Comic Review: Rick and Morty #39

Rick and Morty #39

Oni Press

Writers: Kyle Starks & Josh Trujillo

Artists: Katy Farina & Rii Abrego

“W-W-We used one of your stupid butt bombs last week.”

Lines like that, that emulate the witty dialogue from the show, make reading Rick and Morty all the more enjoyable. Rick and Morty #39 starts with the titular characters eating wafers in space before being arrested for “trafficking psychotropic substances” because the wafers are made of memory chemicals, or as Morty puts it, “brain juice candy”.

The rest of the issue takes place on a prisoner transport, where we learn that Rick and Morty are being transferred with the top lieutenants of space criminal Party Dog. Rick explains to Morty that they’re in a basic “Escape From Alcatraz” type situation, and even lists out the usual lineup of aliens, including forehead ridge guy (a knockoff Worf), robot guy (a generic looking robot), blue guy (he’s blue) and Butt-head guy (he’s got a butt for a head, obviously).

As the lieutenants escape their handcuffs, Morty convinces Rick that they’re in a “Con Air” situation and to save the one guard who’s been nice to them. Rick plots a course into a nearby sun, and after a scuffle with the criminals, Rick, Morty, and the nice guard Lawrence escape, with the hole their ship made in the floor killing the rest of the criminals. We then see Party Dog himself revealed on the last page, telling one of his men that Rick is “roadkill, homefry”.The main story reads like a standard episode of Rick and Morty, with the dialogue feeling natural and in character for everyone. The art, by guest artist and former series colorist Katy Farina, is my biggest gripe with the issue. Some backgrounds don’t have many details, and some panels felt flat. Otherwise, it’s pretty standard for the series, which more often than not, tries to emulate the show’s style.

The backup story “Jerry’s Right”, from Josh Trujillo and drawn by Rii Abrego, tells a tale in four pages, that follows the standard for Beth and Jerry. Beth is standing in front of a mirror, practicing a speech while drinking wine, telling Jerry that it’d be best for the family if he left. She’s interrupted by Jerry, who’s downstairs with people in suits, saying that they want the exclusive rights and distribution to one of his hands after it was seen in a sci-fi movie, but he would have to leave his family behind to do so. Beth convinces Jerry not to go through with the deal because he has a home and a family. The last page shows Beth and Jerry in their car, Jerry hopeful for his future with his family, until Beth informs him that when the marriage ends, it’ll be on HER terms.

Overall, both of the stories in this issue play out like a standard episode of the show. Rick and Morty go on some sort of adventure, Morty doesn’t like some of the things Rick does or how he acts, in the end, they escape to adventure another day. The backup packs an emotional punch for Jerry fans but follows the same standard Beth and Jerry formula. Overall, an enjoyable issue.