Comic Review: Rick and Morty Presents: Birdperson #1

Overview (Spoilers):

As Rick reminisces about his friend that died at the end of season three, Morty discovers Birdperson’s old journal. Capturing the warrior’s childhood through to his last days, the diary is a memorial to who Birdperson’s life. Whether that be him being teased by the other Birdpeople or his many adventures beside his best friend.

Though the most important event from the journal revolves around the moment when he went from a child to a man by saving his people from certain doom. It also happens to be the story of Birdperson and Rick Sanchez’s first encounter and eventual friendship.

Our Take:

Why do they keep making us relive this? Losing Birdperson at the end of the third season of Rick and Morty was one of the hardest things we have had to live through in watching adult animation. As if it being one of the last memorable scenes before the extremely long hiatus between seasons wasn’t torture enough. They just love throwing it in our faces.

Thankfully, there was recently some redemption as Birdperson made his triumphant return in the season four finale. Though, that was a short-lived victory in itself as we discovered the newly titled Pheonixperson had turned evil. And, once again Rick and Morty left our hearts broken for Birdperson in the final scene of that episode where the former warrior was nothing but a shell of who he once was.

Of course, this comic is a little late to the punch. Reminiscing about the late Birdperson doesn’t carry the same weight after we know that he has come back. Though it is easy to forgive as no one could have predicted how season four would have concluded. Had this book come out any time in the last couple of years it would have been quite emotional.

Regardless, it is always great to get some backstory into Rick’s old life and that includes his longest friendship. This one-shot comic works as an origin story. Not only for the life and childhood of Birdperson. But as an origin for his unexpected companionship with Rick.

The issue looks back at when the heroes were just teenagers. Rick as cold-hearted as ever could have easily established himself as an enemy to Birdperson and his people. However, the super-genius genuinely respects and likes his friend– even from the beginning. 

The story itself is formatted a little sloppy and it makes it difficult to keep track of where the story is. Specifically, when the themes established at the beginning fail to reappear until the final panels. It would have been nice to see this plot fleshed out over two or three issues. It would have helped to inflict more emotion.

As far as the Rick and Morty Presents one-shot’s go, the bar is set unreasonably high by some of the more surprising issues. Unfortunately, this book fails to meet the standard of being an incredible read. 

Though, more fairly this is a well-thought-out divulgence of a story that we have all wanted to hear. This was Birdperson’s swan song and it is worth the read. Even if the character will live on in one form or another in the animated series.