Andrew Newton reviews Rick and Morty vs. The Universe #1…
Written by Daniel Kibblesmith with art by Jarrett Williams, Rick and Morty vs. The Universe #1 is the first issue of a new limited series from Oni Press. The latest comic event plunges our favourite chaotic duo into cosmic-level madness, blending sharp writing with vibrant artwork to deliver that classic Rick and Morty energy that fans love.
The story begins with Morty having another existential crisis, which, at this point, is kind of his version of brushing his teeth. Things feel meaningless, Rick’s looking for his screwdriver and Morty’s just stewing in his usual cosmic dread. That is, until the literal embodiment of Universe C-137 (yes, that Cronenberg’d universe) shows up with the kind of announcement that kicks off a truly ridiculous Rick and Morty adventure. C-137 is getting married. To whom? Oh, just the personification of the Parmesan Dimension. She goes by “Par mee zee an,” naturally.
Writer Daniel Kibblesmith (known for his work on Loki) wastes no time jumping into the chaos. Rick’s instantly hyped about the prospect of throwing the ultimate bachelor party, which, of course, goes massively off the rails almost immediately. It’s a classic Rick move: ignore the consequences, crank the fun meter to 11 and bulldoze through the multiverse with booze, bravado and, in this issue, plenty of innuendo.
The genius of this first issue is how well it balances the absurd with the existential. Kibblesmith taps into the emotional rot at Morty’s core without turning things overly bleak. Morty’s just a kid trying to find meaning in a world (or many worlds) where he feels like a cosmic joke, and when the universe literally is a character, that joke writes itself.
Jarrett Williams’s art is vibrant, colourful, and full of life. Every page bursts with that signature Rick and Morty energy – gross, loud, weird and strangely beautiful in all the wrong ways. That said, purists might be put off by how much more comic-like the style is compared to the show’s flatter animation. The visual design of “Par mee zee an” especially hits the sweet spot between absurd and oddly majestic.
This is the kickoff to a full-on Rick and Morty comic event, complete with tie-ins and cosmic stakes. But at its heart, it’s still about what the best episodes do so well, combining interdimensional mayhem with real (though sometimes uncomfortable) emotional undercurrents.
Oni Press’ Rick and Morty vs. the Universe #1 is exactly what you’d want from a title like that – it’s bold, completely bonkers and just self-aware enough to hit the spot. The event’s only getting started, and if this issue’s any indication, we’re in for something stupidly fun and maybe even a little profound.
Rating: 8/10
Andrew Newton
