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One of the reasons this comic series is so great is it allows its creators to do things the show couldn’t. Sure the TV show could focus on Summer for an entire episode, but the concept laid out here would probably get scrapped over a Rick and Morty focused episode. Approach this series with a “lost episodes” vibe and you’ll enjoy every second of it.
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
Special guest issue written by Pamela Ribon (SLAM!, Moana) and illustrated by Erica Hayes (Rick and Morty™ storyboard artist)! Picking up after the events of “Raising Gazorpazorp,” Summer is in possession of a brand-new pink spaceship. After triggering the ship’s AI, Summer grows closer and closer with the ship, embarking on amazing adventures together. But there’s such a thing as too close…
Why does this matter?
This is the funniest TV adaptation in comics ever. The creators are quite good at capturing the voice of the characters and the plots always ring as incredibly original. If you like the show you’re bound to like this comic.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
An interesting first page.
This episode opens in a clever way with the characters talking directly to the audience. It’s a one off note, but it gives the book a fun inter-dimensional vibe as if these versions of the characters aren’t the main ones. From there it kicks off Summer’s adventure, which Ribon does a great job exploring. Summer has always been a smart but somewhat reviled member of the family and it’s nice to see her teen angst get released from time to time, even if it means romancing Rick’s spaceship. Wait, what?! That’s right, Summer may be the lead of this issue, but the spaceship is the supporting star.
The conflict of the story weaves in Rick who can’t believe his granddaughter is falling for a spaceship with a so-so AI. Ribon and Hayes effectively make you believe Summer is finally getting a bit of R and R and who cares if the love is false? That taps into the show’s genius of exploring characters via their weirdness and vices. There are two excellent montages in this issue which help pull off the visual aesthetic of the show and allow Hayes to land a few visual jokes too.
The art in this issue is great with some interesting artistic license thrown in too. Midway through the issue for instance, the entire page is rendered in black and white, which does well to capture the lunacy of Summer in the moment. She and her family are quite messed up and it conveys that nicely. The general look of all the characters is spot on though there’s a cel-shaded look that sets it slightly apart from other artists. The resolution involves a massive explosion which looks fabulous and uses light to convey the power of the blast.
This is how love starts.
It can’t be perfect can it?
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The final page seems to shoehorn in a resolution between Summer and Rick that rings a bit false. Sure, they’re family, but the three panels allotted don’t fully pull Summer around from completely in love to fully aware her love was always ridiculous.
Is It Good?
If you dig Summer you’re going to love this issue. The poor girl may be the butt of many jokes, but she has feelings too and those feelings can extend to inanimate objects, dammit! The creative team is also on point and have crafted a solid comic from beginning to end.
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