• Writers: Brenden Fletcher and Kelly Thompson
• Illustrator: Daniele Di Nicuolo
• Colors: Sarah Stern
• Letters: Ed Dukeshire
• Publisher: Boom! Studios
• Publication Date: January 25th, 2016

Power Rangers PINK #6: Synopsis

The Power Rangers have been lost without connection to Zordon, Alpha 5, or Earth for some time, and now it’s time for Kim and her team to save them before it’s too late. The White Ranger is owning up to his title of leader of the Power Rangers, but it is only getting them halfway as Lord Zedd and Rita have the upper hand with their monster, Serpentera. With their Megazord temporarily out of commission, the Rangers are exhausted and out of options – that is, until an older a much larger zord comes out of nowhere to save the day: the Typhonis Ultrazord. Both teams together, they are able to reactivate the Rangers’ Megazord in order to escape Rita and Zedd’s clutches once more … but we’re not done yet. The end is always just the beginning.

Power Rangers PINK: Final Thoughts

If you’ve read my other reviews or know me at all, you know I am a gigantic Tommy/Kimberly fan. That couple was teased at a lot throughout this series, and it made one think that a reunion was possibly in the works. BOOM! Studios thought otherwise, however, and it is actually a pleasant surprise.

PINK showcased not only Kimberly’s physical transformation into a Power Ranger again, but it beautifully depicted her mental and emotional transformation into a more mature version of herself – a version that makes decisions, a version that’s physically and mentally more powerful, a version that’s emotionally stronger. It’s because of this that PINK ending with Kimberly’s infamous ‘Dear John’ letter to Tommy is okay – Kimberly’s perspective and heartache over their relationship is finally put on display and explained, and what it took her to get there was also brought to light. She didn’t just meet some random guy and move on like the Zeo episode back in the ’90s implied; she thought about it long and hard, agonized over it, and came to terms with it for way over a year. That’s important information that adds more depth to Kim’s character.

Throughout this issue, Kimberly has questioned her confidence, wondering if it’d be higher had she stayed in Angel Grove and remained a Power Ranger. It goes back to the rest of the series – Kim was relentlessly uncertain in her ability to save her family, the townspeople, her friends, and herself. Why? Why was she so doubtful of her own ability to be successful?

In pages 9 and 10, we see the Pink Ranger doubt her plan and even believe they are done for thanks to her planning or lack thereof. “This thing is made of old Zords. Obsolete Zords. Broken Zords,” she thinks, “a direct hit from Serpentera means we’re all doomed.” She falls back on Tommy, the White Ranger and leader of the current Power Rangers, to piggyback off of their rescue and pick up where they left off. She beats herself up over it, but should she? They’re all teammates, and like the Yellow Ranger says on page 9, “we’re going to need their help if we are going to make it off this rock.”

May I add – gigantic kudos to the BOOM! Studios team for not only bringing back the old Megazord, Tor, Typhonis, and the Typhonis Ultrazord… but they brought in Serpentera, too. This was a major nostalgia punch that gives old fans the mature updated version of the original Power Rangers that they wanted. Major kudos.

Regular Kimberly is a skilled gymnast who won the Pan Global Games. We saw her in the first issue with various gold medals around her neck. Power Ranger Kimberly saw multiple successes in the past, but presently she was able to work together with Goldar, capture Verto, rescue her mother and the townspeople, turn them back from monsters to humans, and assisted in saving the Power Rangers from Serpentera, Rita, and Lord Zedd culminating in Zordon calling her “quite the hero” at the end of issue 6. That is quite a resume that no one should do anything feel pride over. For the entirety of PINK, Kim struggles with this…and we watch her grow into a better person because of it. 

Brenden Fletcher and Kelly Thompson should write for Power Rangers all the time; they were able to capture not only Kimberly’s journey, but Zack and Trini’s as well, along with the voices of the various other characters we meet and are reintroduced to along the way. It was a pleasure reading along and watching the story unfold before us page by page. Each line was in the voice of each character – meaning, what Kimberly would say sounded like something she really would’ve said. Nothing felt out of character, nothing felt out of place.

Piggybacking off of Brenden and Kelly’s writing, Daniele Di Nicuolo brought it all to life with his expressive illustrations in each issue. In issue #6, you can see Kimberly’s distress in her facial features and her body language. Her internal fight with herself is felt by the reader through each issue, until you finally get to see her blossom into her own type of hero: herself. Even through their helmet, Di Nicuolo’s illustrations capture each Ranger’s emotion perfectly to tie in with the story and the dialogue. Each panel was compelling and told a mini story of its own as a result bringing the reader of issue 6 (and the PINK series as a whole) on a fantastic ride. 

Kimberly, Trini, Zack, Britt, and Serge all lose their temporary Power Rangers powers as the Sword of Light and its energy are returned to Zordon. He gives them all communicators “in case another emergency were to arise.” This makes me wonder if there are more adventures in store for these pseudo-Rangers, in Zeo’scontinuity or otherwise. It makes for some interesting speculation.

Speaking of speculation, Trini and Zack ask Kimberly about letting the Power Rangers know that it was the three of them (plus friends) who saved them. Kimberly shuts the idea down, saying they need to go back to Zordon. In past issues, Tommy made multiple attempts to communicate with Zordon, only to be cut off by interception. He was, however, able to hear Kimberly in at least one occasion. Would he not think that maybe she’s in the Zord? Why didn’t he ask? Why didn’t he ask who was in the Typhonis Ultrazord at all? And when they communicated via Zord on the planet Orulind, didn’t they hear each others voices? These are unanswered questions that I wonder why weren’t brought up. To focus on Kimberly’s growth on her own? To keep up with Zeo’s storyline? For future nitpicking either in another comic or by fans? Was there a reason for the anonymity, or was it just overlooked? Food for thought.

Personally, I am proud of Kimberly. I’m proud of the whole new team and what they went through to save the day. Like Kimberly concludes at the end of the issue, “being a Power Ranger isn’t the only way to be a hero.” And that’s true, even if it takes her a year to fully process that, understand that, and accept that. 

“Some of us can change, can morph, into whatever version of ourselves seems appealing. Some of us just wear the armor for a time, and then pass it on. And we stay heroes anyway.”

And that’s the biggest takeaway of the PINK series: Pink Ranger or not, Kimberly is a hero in her own way, no matter what. They all are. We all are. Sometimes we just need time to open our eyes and see it … yes, it surely helps to have your world crash down upon you in the form of evil villains and gigantic mechanical robots to speed up the eye-opening process.

Be sure to check out PINK at your local comic book shop. Thank you to the talented BOOM! Studios team for such a perfect read. Sound off below with your thoughts on issue 6 and the PINK series as a whole!