After the last stunning issue with that very unexpected cameo, it was business and angst as usual for our Rangers in Training.

Ranger Academy #4 by Maria Ingrande Mora, artist Jo Mi-Gyeong, colorist Joana Lafuente, and letterer Ed Dukeshire

The Story

We are back in the same rut. Sage is still overly internalizing. But this time, with an extra “something” pushing her. Aside from that, a team of rangers are now guarding the school with the new advanced security measures. The big question is which team?! Ranger Academy Rangers! Sage confronts Tula again about using her when, in fact, she wanted her dad! The math does add up that her older sister and Sage’s age would line up to her dad’s time at the academy. But when confronted in the training room, something goes wrong, and the only thing that can save them is SAGE MORPHING!

The Art

I’m always consistent with this book. It was nice to see the throwback cadet uniforms in the mini flashback. The new Greenish specter/aura could have been shaded a bit heavier, but it still works either way. I loved that the Academy Rangers on Duty truly encompasses what Rangerdom is: representation! A male Pink Ranger, the yellow ranger with a different body type than our action figures. But going back, there WAS another aura floating around, too!

Thoughts From THE GRID

LUCKY NUMBER 7!!!! Finally, we are going somewhere! All in all, this is a SOLID issue. Just a few minor things (because it wouldn’t be a true OFF THE CUFF REVIEW if I didn’t)

1. The Rangers protecting the academy: I love the diversity, but the suits… Honestly, I think there should be a stark difference in their design between Academy Rangers and Graduated Rangers. Suggestion: Modernize the pre-Zyuranger suits that weren’t used in Super Mega Force
2. As I’ll refer to it from now on, this new Green Specter is a very different take on Ranger Lore. I’m still on the fence, but I’m interested to see how it plays out.
3. Tula being the cop-out-conduit for Dark Spectre’s influence [my theory] it’s a bit tropey, but it tracks.

Ranger Academy #7 gets 8.2 out of 10 Power Coins

Solid work all around, but as I pointed out, there may have been a few missed opportunities. My hope is that we start guiding the “Zord” away from the coming-of-age teen stuff and get to the main good guy and bad guy stuff.

So, what are your theories? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and please consider following me personally at OFF THE CUFF TOM on social media. Don’t forget to support your LCS, and then teleport back to the Nerd Initiative for all your Ranger Reviews! MAY THE POWER PROTECT YOU!