Review by Frank Plowright

The short review of the first run of Rick and Morty comics collected here is that they’re a creative selection from sole writer Zac Gorman and a fine supplement to the TV show. That being the case, you may want to head straight for this hardcover rather than bothering with the paperbacks Volume One and Volume Two. This does include the short back-up strips missing from the later Compendium.

Gorman supplies two longer stories, although as the first switches tone and location with every new chapter, it’s really different stories with the connecting thread of the problems caused when Rick decides they ought to be millionaire businessmen. Subsequent ‘The Rickfinity Crisis’ only runs to three chapters, and largely takes place on the only world in the entire catalogue of other realities where there isn’t an alternate Rick. There’s a reason for that, and the plot boils down to how far the personalities of the Smith family deviate from their most frequently seen domestic counterparts.

Both longer serials and the movie parody ‘Mortballs’ are drawn by CJ Cannon who needs the first story to work into consistency, but thereafter supplies a look very much like the TV show. He copes well with the constant changes of location, and nails the cast and their expressions, which is why he’s the preferred series artist for so long. In terms of quality much the same applies to Marc Ellerby, preferred artist for the short back-up strips. Andrew MacLean is handed rather the poison chalice as the entire point of his art is to reflect the poor quality of the Ballfondlers TV show Rick and Morty watch. It’s not bad art, but the designs are deliberately clichéd and clunky.

There’s also a story both written and drawn by Gorman, and with a selection to choose from, the darkest in the collection. It looks at Bumblas, the festival replacing Christmas on an alternate world, with Gorman having Rick head to a bar while Morty tries to find some joy in a creepy place, and it looks like he does. Gorman’s cartooning is loose and reminiscent of the 1960s underground comics, but surprisingly good for someone you’ll have figured as just the series writer.

Gorman spreads the short stories around the entire Smith family. Rick and Jerry having a fun day together doesn’t have a hint of cynicism, so is just six pages of joy. Also sweet is Summer’s secret life. On the other hand who knows what was going through Gorman’s head when he came up with Summer’s dream about Morty. Her earlier shorts as an action hero are better. There’s also a tidy It’s a Wonderful Life parody tying into the earlier Bumblas story.

Because Gorman so efficiently captures the wacky nature of the TV show and the quickfire, ridiculous dialogue you could be reading adaptations of the series episodes. Yes, they’re that good.

The volume closes with a vast selection of covers and alternate covers to the original serialised comics.