“This is for giving my show to those three VR Trooper characters!”
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Saga #2
Hamilton Comics (September, 1995)
WRITER: Donald Markstein PENCILER: Steve Stiles INKER: John Heebink COLORIST: Joseph Allen no letterer credited; comics.org’s listing says “(computer lettering)” EDITORS: John Clark & Gary Leach
The “Green With Evil” adaptation concludes as the Rangers rescue Tommy from Rita’s control and gain a sixth member. After a one-panel recap of the enemies the six fought together, Zordon and Alpha’s recording shifts to the events of “The Green Candle”, as Rita attempts to use a magic candle to regain the Green Ranger powers, only to be stopped when Tommy gives them to Jason until the final episode adapted, “Return Of An Old Friend.” Rita has the Rangers’s parents kidnapped and the ransom is their power coins, the source of their Morphers’ connection to the Morphing Grid. It turns out to be a trick as Goldar takes the coins but won’t return their parents. The only hope is restoring Tommy to Ranger status using Zordon’s energy, which may kill their mentor. However, after stopping the monster the Rangers use their power to restore Zordon. Now six again they must prepare for their new enemy…Lord Zedd!
What they got right: I’ll get into what was skipped in the next section but otherwise it was a good adaptation of the three storylines. “Green With Evil” started in the previous issue but they finished that and got the rest of the pre-Zedd Green Ranger events in there with all of the important details intact.
What they got wrong: That means missing the part in “Return” where Rita uses her magic to make Billy bring her the Dragon Dagger. They also took out the subplot involving Kimberly’s parents and meeting all of the other Ranger’s parents, and evil Bulk & Skull, who have been notably absent thus far. I suppose these wouldn’t be things Zordon and Alpha would add to their records but it’s worth noting for us readers. Also, when they show the panel demonstrating Jason using the Green Ranger powers he isn’t wearing the Green Ranger shield, which would work better than surrounding him in a green glow. Some of the monster designs also don’t match the show, most notably the Dramole monster, who doesn’t even look like a mole.
Recommendation: It’s still a good catch-up for comic readers who didn’t follow the TV show but with the DVDs out now you may not want to hunt this one as strongly as the other comics unless you want the whole set.
“Yesterday’s” Comic> Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Saga #1
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