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The Phantom Ranger’s shocking origin story is finally being told, and it begins with their own trek into the the Power Rangers universe.
WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Power Rangers Universe #1, available now from Boom! Studios.
For nearly thirty years the Power Rangers franchise has been home to some of the most iconic figures in all of pop culture. Even with so much history behind it, there are still some characters who remain complete mysteries compared to their colorful counterparts, and that applies to no one more than the Phantom Ranger. Thankfully, the world of comics has been teasing the Phantom Ranger’s origin for months, and that time has finally arrived in the pages of Power Rangers Universe.
Power Rangers Universe #1 by #1 by Nicole Andelfinger, Simone Ragazzoni, Mattia Iacono, and Ed Dukeshire takes readers back to the distant past to a world designated only as Planet 0117. There the scientist Chendil works tirelessly in front of a stone arch, preparing to open a portal to places unknown in a bid to help someone else achieve their ascension. This armored figure wastes no time stepping into the portal that opens within the arch, and while they might only be referred to as the Morphinaut, longtime fans will immediately recognize them as none other than the Phantom Ranger.
First introduced to the franchise back in 19997’s “The Phantom Phenomenon” from Power Rangers Turbo, the Phantom Ranger quickly became a fan favorite after helping the titular team defy the dastardly plans of Divatox on multiple occasions. Unfortunately, over the handful of appearances that the Phantom Ranger made on the small screen over the course of Power Rangers Turbo and In Space, little was ever established about its true nature. While it was made clear that the Phantom Ranger’s energy signature was Eltarian in origin, no other identifying characteristics were explored, although the comics have already begun filling in those blanks.
After stepping through the portal, the Morphinaut comes face-to-face with the inside of the Morphin Grid, as well as the horrors that lurk within. With no time to lose, the Morphinaut closes the portal from the inside, leaving themselves stranded alongside the terrifying creatures they have encountered for what would have been the rest of time if not for a team of adventurers coming across him nearly six hundred years later. These young Morphin Masters have no trouble recognizing the Morphinaut when they see them, but what comes after is still waiting to be seen.
That the Phantom Ranger has ended up back in the spotlight isn’t any surprise, although its origins as an explorer of the Morphin Grid itself certainly is. There has always been speculation surrounding whether the Phantom Ranger was somehow comprised of Grid energy, and their appearance in Power Rangers Ultimate would seem to confirm that theory, at least to a point. Unfortunately, that only creates even more questions than answers. With any luck, the truth behind all of them will be revealed soon enough.
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