In the aftermath of the defeat of the Empyreal threat, the Omega Rangers rebuild themselves in an attempt to continue keeping peace in the galaxy.
The dust of the last battle in BOOM! Studios’ Power Rangers series has settled. Now the Power Rangers have a whole new reality to deal with where the war is at a standstill and the Omega Rangers are unsure of their next steps. The Empyreals have been defeated, but there is still collateral damage left behind from the battle. Drakkon is still on the loose, Xi still doesn’t have his memories back, and many have been left disillusioned with how the Power Rangers have handled their peacekeeping duties in the face of endless destruction.
In Power Rangers #17, Jason, Zack, and Trini have their hands full trying to fulfill what they believe are their duties as Omega Rangers. Zack accompanies Arkon in retrieving a powerful and sacred weapon from a particularly disgruntled criminal. Trini tries desperately to retrieve Xi’s memories. Meanwhile, Jason turns the navigation practically upside down to locate Drakkon. The Rangers are about to make some shocking discoveries, not just about their world or their mission but also about themselves.
A lot has happened in the last arcs of Power Rangers, especially for the Omega Rangers. Power Rangers #17 is surprisingly low-key in comparison to the previous action-packed issues. It wasn’t long ago that the Omega Rangers, desperate to prove themselves and feeling stymied by their superiors, defied orders and began their own crusade against the Empyreal threat. Their efforts had mixed results, but in the end, good triumphed and the Rangers succeeded despite everyone losing confidence in them and the Rangers losing confidence in themselves. It makes sense that Power Rangers #17 is about putting those pieces back together, exploring the consequences of the last arc as a form of resolution and a setup for the next chapter.
Much of the story focuses on Jason’s struggle to find Drakkon to tie up the final loose end and provide calm to the world. Trini works to give Xi, the wisecracking robot, his old memories back. She succeeds, but Xi chooses to wipe his own memories rather than relive the horrors of seeing friends, family, and innocents suffer over again — even at the cost of his own identity. It’s a painful moment for both Trini and the readers, but it raises questions about the power of memory, identity, and accountability that are explored throughout this issue. This is a Power Rangers story, so there is also some action here, mainly in Zack’s pursuit of the thief Kevor, who is in possession of a Mighty Morphin spear. This scene, broken into multiple parts, is the perfect example of how to balance deep, expository dialogue and action without taking away from one another.
There is a thoughtful and deliberate tone to Ryan Parrott’s writing that makes Power Rangers #17 read as almost philosophical. There are various subtle nods to existentialist thought throughout this issue. Meditations on the power of memory and forgetting as choice and identity play out between Trini and a newly reactivated Xi. Zack and Arkon’s reaffirmation of choice and self-guided purpose contrast Kevor’s pessimistic nihilistic approach to survival. Jason has a beautifully illustrated epiphany by way of Yale’s persistent chasing of a jellyfish.
Artist Marco Renna plays his part in conveying this sense of existentialism and inner peace. He displays a very light and gentle hand with his delicate line art. The line weights appear almost whisper-thin, especially in the intricately detailed backgrounds. Even in scenes within the heavily mechanical base, there is a soft, organic feel to every environment. The chase scene between Zack and Kevor in particular takes place in a warmly rendered natural area of dust and dryness, but never feels bereft of life thanks to Renna’s work.
In many ways, Power Rangers #17 is both a respite in this series but also a reconstruction. The arc with the Empyreals brought the Omega Rangers to their logical conclusion, breaking down their place in the galaxy. However, Power Rangers #17 rebuilds them and revitalizes their purpose — just in time for the next major arc.
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