Get Started In RICK AND MORTY

1st Appearance  |  Origin Story  |  Main Publication History  |  Secondary Publication History  |  Key Storylines  |  Media Source Material  |  Key Issues  |  Compilations

by snowbi-wan, updated Oct 2024

Rick and Morty is an animated sitcom on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block. The series is a kind of cross between The Simpsons for its family drama and Futurama for its science-fiction comedy/adventure. Rick is an eccentric, alcoholic mad scientist dragging his fretful, easily influenced grandson, Morty, on adventures through dimensional portals across the multiverse in his flying car. The show is full of humorous situations, one-liners, and irreverent references to pop-culture and science fiction. The main characters' dynamic owes more than a little to the main characters of Back To The Future, the whole idea for the show having been borne out of a parody of that film. The animated show has received universal critical acclaim.

Related GSIs: MY LITTLE PONY

Related Tags: CROSS-PROPERTY CROSSOVERSDUNGEONS AND DRAGONSRICK AND MORTYX-MEN [1963] NO. 141 COVER HOMAGE

1st Appearance

The first appearance of a character in comic book form is often the most valuable issue featuring that character. It's a nice place to get started in Rick And Morty, if it's within your budget.

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  • RICK AND MORTY [2015] #1  (1st appearance of Rick and Morty)

Main Publication History

Series beginnings are always great places to get started in comic books. Here is the Main Publication History for Rick And Morty comic books. This list focuses on series and mini-series. See the Secondary Publication History for the multitude of Rick And Morty one-shots.

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Secondary Publication History

If you've already enjoyed some of the series listed in the Main Publication History above, series from this secondary publication list are very good places to further your exploration. This list focuses on one-shots only. The RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS 'series' of one-shots is a long-running 'series' focusing on individual characters in the Rick and Morty world. See the Main Publication History for series and mini-series.

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Key Issues

A key issue can be an acceptable place to get started with Rick and Morty, but they are more of a collector's checklist, as they can carry high price tags. Rick and Morty was a surprise hit from independent publisher Oni Press. All the early issues are highly sought after and can command high prices.

Key Issue cover 1 for RICK AND MORTY

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  • RICK AND MORTY [2015] #1   (1st appearance of Rick and Morty)  Find it on eBay

Compilations

In modern comic publishing, it's common (and expected) for individual comic book issues to be collected into compilations of trade paperbacks and/or hardcovers, as well as other special compilations. Unlike the individual source issues, the collected editions typically stay in print for long periods and are less 'collectible.' If individual issues are out of reach or are not of interest to you or if you just need reading copies, the following collected editions of Rick And Morty comic books are the most recent in-print editions and are the perfect alternative to get started right away with Rick and Morty. The following compilations are presented in a chronologically-based suggested reading order with softcover editions before any hardcover editions (unless the only in-print editions are hardcover--these are integrated into the softcover list). I did, however, separate out the RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS series of trade paperbacks, since there's a bunch and they inhibit a nice reading order flow. They are listed in succession at the end of the following list before the hardcover series.

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CoverRelease MonthSeries / Number / Storyline
RICK AND MORTY VOL 01Quick ViewNov 2015RICK AND MORTY [2015-TPB] VOL 01
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY VOL 02Quick ViewApr 2016RICK AND MORTY [2015-TPB] VOL 02
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY VOL 03Quick ViewSep 2016RICK AND MORTY [2015-TPB] VOL 03
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY VOL 04Quick ViewFeb 2017RICK AND MORTY [2015-TPB] VOL 04
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: LIL' POOPY SUPERSTAR Quick ViewMar 2017RICK AND MORTY: LIL' POOPY SUPERSTAR [2016-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY VOL 05Quick ViewJul 2017RICK AND MORTY [2015-TPB] VOL 05
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY VOL 06Quick ViewDec 2017RICK AND MORTY [2015-TPB] VOL 06
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: POCKET LIKE YOU STOLE IT Quick ViewMar 2018RICK AND MORTY: POCKET LIKE YOU STOLE IT [2017-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY VOL 07Quick ViewMay 2018RICK AND MORTY [2015-TPB] VOL 07
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY VOL 08Quick ViewDec 2018RICK AND MORTY [2015-TPB] VOL 08
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY VS. DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS Quick ViewMar 2019RICK AND MORTY VS. DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS [2018-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY VOL 09Quick ViewJun 2019RICK AND MORTY [2015-TPB] VOL 09
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY VOL 10Quick ViewDec 2019RICK AND MORTY [2015-TPB] VOL 10
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY VS. DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS VOL 02: PAINSCAPEQuick ViewMar 2020RICK AND MORTY VS. DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS [2020-TPB] VOL 02: PAINSCAPE
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY VOL 11Quick ViewJul 2020RICK AND MORTY [2015-TPB] VOL 11
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: GO TO HELL Quick ViewDec 2020RICK AND MORTY: GO TO HELL [2020-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY VOL 12Quick ViewJan 2021RICK AND MORTY [2015-TPB] VOL 12
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: WORLD'S APART Quick ViewSep 2021RICK AND MORTY: WORLD'S APART [2021-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: EVER AFTER Quick ViewMay 2021RICK AND MORTY: EVER AFTER [2021-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: RICK'S NEW HAT Quick ViewMar 2022RICK AND MORTY: RICK'S NEW HAT [2022-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: CORPORATE ASSETS Quick ViewOct 2022RICK AND MORTY: CORPORATE ASSETS [2022-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: INFINITY HOUR Quick ViewJan 2023RICK AND MORTY: INFINITY HOUR [2023-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY VS. CTHULHU Quick ViewJul 2023RICK AND MORTY VS. CTHULHU [2022-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: CRISIS ON C-137 Quick ViewAug 2023RICK AND MORTY: CRISIS ON C-137 [2023-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: THE SPACE SHAKE SAGA VOL 01Quick ViewDec 2023RICK AND MORTY: THE SPACE SHAKE SAGA [2023-TPB] VOL 01
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: HEART OF RICKNESS Quick ViewMar 2024RICK AND MORTY: HEART OF RICKNESS [2023-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: THE SPACE SHAKE SAGA VOL 02Quick ViewJul 2024RICK AND MORTY: THE SPACE SHAKE SAGA [2023-TPB] VOL 02
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: MEESEEKS, P.I. Quick ViewSep 2024RICK AND MORTY: MEESEEKS, P.I. [2023-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY: KINGDOM BALLS Quick ViewJan 2025RICK AND MORTY: KINGDOM BALLS [2025-TPB]
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS VOL 01Quick ViewMay 2019RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS [2019-TPB] VOL 01
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS VOL 02Quick ViewMay 2020RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS [2019-TPB] VOL 02
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS VOL 03Quick ViewJun 2021RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS [2019-TPB] VOL 03
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS VOL 04Quick ViewAug 2022RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS [2019-TPB] VOL 04
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS VOL 05Quick ViewAug 2023RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS [2019-TPB] VOL 05
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS VOL 06Quick ViewAug 2024RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS [2019-TPB] VOL 06
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY COMPENDIUM VOL 01Quick ViewOct 2023RICK AND MORTY COMPENDIUM [2023-TPB] VOL 01
CURRENT PRINTING
  (a new, larger compilation series, collecting the RICK AND MORTY [2015] series)
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY COMPENDIUM VOL 02Quick ViewMay 2024RICK AND MORTY COMPENDIUM [2023-TPB] VOL 02
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY BOOK 01Quick ViewNov 2016RICK AND MORTY [2015-HC] BOOK 01
CURRENT PRINTING
  (hardcover compilation series of the RICK AND MORTY [2015] series
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY BOOK 02Quick ViewOct 2017RICK AND MORTY [2015-HC] BOOK 02
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY BOOK 03Quick ViewSep 2018RICK AND MORTY [2015-HC] BOOK 03
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY BOOK 04Quick ViewOct 2019RICK AND MORTY [2015-HC] BOOK 04
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY BOOK 05Quick ViewOct 2020RICK AND MORTY [2015-HC] BOOK 05
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY BOOK 06Quick ViewApr 2021RICK AND MORTY [2015-HC] BOOK 06
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY BOOK 07Quick ViewOct 2021RICK AND MORTY [2015-HC] BOOK 07
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY BOOK 08Quick ViewJul 2022RICK AND MORTY [2015-HC] BOOK 08
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
      
RICK AND MORTY DELUXE DOUBLE FEATURE VOL 01Quick ViewApr 2023RICK AND MORTY DELUXE DOUBLE FEATURE [2023-HC] VOL 01
CURRENT PRINTING
  (this hardcover series begins collecting RICK AND MORTY mini-series)
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY DELUXE DOUBLE FEATURE VOL 02Quick ViewSep 2023RICK AND MORTY DELUXE DOUBLE FEATURE [2023-HC] VOL 02
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY DELUXE DOUBLE FEATURE VOL 03Quick ViewMay 2024RICK AND MORTY DELUXE DOUBLE FEATURE [2023-HC] VOL 03
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY DELUXE DOUBLE FEATURE VOL 04Quick ViewOct 2024RICK AND MORTY DELUXE DOUBLE FEATURE [2023-HC] VOL 04
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon
RICK AND MORTY DELUXE DOUBLE FEATURE VOL 05Quick ViewJun 2025RICK AND MORTY DELUXE DOUBLE FEATURE [2023-HC] VOL 05
CURRENT PRINTING
  
Available on Amazon Go to Amazon

Media Source Material

Media source material cover for RICK AND MORTY

If you've enjoyed non-comic media for Rick and Morty, this section describes the comic book source material for some of the most popular non-comic media. However, Rick and Morty began as an animated television show with comic books from Oni Press following. Comic books have not been the source material for the cartoon. The comic book storylines and bonus shorts are original stories that compliment the animated television show perfectly without rehashing the show or straying too far from the aspects that make the show so popular.