Saban's Go Go Power Rangers, Vol. 2 (comic)- Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Saban's Go Go Power Rangers, Vol. 2
Writer: Ryan Parrott
Artists: Dan Mora & Raul Angulo
Recent Release Date: December 18, 2018

Go Go Power Rangers, Vol.1

Synopsis: No one said being a Power Ranger would be easy, but the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers didn’t expect Rita Repulsa to kidnap one of their own before the Homecoming Dance!

Jason, Kimberly, Zack, Trini, and Billy are well on their way to finding their place as the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Juggling school, superhero extracurriculars, and budding romance--our favorite teen heroes have it all under control. But when one of them has the opportunity of a lifetime that might lead to leaving the team, the dastardly Rita Repulsa kidnaps a Ranger to use the deadliest weapon known to teens: high school drama. 

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Review: Another great volume from Boom! Studios. This series is so good. It keeps the "learning a message" arc feel of the original tv series, but extends the arc to a whole volume instead of 30 minutes of children's action tv. This gives more depth to the characters and really lets them shine. The personality traits merely hinted at in the show are given room to grow. 

This volume features a prom. Seeing the rangers and other Angel Grove teens pair up is fun. I am all about this potential Trini and Jason future pairing. Matthew is a big focus of this volume. He's not the only original character for the comic that I want to see more of. Violet is introduced as a shy, nerdy love interest for Zack. 

The continuity in these new comics is so great. Especially for a series known for very loose continuity and canon. Billy's interaction with Promethea!!!

The rangers training with their zords is so cinematic. I love the art in this book. The rangers discovering the hidden powers of each of their individual zords is awesome.

In each issue, we get a little glimpse of Rita assembling her squad over the years. I like how even Rita's character is getting fleshed out. Her obsession with loyalty. Baboo and Squatt each get their moments.

There is in-universe Power Rangers merchandise!

At the end of this volume, there's a Shattered Grid tease. I am so ready for this epic event to start! I usually wait to read the compiled volumes, but I may have got a few single Shattered Grid issues.

I give this second volume in Go Go Power Rangers a 5/5! Parrott is doing a wonderful job with this series. If you haven't started these comics, you need to!     


--PAUL

Saban's Power Rangers: Soul of the Dragon (comic) by Kyle Higgins - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Saban's Power Rangers: Soul of the Dragon
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artists: Giuseppe Cafaro & Marcelo Costa
Recent Release Date: December 11, 2018

Synopsis: When Tommy Oliver’s son goes missing, he comes out of retirement to find him. 

It’s been a long time since Tommy Oliver has served as a Power Ranger. He’s defeated space witches, brought down evil armies, protected the galaxy, but now Tommy leaves protecting the world to the Power Rangers at Space Patrol Delta. But when his son goes missing, it’s up to Tommy to discover a secret in his past, in order to save his future. Now Tommy will call on all his training, his friends, and maybe even some of his enemies as he sets out on his most important mission: find his son and bring him home.

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Review: I was anxiously awaiting the release of this graphic novel. Not only is it an "old man Tommy" story, but it's also Kyle Higgins's final story from his run with the Power Rangers comics. Higgins really made Boom! Studios's comics excellent, taking a modern and more in depth look at the classic teenagers with attitude. I read the comics as they are released in graphic novel format so I still have more of Higgins's Shattered Grid to read.

This comic takes place in a near future where Tommy and Katherine are married with an adult son. He works with SPD and goes missing at the beginning of the comic. The future portrayed shows aliens on Earth as well as common space travel. It connects the world from the original Mighty Morphin series to SPD. It's futuristic, but grounded. 

There are some excellent action sequences in this book featuring all of Tommy Oliver's ranger suits from over the years. There are some great cameos from characters from the original series. My favorite was Finster. The Witch is also a great reveal.

I really enjoyed this story. There was so much set up in this graphic novel that I hope Higgins gets a chance to follow up in some way. I wish Kat would have been utilized better. JJ ends the book in such an awesome space that I hope we get to see more of him. The story felt a little stunted. Higgins could have made many issues from this concept.

I give this graphic novel a 5/5. Kyle Higgins has a knack for story and style. I really hope he returns to Power Rangers storytelling in some way in the future.     


--PAUL

Star Wars: Poe Dameron, Vol. 5: The Spark and the Fire (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Poe Dameron, Vol. 5: The Spark and the Fire
Writers: Charles Soule & Jody Houser
Artists: Angel Unzueta, Arif Prianto, & Andrea Broccardo
Recent Release Date: December 4, 2018

Poe Dameron Vol.1
Poe Dameron Vol.2
Poe Dameron Vol.3
Poe Dameron Vol.4

Synopsis: Lor San Tekka has been found! Now Poe Dameron is off to recover the missing link to legendary Jedi master Luke Skywalker's whereabouts. But his plan goes astray when the First Order intervenes on Jakku... Meanwhile, the rest of Black Squadron takes off on their most daring mission yet! Follow everyone's favorite Resistance crew as Poe Dameron tells Rey and Finn all about his unseen adventures during the events of Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens!

COLLECTING: STAR WARS: POE DAMERON 26-31 and ANNUAL #2.

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Review: This is the conclusion of the ongoing Poe Dameron comic series. Over the first four volumes, Black Squadron went on missions for the Resistance gathering intel on the rising First Order. This volume begins at the conclusion of The Last Jedi with Poe, Rey, and Finn aboard the Falcon. Through different characters interacting, the story of The Force Awakens and The Lats Jedi is retold from new perspectives. We get to see what the Black Squadron was up to the whole time. I really enjoyed the format of this volume.

My favorite part of this comic is the interactions between primary characters. Nien Nunb makes an appearance! In the third issue, there's an epic reveal about who's interacting.  

After reading this, I'm really hoping that Episode IX has a time jump. The Annual #2 that is also included in this volume was unimpressive to me. It takes place prior to The Force Awakens and features some strange cameos that I didn't think fit well with the story. 

I give this volume a 4/5. I look forward to seeing Poe and the Black Squadron making appearances again in comics closer to Episode IX.


--PAUL

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance, Part One (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Dark Horse Books in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imbalance, Part One
Writers: Faith Erin Hicks, Michael Dante DiMartino, & Bryan Konietzko  
Illustrator: Peter Wartman 
Upcoming Release Date: December 18, 2018

Synopsis: When Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph return to Earthen Fire Industries--the factory owned by Toph's father--Team Avatar finds that the once small town is now booming. Expecting a warm welcome, Aang is surprised when their arrival is met with unimpressed, cold-shouldered spectators. As soon as the team is asked for help at a business council meeting, the reason for the slight becomes clear--a massive bender versus non-bender conflict has gripped the town and is threatening to turn violent.

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Review: I love that the world of the Avatar has continued via comic. This is the first part of the newest story of Aang and his friends. The bender vs non-bender conflict appears in this graphic novel. Toph's father's company's city is booming. It's a city full of industry. It has the vibes of Republic City from The Legend of Korra. One of the topics of this story is how progress can leave some individuals behind. 

This is a good start to this arc in Aang's continuing story. I give this volume a 4/5. Definitely a must-read for Avatar friends.


--PAUL