The band always breaks up, and in this bittersweet finale to Go Go Power Rangers, we see just that as Jason, Trini, and Zack transfer their powers to Rocky, Aisha, and Adam. Replicating a scene from the show, the new rangers’ empowerment as the OG three leave for an International Peace Conference. In the TV show, that’s it for Jason, Trini, and Zack, but in the comic, it’s another story.
But first, a quick rundown of Go Go Power Rangers and its parent series Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. Kicking off in 2016, MMPR told ‘current’ tales of the team after Green Ranger Tommy had joined. Go Go, instead, is the team in their formative years pre-Tommy and Lord Zedd. These series crossed over with an apocalyptic timeline in an event called Shattered Grid in which Power Rangers teams from every show and movie battle in Infinity War–esque style to save the multiverse.
This brings us to the ending of both series in another event called Necessary Evil. This event features the change of Tommy from the Green to the White Ranger, as well as the introduction of the three replacement rangers. It also re-introduces the Blue Emissary, a near-omnipotent genderless being who has a connection to the Morphing Grid. At volume open, they have recruited Jason, Trini, and Zack for an undercover space mission.
The story in this volume has a lot of payoffs for long readers of the series, but they try to remind you of enough that new readers can pick up the main story too. Ryan Parrott, who has written the title since it began, is joined by Sina Grace, and their rangers all read like you’d expect if you grew up watching the show. Deciding to make the original three keep such a big secret from their friends draws a wedge between the group, but also allows for a twist on such a monumental storyline from Power Rangers history. Instead of leaving for a peace conference as stated, it turns out the trio left to become the Omega Rangers, traversing space for interstellar threats. In fact, by the end of the volume, we are left with two Power Rangers teams that Parrott spins-out to the ongoing Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers.
The multi-colored team of rangers have fantastic art from Francesco Mortarino with an almost anime-meets-Disney style when it comes to the characters’ faces. Also of note are these great character beats showing just Tommy in his suit and helmet as he faces new dilemmas as team leader. I felt like I could almost see Tommy’s gears turning as he plans his course of action, as Mortarino somehow found a way to have Tommy emote through a completely expressionless mask. The final splash page showcasing all ten(!) rangers is beautiful, and I honestly wouldn’t mind a print for my office.
Would I recommend purchasing all nine volumes of Go Go and all fourteen of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers? Not in every case. They are both great series, but unless you know that you’ll get the checkouts, twenty-three volumes is a bit of a money sink. For libraries new to collecting Power Rangers titles I would either start with the Necessary Evil crossover volumes (Go Go 7-9 & Mighty Morphin 11-14) to test the waters, or just start with the newly launched 2020 series. However, if you know it will circulate, I’d pick up the entire series in the cheaper omnibus editions. Both series garnered widespread acclaim, and launched newfound interest in the franchise after the unsuccessful feature film. I actually own the first 25 issues of Mighty Morphin myself, bought the series for my libraries, and recommend it to patrons so I am a big fan of the comic!
BOOM! includes this among their teen titles for ages 13 and up, which I agree with for collection placement, but also get this for nostalgic adults who grew up watching the show. This volume collects issues 29-32 of the Go Go Power Rangers series.
Go Go Power Rangers, vol. 9
By Ryan Parrott, Sina Grace
Art by Francesco Mortarino
BOOM! Studios, 2021
ISBN: 9781684157686
Publisher Age Rating: 13+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16)
