The final issue was delayed two weeks, which ruined what would’ve been some perfect “Ranger Day” reading on August 28, but fans can now read see how the second epic team-up between these franchises concludes.
Spoiler warning: meh.
(For real, spoilers for issue five start in three, two, one…).
This final issue has some epic moments—like the kaiju who inspired the Rangers’ new looks inexplicably returning to finish off the Kaiju Psycho Rangers—but it ultimately doesn’t amount to much. There was no plot twist with the White Ranger, which made me wonder why he never de-morphed. I could be misremembering, but I recall in issue one or two his identity being questioned by the Rangers, but he brushed it off and moved on. Ultimately, this is the comic book equivalent of a “Monster Kid” smashing his toys together. Some say that’s the point. I wanted a little more.
Like I said, though, this issue in particular has several scenes that would qualify for a “WTH: What the Henshin?!” Award on my new podcast Henshin Power V3. Jet Jaguar and the White Ranger (briefly) fight Rita Repulsa and (my girl) Astronema? Check! Jet summons an army of Power Rangers from across the multiverse after returning their Power Coins? Check! The Kaiju Megazord and six kaiju—Godzilla, Anguirus, Mothra, King Caesar, Rodan, and Baragon—blow away all six of the Kaiju Psycho Rangers? Check! But afterward, the status quo is quickly reestablished for everyone, and they all move on with their lives. Heck, Astronema and Rita teleport away as soon as they see more Rangers coming—and that’s all the Ranger army does. They don’t even join the final battle against the Psychos. The kaiju do more, but they’re hardly in it, and Godzilla is half of the title! It all felt too easy and fast. But I could say that about all the fights in this issue. I think this miniseries would’ve benefitted from being a few issues longer to give the plot and action more breathing room.
I’m a bit on the fence about the ending where Rita reveals she’s joining forces with the “Alliance of Ritas.” Yes, she summons together multiple versions of herself from across the multiverse. It’s amusing, but it’s also gimmicky. Is this a tease for another miniseries? The ending of the first miniseries didn’t play into this one. I’m also not sure if any of these other Ritas are Easter eggs or not (although one looks like Pudgy Pig in drag and another has a skull face like Rita’s brother, Rito). Let me know, readers!
The nitpicky flaws of the previous issues, such as Baldemar Rivas’s art losing detail on characters in wide shots or using weird figures to indicate movement in fight scenes, are all abundant here. I went over those in great detail in my previous reviews, so you can read about them there.
How does it compare to the first miniseries? While I think it has moments that are more exciting, it does exclude Godzilla in issue four and most of issue five, so it ends up breaking even with the first miniseries. While I wanted a bit more from the story, it’s harmless fun and does take advantage of what each franchise has to offer.
Go, go Power Rangers and go, go, Godzilla!
