Review: Rick and Morty #5

Everyone’s favorite parodies of Back-to-The Future’s main characters are back in another mind-binding adventure. Rick and Morty #5 continues the tale of the foul-mouthed dynamic duo.

The two are still trapped on a space base attached to a gigantic space dog. Rick is still being “detained” but of course he’s really fine. It’s Morty who is really going through it per usual. He’s being tortured in the most brutal yet hilarious way possible. All this done by Vronsky, a super villain whose goal is to persuade Rick to be his best friend…or is it?

The television series lends itself well to the comic book medium. The distinctive art is the first notable pillar and the transition from the screen to the page is nearly perfect. The art team of Marc Ellerby (art) and Andrew Dalhouse (colors) bring the characters and their outlandish exploits to life. They do such a good job, you kinda wish the panels would come to life and start moving.

The comedy is the tricky part. Even more than the distinctive said art style, the show works because of its incredible sense of humor. Its adult, its dark, and its very much it’s own thing. Reasonable doubt about how this would transfer is fair. Writer Alex Firer does a great job of matching the vision and style of the show’s creators and writers. Rick and Morty’s relationship is as love/hate as ever. Rick is Rick and invents something to help him escape and staying true to the character and the show, it’s teased in the beginning of the issue and the thing you think Rick would make is exactly what he makes.

Sarcasm and parodic elements ooze from nearly every line of dialogue from the stalwarts and new random character introduced. AI, Tech CEOs, gamers, even the dental industry catch stray shots throughout the issue. Viewers of the show will be right at home and laughing throughout their read.

In true Rick and Morty fashion, even when things make sense, they don’t make sense and the cliffhanger sets up a surprising and potentially epic showdown for issue #6. The chaos and randomness even extends to a 2 page interlude having nothing to do with the current story starring neither Rick or Morty. We won’t spoil the surprise but the brief side story is indeed hilarious.

Again, the Rick and Morty series perfectly lends it’s art, action, and comedic stylings to comics. And Rick and Morty #5’s over-the-top jokes and over-the-top violence will keep OG fans happy and can even bring in someone who may be brand new to the mayhem.

Writing – 4.5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Coloring – 4 Stars

Overall – 4.5 Stars

Written by; Alex Firer
Art by; Marc Ellerby
Colors by; Andrew Dalhouse
Letters by; Crank! And Marc Ellerby
Published by; Oni Press

Author Profile

Christopher R. Ford

Writer, author, and blogger. Published author of three children's books and also writes for the boy Creators For The Culture. Part-time sneaker head, full time nerd.