Review – Justice League/Power Rangers #1 (DC Comics)

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Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artwork: Stephen Byrne
Release Date: 11th December 2017

Arghhhhh!

I really, really, really wanted to like this. I mean, I grew up with Power Rangers (I even have the theme song in my gym mix) and I’m really enjoying their BOOM! Studios ongoing series, not to mention the fact that DC has recently been knocking it out of the park with their post-Rebirth output.

The issue as a whole isn’t bad necessarily, but nor is it particularly well executed. The story is a traditional crossover set-up, with the Rangers finding themselves in the DC universe. It clunks from one good idea to another. Zack getting a concussion, Zedd using Alpha 5 as a suicide bomb and a brief glimpse at what to expect in the future of the crossover.

Where the story falls down is when the other Rangers cross over. Despite noticing that Batman isn’t really trying to hurt them and the Flash only confiscates their weapons (he doesn’t attack), Kimberley still calls on her Zord to attack the Batmobile. It makes little sense, and immediately rips you out of the story as you find yourself pondering “wait… what?”

Honestly, the whole issue just screams lazy cliché at me and I found myself continually disappointed by the squandered potential. It’s not all bad, however. The artwork is impressively well done – it’s just a shame that the story doesn’t live up to it. The blending of the DC and BOOM! Studios styles is seamless, and the action scenes leap right off the page. Even the Pterodactyl Zord vs the Batmobile looks amazing.

Honestly, I really wanted to like this but I just can’t. On paper this sounds brilliant and I hope the series gets better as it progresses but this first issue is little more than a clunky mess

Rating: 2/5.

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