Ranger Academy #5 carries over Sage’s hesitation to tell the truth while a cloud of doubt fills the air on her family origins. The latest issue from Boom! Studios puts focus on character development post trials and hints at the possible consequences that comes with the lies Sage carries!
The latest issue from Boom Studios’ Ranger Academy series takes a less action based route and focuses on Sage post trials as she deals with her secret from issue #4 – being assigned the green spectracite! Emotions are in the air, secrets begin to unravel and more are provided within the latest issue!
Ranger Academy #5 is the latest series in the Boom Studios Rangerverse. Written by Maria Ingrande Mora with illustrations by Jo Mi-Gyeong and colouring by Fabiana Mascolo. Their skills combined together to bring a much larger world to the ever expanding comic Rangerverse. Today, I will be giving you my personal pros and cons of the latest issue.
Related: Review: Ranger Academy Starts An Epic Original Mystery with Nostalgic Teases in Issue #3
WARNING: Potential story spoilers ahead! Read at your own risk!
The Pros
I will admit, at first I was very dubious towards this series. Academy stories tend to be cliché and done to death. The idea of an academy within the Power Rangers is nothing new as various Power Ranger shows have their own smaller academies within their contained seasons, but an academy for the entire Rangerverse set in a far future? It’s something different, at least, and does a great job to further separate Power Rangers from it’s Super Sentai origins. The first issue didn’t grab me at all and was a very weak start for a new venture in the Rangerverse, where first impressions matter. As the story hones in on Sage’s personal story, the truth she seeks and the lie she carries, it’s beginning to culminate in a very gripping story.
Related: Review: Physical and Mental Trials Take Centre Stage in Ranger Academy #4
As a fan who’s been with the franchise since the beginning, there is no shortage of action, but there isn’t enough engaging storytelling within the franchise; as an adult it’s something I crave more now from this franchise. Thankfully Ranger Academy has been fulfilling that so far with issue #5 being a definite standout in this area. The trials have happened, Maev and Theo got their Ranger colours assigned to them. Lindy unfortunately didn’t and Sage did but is currently keeping it a secret from everyone due the rumours of green being a ‘cursed’ colour. Why or how green is seemingly cursed has yet to be revealed as the issue is teemed with secrets around certain characters and the Academy. Sage’s father might not even be her father if one line of dialogue is anything to go by and you can sense a falling out between Lindy and Sage coming the longer she hides the fact she was assigned a colour. It’s just all fantastic to read.
Initially I found Ranger Academy to feel like a Saturday morning cartoon; it really seemed like it wanted to be an animated show rather than a comic, but the team have really hit their stride with this issue and I hope the same level of quality continues onwards. We get a reveal of Tula in her Ranger gear after getting a subtle, but splintered look at Sage’s in the previous issue, as well as a few cameos here and there, which has been a pretty common trait of every issue so far. Lots of questions still to be answered but its clear the team are playing the long game and not rushing to explain all aspects of this world they’re crafting. I certainly look forward to whatever else comes our way.
Related: Why You Should Be Reading Ranger Academy
The Cons
While I fairly enjoyed this issue, no comic is without it’s faults. While I preferred issue #5 to have a slower pace than issue #4 with Sage’s personal story, characters and relationships being developed, it is completely devoid of all action. There’s one moment in particular where we see Tula suit up as I mentioned earlier. She then activates the “Goldar Simulation” within the battle matrix; a perfect time to show us one of the older cadets in action, but it was abruptly interrupted by Sage who didn’t understand the concept of a ‘simulation’. A real shame, but hopefully we’ll get to see some in suit Ranger fights soon; something Ranger Academy is still lacking five issues in.
While this corner of the Rangerverse is exciting, new and interesting, this issue (as well as the previous four) have no shortage of cameos and while I do love my cameos, majority are Mighty Morphin’ focused. On one level, I get it, they were the first team, the Power Ranger legacy owes itself to MMPR, but in the wider Boom! Studios Rangerverse? That’s not necessarily the case, so what’s the need here? Some characters from later seasons are seen and referenced but this is an opportunity to do more of that; give focus to anything but MMPR for a change. It’s a subjective take, but the wider Rangerverse is ripe for acknowledgement and expansion.
At times in this issue (and every issue) it seems evident the team behind this series are still trying to figure out what they want to do with this series or where they want it to go. It’s not a problem… yet. Time will tell if they figure it out, whether they want to keep this story going for as long as possible or whether they have an endgame in mind for protagonist Sage and her story. Subjectively, I hope it’s the latter. A nice conclusive ending that answers all the questions I have and more. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Conclusion
Overall, issue #5 of Ranger Academy is a good time for those who prefer a bit more narrative in their comics than panels decorated with onomatopoeias and action shots, being one of the strongest issues yet as the protagonist, supporting characters and their relationships with each other continue to be developed. The story is somewhat predictable but that doesn’t stop issue #5 from shining amidst the current franchise hiatus. Here’s to more Sage and Ranger Academy going forward!
For this issue, I’d give Ranger Academy #5 an 8 out of 10! Strong narrative elements and a spotlight on Sage’s personal dealing of the situations put in front of her make for a great read. Ranger Academy felt like a story too familiar at first, but looks to have found what makes itself unique.
Ranger Academy #5 is available at your local comic book store. This and more Power Rangers BOOM! Studios series are also available as a digital copy from content providers like iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.
What did you think of Issue #5? Looking forward to more? Any predictions on upcoming issues? Let us knows in the comments below! We look forward to seeing them. Stay tuned for more reviews of Ranger Academy and other awesome Power Ranger news & reviews here at The Toku Source!
