The Power Rangers franchise may look like a simple kids' show–granted, it has the action, earnestness, and gags to back up that claim––but it is also a complex universe with equally deep characters. From the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series that started it all to the latest comics by BOOM! Studios, many Power Rangers characters are incredibly well-written.

Andros was among the most determined Power Rangers, willing to do whatever it took to save the universe. Conversely, his sister, Karone, experienced one of the best character arcs in the franchise. The best-written Power Rangers, from Tommy Oliver to Lord Drakkon, are littered throughout the franchise's rich history.

10 The Red Space Power Ranger Was Committed To Fighting Evil

Power Rangers in Space started with a bang. A lone Red Ranger faced down the old villains from past Power Rangers TV shows and lived to talk about it. Andros was undoubtedly the main character of Power Rangers in Space, as his family drama and tense relationships drove most of the plot.

Andros struggled to battle Astronema, who he learned was his lost sister. He had to overcome his independence and learn to rely on others while forming a relationship with Ashley, the Yellow Space Ranger. Additionally, Andros did what few Rangers could do: killing Zordon to rid the universe of evil.

9 The Wolf Ranger Was The Coolest Wild Force Power Ranger

Undoubtedly, Merrick Baliton's Wolf Ranger was the coolest character in Power Rangers Wild Force. The sixth Rangers usually are in their respective TV series. The Wolf Ranger is not simply a chosen Power Ranger of the present. Merrick is one of the six ancient warriors who battled the Orgs centuries ago.

He returned to protect Princess Shayla once again. When he first awakened, Merrick's memories were hazy. He was an antagonist, an animal that Master Org had loosed on the Wild Force Rangers, but he quickly became the Rangers' greatest ally.

8 The S.P.D. Shadow Ranger Protects His Power Rangers

While his appearance is a little outlandish–viewers might need to adjust to the idea of a talking humanoid dog–Anubis "Doggie" Cruger is one of the best characters in the franchise and the shining star of the Power Rangers S.P.D. TV series.

Doggie rose through the ranks of the S.P.D. to become the Shadow Ranger and Commander of the Power Rangers. He's an even better leader than Zordon, a field commander who can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his Power Rangers, willing to do anything to protect them, which he proved again in the "Shattered Grid" Power Rangers comic arc.

7 Astronema Found Redemption In Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

Karone is one of the more tragic characters in the Power Rangers franchise. She was the long-lost sister of Andros who first appeared as the villainous Astronema in Power Rangers in Space. The reveal that she was Andros's sister was heartbreaking, and her dynamic with the Red Space Ranger formed the foundations of many conflicts in that Power Rangers TV series.

Karone later found redemption and became the Pink Ranger in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy. Like Tommy Oliver's Green Ranger before her, Karone was once the Power Rangers' greatest enemy-turned-ally. Readers can see more of her journey in the Power Rangers: Psycho Path comic miniseries.

6 Lord Drakkon Shattered The Power Rangers Morphin Grid

In another universe, Tommy Oliver never broke free of Rita Repulsa's mind control and fell deeper into an evil abyss. This Tommy eventually combined the White and Green Ranger powers. He became Lord Drakkon, a tyrant who traveled the Morphin Grid, gaining more power while killing other Power Rangers throughout the multiverse.

Lord Drakkon is one of the best villains of the franchise. It's a shame he never appeared in a live-action TV series. Drakkon was the main antagonist of BOOM! Studios' Power Rangers saga before teaming up with the Omega Rangers, and he deserves to return to the franchise in some form in the future.

5 Zordon Created The Power Rangers

At first glance, Zordon was the wise sage and mentor who brought the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers together. But a closer look would reveal the lies, manipulations and betrayals that Zordon has committed throughout his life. He may seem omnipotent sometimes, but Zordon is, for better or worse, just as human as his Power Rangers.

The "Eltarian War" in Power Rangers comics finally revealed Zordon's past on his homeworld. In addition to his secrecy regarding the creation of the White Ranger, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comics revealed that Zordon kept even more secrets about forgotten Ranger teams and the torture of Rita Repulsa.

4 An Alternate Pink Ranger Became The Ranger Slayer

Kimberly Hart is one of the best characters in the Power Rangers franchise, but her alternate self from the Coinless universe might be even better. The older Kimberly Hart shares the original's history up until the branching point when Tommy Oliver became Lord Drakkon.

Kimberly shared a similar experience of beating a villain's mind control, and she worked hard to rebuild her world after she helped destroy it as Lord Drakkon's Ranger Slayer. This Kimberly Hart also led the Solar Rangers in "Beyond the Grid," and she has become one of the most powerful Power Rangers allies.

3 The Mighty Morphin Blue Ranger Saved The Team

Billy Cranston was one of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Even though he worked alongside a godlike being and a futuristic robot from another world, Billy was still the brains of the Power Rangers operation.

The Blue Ranger was the original tech genius in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series, but his character really excelled in the BOOM! Studios comics. Billy learned about his alternate self's sacrifice in Lord Drakkon's universe and helped form the Rangers Academy. He also grappled with his place within the team in the Go Go Power Rangers comic, settling that he needs them as much as they need him.

Jen Scotts was a Time Force officer in the year 3000 who became the Pink Time Force Ranger. Contrary to nearly every other Power Rangers team, the Red Ranger didn't lead the Time Force Power Rangers. Jen Scotts did. As the Pink Time Force Ranger, Jen was authoritative and often ruthless, especially when enraged.

Jen Scotts is one of the best team leaders in the Power Rangers franchise, leading her team across centuries, battling foes like Ransik from the past and future, and inspiring Wes Collins, the new Red Time Force Ranger, to be a hero. The future of the Power Rangers comic franchise is unclear, but if they're looking for a new team to headline the books, the Time Force Power Rangers are a great pick with Jen at the helm.

1 From Green Ranger To White Ranger & Beyond

Tommy Oliver is undoubtedly one of the best Power Rangers characters ever. He is a true legendary Ranger, having led the Mighty Morphin team as the White Ranger, led the Zeo and Turbo teams as their Red Ranger, and mentored the Dino Thunder team as their Black Ranger.

Whenever the Power Rangers face an unbeatable foe, Tommy Oliver is always there to back them up, proven in the Wild Force episode "Forever Red" and the conclusion to Power Rangers Super Megaforce. Comics like Soul of the Dragon and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return further dive into Tommy's relationships and legacy in the Power Rangers franchise.

• Power Rangers

  Power Rangers is an entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live-action superhero television series, based on the Japanese tokusatsu franchise Super Sentai. Over the years the franchise has created popular comics, television shows, films, and theatrical performances, and they have produced numerous games and toys.

• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993)

  A team of teenagers with attitude are recruited to save Angel Grove from the evil witch, Rita Repulsa, and later, Lord Zedd, Emperor of all he sees, and their horde of monsters.