When Your Back is Against the Grid What Do You Do? The Darkest Hour is Here!

Author: Xavier Scudder

🚨 Spoiler Alert! 🚨 The following content contains spoilers for Power Rangers: The Darkest Hour. Proceed with caution if you haven’t read it yet!

BOOM! Studios set the stage with an impacting saga to conclude what has been eight years in the making to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of Power Rangers. With writing by Melissa Flores, illustrations from Simona Di Gianfelice, and coloring by Raúl Angulo, there’s a tone throughout each issue that has you wanting to compel more as each page turns.

As a Power Ranger fan, I cannot help but take in each page and see what the story has for us as readers and uncover how the Rangers will discover the solutions they need for the conclusion such a captivating story yearns for. I’ll do my best not to spoil this for other fans.

Released on July 31st, 2024, Power Rangers: The Darkest Hour marks an epic conclusion. When I began reading it, I was eager to see how the story would unfold and excited for the journey that awaited me with each turn of the page. This saga represents a massive crossover, bringing together Rangers from different teams to confront a formidable foe, Dark Specter, who seeks to achieve what previous villains have failed to do: conquer the universe and extend his dominion.

Initially, my anticipation was fueled by curiosity about how the series had built up to this moment. As the story unfolded, my curiosity was met with satisfaction as I discovered the rich and compelling narrative that had been carefully crafted.

If you’re eager to dive into the action of The Darkest Hour, it’s important to understand that this series is the combination of an eight-year buildup from previous storylines, including Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (MMPR) and Go Go Power Rangers (GGPR). Reading the preceding arcs that set the stage is essential to fully appreciate the narrative.

Start with Shattered Grid, the first major crossover event produced by Boom! Studios in collaboration with Hasbro. Next, continue with Beyond the Grid, which explores the aftermath of the Shattered Grid event. Follow this with Necessary Evil, another crossover that concludes the Go Go Power Rangers series and leads into Unlimited Power. This sequence of events transitions into The Eltarian War. After this, explore Charge to 100, aka The Death Ranger arc, which celebrates the 100th issue of MMPR and ushers in the new era with Recharged.

To round it off, read Power Rangers Unlimited: The Coinless (which should be read after MMPR #109) and Power Rangers Unlimited: Hyperforce. These stories connect to the prelude of The Darkest Hour, which you can pick up on in MMPR #110. Following this reading order will help bridge any gaps for the epic finale.

With all that was listed just to catch up and to look forward to, you can feel the tension and tone for this conclusion could be cut with the green ranger dagger. From the beginning prelude (MMPR #110) to the very last page, readers will see the precedence of reading the other stories as the stakes are overwhelmingly high and so much on the line. This final issue brings together so many rangers and other unlikely foes within this final battle; you can’t help but be attentive to what led us here and if the plans set forth are fruitless or if the rangers have what it takes not to be ruled by evil.

As emotions ran high, concerns from everyone were at the forefront. The saga explores how individual Rangers cope with the imminent threat and their growth. Readers will appreciate the personal stakes and transformations experienced by the Rangers during the event. The saga’s plot evolves through these character interactions and struggles, making understanding their backgrounds and relationships essential. Doing so also helps build the alliances forged to go against Dark Specter. 

Going on this journey of a run, I see how Flores stated this as a significant task in her career—with her intricate narrative, weaving together multiple Ranger teams and storylines into a cohesive and engaging crossover event. Flores’ effort is evident in how she blended various plot threads from different Power Rangers eras into a unified story. The complexity of the narrative reflects her deep understanding of the Power Rangers universe and her commitment to honoring its diverse elements.

Each Ranger team is given distinct, well-developed arcs contributing to the story. The personal struggles, growth, and teamwork among the Rangers are central themes that she explored with nuance. This attention to character development enhances the emotional stakes and makes the crossover event even more impactful for us as readers.

This careful integration of all the teams shows Flores’ dedication to maintaining continuity and respecting the legacy of the different Ranger teams. The way the story builds up to critical moments and reveals and maintains tension and excitement is a testament to her careful planning and passion for the project. Flores’ passion for the Power Rangers franchise is reflected in how she engages with long-time fans and incorporates elements that resonate with them by paying homage to the history and lore of the franchise. This fan-focused approach demonstrates Flores’ respect for the series and her desire to create a memorable and meaningful experience for the audience. 

The collaboration between Flores, the artists, and the editorial team significantly enhances the final product. The visual storytelling, alongside Flores’ writing, brings the saga to life in a way that visually and narratively aligns with her vision. The combination of compelling dialogue and dynamic artwork reflects a dedicated effort to create a standout event in the Power Rangers comic series.

Di Gianfelice’s artwork brings an animated and expressive quality to the characters and action sequences. Her detailed illustrations capture the energy and intensity of the battles between the Rangers and Dark Specter, helping convey the stakes of the crossover event. Angulo’s coloring adds a vivid and atmospheric dimension to the story. His bold, contrasting colors highlight the dramatic moments and differentiate between the various Ranger teams and their unique environments. The color palette enhances the mood, with darker hues used for the scenes involving Dark Specters and brighter tones for the more heroic moments, thus reinforcing the narrative tone and emotional impact.

Di Gianfelice’s depiction of Dark Specter is particularly striking, capturing the character’s menacing presence with detailed and imposing designs. The scenes where different Ranger teams come together are visually compelling. The artwork effectively showcases the diverse team members and their unique costumes, highlighting the grandeur of the crossover event. The battle scenes are filled with dynamic action and vibrant colors. Di Gianfelice’s line work and Angulo’s coloring work together to create a sense of movement and impact, making these sequences visually engaging and exciting. Di Gianfelice’s detailed character work and Angulo’s choice of color schemes emphasize the scenes of individual struggles and triumphs, enhancing the reader’s emotional connection to the story. 

The Darkest Hour saga is filled with standout moments that should significantly impact readers and reviewers alike. One of the most memorable moments for me was the dramatic arrival of Dark Specter. His introduction is visually striking and ominous artwork to set the tone for the threat he represents. The scenes where various Ranger teams come together are also particularly noteworthy. The visual spectacle of different teams from multiple series uniting is both thrilling and nostalgic. These moments celebrate the legacy of the Power Rangers franchise and provide fans with a sense of excitement as beloved characters interact and collaborate. These standout moments collectively define the experience of reading and reviewing The Darkest Hour, providing emotional resonance and visual excitement.

In any complex crossover event in comics and entertainment, there are often elements or moments that the reader would have sought a different portrayal for the story and executed it. Some readers might find the pacing uneven, with certain sections feeling rushed while others seem overly drawn out. With so many Ranger teams involved, giving each character the development they deserve is challenging. Some readers might feel that certain Rangers or teams received less attention or depth than others and could have a more focused approach.

The integration might seem confusing or need more context for readers unfamiliar with these prior events. As I mentioned, this story is eight years in the making, with several arcs needing to be covered first to appreciate this ending fully. Providing more evident references or summaries of key past events could help new readers better understand the significance of certain plot points and characters. This approach could include brief recap sections or more laid-out connections to previous storylines.

Dark Specter is a central antagonist in the saga. Still, some readers might feel that expanding on Dark Specter’s history, goals, and personal stakes might add more dimension to his character and enhance the overall conflict. Lastly, the resolution of The Darkest Hour might leave some readers wanting more, especially given the high stakes and buildup throughout the saga. I am one of those readers. A more satisfying conclusion could involve a more straightforward resolution and more detailed aftermath scenes that address the long-term impact of the events on the Ranger teams and the Power Rangers universe. 

With that being said, within the Power Ranger franchise, The Darkest Hour stands out as a major crossover event that brings together multiple Ranger teams from different eras. This merging of characters and storylines highlights the franchise’s rich history and broad appeal and the future potential for expansive storytelling within the Power Rangers universe. This saga contributes to the expansion of the Power Rangers lore by introducing new dimensions to established characters and concepts and elevating the Power Rangers brand within the comic book world.

The Darkest Hour is an example of how to execute a large-scale crossover event effectively. Its success in integrating various storylines and characters offers valuable insights for other crossover projects in the comic book industry. The Darkest Hour reinforces the Power Rangers’ enduring appeal by tapping into the fanbase’s emotional connection to different characters and their histories. In the broader context of comic book culture, The Darkest Hour reflects the growing trend of integrating established franchises into complex, multi-faceted narratives. It demonstrates the capacity for licensed properties to achieve significant artistic and narrative depth, influencing how other franchises approach their comic book adaptations and leaving a lasting legacy within the Power Rangers.

Embark on the epic conclusion of an eight-year saga with Power Rangers: The Darkest Hour! Witness the ultimate crossover event and see if the Rangers have what it takes to defeat Dark Specter. Don’t miss out—grab your copy today and join the adventure! Share your thoughts in the comment section below, and consider donating to support more amazing reviews like this!