The ‘Rick and Morty’ Comics Publisher Announces That ‘THE END’ Is Nigh

The Rick and Morty universe is facing its imminent and inevitable heat death – well, a Rick and Morty universe, at least. 

In addition to the flagship Adult Swim television series led by the main stars Rick C-137 and Morty Prime, the Central Finite Curve of the Rick and Morty franchise has also long featured the tales and adventures of some alternate Ricks and Mortys (as well as the off-screen adventures of the TV duo) through an expanded universe that transcends dimensions as well as mediums. Ever since 2015, the multiple Rick and Morty comic series, published by the independent comic company Oni Press through a partnership with Adult Swim, have taken the most devoted Rick and Morty fans on an absolute thrill ride, one frame at a time – but, as Oni Press recently announced, the final chapter is close at hand. 

Earlier this week, Oni Press put out a teaser for Rick and Morty: The End, causing Rick and Morty comics fans to prepare for one last adventure. I guess “100 Years Rick and Morty” only applies to the TV show.

Yesterday, Comics Beat revealed that the above cryptic teaser posted by Oni Press was an announcement for a new comic series, Rick and Morty: The End, helmed by Marvel comics writer Daniel Kibblesmith and Jarrett Williams, co-illustrator of the 2021 graphic novel Rick and Morty: Worlds Apart. Though Oni Press did not officially specify that Rick and Morty: The End will be their final entry for the Adult Swim franchise, a representative did tell Comics Beat that the title of the new series “not some kind of artful metaphor.” 

The official synopsis reads: 

“Rick Sanchez, the most wanted man in this and every other universe, is on the run. With a bounty on his head, every government, military, pirate, mobster, bounty hunter, bail bondsman, religious institution, theater troupe, circus clown, and endangered species is on the hunt to bring in Rick – DEAD OR ALIVE. The only one who can bring Rick in warm is the one person who knows him best: Morty Smith. But Morty’s not the only Smith hot on Rick’s trail… ‘Space Beth’ Smith is determined to bring Rick in, and she doesn’t particularly care how. Now it’s just a question of who can get to him first…!”

For the last ten years, the Rick and Morty comic series has been a great way for the franchise's biggest fans to continue to engage with the massive, chaotic, multi-versal world of the franchise during the dismally long waits in between seasons, but, now, all signs point to the end of this side-project and the winding, complicated canon that nearly matched the original show in terms of total madness. But, hey, one last Rick and Morty comic series could be the perfect send-off for the TV show's companion storyline – and it will at least pull off a better swan song than Rick and Morty: The Anime.