[Read as single issues]
Disclaimer: This is a review for volumes 1 and 2 together, since they’re one big story before we head into Shattered Grid, and it’s just easier this way.
Go Go Power Rangers is an odd beast. When it was announced, I was sceptical. What was the point in two Power Rangers series, both about the same set of Rangers, both set at almost the same time, when you’ve got a wealth of Rangers you could draw from? But getting to read it, the reasons become much more readily apparent.
While Mighty Morphin’ deals with the big scale Ranger stuff, Go Go is much more concerned with character beats and relationships. This is set almost the week after the Rangers have received their powers, so they’re coming to terms with how to lead double lives, fighting against Rita while keeping secrets from their families and loved ones, which is a big focus of this first eight issue arc.
Speaking of loved ones, this series also includes Kimberly’s pre-Tommy boyfriend Matthew, who plays a big role in the proceedings. He’s the breakout character really, reacting very naturally to his girlfriend suddenly getting a new group of friends and being very secretitive about things. Writer Ryan Parrott makes him seem like an intrinsic part of Ranger lore despite being brand new for the series (at least, I think he is?).
Parrott also manages to weave in story points that feed into Mighty Morphin’, even with only a few months between the series, such as references to Promethea. In fact, Go Go seems to take the solo character focus issues of Mighty Morphin’ and make them into a whole series instead, practically. Of course, there’re still lots of battles and such (I’m a huge fan of the Rangers using their Zords independently of each other and that happens a lot here), and of course Rita has an evil plan to enact, but it definitely feels like character-first is the order of the day here.
Dan Mora is tapped for art, and it’s effortlessly good. I was a fan of his from his Klaus one-shots with Grant Morrison, but he has managed to turn out 8 extremely consistent issues (and counting) on time and with insane levels of detail in each. His linework is precise, with never a wasted or missed addition, and his storytelling is equally as good in both the character beats and the monster battles. The anguish on Matt’s face at certain points in the book is just painful to look at. The only flaw I’d call out is Rita’s pointy cone boob bra, but I don’t think a good way of drawing that exists, to be honest.
If you’re unsure about Go Go Power Rangers, don’t be. It’s a superb little series that explores the original Rangers in ways that both the show and the Mighty Morphin’ series just didn’t/don’t have time to, while throwing monsters at them in the process. Ranger Heaven, if you ask me.