Review: Physical and Mental Trials Take Centre Stage in Ranger Academy #4

Ranger Academy #4 features Sage and her friends’ intense tension during the first trial to become Rangers. The latest issue in the Boom! Studios comic series adds another anxious ride to the story as the freshmen race the clock to enter Prism Peak.  

The latest issue of Boom Studios’ Ranger Academy features the continued story of the first year students as they finally start the trial that allows them to become Power Rangers. As the group confront the dangers before them, they also battle the insecurities that weigh against them. From bonds of friendship to Morphin Panic, the latest issue provides a momentous event that causes secrets to build. 

Ranger Academy is the latest comic book series within the Power Rangers universe published by Boom! Studios. The comic series written by Maria Ingrande Mora focuses on Sage as she is recruited by the institute despite her father’s objections. The illustrations by Jo Mi-Gyeong and colouring by Fabiana Mascolo bring a new location to life as the multi spectral campus trains the next generation of Morphin heroes. The first year students have been revealed to experience a trial as part of their training, where they will Morph for the first time and obtain their Ranger colour if they succeed. 

Notice: The following Review may contain spoilers for those who have not read Ranger Academy #1 to #4 

A Dramatic Mix of Self Doubt, Friendship and Startling Secrets 

The latest issue of Ranger Academy places a spotlight on Sage, Theo, and Lindy as the first years confront a significant trial to gain their colours. A new lore is added to the Power Rangers universe, with the Academy at the centre of events. Ranger Academy #4 also features a greater bonding moment between characters as they experience the first trial together. However, at the heart of the new chapter resides a deviation which causes fear and concern as students enter a new chapter in their heroic lives. 

Mixing Tension with Teamwork Among Characters 

Theo and Lindy provided many key moments for Sage as they help relieve the anxiety that could prevent her from completing the task. There are some wonderful moments between the trio as they debate their direction but the heartwarming moment between Lindy and Sage shows how much the group rely on each other to stay strong. Although splintered from the others, it also showed some great development between Sage and Kartyr. This includes Sage’s willingness to stay behind but Kartyr’s fear was also discovered to cause him damage. As they acknowledge each other’s weaknesses, they also find common ground to connect both characters together and switch a bond from bully to friend. 

Drama, Humour and a Challenging Environment

The mental struggle of Sage was a highlight as she has uncovered many mysteries since starting the Academy. Not only is she struggling with the identity and the moral fibre of the institute, but she is also forced to keep her thoughts to herself as her fellow students are in the dark. This also demonstrates a lack of trust in her associates as she believes there could be fallout from exposure.

Theo has allowed these events to balance out by keeping the school ground trends, such as telling ghost stories in the group. Theo’s way of relieving tension could also correlate with the Ranger colour he received after the trial since many Rangers have used humour to combat negative emotions for them to stay strong and work through a problem. The whole planet also offers a great way for the characters to showcase their skills, especially Sage as she puts her trying past farming lifestyle into action like a scout. 

References Poured into Fourth Issue 

The Bandorian monks are among the main references to the Power Rangers lore as the beings have been included again, where they physically feature in the story. One of the biggest reveals is a mention of Dark Spector, which could place the story in various places across the timeline. The Zeo Crystal is also part of the story and suggests there is a key lore established between the Monks and where Zeo Crystals reside. This could also be what the Spectracite is made of that allows the students to Morph into Rangers. The mythos involved with Power Rangers could also be applied to the Spectracite like the Energems, as Lindy may not have gotten her colour simply because she hasn’t had the chance to prove herself. 

Startling Surprise Devastates Sage 

The moment that we see Sage Morph adds even more chaos into the mix as she is given her Ranger colour. This is even more dramatic when Lindy exits her test and is unable to activate her Spectracite and gain a Ranger colour. Fans also get a sneak peek at what the student’s Morphers look like when they obtain their colour for the first time. 

However, given the lack of knowledge that Sage has about Power Rangers and the Morphin Grid, the writer has proved how overwhelmed an outsider can be in the Ranger Universe. It is this lack of knowledge that enables such a deep perspective and a dramatic twist as Sage is forced to lie to her friends and fear her campus designation. 

Promising Premise Calls For More 

As fans now have four issues for the new Power Rangers comic series, Ranger Academy has taken our attention with this latest release. The reveals included in this issue suggest there is a lot of lore still to be uncovered along with the mysteries that have taken shape. Issue 4 is both an exciting end to the beginning and a reader’s curse since it ends on a huge cliffhanger. Fans have been introduced to 5 student Rangers in the first 4 releases, but viewers are still awaiting a threat that will bring a team together. 

For enveloping the fandom in deep and tense events with a fresh perspective, we give Ranger Academy #4 a total of 10 out of 10.

Ranger Academy #4 is now available at your local comic book store and as a digital copy from content providers, including iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle. Variants for the current issue of the comic series are subject to availability.

Ranger Academy Volume 1 will be released on March 14, 2024, which collects issues 1 to 4 of the comic book series.

For more Ranger Academy, keep following for more updates and reviews. For more Power Rangers comics, keep an eye on social media and keep following The Toku Source for more news and announcements. 

Source: Boom! Studios