This article contains mentions of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)’s helpline at 988 in the US and Canada.
Warning: Spoilers for Rick and Morty: 10th Anniversary Special #1!One ofRick and Morty’smost popular recurring bits features the characters flipping the channels on interdimensional cable; naturally, their 10th anniversary comic-book special would need to shout that out – by taking aim at infamous online celebrityLogan Paul. The mocking of action movies, local commercials, and pop culture is essential to Rick and Morty’s charm, and now they are coming for one of the most popular streamers in the entertainment business.
Rick and Morty: 10th Anniversary Special#1 by Alex Firer and Fred C. Stresing parodies Pixar, skewers sporting events, and manages a reference that packs the Flintstones, Jetsons, and Simpsons into one joke, all before landing ona channel that reveals “Logan Paulien” in a Japanese yokai forest, a reference to the YouTuber’s infamous gaffe.
Since this is aRick and Mortyjoke, the reference is perfectly executed - rather than the Pixar alien hat Paul wore, his alien version is wearing a 3-eyed, human-like hat. Fittingly, he also instantly gets his comeuppance.
This spoof refers to the YouTuber’s insensitive 2017 video, where he wandered through Japan’s Aokigahara forest, stumbling upon a dead body while making jokes with his friends.
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“Logan Paulien” Gets Interdimensionally Canceled
The Vlogger Joins theRick and MortyUniverse
At the end of 2017,Logan Paul was one of the world’s most famous people, alongside his brother and fellow vlogger, Jake Paul. As he and his friends documented their trip to Japan on YouTube, he also uploaded a video of them visiting a “haunted” place: Aokigahara Forest, a place known for attracting those considering suicide. When the group stumbled across an actual dead body, they were surprised, but quickly shifted to making insensitive jokes, continuing to film. Even though the video was posted over the New Year’s Day weekend,it immediately stirred up international controversyand was quickly removed.
The quality of licensed comics varies wildly, butRick and Mortyfans shouldn’t sleep on these comics.
WhileRick and Mortyitself has made its share of dark, insensitive jokes, even its creators thought Paul’s video was going too far. As this10th Anniversary Specialis all about looking back on the past decade, this Interdimensional Cable vignette is a great time to reference the faux pas. Rather than a place of sadness, the forest Logan Paulien explores is actually full of angry Japanese yokai - and they’re ready to attack. Given that the realLogan Paul has become a boxer and wrestler, it’s not an entirely one-sided fight. Sadly, the comic flips the channel before the first punch is thrown.
Other callbacks in this issue include Morty suiting up in his “Look Who’s Purging Now” armor, the Butter Robot, and Jerry even getting his own Mind-Blowers.
Ten Years ofRick and MortyIs Best Complemented by the Comics
Check Out MoreRick and MortyComics at a Local Comic Book Store
The quality of licensed comics varies wildly, butRick and Mortyfans shouldn’t sleep on these comics. They expand on the lore of the show while keeping the same hilarious tone. The comics have revealeda Meseeks who still hasn’t died, becoming a PI; thatGoldenfold is a supergeniuson Rick’s level, except for his C-137 variant; and thatRick and Morty have jumped universesat least twice more than on the show. As Singularity Rick says, nostalgia is a trap of the past. Rather than watching the show again, pick up the comics to expand the world ofRick and Morty.
Rick and Morty: 10th Anniversary Special#1is available now from Oni Press.
RICK AND MORTY: 10TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL (2024) #1
Rick and Morty
Cast
Rick and Morty is an animated science fiction series that follows the eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez and his impressionable grandson Morty Smith as they embark on perilous adventures across space and alternate dimensions. The show explores the impact of these exploits on Morty’s tumultuous family life and personal challenges.
