Comic Review: Rick and Morty: Morty’s Run #1

Overview:

Summer vacation is here, and Morty’s parents have signed him up for a camp getaway to spend time with children his own age. Thankfully, Morty’s grandfather has already calculated a way out by replacing him with one of his multiverse variants. Instead, Rick is letting Morty blow off some steam on a planet run by children under the age of 13.

Unfortunately, Rick failed to realize that anyone over the age of 13 on this planet is killed instantly. As Morty is hunted down for breaking the age barrier, he meets a female friend who also seems to be in trouble. The partners manage their escape from the city, but Morty is not prepared for what he finds on the other side of the planet.

Our Take:

Rick and Morty: Morty’s Run is the second instalment of direct science fiction parodies being delivered by the adaptation comic books. The first of which, Rick and Morty: HeRicktics of Rick, a Dune knock-off, proved that the concept is inherently flawed.

Conceptually, Rick and Morty is already a lampoon of the entire science fiction genre. Beyond that, the animated series often mocks the tropes and cliches of popular cinema, belittling famous stories with its subversive and intelligent writing. Recreating a direct parody of a classic feature violates everything that the Rick and Morty franchise stands for.

Rick and Morty: Morty’s Run breaks the franchise’s rules by steering far too close to the source material. Aside from a varying introduction and conclusion, the central plot is based heavily on the 1976 film Logan’s Run. A story that features a utopian society plagued with overpopulation, and as such, everyone over 30 is killed.

Truthfully, this concept is something that would not be surprising to appear in the animated sitcom Rick and Morty. But the television series would take the plot to new levels with unexpected twists and some fourth-wall-breaking humour. This comic fails to acknowledge that it is a blatant rip-off of a popular film, nor does it force you to rethink the 70s movie in any new way. It is simply a retelling with our favourite characters interjected. Any adaptation could do this by merely replacing Morty with Bart Simpson or Stewie Griffin.

Arguably, the most substantial part of this comic was the glimpse at life at the summer camp Morty was intended to visit. Replaced by a dunce muscle-bound version of himself, Brute Morty becomes a hero of the camp, defeats the arrogant older camp counsellor, and ultimately burns the whole place down. What happens in-between is a missed opportunity of a summer camp parody that would be far more unique and interesting than the story offered.

There are so many exciting and original Rick and Morty comic titles available. This one could be easily skipped, and you won’t miss anything. Arguably, you could make out the plot of this comic from the title alone, assuming you have seen the movie the story is sourced from. The next of these parody adaptations is set to be a Star Wars rip-off. Considering the lack of originality in HeRicktics of Rick and now Morty’s Run, the idea is concerning. However, this unofficial miniseries has one last chance to hit a home run.