Comic Review: Rick and Morty #53

Overview:

“Lonely Jerry and the Multi-Dimensional Sales Opportunity Part One”

Summer has misplaced her laptop and must use one that she finds in Rick’s garage. The strange computer instantly offers her the chance to join a pyramid scam of sorts. Surprisingly the laptop belongs to Jerry, who is deep in the “opportunity” with the Grumboflex Leadership Group. To get involved, Jerry had to do some underhanded things like pawn off Summer’s computer, and use Rick’s identity for a credit check. When head executives come to collect their dues, Rick is left with no choice but to help Jerry, or they are both in trouble.

“Feel Bad Inc.”

Rick has rigged a local election to get Morty appointed as the new King of Flarmagarb. Unfortunately for Morty, it was all just a scheme for Rick to get somebody on the inside so that he could steal a polyvector gem. But, when he realizes it is not the gem he is looking for, Rick makes Morty abandon his kingdom and blows the castle up for good measure.

Our Take:

We are just a few months away from seeing some fresh new episodes of Rick and Morty. The excitement is palpable. Especially as the creators and cast members have been making their rounds in the name of promotion. However, for some of us, it’s not as big of a deal. Us comic readers have been getting our constant stream of Rick and Morty content thanks to this brilliant title and other spin-off series’. Rick and Morty comics have been one of the most underrated titles on the shelves. There is a certain level of ignorance to this book’s brilliance. Comic readers have a disinterest for titles based on established media, and a good portion of Rick and Morty fans may not be aware that this book exists. But, for those of us that have been paying attention, these comics have been a monthly treasure we cannot wait to unwrap.

With that all said, the first story in this issue, “Lonely Jerry and the Multi-Dimensional Sales Opportunity Part One”, was kind of a step back from the content we are used to. Having Jerry be duped by a pyramid scheme feels obvious, and like grabbing the low-hanging fruit. It’s not an original idea, almost as if we have seen such stories repeated in sitcom television a multitude of times before. Lacking the originality of a more science fiction based plot really hurts this story. And, the addition of the sci-fi elements are shoehorned in instead of being the theme. It’s a plot that makes sense for the characters involved, but it makes too much sense to the point that it basically writes itself and comes off as predictable.

Sometimes having two stories in these comics hurts the overall book. The second story, “Feel Bad Inc.”, is much more in line with what is expected from this franchise. It has a brilliant opening page, with Rick being brought in for judgement by the king who happens to be his own ward, Morty. If allowed to extend this story, this opening could have been much more dramatic and exciting. However, with the limited panels, the story is rushed directly into exposition and directs us into an abrupt conclusion. This could, and possibly should have, made a much better full-issue storyline that allowed us to explore this world that Morty was king of, and why it was valuable to him. Instead, Rick blows the kingdom to smithereens without much weight or validity to it.

This may not have been the strongest of Rick and Morty comic books, which have held steady through 50+ issues. The humour is there, but not in the unexpected adventurous way that the franchise has been defined by. Yet, any Rick and Morty content is better than none. Despite the negative things that I’ve written above, in context, it is because expectations are so high for this beloved series. The other thing that throws these books into a whirlwind is that each story is written by someone different. Not to harp on the talents of the writers that composed these plots, but some are going to be stronger than others based on a multitude of variables. Regardless, I am always happy to read a Rick and Morty comic, and I would still recommend the worst of them to anyone who loves the show or the funny books in general.