The most memorable moments of Zordon as a mentor in the BOOM! Studios' comics illustrate his unshakeable faith in righteousness and his students, even in the face of death and betrayal. Zordon serves as a paternal figure, providing tough love and sincere compassion to his students while fulfilling his duties as their mentor. Despite encountering setbacks, Zordon acknowledges his past mistakes, overlooks his students' deceptions, and collaborates with former enemies, highlighting his exceptional qualities.
Zordon's role as a mentor to the Power Rangers is showcased in the BOOM! Studios comic books in a way that has never been seen before. For over 30 years, audiences have admired Zordon as he recruited five teenagers and gave them superpowers. From his surprising cameo in Power Rangers Cosmic Fury to his role in the destruction of the Command Center, the comics reveal new context and history to what made Zordon a great mentor on the show. In one powerful moment, Zordon from the World of the Coinless advises the main canon to never lose faith in good or in his Rangers, no matter what, showing that his belief in good never wavers. In another instance, Zordon gives Jason fatherly advice, continuing to fulfill his role as a wise and supportive mentor.
Often, a mentor to young people needs to be prepared to take on the role of a second father as well as a teacher. Zordon steps up to the challenge in this comic, as Jason struggles with his father's cancer diagnosis. When Jason believes that the Rangers can use their powers to save his dad, Zordon patiently explains why that is not possible. He balances tough love with genuine sympathy, providing Jason with the support he needs to hear.
In issue 10, Zordon meets with SPD's Cruger, reflecting on the responsibilities and challenges of being a mentor. Zordon offers condolences to Cruger for the loss of a Ranger, acknowledging that their surviving Rangers can learn and grow from the mistakes of their mentors. Zordon understands that not every student will be a star pupil, but believes that every failure can lead to future success. This is illustrated through Jason's leadership in honor of the fallen Tommy.
In issue 9, Zordon must swallow his pride and ask Rita Repulsa for help, demonstrating the complexities of mentorship and the need for humility.
Even mentors, who are in a position to assist their students, may find themselves in need of help at times. This can be a challenging thing to ask for, especially when seeking assistance from a rival they've been battling for thousands of years. This is the predicament that Zordon faces when he decides to incorporate Rita Repulsa into his plans for a final assault against Lord Drakkon. Despite her history of trapping him in a time warp and other despicable acts, Zordon understands that, as any leader would teach their students, putting aside pride for the greater mission is necessary.
In Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #47, we see Zordon's acceptance of Jason, Trini, and Zack's decision to leave the team for the Peace Conference. However, they are actually chosen by the Morphin Grid's Blue Emissary and become the Omega Rangers in space. When they need Zordon's help, they come clean about their lies, and Zordon shows patience and trust as a mentor. He understands the importance of the mission at hand and forgives his former pupils, knowing that their intentions were in the right place.
In Power Rangers #1 and Mighty Morphin #2, we witness the fury of Zordon as he confronts the challenges and obstacles that come his way. This showcases his unwavering determination and commitment to protecting the universe, even in the face of adversity.The scene highlighted in this entry may not necessarily reflect Zordon's most exemplary traits as a mentor. Instead, it stands out for showcasing an atypical side of Zordon - one that is frightening when angry. Though he is typically calm and kind to his Rangers, even Zordon is capable of reaching his breaking point. This occurs when his former students and current Omega Rangers take captive his prisoner, Lord Drakkon, and disagree with his approach in dealing with Drakkon's return. 6. Zordon's Qualifications as a Mentor In Mighty Morphin #12, Ryan Parrott, Marco Renna, Walter Baiamonte, Sara Antonellini, Katia Ranalli, and Ed Dukeshire intersperse present-day events with flashbacks of Zordon as a young warrior on Eltar during the Eltarian War arc. These flashbacks highlight Zordon's time as a planet guardian, and emphasize how his experiences make him qualified to be a mentor to fighters for thousands of years to come. Initially serving as Chief Guardian to Supreme Guardian Zophram, who is later corrupted into Lord Zedd, Zordon assumes the role of Supreme Guardian after Zophram's failed attempt to steal the Zeo Crystal. 5. Zordon's Warrior Transformation Mighty Morphin #14, by Ryan Parrott, Marco Renna, Walter Baiamonte, Katia Ranalli, and Ed Dukeshire, features a scene in which Zordon uses Billy's armor to regain his status as a warrior.When Zordon's old friend Zartus appears in the present and destroys Zordon's container, leaving him lost in a time warp, Billy retrieves him with help from the Blue Emissary. Zordon's essence is then contained in a battle suit crafted by Billy, allowing Zordon to offer his wisdom directly on the battlefield for the Eltarian War. Zordon's encouragement from the sidelines has always been important for the Rangers' guidance, but now he is ready to join the fight himself. Later, Zordon learns that his friend Zophram has been alive all along as Lord Zedd and, with Zartus manipulating both men, Zordon and Zedd fight before reconciling and teaming up against Zartus. In another issue, Zordon explains his famous "May the Power Protect You" line.After defeating Zartus, Lord Zedd struggles with his villainous instincts and considers finishing off Zordon, whose suit is too damaged to move. Instead, he questions the meaning of his famous line, "May the power protect you." Zordon explains that it's not about actual power, but about our actions, decisions, and beliefs when no one is watching. Zordon's unwavering belief in good ultimately saves his life, as he believes that Zedd's true nature, Zophram, wouldn't kill him. This new context also sheds light on Zordon's guidance to his Rangers, emphasizing the power within them that makes them heroes.
In Mighty Morphin #19, it is revealed that there was a Rangers team before Mighty Morphin, led by Zordon and Grace Sterling. After the team's demise, Zordon vows to never lose another Ranger, taking responsibility for his past mistakes and instilling this as his most important rule for the team.
In Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #109, Vessel is convinced to change direction through the efforts of Melissa Flores, Marco Renna, Francesco Segala, Gloria Martinelli, and Ed Dukeshire.The comics have added to Zordon's backstory by revealing that Rita Repulsa kept his body after imprisoning his consciousness. She turned his body into a mindless servant named Vessel. When Vessel tries to merge with Zordon in the Command Center, they instead have a meaningful conversation where Zordon convinces him that there is more to life than being a minion. Zordon believes in redemption for everyone, including villains, and is able to inspire them to see the good in themselves. This is why Zordon is such an influential mentor to the Power Rangers.