[amazon_link asins=’B076JNR8MS’ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’04c705af-b753-11e7-96eb-a985a6267f51′]
Kyle Starks has been writing the majority of Oni Press’ Rick and Morty for quite a few months now and done a bang up job doing it. Enter Magdalene Visaggio, who comes on to write the second story in this issue. Will their combined forces equal incredible belly laughs?
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
The Smith family finally gets to spend some quality time together… until an alien abduction brings feelings to the forefront. Plus, Morty and Jerry explore the intricacies of consciousness in a new backup comic written by Magdalene Visaggio (Kim & Kim)!
Why does this matter?
Two stories for the price of one sounds like a good deal to me. One focuses on the family going on a little vacation and the second deals with the unnerving nature of swapping bodies.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
This family sure does hate each other.
Starks kicks off this issue alongside artist CJ Cannon with a story called “National Rickpoon’s Family Vacation” — so you can see the classic Chevy Chase reference right away. The vacation is terrible and the family is quickly fighting over Jerry’s decision to see the world’s biggest ball of twine. Things get out of hand quickly and the science fiction angle kicks into gear heavily. Starks weaves in an interesting twist in regards to Rick who once again shows he’s a selfish jerk. The trick of this story is how the family hates each other, but deep down they all have kind and loving memories too. The story wraps up with some warm and fuzzies as well as another example of how the family bonds best when killing aliens. CJ Cannon draws a solid story as always with a style that looks identical to the TV show.
The second story by Magdalene Visaggio with art and colors by Marc Ellerby is pretty damn sick and demented. Visaggio does a fantastic job with the dialogue weaving in some big words from Rick to remind us he’s a genius scientist. It’s hard to explain why this story is sick without spoiling it, but Visaggio doubles down on the weird with a cliffhanger that puts Morty in a very perturbed state of mind.
Cannon made my day with this full page spread.
It can’t be perfect can it?
[amazon_link asins=’B076JLCR5H’ template=’BottomAdAIPT’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’1903afbb-b753-11e7-9f95-bf978a59dd2b’]
Stark’s story has some great moments, but it also takes a while to get going. There are about three pages of the same old arguing family bit with no jokes to pump up the entertainment.
My only gripe with the second story is how Ellerby draws Jerry strangely overweight in the first few panels. It made me wonder if him being fat was part of the story, but then he seems to lose a few pounds by the second page and looks more himself.
Is It Good?
Another solid issue from the best cartoon turned comic series ever. We’ve reached 31 issues and it still seems to have new ideas, great character beats, and hilarious moments and will probably have another 31 after it too.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!