Comic Review: Rick and Morty #58

Overview:

“The Rickoning Part 3 of 5”

Rick and Jerry have finally tracked down Morty. Unfortunately, he has been kidnapped by the creepy Peacock Jones, who has clearly laid out a trap for Rick. Unable to face this threat with only Jerry to have his back, Rick calls in the recruits, The Ball Fondlers and Jaguar.

Together, the group overcomes Peacock Jones defences, only to find the villain beheaded by Summer and Beth. Reunited with Morty, Rick and family can return home, and everything can go back to normal. However, unbeknownst to Rick, while under Peacock’s care, Morty has been infiltrated with subliminal messages to kill his grandfather.

“Baby Don’t Hurt Me”

Finding Rick wasting away reading magazines in the garage, Morty challenges his grandfather to find the one thing his genius can’t buy him, true love and acceptance. The two make a bet that involves Rick creating an innocent new being and earning its trust and love. Rick attempts to cheat his way through by programming the creature to love him instead of gaining it through noble means. But, when Rick casts his creation away, we find out just how much love they genuinely shared.

Our Take:

It truly is a bittersweet time to be a fan of Rick and Morty comic books. Last month, Oni Press announced that the ongoing self-titled series would be coming to an end later this year. This fantastic series that has kept many Rick and Morty fans satiated through the longest of droughts will no longer be filling us with laughs each month. With the show finding its footing once again, it is a hard pill for comic fans to swallow. But there are some things to optimistic about. For one, a couple of one-shot titles are on the way before Oni Press’s time is up. Additionally, there is still a chance that the rights to the franchise in print form end up in new, more stable hands like DC Comics or IDW. And, while this is all in the air and the dust settles, we still get the chance to enjoy a few more issues like this one.

Rick and Morty comics are in the thick of its own major event right now. In fact, it goes back further than just the last couple of issues, having ties as far back as issue #16. It has all been leading into these final few books. And, the creators are putting their all into this finale with resurrections of forgotten characters and cameos from the artists themselves. “The Rickoning” five-part series is more than just that, it is the culmination of everything that Oni Press has done with the franchise. Passing the middle mark of the story, this issue offers us a chance to remember some highlights while also offering conclusions.

This issue starts with a recognizably insulting conversation between Rick and Jerry and leads into an epic battle for Morty. Of all the characters from Rick’s past for him to call up, this issue takes the surprising route of bringing in the iconic Ball Fondlers in all their glory. To round things out, and make this comic even better, Rick also brings in the ultimate badass, Jaguar. You would think these fan favourite characters would be enough for one comic, but it gets even better. Who else could these heroes face in the battle for Morty other than an army of Mister Meeseeks with their only goal in life being the death of Rick Sanchez. This, plus some added background on The Ball Fondlers, makes for an action-packed read.

Bringing it all home, the conclusion comes with the significant death of Peacock Jones. Many of you may not know that name, mostly because the villain has only appeared within the comic book series. Every comic needs a decent villain, and Peacock filled that role by being incredibly creepy, especially with the ladies. First appearing way back in issue #16, he has reared his ugly head multiple times throughout the years. Peacock Jones’ death is more than an ending to his arch, but for the entire series. And, having Beth and Summer team up to behead the alien gives those characters the retribution that they deserve, as unfitting as it was for them to show up at the last minute.

As for the other story in the back of this issue… Once again, I could have done without. I am not sure why comic publishers think we still need short plots with one joke like this is an Archie comic. This one, in particular, struggles to ground the plot and give space for things to unfold. It all happens without making much sense. This is a piece about Rick having a heart behind his rough exterior, but his relationship with his creation wasn’t given time to be flushed out. Unfortunately, these side stories hardly ever pan out to be substantial additions to the comics. Hopefully, if Rick and Morty does get a new publishing deal, we can say goodbye to these pieces for good.

With only a couple issues left in this run, it is exciting that effort has been put into a strong conclusion. There is a lot of lead up going on for what should be a significant final issue, and I am here for it. Again, this is all very bittersweet. As enjoyable as these last books are, there is still the impending doom at the end of the rainbow. What else can we really do but enjoy the reading as we have it.