‘Power Rangers’ Writers Announce Nonbinary Character, The Death Ranger
Fans of the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers comics, written by Paul Allor and Kath Lobo, are roaring about the brand-new ranger who goes by the ominous name “The Death Ranger.” The Death Ranger is one of the six Legendary Omega Rangers to save the universe from ultimate evil. Something changes within one of the legendary six, unlocking more mystery in this first issue of the comic.
The Death Ranger caught the eye of many with the artwork recently released in Bleeding Cool. The art debuts The Death Ranger’s sharp exterior with shiny gold armor, highlighting the gold diamond on their chest. Fans are astounded by the powerful look of the ranger and are proudly celebrating the fact that The Death Ranger is nonbinary. While nonbinary representation can be few and far between in today’s media, Power Rangers fans and nonbinary people of the internet made The Death Ranger a nonbinary icon overnight.
I identify as
man ❌
woman ❌
the death ranger ✅— mori💀🎹✨ (@MoriPaaa_) May 21, 2022
Death Ranger becoming an NB icon over night??
their power! 🥺 pic.twitter.com/hv4rg0QrJt— 🦇🃏 Nori 🏴☠️🏴☠️ (@noritar0) May 21, 2022
Earlier this week, Paul Allor confirmed on Bleeding Cool that The Death Ranger uses they/them pronouns, stating, “The Death Ranger’s pronouns are they/them, as is the case with their entire race.” Yes, the entire Death Ranger race is also nonbinary—Take that for representation. I’d like an army full of nonbinary Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers on my team.
People rallied behind The Death Ranger for the representation they provide, as a nonbinary character in a comic book space predominantly held by and for cisgender men. The creation of this character forges a queer space of their own where queer fans can look to characters like The Death Ranger and feel seen.
The Death Ranger not only stands in their identity, but their story of death and grief is already moving fans ahead of the issue release, slated for late August of this year. The story of The Death Ranger parallels that of writer Paul Allor and their own history with grief. Allor also adds on Twitter, “This story was cathartic and painful to write, but I *think* it resulted in something f-cking great.”
Last thing before I step away from my computer: I am legit nervous so many people are like "DEATH RANGER COMING, F YEAH!!!" and my issue is a deeply personal origin story about the destructive power of grief.
But I think people mainly just want a great story, and they'll get it.
— Paul Allor Loves You 🏳️🌈 (@PaulAllor) May 21, 2022
We are all patiently waiting for the release of Power Rangers Unlimited: Death Ranger #1 this summer, and we can’t wait to see what Paul Allor and Kath Lobo do with The Death Ranger in this first issue going forward.
Photo courtesy of BOOM! Studios/Katherine Lobo
