Review: MMPR: Pink #4
Lifetime reader of comics and fan of Planet of the Apes. When the two combine I can barely contain myself. Image, Boom and Titan comics fight for shelf space with Doctor Who DVDs.
With another Power Rangers comic announced at the NYCC,  Boom! Studios are putting a lot of faith on the success of this franchise. Here ComiConverse contributor Darryll Robson reviews the latest issue of the Pink mini-series to see how well they are currently doing.
Review: MMPR: Pink #4
Another month, another issue of MMPR: Pink from Boom! Studios. While the main title continues unabated, Pink has had a wobble or two. Falling from the height reached in issue one Pink has yet to climb back on top. And it doesn't look like the creators are in a rush to scale those heights again as they push out another disappointing issue. But what exactly is the problem?
Synopsis
In dire straits and trapped within the home made Megazord, Typhonis, the Pink Ranger has to convince Goldar that only by working together can they escape. Surprisingly Goldar isn't convinced but a few choice words have him totally on board.
Meanwhile Verto is continuing to change the inhabitants of St. Moineau into 'Creature from the Black Lagoon' cast offs. Â The Yellow and Black Rangers are holding the enemy at bay but, with little help from Zardon forthcoming, the situation seems like an uphill battle.
But not to worry, here comes Kim and new best mate, Goldar, after escaping all too easily from their watery prison.
Analysis
A lot more happens in this issue than is stated above: crashing Zords; bickering villains; new Rangers; but it's not as exciting as it sounds. Somehow the writers have managed to take all of the adventure elements of a Power Rangers story and make something bland and obvious.
Goldar flip flops between teaming up with Kim and trying to slice her in two. If the change of heart wasn't so sudden then this part of the story might have worked but it reads more like a useful narrative tool rather than logical character behaviour. Goldar's motivations seem to change page to page and it is difficult to know where you stand with him.
Kim wants to save everyone, a sentiment she announces at every given possibility despite the fact there is no-one around her who cares, and the other Power Rangers are happy punching things until it's time to do a spot of cleaning. The intriguing characters hinted at in issue one have been replaced by cardboard doubles.
It's fair to say that the entire issue is laden with conveniences and two dimensional characterisations. This is a case of the destination being more important than the journey. Someone has plotted this story out using bullet points and then forgotten to flesh it out before passing it to the artist.
The highlight of this issue is Daniele Di Nicuolo's art work. He still manages to breathe a little life into the action sequences unfortunately he's not given much to work with. Because of this, panel after panel is flat and lacks focus. Even the best artist has difficulty building emotional tension when the script is devoid of emotion. The intensity is hinted at in brief moments of exhilaration but then the overlaying script will make you cringe. Even the one liners, witty way back at the start, lack humour and will make you groan more than at an action movie from the 80's.
By issue four of a miniseries, the reader should be engrossed, hooked into an adventure that they don't want to end. Due to a misreading of the solicitation I thought this issue was the last and was a little disappointed when I got to the end and discovered it wasn't.
After the first issue of MMPR: Pink I was excited for this series but with each subsequent issue the disappointment has been building. Somewhere along the line the initial intentions of the narrative for Pink have been replaced by a âcomic by numbers' approach.
Darryll Robson is a Contributor to ComiConverse. Occasionally he might use his Twitter account: @DarryllRobson
Source: Boom Studios
Disappointing
The miniseries trudges on despite the fact all originality and excitement has left the comic. The competent art work attempts to make up for the scripts failings but it's not enough to save MMPR: Pink