Comic Review: Rick and Morty: Go to Hell #2

Overview (Spoilers):

Rick and his loyal grandson Morty continue their ventures through what seems to be Hell. While the logical and pessimistic Rick maintains that there must be some other game, Morty becomes more convinced in the Christian afterlife as they traverse through deeper and deeper levels of torture.

Meanwhile, Jerry and Beth reach an impasse as they disagree about her father and Summer ventures off alone. Left to his own devices, Jerry preaches his negative stance about Rick and builds a posse intending to torture Rick even further. While Summer finds out that being an independent adult is not all that it is cracked up to be in Hell.

Overview:

Unfortunately for fans, the Rick and Morty comic book universe seems to be reaching its conclusion with only a few issues remaining in its life span with Oni Press. Unless something significant happens Rick and Morty: Go to Hell will be the last miniseries featuring the beloved characters. 

While we should maintain the excitement of the last remaining books, the first issue of this miniseries left us wanting more.

It is safe to say that majority of Rick and Morty comic books are much better than one would expect. Besides the beloved humour, the writing and imagery can often be equal to that of the source material.  Rick and Morty: Go to Hell #1 was not one of those books. Uninspired themes and underwhelming dialogue made it a difficult comic book to finish. And it was truly left to this follow-up issue to offer an exciting direction for the spinoff series.

Thankfully, the second issue is not as drawl as the first. For one, the characters manage to discuss more than their never-ending debate about whether or not they are in Hell. That may not be a lot, but it really was all that made up the first book. 

Additionally, there are more clever directions with this adaptation of Hell than was originally implied. In place of wandering through fire and brimstone, the main characters actually face unique obstacles. Not only are they unique to the Rick and Morty multiverse, but they are also on point with who the characters are.

As far as the direction of the story: don’t expect to know more after reading this than you did going in. 

With two issues down, it is still not clear how the entire family ended up in this afterlife, or why they are there. In fact, the story has been on the same pace as it started with Rick and his grandson searching for someone to talk to. Like a bad ‘Karen’, they just want to speak to a manager.

Even the dynamics between the family members has not changed. Morty has accepted his fate, Rick refuses to admit he is wrong, and Jerry blames it all on his father-in-law. While this issue manages to move players around on the board, there does not seem to be much purpose to why.

It is all but certain that this miniseries will end with some twist that will essentially give the rest of the story a reason for being. It is even likely that the conclusion to this plot will be, at least, enjoyable. However, long drawn out scenes without purpose or direction is not really the Rick and Morty way. Would this have been a story in the animated series it would have been wrapped up in a 30-second montage. Even in the now complete self-titled comic series, this plot would have been torn down to half of an issue.

This is not a title that gives the rest of the Rick and Morty comic books any justice. Aside from some surprising art choices, there is nothing in this issue that showcases what the franchise is about. When everything is said and done between Rick and Morty and Oni Press, this miniseries will be near the bottom of reading recommendations. If you want to read a well thought out, true to the source material, entertaining Rick and Morty comic book you best stick to the crossovers with Dungeons and Dragons, or the one-shots like the recently released Rick and Morty: The Council of Ricks. This book is mostly a distraction from better reads.