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Preface
Power Rangers Darkest Hour continues. But, it can’t. Because it has to end…
The Cover
All of the team assembled together as they look up to the horizon and see all of the Rangers from other teams head off in this bright landscape. It’s a good image for a ‘technically’ final issue of MMPR. Just wish the cover was as good as the issue…
The Story
In the Void, as Ari lands on the Splintered Star, some of the Solar Rangers don’t agree with their leader and free Anti-Kim from their restraints. But, Ari catches them and a fight breaks out between her and Anti-Kim. However, after Anti-Kim learns that Ari and Remi adopted a daughter and their situation, she convinces Ari that the corruption can be reversed and to go along with her plan.
Back in Angel Grove, Billy wakes up after a few days from the last issue and gets an earful from Zordon that his decision to shatter the Grid was a betrayal and hopes that this decision can be something he lives with. Even so, he’s still allowed to go talk to Kendall who informs him that although one of the Power Eggs is still intact, it would mean that once Ari opens up the Void from her side for the rest of the Rangers to go through, Earth will be defenseless in the meantime.
Speaking of Earth, when the other Rangers are training in the park, they are attacked by Chloe’s dad, a group of corrupted Rangers, and the Space Skull. Only Trini, Zack and Taylor are unharmed by the ambush so they morph and try to fight them off. Fortunately, for them, reinforcements arrive.
The Hyperforce team along with the free Rangers seen in issue #117. And, now including the Time Force Blue Ranger and the Beast Morphers Yellow and Gold Rangers.
And, also Zedd in his Serpent Zord as he fights off the Space Skull.
Terona takes offense to Zordon allying with Zedd since the Emperor of Evil could easily use Serpentera to take over the world. But, Billy points out that it can easily be disabled since Grace most likely put in kill commands when she took in the Zord. But, the strange thing is… No one remembers Grace except Terona.
In fact, Billy discovers that Grace is listed as one of the Rangers who died originally back in 1969.
But, before this can be explored any further, Ari does her job and opens up the Void…
Ending Thoughts
This is technically the final issue of MMPR, the penultimate issue of Darkest Hour. And, yet, it doesn’t feel like it.
Even with Ari opening up the Void in the end, it doesn’t feel like we’re reaching the conclusion. Like if you just ignored that final page, you would assume the event would still continue. Even when the Hyperforce Rangers showed up with reinforcements, I couldn’t help but think, ‘That’s it’?
If it’s meant to be like a preamble, like the final calm before the storm, then it doesn’t give much for this issue on its own to work with.
Billy and Zordon’s confrontation is written well, but it feels like a rehash of what we have gotten previously in other arcs (Although, I am willing to forgive this seeing the memory shenanigans on display here and how this could have actually been Zordon’s first time approaching the subject.)
And, that twist about Grace at the end? Well, I have a theory on how that happened and if it’s executed well, I believe it could serve as a great plot point for the finale. But, at the same time, as it is now, it feels like something so late in the game that it makes you question why would you bring up something so important so late in the game. (Without any real hints, mind you.)
The only portion of the comic that I have no issue with is the section with Ari and Anti-Kim. Their fight is short but sweet before Anti-Kim learns of the full scope of Ari’s desperation and her willingness to protect those she loves. Ari is looking to create the Void again as this big solution that she knows can solve all of her problems. But, it’s through what Anti-Kim learned from her encounter with the Morphin’ Masters, that you can’t rely on doing the solution that feels the most safe, that Ari learns to hold out hope and fight along with the Rangers. It’s such a brief moment, but it’s an excellent show of their characters.
MMPR #122 opens up the Void once again, leaving us feeling lost on how Darkest Hour will ultimately end.
Random Thoughts from the Morphin’ Grid
- Though, about the cover, Zack and Trini, you can’t take your eyes off of each other for just one moment and not take in the majesty that is before you?!
- Like with Dax back in Shattered Grid, I gotta ask how is Lucas the only member of his team left standing? If anything, I would have loved this to be Eric since we can do a fun bit with him and Taylor. (Especially if Bulk is trying to make a move…)
- Also, speaking of Bulk, I know his history here is a bit different. But, he used to be a bully. Do you mean to tell me that he doesn’t know how to throw a punch?
- Jason… why did it look like you were having war flashbacks when you saw Trini and Zack together? Are you really still hung up on that? Seriously?
- Will point out the error on the last page of Salum having both of his arms in the last picture. Just saying.
- For that in Memoriam tribute, it reuses the faces of the Rangers from all the way back in MMPR #20 which is totally fine. (And for Nikolai who finally gets a chance to smile) But, the photo used for Grace is of her current appearance, not what she looked like back then. Which makes no sense… (It’s especially apparent when we literally saw her younger self last issue.)
- So, Anti-Trini, Kiya… uh, where are you, girls?
