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Astronema's origins revealed in Boom!'s Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir To Darkness
The villainous princess of evil named Astronema (AKA Karone) has been the bane of the Power Rangers ever since she emerged as a lethal warrior trained by Ecliptor. The character has since been redeemed as the new Pink Galaxy Ranger but her entire backstory will now be revealed in a special oversized one-shot presented by Boom! Studios on Mar. 31 — and SYFY WIRE has an expanded preview of all the electrifying action.
Written by bestselling author L.L. McKinney (A Blade So Black, Nubia: Real One) and injected with vivid artwork courtesy of illustrator Simone Ragazzoni (Power Rangers: Drakkon New Dawn), colorist Igor Monti (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), and letterer Ed Dukeshire (Once & Future), this targeted issue illuminates much more of how Karone was transformed into a formidable nemesis and where her ultimate destiny lies.
As one of the most popular Power Rangers antagonists, Astronema's entire origin tale will be illuminated in Boom!'s one-off devoted to her eventual reign of rage in the United Alliance of Evil and directly connected to the events of Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers.
Prior to becoming a trusted Power Ranger, a young girl named Karone was kidnapped by the bounty hunter Darkonda on the planet KO-35. Transported off-world, she was brainwashed into the ruthless assassin known as Astronema by two of the greatest terrors in the galaxy — Dark Specter and Ecliptor. But precisiely what is Dark Spector’s true plan, and how will it affect the new Mighty Morphin & Power Rangers teams?
"I took what made her memorable to fans both past and present, myself being a huge fan as well, and mixed it with elements that I felt made that season in particular so great," McKinney told Newsarama regarding her approach to the character. "There's a side to Karone we all know is there, you don't get to be second-in-command of the literal empire of evil for nothing, but with PR being first and foremost a kids show, it wasn't ever explored in depth. I'm too hype to be able to get to do that."
"I think a lot of who Karone was as a person in the beginning definitely informed who she was as Astronema," she added in the interview. "Her cunning, her skills in combat, her magical abilities, her accomplishments as a strategist, her drive, and her loyalty, even if it's to the wrong people and cause. She exhibits a number of traits we'd consider admirable if she wasn't, y'know, the Princess of Evil. All of that went into her choosing to be who she became, so I wanted to focus on her capability."
Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir To Darkness #1 strikes on Mar. 31 and showcases main cover art by Dan Mora (Klaus, Coda, Once & Future) and variant cover art by illustrators Jungeun Yoon (Spider-woman), Vincenzo Riccardi (Something is Killing the Children), and Jenny Frison (Wonder Woman).
Now power up our preview of Boom! Studios' spotlight salute to Astronema in the full gallery below. It's Morphin' Time!
