Warning! Spoilers for Power Rangers Unlimited: Countdown to Ruin #1 ahead!
The original line-up of Power Rangers in Space was much different from what some fans may remember, and the fate of that line-up has finally been revealed in the latest Power Rangers Unlimited one-shot published by BOOM! Studios. Audiences may recall that when Power Rangers in Space first aired in 1998, Andros was already the Red Space Ranger prior to meeting teammates Cassie, Carlos, Ashley, and T.J. Those four had served as the Power Rangers in the previous Turbo season and would eventually become Space Rangers for the new season.
However, audiences never got a clear idea as to what exactly happened to the previous team. All that was revealed by Andros’ is that their home planet, KO-35, was attacked by Dark Specter and his army. The attack left Silver Space Ranger Zhane mortally wounded to the point that Andros needed to freeze him inside of a cryogenic tube just to ensure his survival. Meanwhile, it was never stated clearly what happened to the other four Space Rangers, or if there were four other Space Rangers working with Andros and Zhane to begin with.
Fans finally get some answers in Power Rangers Unlimited: Countdown to Ruin #1. The new one-shot from Marguerite Bennett, Anna Kekovsky Chandra, and Giuseppe Cafaro serves as a prequel set within the BOOM! Power Rangers universe and focuses on the Red and Silver Space Rangers, Andros and Zhane. The story puts a spotlight on that fateful day on KO-35 and showcases not only how Andros and Zhane defended their planet, but also how they did so with an entire team of Space Rangers. Readers are now introduced to Black Space Ranger Yihzu, Blue Space Ranger Maavi, Yellow Space Ranger Naro, and Pink Space Ranger Dhaza. All four are seen killed in battle while Zhane, staying true to the series, jumps in front of a lethal attack that was for Andros.
Showcasing the destruction of KO-35 does two things simultaneously. The first is that, as so many stories within BOOM’s Power Rangers universe tend to do, it adds additional context to the original television series that wasn’t there when Power Rangers in Space first aired. It helps fans further understand the grief that Andros goes through at the start of the season, making his character development all the more satisfying to see unfold.
The second thing this one-shot does is provide a new context for the BOOM! Rangerverse itself, specifically for Andros’ struggles. This version of Andros hasn’t met the Space line-up that fans are familiar with yet. At this stage in life, Andros is all alone, with his best friend on the brink of death in a freezer. Working with the Omega Rangers, Andros has already gone to some dark lengths to orchestrate his vengeance against Dark Specter. At face value, Andros’ actions have been particularly harsh, but now that readers get the chance to see firsthand the horrors that he went through on KO-35, they can now sympathize with his internal struggle, if nothing else. To see how BOOM! Studios continue to develop the Power Rangers in Space, pick up Power Rangers Unlimited: Countdown to Ruin #1, available everywhere now.