Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #121 and #122 feature a clock-breaking burn as the final fight is pushed into play. The survival strain on the Rangers finally hits its peak as preparation cuts away the last moments before the last instalment.
The instalments feature Billy as he struggles to synchronise his outlook with his fellow allies, while coming to terms with the decisions of other heroes. Fans also get to see the big break in buildup as the final issue of the series debuts the anticipated clash of the Grid. Along with the Solar Rangers, the events begin to accelerate as the moment fans await finally arrives.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Darkest Hour will soon reach its conclusion as one last chapter is set to release. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Darkest Hour #1 will feature as the final installment for both the 30th anniversary event and the entire comic series. July will mark the end of the 8 year long story that started in 2016, by adding one last arc that merges fantastic features together. This includes the return of the Hyperforce Rangers, which were a TTRPG original series that also featured in the Shattered Grid arc.
MMPR #121 and #122 Add the Final Blast of Events Before Finale
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers added the final buildup for the Darkest Hour as struggles finally erupt action from characters. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #121 and #122 add a unique climb for both issues that set up the long awaited battle between good and evil. However, fans also get to see the rise and fall of characters as the drama changes the dynamic between event participants. This includes Billy acting from his own conclusion and Ranger finally meshing into the highly desired, grand battle.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #121 Blurs Right and Wrong For Powerful Characters
A turning point is featured in this instalment of Darkest Hour and Billy faces difficulties with finding a concrete solution. Melissa Flores places a strong focus on the smart collection of characters that feature in this apocalyptic event in the Power Rangers universe. It is a fantastic chapter that focuses on the struggles for a young Billy as he is fed with an abundance of information while caught in his worst mindset. The issue places a highlight on the mental conflict outside of the battlefield; while also reducing the clock they have to forge their final stand.
Billy Given Weight of Grid
David Yost’s Billy is given a magnificent focus in this instalment as he struggles with finding a win against the infection. To see such an intelligent Ranger struggle with the arc’s variables was heightened by his lack of sleep and seeing Grace’s ghost. The added struggle of seeing him fail to find something else to help with showcases the character’s limits while slowly pushing him to act. It was a surprise to see his bond develop with Kiya, who also given a visible relation to Billy due to her Blue Ranger qualities.
Kiya revealing the history of the Shattered Grid events finally brought out Billy’s frustration. It was genius to use this reveal to showcase how much information is kept hidden, even though such a smart character utilises information well. The confrontation with Jason further adds to this weight that finally allows Billy to see a different side to Grace’s choices. It was amazing to see this development take place for Billy as his choices become mixed more with necessity rather than morality.
Greatest Mind Gather and Conflict
The issue features Billy mixing with Kendall and the Phantom Ranger, highlighting the peak of intellectuals in the Morphin Grid. Although the characters are struggling, it’s amazing to see these timeline giants interact in such a potent event. A lot of the mythos regarding the Morphin Grid is calculated by these iconic characters, which allows fans to see a mixture of references for different seasons. Although most of the discussions seemed calm, there was a great sense of oral combat that often led to Billy targeted for his lack of sleep.
It was also great to see other Rangers intersected into the events, featuring their own struggles or simply interrupting. Taylor was a great way to cut into the conversation between Jason and Billy, as she would command a presence that would shut hostilities. However, the fallout for Adam and Rocky showcased how hard the infection hit as they avoid their family. To see the struggle and the support from Tommy showed just how impactful turning evil can be for a Ranger, adding to the epic lineup of characters with a similar experience. This also beautifully feeds into Tommy’s history and further adds potency to his story line, such as his outlook of Trent in Dino Thunder.
Knowledge Twists Rangers into Rebels
There was already a bond between Trini and Billy since the first ever episode of the series but it was interesting to see how this was used to gain alt-world Trini’s support. Whether it was due to the lack of sleep or not, the sudden burst of information gained by Billy completely justified his sudden switch to act in opposition. There were great matchups included as Aisha and Matt face against Kiya and elder Trini, which featured as a great cut into Billy’s betrayal.
It was also such a captivating visual to see Billy holding the Purple Energem after Kendall trustingly hands it to him. Seeing the trio act out against fellow Rangers and allies was a dramatic set up for the next instalment, but also makes the viewer question if this was the right move. This is heightened by Grace appearance once more, who further adds a further lack of reassurance. With the cliffhanger suggesting a fallout from the destroyed Power Eggs, this issue beautifully highlights the lack of a concrete direction viewers can ascertain.
Mighty Morphin Power Ranger #122 Turns Up The Power As the Finale Prequel
The final issue for the comics set up the fantastic finale fans await in the graphic novel for the Darkest Hour. The issue tackles the altercations between characters, including a physical and mental struggle between Rangers. Continuing off the action of Billy, fans get to see the aftermath of his decision as his position switches from colleague to unexperienced youth. Fans also get to see a fantastic mix of anticipated features as the entire Morphin Grid falls into place in the style of Shattered Grid.
Tension Between Characters Mounts
There is a clear and difficult relationship between the Purple Solar Ranger and Ranger Slayer, which is emphasised by their fight during Kim’s escape. It was great to see the switch when Shara interrupts the fight in the cutest fashion, but it was also great to see that team input from Salum and Maxine. Finally seeing both Rangers sit down, and talk showed that their last encounter did create a bond between the pair, but also helped provide ground for the eventual need of unity once more.
On the other hand, Billy finally gets the heat for his actions in the previous issue that features Zordon and Kendall coming down hard on him. It was interesting to see the dynamic change between them as the difference in age is highlighted rather than the logic Billy followed. It was genius that Flores uses Kendall alongside Zordon as it established a resounding fact about Billy during this period. However, the best drama was the unexpected reveal of damage caused by Billy’s actions, since Grace’s life is altered in a brilliant twist to her 1969 origins.
Lore Use Magnified
The overall lore of the Power Rangers universe was widely used with great effect in the last issue of the comic series. This includes the use of another Shattered Grid caused by Billy’s actions and his discussion with Zordon in a father like manner. The Zeo Crystal planet also features as a great Joker card to play in the upcoming finale, but fans also see Lord Zedd place the renowned Zeo Crystal back in it’s original resting place.
Lord Zedd’s Serpentera and the Space Skull usually used by Master Vile also tie in some Mighty Morphin features for the event. It was great to see a strike between these features from the second season and third season, respectively, while dropping in a new conflict. The battle between the Zord and ship felt like a great start to a major battle that will unfold in the last instalment for the Darkest Hour. It was also great that the Hyper Time Ship also makes an appearance to add another slice of Ranger history to start the final bout for the comic issues.
Characters Given Delightful Moments
Taylor is given a great role in the last issue as she trains various characters and refugees in the park. The military background of the Wild Force character was perfect to use and it seems a shame she wasn’t a core player in Shattered Grid. It was also amusing to see Bulk and Skull feature in this training session as it added another memorable moment for the legacy of the characters. Bulk’s infatuation with Taylor was a laugh to see discussed, including a reference to Skull retaining his love for Eltarian, Zelya.
There was also a great moment between Zack and Trini as their affection shenanigans continue in this event. What was the most startling moment was Jason’s reaction to witnessing their new relationship. Although he was no longer part of the Omega team, this moment may have also been a shock to him due to the previous love entanglement in part story arcs. Whether this moment was written with their past in mind or just as an unexpected new development is hard to say, but his reaction perfect for this past comic event tie in.
Hyperforce Drops in a Long Awaited Epic Debut
Fans get to see an abundant drop of legendary Rangers as the Hyperforce Ranger finally return with the fruits of their labour. It was amazing to add this drop of iconic characters along with the return of these fantastic characters. The little wit of Hyperforce Pink and Hyperforce Blue were both delightfully included as Zack reacts to Chloe call to her dad, Mr. Ashford. The inclusion of Dino Thunder, Beast Morphers, Time Force, RPM and Lost Galaxy was brilliant to see just before the end that starts in the final chapter.
For providing an aggressive build-up for an iconic Mighty Morphin character, we give Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #121 a total score of 8 out of 10.
For adding a wonderful acceleration to the finale with epic Morphin features, we give Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #122 a total score of 10 out of 10.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #121 and #122 are now available at your local comic book store or as a digital copy. Both feature as the final issues for the Darkest Hour as it concludes this July.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Darkest Hour #1 will be released on July 31st, 2024, at your local comic book store and as a digital copy. This graphic novel will be the final chapter to the Darkest Hour and the ending to the comic book series.
For more Darkest Hour, keep an eye on the last comic review for the series. For more Power Rangers, keep an eye on social media and keep following The Toku Source for more news and announcements.
