Rick and Morty is receiving a manga adaptation that pays tribute to some of the most famous anime of all time.
Oni Press announced the upcoming comic graphic novel written by Alissa Sallah and illustrated by JeyOdin. Rick and Morty: The Manga will bring the show’s unique brand of pop-culture comedy to the world of anime. As shown in a preview, the series has Morty take control of an Evangelion-style mech to take down an army of 60-foot-tall, naked Jerry clones in an obvious spoof of Attack on Titan. The series’ first volume debuts on Nov. 1, when fans can purchase it at their local comic book or bookseller.
Rick and Morty has a long-standing tradition of spoofing popular franchises. Members of the editorial team describe the Rick and Morty manga as a tribute to anime that combines the show’s humor and heart with the zany style of parody that the show is known for. “If anyone could make Gendo Ikari look like a reasonable parent, it’s Rick Sanchez,” said Senior Editor Bess Pallares, “Creating this book was a pop culture dream come true.” Pallares also suggests that Attack on Titan and Evangelion aren’t the only series the manga will tackle, stating that “we plan to sully the good name of manga with future volumes of Rick and Morty, exploring more genres and storylines ready for a shake-up.”
The Creative Duo Behind Rick and Morty: The Manga
Rick and Morty: The Manga’s writer, Alissa Sallah, is an experienced cartoonist that edits and contributes to the Bonfire Yearly Anthology, which publishes comics from up-and-coming artists. Sallah also worked as a colorist for the Image comic series Sleepless and has been featured in the Yakuza 6: Song of Life artbook. JeyOdin is best known for his work on the graphic novel Miles Away. He also has an ongoing series called Hammer, which Saturday AM serializes as part of its manga anthology.
The publisher of Rick and Morty: The Manga, Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group, also known as Oni Press, has a long history of publishing award-winning original and licensed graphic novels and books for readers of all ages. Its notable titles include Sheets by Brenna Thummler, The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill and Scott Pilgrim. With its strong history of thoughtfully curated titles, Rick and Morty fans can comfortably look forward to the release of The Manga.
Rick and Morty’s Anime Adventures
This venture is not Rick and Morty’s first entry into the anime realm, as the series has previously received adaptation as a series of anime shorts. Produced as a collaboration between Studio DEEN and several other Japanese studios, this short series aired on Adult Swim from March 29, 2020, to Oct. 10, 2021. Several well-known directors produced these shorts, including Takashi Sano (Tower of God), Kaichi Sato (ANNA (kidnapper)) and Masaru Matsumoto (Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars). Sano also directs a Rick and Morty anime spinoff, slated to debut later this year.
Rick and Morty: The Manga Vol.1 hits shelves on Nov. 1. The Rick and Morty TV series is available on HBO Max.
Source: Oni Press
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