately going to “Squatt?”
