Wubba lubba dub dub. It’s the catchphrase everyone loves to hate, but it’s also the perfect entry point into the absolute chaos that is the Rick and Morty book universe. Look, if you’re a fan of the show, you probably think you’ve seen everything. You’ve sat through the delays, the weird meta-commentary on Adult Swim, and the shifting voice actors. But honestly? You’re missing half the story if you haven’t cracked open a Rick and Morty book.
The comic books and graphic novels aren't just cheap cash-ins. They’re weirdly essential.
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Most people assume these books are just "side stories" or non-canon filler. That’s a mistake. Because of the way the Rick and Morty multiverse works—with its Infinite Central Curve—literally everything is canon. Somewhere. In some dimension. If there’s a comic where Rick turns into a literal god or Morty actually gets a win for once, it’s happening in Dimension C-132 or some other designation. It counts.
The Rick and Morty Book Rabbit Hole
Let’s get one thing straight: the primary Rick and Morty book series started back in 2015 via Oni Press. It wasn't written by Dan Harmon or Justin Roiland. Instead, it was guys like Zac Gorman and Marc Ellerby who really built the foundation of the literary multiverse. This is where things get interesting. The early comics followed Rick and Morty from Dimension C-132, not the "Prime" Rick we see on TV.
This gave the writers total freedom. They could kill off main characters. They could blow up Earth. They did things the show wouldn't touch for years.
Eventually, the books started syncing up more with the show's vibe, but that early experimental phase is gold. You get to see a version of Rick that is maybe a tiny bit more unhinged—if that's even possible—and a Morty who is slightly less of a doormat. If you’re looking for a specific starting point, the Rick and Morty Vol. 1 trade paperback is the obvious choice. It collects the first five issues. It feels like the first season of the show: raw, a bit ugly, and incredibly fast-paced.
What about the Art Books?
Maybe you don't care about the stories. Maybe you just want to see how the sausage is made. In that case, The Art of Rick and Morty (published by Dark Horse Books) is a monster of a volume. It’s heavy. You could probably use it as a weapon in a Citadel of Ricks brawl.
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What’s cool about this specific Rick and Morty book is the commentary from Justin Roiland and James McDermott. They go deep into why the aliens look like... well, like that. There’s a lot of talk about "organic" shapes versus "mechanical" ones and how they try to avoid the standard sci-fi tropes you see in Star Wars or Star Trek. You see sketches of characters that never made the cut, including some truly horrifying Cronenberg-style monsters that were deemed "too much" for cable TV.
Why the Comics Might Be Better Than the Show
That's a hot take. I know. But hear me out.
The show has to deal with runtimes. It has to deal with broadcast standards. A Rick and Morty book has none of those shackles. The pacing in the comics is often much tighter. You get these high-concept sci-fi gags that would be way too expensive or time-consuming to animate, but they work perfectly in a static panel.
Kyle Starks took over writing duties for a long stretch, and his run is legendary among die-hard fans. He brought a specific kind of "stupid-smart" humor that matches Harmon’s style but leans harder into the absurdity. For instance, the Pocket Mortys tie-in comic? It’s basically a parody of Pokémon but with way more existential dread and animal cruelty (well, Morty cruelty).
There’s also the Rick and Morty: Go to Hell miniseries. It’s exactly what it sounds like. Rick ends up in a literal, theological Hell and decides he’s going to run the place better than the Devil. It’s the kind of sacrilegious, over-the-top plot that fits perfectly in your hands but might feel a bit "extra" on a Sunday night broadcast.
The Dungeons & Dragons Crossover
If we’re talking about a Rick and Morty book you actually need to read, it’s the D&D crossover. This wasn't some half-baked marketing stunt. It was co-written by Patrick Rothfuss. Yeah, the guy who wrote The Name of the Wind.
The story is surprisingly grounded. Well, as grounded as Rick and Morty gets. Morty wants to learn D&D to impress a girl (classic Morty), and it turns out Rick is a secret expert because he used to party with the creators of the game back in the day. It captures the feeling of a tabletop session—the frustration, the rule-lawyering, the accidental character deaths—better than almost any other media I've seen.
How to Actually Collect These Without Going Broke
The comic industry is a mess. There are variant covers, limited editions, and one-shots. It’s a nightmare for your wallet. If you want to get into the Rick and Morty book scene, don't buy the individual issues. You'll spend a fortune on eBay.
Go for the "Rick and Morty Book" collections (the Deluxe Editions). They are oversized hardcovers. They look great on a shelf. More importantly, they include a lot of the backmatter—sketches, script notes, and "making of" segments—that you don't get in the standard paperbacks.
- Start with Rick and Morty: Book One (The Deluxe Edition).
- Grab the Dungeons & Dragons trade paperback.
- Check out Rick and Morty: Ever After if you like twisted fairy tales.
- If you're a gamer, the Pocket Mortys collection is a must.
Honestly, the sheer volume of content is staggering. There are over 60 issues of the main series alone, plus spin-offs like Lil' Poopybutthole and Jerry’s Game. It’s a lot. But that’s the point of an infinite multiverse, right?
The World of "In-World" Books
Then you have the books that exist "inside" the universe. The World According to Rick is basically a "best of" quote book, but it’s written from Rick’s perspective. It’s cynical. It’s nihilistic. It’s exactly what you’d expect. It’s a great coffee table book because you can flip to any page and find a reason to have an existential crisis.
There’s also the Rick and Morty: Dr. Xenon Bloom's Guide to Anatomy Park. It’s a parody of those old-school educational books. It’s gross. It’s detailed. It’s basically a love letter to the "Anatomy Park" episode from Season 1.
Why People Get These Books Wrong
A lot of critics dismissed the Rick and Morty book line early on as a "cash grab." They thought it was just the same jokes recycled. And sure, early on, there was a bit of that. But as the series progressed, the writers started taking real risks. They explored Beth’s psyche in ways the show didn't have time for. They gave Summer actual character arcs that didn't just revolve around her being a typical teenager.
The books often feel more "human" than the show. Because you’re reading at your own pace, the emotional beats have more time to breathe. When Rick has a moment of genuine regret (rare, I know), it lands harder on the page.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Collector
If you’re ready to dive in, don’t just start clicking "buy" on Amazon. You need a strategy. The Rick and Morty book world is vast and it’s easy to end up with duplicates.
Check your local library first. Seriously. Most libraries have the graphic novel collections in their "Young Adult" or "Graphic Novel" sections. It’s a free way to see if you actually dig the writing style before you drop $50 on a hardcover.
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Look for the "Treasury Editions." These are massive, tabloid-sized versions of the comics. They are rare but seeing the art at that scale is a completely different experience. It’s like watching the show on an IMAX screen vs. your phone.
Follow the writers, not just the brand. If you find a Rick and Morty book you love, look at the credits. Was it Kyle Starks? Was it Tini Howard? Follow their work. The best Rick and Morty stories come from writers who understand that the "sci-fi" is just a backdrop for a dysfunctional family drama.
Don't ignore the "Point of View" books. While the comics tell new stories, books like Rick and Morty: Official Coloring Book or the Mad Libs versions are surprisingly fun if you have kids (or if you’re just a bored adult). The coloring book especially has some incredibly intricate designs that are legitimately therapeutic to fill in.
The reality is that Rick and Morty is more than just a cartoon. It’s a franchise that has successfully jumped mediums without losing its soul. Whether you’re reading about the Council of Ricks or a random adventure in a dimension made of butt-shaped planets, the books deliver that same mix of high-brow physics and low-brow fart jokes.
Get the Deluxe Edition of Volume One. Read the first three chapters. If you aren't hooked by the time Rick tries to "fix" the family's dinner party by creating a localized time loop, then maybe the multiverse isn't for you. But for everyone else, it’s the best way to spend your time while waiting for the next season to drop. This isn't just a reading list; it’s a survival guide for fans who can’t get enough of C-137.
Keep your eyes peeled at local comic shops for back issues of the "Rick and Morty Presents" series. These are deep dives into specific side characters like Birdperson or Krombopulos Michael. They fill in the blanks that the show leaves wide open. It’s the ultimate way to level up your fandom.