The rebootedPower Rangerscomic book canon is making another significance divergence from the franchise’s familiar status quo,as cover art for an upcoming issue seems to depict a Purple Ranger as part of its Mighty Morphin' line-up, in place of the iconic staple ofRangersstories, the Pink Ranger.
Artist Dan Mora’s main cover forPower Rangers Prime#5 – written by Melissa Flores, with art by Michael YG – depicts a Purple Ranger center-frame, with the rest of the team behind them. While this is notable in its own right, longtimePower Rangersfans were quick to note the omission of a Pink Ranger on the cover.
While readers will have to wait to find out more when the issue is released, this seems to be an extension of thePrimereboot’s attempt to bring fresh new ideas to the franchise.
Prime’s Purple Power Ranger Isn’t The First In Franchise History, But They Are Rare
Power Rangers Prime#5 – Written By Melissa Flores; Art By Michael YG; Color By Fabi Marques; Lettering By Ed Dukeshire
While not a color that is frequently seen in the franchise,Primewill not mark the first time that Purple is featured on a Power Rangers team. It is rare, but there have been some Purple Rangers. The first appeared inPower Rangers Jungle Fury, where Robert “RJ” James debuted as the Wolf Ranger. He was succeeded byPower Rangers Dino Charge’sin the Purple Ranger mantle, held first by Albert Smith, and then Kendall Morgan. In both instances, neither Ranger was in the initial line-up, serving as anextra Ranger, someone who joins the cast afterward.
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Some of the best Power Rangers of all time never made it to television, from Psycho Green and the Black Time Force Ranger to Lord Drakkon.
In the comics, meanwhile, Ellarien serves as the Purple Solar Ranger. While the leader of the team, she becomes the second Purple Solar Ranger. The Solar Rangers themselves were introduced to readers asa Power Rangers super-teamat first glance. Ellarien broke her Solarix to give the dream team their Solar powers, forming her own team at a later date. It continues a trend in which, while Purple Rangers have been included on the team, they usually arrive onboard at a later date. A Purple Ranger hasnever been included in the original line-upof Power Rangers, until now withPrime.
A Purple Ranger In The Main Cast Changes Power Rangers Forever
A First In Franchise History
As of the latest issue ofPrime, the new Rita Repulsa has gifted the Power Rangers their power, starting withSamurai’sLauren Shiba as the Red Ranger. The rest of the new “Teenagers with Attitude” are expected to gain powers next, just in time to combat the VR Troopers opposing them, and as confirmed by the fifth issue’s cover art,a Purple Rangerwill be there from the start – a first inPower Rangershistory, one that could very well kick off a trend of unexpected alterations from classic franchise lore moving forward.
Power Rangers Prime#5will be available August 22, 2025 from BOOM! Studios.
Power Rangers
Power Rangersis a long-running multimedia franchise that debuted in 1993 with the TV seriesMighty Morphin Power Rangers. Created by Haim Saban and adapted from the JapaneseSuper Sentaiseries,Power Rangersbecame a cultural phenomenon by combining action-packed footage fromSuper Sentaiwith new scenes featuring American actors. The franchise follows teams of young heroes who transform into Power Rangers to battle various villains, using martial arts, special powers, and giant mechas called Zords. Over the decades, the franchise has expanded into multiple TV series, films, comics, video games, and merchandise, becoming one of the most successful children’s franchises in the world.
