Old foes return… but nothing is as it seems! Your Major Spoilers review of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers #51 from BOOM! Studios awaits!

**You can purchase this issue via comiXology**

MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS #51

Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artist: Moisés Hidalgo
Colorist: Walter Baiamonte with Katia Ranalli
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Editor: Dafna Pleban
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 15, 2020

Previously in Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: An old foe has returned… and the ripple effect will send a shockwave through every Power Ranger. Will the fragile alliance between the Omega Rangers and the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers be permanently shattered?

HE’S BACK!

After tracking a mysterious meteor entering Earth’s atmosphere, the Rangers discovered that it wasn’t a space rock at all, but a man… Even worse, he’s Drakkon, an evil counterpart of Power Rangers’ leader Tommy Oliver, who nearly destroyed the multiverse during the events of ‘Shattered Grid’ a few months ago. The Rangers quickly defeat him, even though the don’t actually fully remember what happened (the universe being reset has a tendency to do that) and lock him up in a cell under the Command Center. Zordon isn’t sure why he’s back, but that mystery has to take a backseat when Lord Zedd once again attacks Angel Grove with a silly monster, just like the old days. In fact, it’s TOO silly, as the team quickly defeats the creature without even calling on their Zords, blasting it away with their Power Blaster…

…just like Zedd wanted them to.

AND SHE’S BACK, TOO!

The last page gives us the second big cliffhanger reveal in as many pages, and the entire issue is just infused with a sense of dread that I really enjoy. Drakkon’s return (even if it feels a bit too soon to me) has made for tension throughout a team that has literally JUST found its footing, which makes for strong character work throughout the issue. I’m very much impressive by Hidalgo’s art in this issue, not just the lean, powerful Rangers, but an impressively scary Lord Zedd and even versions of Squatt, Goldar, Finster and Baboo that feel like actual monsters (especially after Zedd transforms them with the power he stole from the Rangers.) A long interaction between Billy and Drakkon is especially fun, balancing Billy’s clear discomfort with Drakkon’s taunts and mad interactions with the head of Saba, worn on a chain around his neck. It’s a great scene, followed by an equally impressive fight scene against a giant acid snail, making for great visuals all around.

BOTTOM LINE: THIS ONE IS OMINOUS

As one would expect for the issue after a big anniversary arc-ending issue, Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers #51 has some narrative housework to do in establishing new threats and the new status quo, but I wasn’t expecting how effectively the story and art would pull it all together, making me look forward to what’s coming and earning a very impressive 4 out of 5 stars overall. If the last couple of pages don’t make you want to see what comes next, I recommend you check your pulse. You may be napping and not aware of it.

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