Advance Review: ‘Ranger Academy’ #1 & #2 Captivate w/ New Power Rangers Lore
This year has seen many celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the Power Rangers. As a child of the 90s, I still remember the rush of those first few years — eagerly waiting to watch new episodes, begging my parents to bring me to toy stars on the hunt for figures. It’s hard to believe that we’re at this milestone, but it’s a true testament to the franchise’s staying power that we’re here. BOOM! Studios adds to the anniversary party this week with the launch of Ranger Academy, a new series where fans will learn more about the school where Rangers are made. The publisher has billed the series as “Power Rangers meets My Hero Academia” and after reading the first two issues (Issue #2 releases November 1st) thanks to BOOM! providing me advance copies, I can say this might be underselling it!
Before I get into my thoughts on the books, let’s look at the solicitation for each issue so you have a better sense of what to expect:
RANGER ACADEMY #1
If you had a chance to join the Power Rangers, would you do it?
13-year-old Sage lives on an isolated lunar colony with her adoptive father, but her days on the farm will change forever when she comes across a wreckage with wounded passengers... people from an academy training to be something called... POWER RANGERS!
Fresh off their Free Comic Book Day preview, acclaimed YA author Maria Ingrande Mora (Fragile Remedy) and superstar artist Jo Mi-Gyeong (Eve: Children of the Moon) introduce a bold new expansion of the Power Rangers Universe!
For the first time, discover the amazing school where Rangers are trained, and find out for yourself which Ranger color you would join!
Would you test your might as a Red Ranger, never surrender as a Black Ranger, inspire those around you as a Pink Ranger, show no fear as a Yellow Ranger, or prove that you're the smartest kid on the team as a Blue Ranger? Enroll today!
RANGER ACADEMY #2
Freshman year starts for Sage on her first day at Ranger Academy! But it's hard for a girl so used to isolation to make friends amongst the Red, Black, Blue, Yellow, and Pink campuses, even with her new yearmate Lindy.
But given that this is no ordinary academy, Sage will have her fair share of secrets to uncover... and what connection does her paranoid father have to the mysteries of the school?
After reading the first two issues, I’m not surprised to see BOOM! releasing them both together for reviewers. They feel like two acts of the same origin story that’s meant to introduce new characters and ground readers in the new world which the series will explore.
Writer Maria Ingrande Mora does a phenomenal job making the series’ introduction engaging for both long-time fans of the Power Rangers franchise or first-timers looking to explore where this new direction might go. Those who’ve been fans for years will enjoy the exploration of new parts to the Rangers universe and the world-building Mora does to add new layers of mythos. New readers will appreciate the depth of character development Mora is able to achieve so quickly and the stage setting that fills in needed gaps without feeling pedantic. Readers in both groups will fawn over Jo Mi-Gyeong’s art and Fabiana Mascolo’s colors which bring this new world to life with gorgeous lines, vibrant color palettes, and unique character designs. It all aids in giving this new world an effervescent personality that you can’t help but be drawn into.
Mora establish three brand new characters in these first two issues, each a Ranger Academy cadets with their own distinct personalities which should allow for interesting dynamics down the road. Sage is the resident outsider, who is recruited to join the Ranger Academy after never knowing it existed while living remotely with her father. Tula, who assumes a natural leader role, and Mathis, who appears to be a stickler for rules, are sent to recruit Sage and the three instantly have chemistry as a dynamic trio. Mora’s script also lays foundation for what appears to be secrets related to the grander Power Rangers history, including how our new characters may fit into things.
Suffice to say, these first two issues have me hooked on what might be uncovered and where things may go. The entire creative team delivered a home-run start to Ranger Academy that immediately draws readers in, no matter how familiar or unfamiliar with the franchise they may be. This has the makings of a Star Wars: The Clone Wars or Star Wars: Rebels level of world-building that adds to decades of established lore and becomes an integral part in expanding a franchise’s fanbase to new audiences, while appeasing diehard fans with respect and acknowledgement of everything that’s come before it.
Rating: 10/10
