Rick and Morty #44
Oni Press
Writers: Kyle Starks, Tini Howard
Artists: Marc Ellerby, Jarrett Williams
The Earth (and to a larger extent, the universe) is in danger! Who do we turn to in a time of crisis like this? What’s that? Earth’s mightiest heroes? That’s right, we call The Vindicators! First seen in the Rick and Morty episode “Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender”, here we finally get their first adventure! Also in this issue, we get the continued “Adventures In The Public Domain” part 4.
Worldender is ending worlds and the Vindicators are trying to stop him. The Vindicators are attempting to recruit Rick Sanchez to the team, but aren’t having any luck. But, when his TV show viewing might be disturbed, Rick decides to assist the vindicators.
The original Vindicators episode of Rick and Morty is funny. It’s a spoof on superhero teams and movies and it’s enjoyable. This issue is fun enough, and it has its moments, but it doesn’t capture that same satirical feeling. In fairness, I don’t think that’s what they were going for anyway. But without that, this issue could’ve been about Rick stopping a galactic threat and it would’ve worked the same. Rick and Morty act like Rick and Morty, and the Vindicators keep the same personalities from the show. This issue has all the parts that should work, but it just lacks that “oomph” feeling the show, and other issues of the comic have.
The art for the main issue is good. Nothing really stands out to me too much. It looks and feels like Rick and Morty but in comic format. When the Vindicators fight off the invasion on Earth, things take a red hue, adding to that spoof-feel. Nothing stands out as really bad, but on the same coin, nothing really stands out as really good either.
“Adventures in the Public Domain” as a backup story is still going. This is part four and sees Morty in a family friendly, generic fantasy setting. He’s approached by a wizard Rick who tells him he’s part of a prophecy, and all the standard fantasy stuff. The story feels longer than the four pages it is, which I like. The art is busy, in that they squeeze a lot of details into the background. I think this could’ve done well as a full single issue story. This entry is a little slow, but I don’t think it would’ve been a problem if the story were told in one larger format.
I’m a really big fan of superheroes, both in movie and comic book format. That’s why I like the Vindicators episode of Rick and Morty so much. I think I went into this comic expecting more of that, and that’s part of why this issue feels off. There are still some funny moments, and even some specific superhero spoofing happening, but it really lacks the punch it could have had.
Rick and Morty #44
Rick and Morty #44 shows us the first adventure of the Vindicators team, and it has its moments, but unfortunately lacks a lot of the satirical tone of the show.
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