Kimberly Ann Hart of thePower Rangersgot the most mind-blowing weapon upgrade in the franchise’s comic book extended universe. ThePink Ranger’s signature choice of weaponwas always the Power Bow, but even that isn’t the most powerful weapon Kimberly has wielded. Eventhe reinvented bow weaponwhich she wields when she becomes the Ranger Slayer as an adult pales in comparison to another upgrade.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers#30 – written by Kyle Higgins, with art by Daniele Di Nicuolo – featured the exhilarating moment when theoriginal Pink Ranger received her most powerful upgrade in the character’s history, in the form of the Green Ranger’s Dragon Shield and Dagger.
The comics have gone to great lengths toreinvent the Pink Rangercharacter, but no attempt feels as pronounced in highlighting her competence and evolution as a hero as this arc, in which she earned the Dragon Dagger.
How Power Rangers' Original Pink Ranger Earned The Dragon Dagger & Shield, Explained
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers#30 – Written By Kyle Higgins; Art By Daniele Di Nicuolo Simona Di Gianfelice, Walter Baiamonte & Ed Dukeshire.
Kimberly and Tommy’s iconic romancehas been well-documented, with their first date being chronicled inMighty Morphin Power Rangers#25. Unfortunately, their date ended in tragedy, when Lord Drakkon suddenly emerged in the midst of his quest to travel the multiverse to kill Rangers for their powers. With one stab to the back, Drakkon killed his good-natured counterpart. This was a heartbreaking moment for Kimberly, but like the rest of the Mighty Morphin Rangers, she had no choice but to push forward, as she set out to stop Drakkon without time to grieve.
After an inspiring speech, Jason addressed Kimberly, asking her to pilot the Dragonzord in battle, giving her the Dragon Shield to ensure she was capable of doing so.
In the case of Jason Lee Scott, his leadership duties as Red Ranger meant he had to take the brunt of responsibility in the middle of mourning Tommy Oliver. As such, Jason was the first to receive the power upgrade of Tommy’s Dragon Shield and Dagger left behind. With the literal weight of Tommy’s absence on Jason’s shoulders, he led countless Power Rangers into a final battle with Drakkon’s army. After an inspiring speech,Jason addressed Kimberly, asking her to pilot the Dragonzord in battle, giving her the Dragon Shieldto ensure she was capable of doing so.
Kimberly Proved Herself To Be A Capable Leader Of The Power Rangers, According to Jason
The Implications Of Earning The Dragon Shield & Dagger
On one hand, there’s certainly a sentiment behind Jason’s decision to give Kimberly the Green Ranger’s powers and weaponry. It was the best way for her to honor her late boyfriend, and the gesture itself clearly resonated with her on that level. However, to say that the only reason Kimberly was given this upgrade was because she dated Tommy Oliver would be a disservice to the progress Kimberly made as a Ranger on the show and in the comics. Knowing Jason, he wouldn’t just hand off a big power-up to someone out of sentiment, not while the end is nigh.
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Instead, it seems apparent thatJason genuinely believed Kimberly could handle the power, and more importantly, that she earned that power. There was once a time when it was easy for audiences to dismiss the female Rangers of the team, given how it took so many years before the franchise saw its first female leader and first female Red Ranger. However, even back then, Kimberly was a member who could not be underestimated, neither by critics nor in-universe. Against Lord Drakkon,Kimberly proved herself skilled enough to make a capable leader.
Earning The Dragon Shield & Dagger Led To A Greater Role For Kimberly In Future Arcs
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers#30 – Available Now From Boom! Studios
Notably,the World of the Coinless– the same alternate reality that Drakkon emanated from –showcased a future where Kimberly actually wasthe leader of the Power Rangers.Following the final battle known as the Fall of the Power Rangers, Kimberly was one of the last remaining heroes not captured or killed by Drakkon, leading a resistance force against him. Without any real powers, she still managed to be skilled enough to hold her ground. When she did get new Ranger powers, she became theleader of the Solar Rangers. Even better, it was thefuture Kimberly who killed Lord Drakkon.
Wielding the Dragon Shield and Dagger, and even appropriating it to her liking, was the perfect way to honor Tommy Oliver, but it was also a deserving upgrade for one of the franchise’s best Power Rangers.
Although this was an alternate reality, it was still the same Pink Ranger, just on an altered path.Mighty Morphin’soriginal Kimberly was just as willing and capable to be a leader in the Rangerverse’s main canon as she was in the Coinless reality, made evident by the fact that teenage Kimberly was able to defeat a brainwashed Ranger Slayer in the comics. Wielding the Dragon Shield and Dagger, and even appropriating it to her liking, was the perfect way to honor Tommy Oliver, but it was also a deserving upgrade for one of the franchise’s bestPower Rangers.
