POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED #1: THE COINLESS (BOOM! STUDIOS)

Welcome to a brand-new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog for the ODPH podcast!

For this entry, It is crazy to think that the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers debuted in 1993. Since that moment, the property has expanded outside of television into a well known global entity. Their reach on pop-culture has been vast but one of the most consistent areas has been their comics line. Fans of the franchise celebrating its’ 30th anniversary have much to look forward to from BOOM! Studios in the upcoming months.

One such event is a one-shot focusing on Drakkon, the wildly-popular villain of MMPR lore. POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS #1 by Adam Cesare (Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal) Moisés Hidalgo (Dark Blood), Arthur Hesli and Ed Dukeshire with the mischievous version of Tommy Oliver thrusted into uncharted territory thanks to the growing threat of Mistress Vile and Dark Spector. Let’s take a closer look at the latest events in the world of the Coinless, shall we?

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS #1 by Adam Cesare (Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal) Moisés Hidalgo (Dark Blood), Arthur Hesli and Ed Dukeshire (Cover: Dan Mora - All art credit: BOOM! Studios)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

In case anyone is unfamiliar with “The Coinless”, it is a universe in MMPR lore where this verison of Tommy aka The Green Ranger was a willing member of Rita Repulsa’s forces. Being renamed Lord Drakkon, Tommy (along with Rita) led a brutal and deadly battle against Zordon’s forces of good. When the smoke cleared, the Power Rangers as fans knew were no more. The Power Coins were no longer in their possession. While there still are individuals fighting the good fight, they are clearly outmatched by Drakkon.

Last readers saw Drakkon, he was lurking around Safehaven. After freeing Kiya, a fallen ranger, from her prison, the pair escape thru a morphin arch with an ominous warning to the Omega Rangers. The message was clear: Destroy The Arch after because Vile will be invincible if she gets to it.

As this issue kicks off, Tommy and Kiya have returned to the world of the Coinless. Drakkon thinks the world is as he left it. However, as the pair progress thru Angel Grove, that idea disappears quickly. The force of Dark Spector attack them! The odds to not appear to be in their favor until back-up arrives in the form of Trini and Scorpina!

The meeting isn’t exactly cordial as Drakkon is not a friend, but as the saying goes, “The Enemy of my enemy is my friend”. Kiya and Scorpina are happy to ignore that and make a play to attack Drakkon. They are stopped by a familar face: Kimberly Hart aka The Pink Ranger or Ranger Slayer” of this universe for a brief time.

Being the voice of reason, Kimberly leads the group into a hidden bunker. At this moment, Drakkon nearly starts a riot amongst the survivors while revealing his plans to fight Dark Spector. Unknowing to all, the forces of Evil are already making moves in the shadows ready to strike.

Can the plan work? Will this group become a team in the name of good? What other secrets lurk in this universe? Readers are treated to the last stand of a falling universe. There are many surprises thrown in the mix while watching this unlikely team put it all on the line while dealing with the past. The final sequence of events send readers home with much to ponder and question if & when the next time the coinless universe returns.

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS #1 by Adam Cesare (Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal) Moisés Hidalgo (Dark Blood), Arthur Hesli and Ed Dukeshire (Cover: Dan Mora - All art credit: BOOM! Studios)

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS #1 by Adam Cesare (Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal) Moisés Hidalgo (Dark Blood), Arthur Hesli and Ed Dukeshire (Cover: Dan Mora - All art credit: BOOM! Studios)

BREAKDOWN: Cesare gives readers an exciting tale to which plays as a nice companion to what is happening in the regular series. Drakkon never changes from being a villain readers love to hate. The interactions he has with the survivors plays into his arrogance and corruption. Diving into much of the secrets of this universe made for a solid backdrop to the danger at hand. The landscape has drastically changed for Drakkon, which in turns makes him an uneasy ally. New readers might be lost in certain areas but can pick up quickly to the events taking place. The final moments drive home the importance of the mission, while leaving readers guessing about what the future holds.

Hidalgo is no stranger to the Power Rangers world. Being a former Rangers artist on a run with Mat Groom, Hidalgo picks right up harnessing the struggle of good vs. evil. Capturing the unhinged yet conniving deminer of Drakkon played a huge part in conveying the danger of Vile and Spector. There is never a shortage of great action sequences throughout this book. Those are equally balanced with the team’s reactions to Drakkon’s defiance in the face of defeat. Readers should enjoy seeing the pivotal panels bringing one of Kimberly’s biggest losses back to the forefront. The surprise panels hit their marks bringing hope, for however fleeting it is as the story races to its end. Hidalgo’s art reflects the dire times and bleak future ahead for the coinless superbly.

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS #1 by Adam Cesare (Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal) Moisés Hidalgo (Dark Blood), Arthur Hesli and Ed Dukeshire (Cover: Dan Mora - All art credit: BOOM! Studios)

POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: THE COINLESS #1 by Adam Cesare (Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal) Moisés Hidalgo (Dark Blood), Arthur Hesli and Ed Dukeshire (Cover: Dan Mora - All art credit: BOOM! Studios)

FINAL POINT: 8.5 OUT OF 10

The dark times of the current Power Rangers story extends its’ grip into another universe with a thrilling adventure. Cesare, Hidalgo, and the team present an alternate time with an unlikely source of hope standing in the way of greater evil. Solid drama and fantastic action makes this a book to keep an eye out for on New Comic Book Day.

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Power Rangers Unlimited: the Coinless #1. Thanks for reading!

CREED: NEXT ROUND #1 (BOOM! STUDIOS)

Welcome to a new installment of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH podcast!

For this entry, we’re checking out the latest addition to a movie franchise via a brand new comic series from BOOM! Studios. Since its’ debut in 2015 with “Creed”, the spin-off story of Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) ahs been winning over fans with two very successful sequels, “Creed II” (2018) and “Creed III” (2023). Hitting comic shops this week is the continuation of the saga with Outlier Society (Michael B. Jordan’s production company) and Chartoff-Winkler bringing the franchise to the world of comics.

CREED: THE NEXT ROUND #1 by LaToya Morgan (Dark Blood, AMC’s Walking Dead) and Jai Jamison (Superman & Lois), Wilton Santos (Break Out), DJ Chavis (Lunar Room), and executive producer Elizabeth Raposo, associate producer Christina Raquel of Outlier Society and Chartoff-Winkler (Creative Director: Michael B. Jordan) jumps the story ahead from where fans last saw Creed and his family. Let’s take a closer look and see how things are shaping up now, shall we?

CREED: THE NEXT ROUND #1 by LaToya Morgan (Dark Blood, AMC’s Walking Dead) and Jai Jamison (Superman & Lois), Wilton Santos (Break Out), DJ Chavis (Lunar Room), and executive producer Elizabeth Raposo, associate producer Christina Raquel of Outlier Society and Chartoff-Winkler (Creative Director: Michael B. Jordan) - Credit: BOOM! Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The events of this story take place a decade after the conclusion of “Creed III”. Quoting directly from the opening page: “AMARA CREED WAS BORN DEAF AND HER MOTHER, BIANCA CREED, HAS COMPLETELY LOST HER HEARING BEFORE THE EVENTS OF THIS STORY. THE CREED FAMILY USES A MIX OF BASL (BLACK AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE) AND LIPREADING TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER.”

The first image readers see is Amara walking to a ring, clad in a boxing robe. With her father in her corner, Amara prepares for a boxing bout. Amara is facing Rebecca Gonzalez with a record of 5-3-0. Readers see the process of how Amara breaks down the fight. Her father waives a red towel, which Amara refers to “stop messing around and utilize your jab.” Amara complies and sets up to finish the fight with a win!

After the fight, Amara, Bianca and Adonis talk about the fight. Left with conflicting views, Amara looks at the trophy case and flashes back to when she first started. Readers see that since Adonis has retired, something has changed about his behavior in Amara’s eyes.

The next day, Amara is back in the gym, training with her dad. Amara is looking for tougher competition but her dad thinks otherwise. Meanwhile, someone is in the gym not showing the respect to Amara.

When she arrives at school, her friend Mel points out that there is an underground fight meeting happening later. With her parents away on business, Amara makes plans to go. What happens when she arrives at the fight club? Readers don’t wait too long to see Amara bring the action. The fallout sends her on an unexpected course that no one will see coming. No one ever said the road to becoming a champion was easy as the final moments show this story isn’t going to the judges for decision.

BREAKDOWN: Morgan and Jamison recreate the magic of the films with a story that carries a big Hollywood feel. Amara’s journey into becoming a champion mirrors some of the same youthful confidence personas conflicting with the elder experienced trainer. The writers play heavy into Adonis’ conflict post-retirement. Trying to balance being a father to being a trainer make for some strong character moments.

The family dynamic is another big element of this issue. Seeing Bianca and Adonis try to figure out a way to let Amara find her own path (to a degree) spotlight what makes these movies so special. The characters are easily relatable and readers can't help but to root for them to win. The final moments throw a solid curve into the mix and concludes a great first issue.

Santos and Chavis come out of the gates swinging with fast paced panels. The initial fight sets a solid pace for where things head into the story. The full page “Victory” panel closes the fight and transitions smoothly into the next phase of Amara’s path. These panels are followed up well with Amara looking into the trophy case and thinking of where she’s been and where she’s going.

The close-ups of Adonis and Bianca trying to figure things out breaks form the action to give readers a better connection with the characters. The training sessions with Amara mimicking Adonis play out perfectly to show how she’s growing as a fighter and slowly breaking form his shadow. The fight club panels push forward the emotions of fighting while adding more layer to Amara’s overall character. Great final sequence of panels to mix in the surprise ending and send readers into the next round with a loud visual statement.

FINAL POINT: 8.5 OUT OF 10

The next chapter in the Creed saga doesn’t lose the opening round as readers are treated to an excellent first issue. Morgan, Jamison, Santos and the entire team repackage the magic of the movies and deliver it to the comic shop with superb writing and energetic art. You won’t want to miss picking this up on New Comic Book Day.

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Creed: the Next Round #1. Thanks for reading!

ARAÑA AND SPIDER-MAN 2099: DARK TOMORROW (Disney Publishing Worldwide, Marvel Press)

Welcome to a very special edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH Podcast!

For this entry, we are checking out a brand new novel from Disney Publishing Worldwide and Marvel Press that fans of a few notable characters in the Spider-Man mythos are featured in. The timing couldn’t be more perfect with the new “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” gearing up to hit theatres on June 2nd with one of these characters is featured prominently in the animated film. ARAÑA AND SPIDER-MAN 2099: DARK TOMORROW by Alex Segura, who fans know from such great stories as The Black Ghost, Blood Oath, Poe Dameron: Free Fall, and the Anthony Award–winning Secret Identity just to name a few. Dark Tomorrow features Anya Corazon who fans know as Araña and Miguel O’Hara aka Spider-Man 2099 on an adventure that stretches throughout the timestream.

Both of these characters have been around the Marvel COMICS Universe for a while now and have built up a very solid fan base. Araña made her debut in the pages of Amazing Fantasy #1 in 2004. From there, she has impacted a few Spider-Man events and even assumed the mantle of Spider-Girl for her own solo series. Miguel O’Hara led the charge in 1992 of welcoming comic fans to the 2099 universe as “Spider-Man 2099”. Since then, he has been a fixture in the comics scene by popping back in from time to time into the present day timeline. Pairing them together for the first time has fans waiting to see how they work together while facing more challenges than just the rogues of Spider-Man.

DARK TOMORROW is scheduled to drop on May 2nd. I was honored to receive an advance copy so here is my SPOILER FREE review of the unlikely pairing of two popular characters in the Spider-Verse.

ARANA AND SPIDER-MAN 2099: DARK TOMORROW by Alex Segura

(Credit: Disney Publishing Worldwide, Marvel Press - On Sale May 2nd, 2023)

*** SPOILER FREE WARNING ***

The story kicks off with a great introduction into Araña as she handles a lesser-tier threat. Readers get a great introduction in how she deals with the threat. From here, Anya Corazon’s life and relationships come front and center all while trying to juggle life at Milton Summer High School located in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Segura paints a vivid picture of how Anya is coping with school and seeing how others react to her other life in her role as a super hero. A great aspect of the story is her interactions with Gilberto, her caring father. He looks out for the best interest of his daughter but doesn’t know about her superhero life. This expands further when fate brings her into contact with a very special figure named Miguel Legar who opens her world to secrets that have a big impact on her life. It sends the story into a new phase as the focus dives in on the young hero growing in her role with guidance until tragedy strikes.

A major threat arrives on the scene (that Spider-Man fans should definitely know) and is amplifiesd even more when Anya must deal with losing someone who has become a mentor to her. Being unprepared for what’s coming is an overwhelming feeling of doubt that Segura challenges Anya with in the writing. It is an easy connection to readers who have witnessed Anya’s beginning as a hero. Can she find a win where she is adrift on what to do next. All the while, the looming presence of a dangerous Spider-Man foe is haunting Anya. The theme shifts to can Anya triumph over tragedy or is she now destined to fail?

Anya doesn’t have time to process as an event happens involving an object known as El Obelisco. The object becomes the catalyst for an even bigger mystery with Anya is in the middle. Where it leads is to a place she would never expect: Nueva York and home to someone that might be able to help Anya in her time of need: Miguel O’Hara!

Readers are given a great backstory on Miguel’s current state. Segura brings out many emotions from Miguel that bear some similarities with Anya. The experience factor doesn’t matter here. The challenge is what makes the hero move forward when they feel they can’t. Elements of the past follow Anya to this new era. It adds into the weight of the desperation of the heroes’ feelings, especially when a connection is made that shakes both heroes.

Heading into the final act, Segura brings all the major themes to a head. Anya and Miguel’s stories depicted here has been grounded with the themes of life after loss respectively. It brings out the best in both as they rediscover what it means to be a hero. There is also a great surprise presence that fans will be excited to see added to the mix. The conflict resolution plays out perfectly to reflect why the overall challenges felt so grave. It lives up to the motto made famous by Ben Parker way back when: “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.” The fallout concludes a fantastic story bringing into focus what Segura drives home with this tale. Readers will be very excited to pick this book up.

BREAKDOWN: Segura crafts an excellent take on this unique pairing of heroes and delivers on a tale for the ages. Both main heroes are given an ample amount of time to have their individual stories explained to new readers who may not be familiar with each. The structure flows smoothly, moving things right along without taking anything away from the overall picture.  Heroes are defined by their actions. In this world they live in, there are losses and set-backs. Resilience is key to the blueprint of a hero. Both main characters go through this with loss and both find strength in others (and each other) to overcome.

One of the highlights of this book is the personal conversations that the heroes display with their supporting cast. Anya’s with Gilberto and Miguel’s banter with Lyla (his virtual assistant) spotlight their awareness that they are both still searching to conquer their losses and become stronger from them. Segura hits the marks featuring this in many parts of the story. They add another layer to each lead. It plays in even deeper when the main antagonist is revealed, adding to the threat of their actions. Knowing what this individual is capable of, the heroes need to find that extra drive to fight back. Luckily, they have each other to lean on.  

The dynamic between Anya and Miguel (Spidey 2099) has many instances of bringing out the best in each other to face the threat at hand. Segura portrays different roles for both, even switching who is the seasoned veteran and novice rookie at times which pays off later in the novel. There is a moment involving a letter that captures that element superbly. It shows the effect of their partnership and is a moment that readers will have a strong positive reaction reading. By the time that its’ concluded, readers have no doubt that two heroes were forged thru this and are stronger coming out of conflict.

FINAL POINT: ARAÑA AND SPIDER-MAN 2099: DARK TOMORROW by Alex Segura brings out the best of what defines being a hero with two popular characters of the Spider-Verse leading the charge. The story is filled with great surprises along with superhero themes lead by Segura’s phenomenal writing. Readers see first-hand how insurmountable odds and personal setbacks are tackled head-on showcasing what is a fantastic read that shouldn’t be missed.

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of ARAÑA AND SPIDER-MAN 2099: DARK TOMORROW. Thanks for reading.