Rick And Morty Verses Dungeons & Dragons #2 - IDW Publishing

RICK AND MORTY VERSES DUNGEONS & DRAGONS No. 2, September 2018

Packed full of Kobolds, Bugbears, Gnolls, Displacer Beasts and even the occasional chest trap, it’s quite clear from Issue Two of "Rick And Morty Verses Dungeons & Dragons" that co-writer Jim Zub was indeed allowed to “open a Pandora’s Box of insane adventure material and iconic creatures from the granddaddy of all tabletop role-playing games” when he was asked to pen this comic’s narrative by “IDW Publishing”. But whilst this mesmerising twenty-four page tome definitely does justice to Gary Gygax’s fantasy world, it is perhaps its handling of Rick Sanchez and his obsessive power gaming which really captures the spirit of this crossover limited series.

In fact the characterisation of Morty’s grandfather is arguably indistinguishable from that depicted on the ‘adult animated sitcom’, with the crackpot scientist initially appearing to be solely dedicated to helping his dysfunctional family enjoy some increasingly dark dungeoneering, only to later reveal that the entire computer-generated escapade is simply another of his infamous ego trips; “I’m still figuring out the rules here, but even I can tell that you’re cheating dad.” This underlying motivation really encapsulates the “mad science-making grandpa”, and his desperate need to be the best at whatever he does no matter the cost.  

Of course, having been called out for being “an all-powerful immortal” wizard, Rick strikes out on his own and soon demonstrates just how insanely superior he has made his virtual avatar by nonchalantly defeating a skeletal dragon and its ghastly minions single-handedly. However, once triumphantly sat upon his throne as Dungeon Master, Sanchez soon realises that he’s missing out on the sense of achievement only attained by defeating genuine challenges with his family, and subsequently skulks back to Mudville’s local tavern to join them in a quest against some “Spriggan in the woods north of town.”

Troy Little’s contribution to these tongue-in-cheek trials and tribulations also cannot be overstated, with the Canadian cartoonist capturing the look and feel of both the television show and the fighting frenzy of an underground lair crammed full of sword-wielding Kobolds with great aplomb. Indeed, one of this comic’s highlights is the way the artist lays out the exploits of the adventurers as their monstrous encounters increase in toughness, along with the injuries they receive whilst battling them.

Written by: Patrick Rothfuss & Jim Zub, Art by: Troy Little, and Colors by: Leonardo Ito