Power Rangers Unlimited Edge of Darkness #1 Review
Written by: Frank Gogol
Illustrated by: Simone Ragazzoni
Colors by: Igor Monti
Color assistance by: Sabrina Del Grosso
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
It can be a pain for some when a series expands to multiple titles that crossover frequently (looking at you 90s X-Men!) Each of the Power Ranger titles have done well to have their stories stand on their own yet build upon one another and Power Rangers Unlimited Edge of Darkness #1 is no different.
Readers get a look into the aftermath of the Empyreal attack on Hartunia and the planet is a stark contrast from its appearance in Power Rangers #8. The lack of sounds from the ship or wind and rusted red wash over the pages magnify the desolate atmosphere left in the Empyreal wake. The creative team does an excellent job of creating an air of mystery around the Phantom Ranger while allowing us to get a sense of their nature through their actions. Though the story has way more emotional weight behind it if you’re aware of the histories of some these characters, like Rita, it still packs quite a punch when you get to the end. I love that this story adds a layer of depth to the Phantom Ranger before we’re introduced to him among the other Rangers. Gogol’s choice in story for this issue works really well to deliver such key details to characters like Rita and Dark Specter. Though there’s no threat of survival to fear because you know these characters are in the current timeline, Gogol still knows how to play with the tension of their destinies and you hope against hope for the best, even though you know it will never work out.
With this being a character driven story more emphasis is added onto the designs and actions of the cast than the backgrounds, this works to emphasize just how significant the lost of Hartunia is since it’s one of the few settings we get a clear picture of and also adds onto the theme of stories that plays into the book with Rita’s and Phantom Ranger’s tales. The fairytale aspect is really driven home with the colors used, they’re vibrant and surround characters like magic. The use of imagery in sound effects is great and lends to the campiness that the Power Rangers tend to have in their series, its lighthearted use adds to the small victories and offers a subtle sense of hope.
While not the most accessible entry point in the Power Rangers series, this is a great story with lots of fantastic visuals that adds onto the Rangers’ mythos.
Illustrated by: Simone Ragazzoni
Colors by: Igor Monti
Color assistance by: Sabrina Del Grosso
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
It can be a pain for some when a series expands to multiple titles that crossover frequently (looking at you 90s X-Men!) Each of the Power Ranger titles have done well to have their stories stand on their own yet build upon one another and Power Rangers Unlimited Edge of Darkness #1 is no different.
Readers get a look into the aftermath of the Empyreal attack on Hartunia and the planet is a stark contrast from its appearance in Power Rangers #8. The lack of sounds from the ship or wind and rusted red wash over the pages magnify the desolate atmosphere left in the Empyreal wake. The creative team does an excellent job of creating an air of mystery around the Phantom Ranger while allowing us to get a sense of their nature through their actions. Though the story has way more emotional weight behind it if you’re aware of the histories of some these characters, like Rita, it still packs quite a punch when you get to the end. I love that this story adds a layer of depth to the Phantom Ranger before we’re introduced to him among the other Rangers. Gogol’s choice in story for this issue works really well to deliver such key details to characters like Rita and Dark Specter. Though there’s no threat of survival to fear because you know these characters are in the current timeline, Gogol still knows how to play with the tension of their destinies and you hope against hope for the best, even though you know it will never work out.
With this being a character driven story more emphasis is added onto the designs and actions of the cast than the backgrounds, this works to emphasize just how significant the lost of Hartunia is since it’s one of the few settings we get a clear picture of and also adds onto the theme of stories that plays into the book with Rita’s and Phantom Ranger’s tales. The fairytale aspect is really driven home with the colors used, they’re vibrant and surround characters like magic. The use of imagery in sound effects is great and lends to the campiness that the Power Rangers tend to have in their series, its lighthearted use adds to the small victories and offers a subtle sense of hope.
While not the most accessible entry point in the Power Rangers series, this is a great story with lots of fantastic visuals that adds onto the Rangers’ mythos.
A Look Inside
