Ranger Academy is a brand new Power Rangers comic book series and there are many reasons why you should be reading it. The latest comic book series from Boom! Studios features a fresh new take on the Power Rangers universe, including all new characters.
The comic, new this month, also includes fresh new lore and has already released the first issue of the new storyline. There are many more instalments to come, with the first volume including the first four issues. With so many revealed hints and teasers, here is the full list of why you should be reading Ranger Academy and what surprises it will have in store for fans.
Main Reasons Why Ranger Academy is Worth Reading
The story features Sage, Tula and Mathis as they attend the Ranger Academy, which trains students into Power Rangers at a multi campus institution in space. Many cameos and teasers are expected to feature in the story, including Sage’s father who appears to know more than he shares with his daughter. Although her father was against it, fans were treated by Sage sneaking aboard the ship that took Tula and Mathis back to the Academy, leading her to the path of becoming a Ranger.
Perfect Introduction for New Fans
Sage acts as a way to introduce new fans to the comic as the character has zero knowledge of what the Power Rangers are, along with their many aspects. Unlike recent seasons of Power Rangers, Ranger Academy allows for a detached story to take place, while also adding some nostalgic integration for well versed fans of the franchise. The story also introduces new characters that will go beyond Tula and Mathis as two more have been teased for the upcoming issue. So, just as introductions are granted to new friends, more exploration and story will eventually feature an exciting new concept.
Whole New Location to Explore
The Ranger Academy is a wonderful cluster of locations as the location is divided into various campuses. This includes five unique campuses that are colour coordinated as part of the Ranger spectrum. Much like other fantasy schools, they bring their own vibe and quirks while also being an embodiment of the type of Rangers associated with the colour. The amazing campuses are highlighted as variant covers for the comic series, including the Red Campus variant for Ranger Academy #1. Like with all schools, there may be more areas and maybe hidden locations to be featured as the story progresses.
New Lore and Cameo Surprises
The biggest featured lore of Ranger Academy is that Rangers from across space and time can appear as lecturers at the Academy. This is done by using Chroma Chambers in classrooms, like Zordon’s interdimensional tube, which is also used by the headmaster of the school. The first releases have included Blue Ranger Billy meeting a kid and even a legendary Red Ranger cameo in the first issue, with more to come. However, even greater lore is found in the Orientation Guide found at the end of the first issue.
The Orientation Guide provides the first full package of information about the Ranger Academy and how a student progresses. This includes the main features of each year, key locations, the dome and campuses, and even the purpose of the institute. This also includes what each campus aspires to become with philosophies for each Ranger colour. First years are also revealed to start in the Opalescent Dome, a shared space area with a range of key locations used by all students, with even more key details and treats teased for the whole series.
A Potential New Ranger Team
With five new characters introduced, the start of a new Ranger team is the expected debut as the story continues its current course. Colour aspects have already been set for Tula and Mathis as their class outfits already reveal them to be a Red and Yellow Ranger respectively. Although first years have yet to get their Ranger colour in the first issue, thanks to the variant cover for issue 2, we now know the other colours for the team. This hints at Sage as Blue, and new characters Theo as Black and Lindy as Pink. A preview of a Ranger form is also present in the issue 1 Orientation Guide, showing a glimpse of Tula in her Red Ranger form.
The Upcoming Mystery & New Foe Revealed
Many fans who read the first issue will instantly notice one thing missing, there is no campus for the Green Ranger or any outside of the main five. The mystery that Sage and her friends discover is revealed by the first volume listing on Amazon. This suggests that something has happened to only include five different colours as campuses, with very few details on why. The Rangers in training will also come across a new foe, described as an ancient enemy, who will be trying to take over the academy and contaminate the Morphin Grid. This is one of the biggest features of the series that will lead fans into a whole new story to explore and enjoy, unlike any Ranger series before it.
Both Ranger Academy and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Darkest Hour comics are the perfect way to fill the void left by the end of the main Power Rangers franchise, following Cosmic Fury. While fans await the Power Ranger Reboot, the new stories from Boom! Studios are the best way to keep engaging the Power Rangers universe. There is so much excitement for a new live action release but the comics will provide a huge expansion of the timeline featured in the TV series. Ranger Academy is part of this by introducing a whole new story, so check out all issues and discover a new series within the Morphin Grid.
Power Rangers Ranger Academy is a Boom! Studios comic book series written by Maria Ingrande Mora, with art by Jo Mi-Gyeong and colourist Fabiana Mascolo. The first release for the new comic series was released as part of the Free Comic Book Day event during May 2023, which featured the first look at the upcoming story. The first issue of the comic was finally released on October 4th, 2023, with the next issue released on November 1st, 2023. A spinoff comic also featured in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 30th Anniversary Special, featuring Billy being contacted by the headmaster and talking to a student.
Ranger Academy #1 is now available at your local comic bookstore and online, with a second printing recently announced with a new comic variant cover released. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.
Ranger Academy #2 will be released on November 1st, 2023. Announcements regarding the following issues will be announced soon. Ranger Academy Vol 1 is scheduled to be released in March 2024, collecting issues 1 to 4.
For more reveals and releases from Ranger Academy, keep an eye on upcoming releases. For more Power Rangers, keep an eye on social media and keep following The Toku Source for more news and announcements.
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