Kimberly Ann Hart of the Power Rangers Got the most mind-blowing weapon upgrade in the franchise extended comic universe. The Pink Ranger’s signature choice of weapon has always been the Power Bow, but even that isn’t the most powerful weapon Kimberly has. Even the reinvented bow weapon 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 thrilling moment when the The original 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 tried to reinvent the Pink Ranger character, 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 and 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 romance is well-documented, with their first date chronicled in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #25. Unfortunately, their date ends in tragedy when Lord Drakon suddenly emerges in the midst of his quest to travel the multiverse to kill Rangers for their powers. With one stab in the back, Drakon killed his good-natured opponent. It 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 decided to stop Drakon without time to mourn.
After an inspiring speech, Jason spoke to Kimberly, asking her to pilot the Dragonzord into battle, giving her the Dragon Shield to ensure she was able to do so.
In the case of Jason Lee Scott, his leadership duties as Red Ranger meant that 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 from 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 spoke to Kimberly, asking her to pilot the Dragonzord into battle, giving her the Dragon Shield. To ensure that she is able to do this.
Kimberly proved herself to be a capable leader of the Power Rangers, according to Jason
The implications of earning the Dragon Shield and Dagger
On one hand, there is certainly a sentiment behind Jason’s decision to give Kimberly the Green Ranger’s powers and weapon. It was the best way for her to honor her late boyfriend, and the gesture 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. Being Jason, he wouldn’t just give a big power-up to someone out of sentiment, not while the end is near.
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Instead, it seems clear that Jason truly believed that Kimberly could handle the power, and more importantly, that she earned the power. There was once a time when it was easy for audiences to dismiss the female Rangers from the team because 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 the universe. Against Lord Drakkan, Kimberly proved herself capable enough to make a capable leader.
Earning the Dragon Shield and Dagger led to a greater role for Kimberly in future arcs
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #30 – Now available from Boom! studios
Notably, the World of the Coinless – the same alternate reality that Dragon emanated from – Showed a future where Kimberly actually was The leader of the Power Rangers. After the final battle known as the Fall of the Power Rangers, Kimberly was one of the last remaining heroes not captured or killed by Drakon, leading a resistance force against him. Without any real powers, she still manages to be skilled enough to hold her ground. When she gained new ranger powers, she became the leader of the Sun Rangers. Even better, it was the future Kimberly who killed Lord Dragon.
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.
Even though this was an alternate reality, it’s still the same Pink Ranger, just in an altered way. Mighty Morphin’s Original Kimberly was just as willing and able to be a leader in the Rangerverse’s main canon as she was in the Coinless reality, obviously teenage Kimberly being 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 best. Power Rangers.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #30 is now available from Boom! studios.