Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers #38 – Beyond the Grid
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers #38 – Beyond the Grid
10 out of 10
Here we are at the penultimate issue of this arc; and once again, it did not disappoint. I can vehemently say that this had the most Power Rangers-esque moment so far in the arc and not only did I tear up again (first time was for Heckyl in issue #35) they actually rolled down my cheeks this time. I did not expect the comic to bring this kind of emotional weight at the umpteenth hour of the arc.
As we start, Ari – the sole Solar Ranger – finds herself within the confines of her subconscious chained by the Praetor. It is here we learn nigh all there is to know about the Praetor; his origins, his motivations, and mentality. As he offers Ari a chance to help him, to become allies, in dealing with this dying universe he also weaves a version of the truth. The Praetor is actually a MORPHIN’ MASTER; the first beings thought to discover and harness the power of the Morphin’ Grid. He is of the same species that are RESPONSIBLE for there even being Power Rangers.
To put this into perspective, I have to reference back to the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Shattered Grid issue as there were beings known as the Emissaries, who Zordon answers to, that came to help Tommy and the rest of the Rangers defeat Lord Drakkon – who himself had obtained a Heart of the Master.
The Emissaries merely represent the Morphin Masters. Which means that not only did Drakkon literally obtain the apex of what the Morphin Grid could offer but now, a verbatim being of said apex is trying to destroy this universe. But why?
Through further exposition, it is learned that a great evil was able to learn of the Grid as well and compressed its energy into Zeo Crystals; the crystal had enough power destroy entire planets. After the Masters were able to best the evil they attempted to hide the crystal only to discover the Shattered Star – an entire planet of Zeo Crystals. Fearing the destructive potential of this planet falling into the wrong hands, it was solemnly decided that this universe would be severed from the Morphin’ Grid – ensuring the planet’s safe destruction but at the cost of the universe’s as well. The Praetor volunteered to stay with this universe; to die with it, together – all for the greater good. The Solarix would serve as the blade, absorbing enough Grid energy to eventually sever the universe completely from the Grid.
As Ari wakes up from her wound, she sees that the Rangers have stopped fighting and Mike comes clean about taking the Solarix and why he did it. As he repents, Ari relates to the team what she has just heard and witnessed from the Praetor (who looks very much like Char Aznable during the flashback); however, she tells the WHOLE truth. The Praetor didn’t come alone to the universe – he brought his OWN Power Rangers. They came to protect and quell the gradual destruction while the rest of the Masters found a way to safely restore the universe to the Grid sans the threat of Shattered Star. However, due to the Praetor’s psychic powers he slowly descended into madness because of the ugliness that fear and survival brings out of living beings; he soon concluded, that they were not worthy of saving or of the sacrifice he had made.
Soon enough, he destroyed all but one of his Power Rangers as they believed that it was not too late to save this universe – it wasn’t too late to fight or lose hope. The seventh, the Purple Solar Ranger, fled, Solarix in tow, and ultimately it would find its place with Ari.
With all revealed, Cam theorizes that the energy that Solarix is able to store for severance can also be used to connect the team back their own universe. While they acknowledge that doing so will allow the Shattered Star to come into contact with evil, they can’t deny that the opposite is true as well – that it can be used for good; not unlike the Zeo Rangers of past. When the question of how to fully charge Solarix comes up, Ari provides the answer; she breaks it into seven shards – one for each Ranger.
It’s here we get the best Ranger moment so far; its simply, perfect. As the Rangers place the shards into their respective morphers, they let go of the complexes and fears that have been plaguing them and with that – they SOLARIZE!
Please, take a moment to appreciate this page - it’s truly a spectacle to behold.
The Praetor, who has been watching them, is mortified by what has transpired; even more shaken as he learns that the Rangers are assembling their forms to the Shattered Star. If they were to reconnect the Void to the Morphin Grid, it would mean that his sacrifice, his killings, his descent into madness would have been all for not – instead a savior, he’d be a slaughterer. He rises from his throne and goes to get his blade – he will secure his legacy with his own hands.
As the Rangers attempt to establish a semblance of a strategy for the Praetor’s inevitable attack, they are instantly attacked, inevitably. After some quick banter, the Solarized Rangers begin their counter-assault; all fairs well, until Ari is separated from the group and falls face-to-face with the Praetor himself.
This issue is the best one so far and definitely has the best moment so far; highly doubt it’s going to be topped but, I hope I’m proven wrong. The callbacks, the connective tissue, the outstanding additions to the lore of Power Rangers that this issue gifts to the reader crafts itself into a 10 out of 10. I. CAN. NOT. WAIT. to see how this arc concludes!!!!