Comic Review: Rick and Morty: Go to Hell #1

 

 

Overview:

Rick and his beloved grandson find themselves dropped into a dimension of fire and brimstone. While Morty believes that they have died and gone to Hell, Rick assures him that would be impossible. Stranded without a portal gun, the pair navigate their way through the desolate wasteland in search of answers and a way out.  

Surprisingly, they discover their family and Rick’s former mentor, Wilbrum Von Dingle, are also trapped. 

Leaving everyone behind, Rick and Morty manage to make an appeal to HR and get themselves closer to a meeting with the Dark Lord. Meanwhile, Jerry begins an uprising blaming Rick for sending everyone to the underworld.

 

Our Take:

Rick and Morty comic books are back. Temporarily. 

The long-running self-titled comic series officially met its end with Oni Press earlier this year. However, there are still a couple of dwindling spin-offs yet to be released from the publisher before their contract is officially completed. 

Covid-19 assured that these final titles took a little bit longer than expected. Thankfully, comic book stores are getting back into the swing, and Rick and Morty: Go to Hell is the first Rick and Morty comic book released since March. Additionally, the one-shot comic Rick and Morty: Council of Ricks will be available later this month. So, we can celebrate the franchise making its return to shelves, but it will be short-lived.

As far as Rick and Morty comic spin-offs go, we have seen a few. A multitude of characters have had their own one-shot titles including Unity, Mr. Meeseeks, Jerry and Pickle Rick. The characters have even had two crossovers into the universe of Dungeons & Dragons.  Rick and Morty: Go to Hell is the next and last of an upstanding literary history developed by Oni Press veteran writer Ryan Ferrier and newcomer artist Constanza Oroza.  

As the title presents, the story involves Rick and his loyal sidekick Morty going to Hell. Whether this is an actual hell as described by Christianity, or a parallel universe that is eerily similar to the underworld, is up for debate. In fact, that debate as argued between the titular characters dominates three-quarters of the dialogue. From the first to the final panels, the majority of the comic involves the two deliberating the concept of hell and their actual whereabouts. Unfortunately, it makes for a dull read that is borderline annoying in its repetitiveness and lack of development.

What is worse is the usage of some of our favourite characters. Rick maybe a complex individual, but his dialogue is unmistakable. Many comic book writers have managed to translate the vocals to text flawlessly. In this issue, Rick is less himself and more of a vessel for insulting humour. Morty, Summer, and Beth did not fair much better in this interpretation. Yet somehow Jerry is accurate. I suppose the simple butt-of-the-joke is recognizable anywhere.

The artwork, though off-brand is done exceptionally well. Interpretations of the underworld are always interesting in aesthetic, and Oroza does a great job of bringing Hell to life in a Rick and Morty multiverse. The development of background characters is on point, and the visuals of Rick’s never-before-seen mentor speaks a lot about the character and their relationship.

After managing to push through an excessive amount of dialogue the comic ends with an abrupt cliff-hanger. The follow-up issue may give some life into this otherwise lame book. However, there would need to be some significant developments to make up for the lack of pacing in issue one. Considering that the television series released five fresh episodes since we last saw a Rick and Morty comic book, we are privy to plots moving at breakneck speeds. Unfortunately, this comic’s story would struggle to fill enough airtime before the opening credits of the animated program.

Essentially nothing happens. Before reading the book, you understand that Rick and Morty go to Hell. After reading, you still know that they are in Hell and no further questions receive an answer.

It is a struggle to have a negative opinion about this title.  Rick and Morty comic books have been the source of quality entertainment time and time again. Out of all the adult animation inspired comic books that have been covered on Bubbleblabber, Rick and Morty has managed some of the highest scores. Unfortunately, this just was not one of those comic books. It was more of a struggle to consume the unrelenting bickering between the main characters.