Comic Review: Rick and Morty – The End #3

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)

The new Vindicators corner Rick and Morty, but all is not as it seems.

OUR TAKE

We’re at the half way point of this miniseries (slightly less if you count the super secret seventh issue coming out shortly after), and this is probably the issue that feels the most so far like it would be part of a massive series finale story for Rick and Morty. We discussed the return of the Vindicators last time, which pulled from multiple seasons and notable episodes and is fitting for a big wrap up story bringing everything together and full circle. I kinda thought that would be their most involved appearance and this issue would be Rick and Morty continuing on their run from the law. But not so, as once the team manages to actually kill Rick (the first sign something was off), we suddenly shift focus to the team’s Meeseeks as he tries to figure out his life after completing his purpose and somehow remaining in existence. It is a funny sequence with some more notable tip offs along the way (Meeseeks’ wife and kid in the sequence look suspiciously like Summer and Morty, but you might not catch on the first read through) and leads to what feels like a genuine team moment for this patchwork group of one off side characters.

Yeah, Rick and Morty aren’t a big part of this issue, which you would think would be weird for a miniseries meant to wrap up their story in the comics, but Rick’s presence is still felt strongly throughout this. That would probably be more meaningful if this iteration of the Vindicators were made up of more characters who were directly impacted by Rick (as Rick points out, Planetina is more connected to Morty, while Titanium D and Sleepy Gary are more neutral), but last issue had Rick in a fantasy family that somehow didn’t include his dead wife, so it’s kinda becoming more clear that some corners were cut in making this story. Anyway, this issue ends with Rick willingly being taken in, and the cover for the next issue looks like it’s a trial, but if you know Rick Sanchez at all, he’s going into that with a clearly thought out plan within a plan, something he probably secured while his would be captors were unconscious. Three regular issues left to go, and it still kind of feels like there’s not a whole lot built up, but maybe they’re saving that for the second half and the secret seventh issue.