Welcome back, glip-glops! Today we are diving deep into the first issue of the climactic new limited series, Rick and Morty: The End. This issue sets a dark, nihilistic tone, pushing Morty to his absolute limits in the absence of his grandfather. If you want to know exactly what happens page-by-page, you’ve come to the right place. Buckle up!
The Setup: Fringe Space
The story opens in “Fringe Space,” described as the “Bleeding Edge of Reality.” This is a meta-layer of existence where fictional planets and concepts barely exist—or as the narration colorfully puts it, “dingleberries clinging to the butt of existence.”
We find ourselves at the Ball Fondlers HQ (a callback to the interdimensional cable show). The team is in the middle of a petty argument about who fondled whose balls, highlighting their nature as one-note fictional characters.
The Intruder: “Boy Cop”
The title card drops: “Part 1: The Good, The Rick, The Morty.” Morty Smith enters the HQ. He isn’t the anxious kid we know; he’s dressed like a hard-boiled drifter (a “Boy Cop”) and is looking for Rick Sanchez.
The confrontation heats up. The Ball Fondlers mock Morty, telling him his universe has “no stroke” here because they are fictional. When Morty demands Rick’s location again, things get violent.
It explodes into action. The Ball Fondlers attack Morty. It’s brutal—Morty gets tossed around, and the “heroes” reveal their sadistic side, with one expressing a desire to make “more holes” in Morty.
The Trial: Council of Universes That Matter
Just as Morty faces a gruesome death (threatened with “Frenching the holes”), he is suddenly teleported away. He hasn’t been saved, but summoned.
Introduces the Council of Universes That Matter. This isn’t the Council of Ricks; it’s a tribunal of specific universes relevant to the series’ lore. The roll call includes:
- The Parmesan Universe: The current home of our Rick and Morty (where they pronounce “Parmesan” weird).
- Universe Prime: Morty’s original home.
- Dimension C-137: Rick’s birthplace.
- Dimension C-131: The “Mr. Frundles” universe (where Earth became a giant face).
Morty pleads his case. He explains that 5 minutes ago, he was about to reboot all of reality using a device Rick built. Rick had “mindf**ked” him again, and in retaliation, Morty tried to wipe everything. Rick then vanished, leaving Morty behind.
Introduces Recapricorn, a magical goat-entity who serves as a living recap device (“I’m horny for that backstorny!”). It explains that Morty is charged with Attempted Realicide—the murder of every living thing in the multiverse.
The sentence is passed. The Council decides to erase all Morties from continuity. Morty desperately argues that many Morties are innocent. The Council counters: if he wants to save them, he must reveal where Rick is.
Shows a jarring vision of a “Perfect Family.” We see a sitcom-style reality where Rick is an overly loving father and grandfather, even telling Jerry to call him “Dad.” It’s a stark contrast to the grim reality, likely a taunt or a glimpse of what Morty thinks he wants.
The Council gives Morty a choice: Find Rick or accept the erasure. They tell him the only way to find Rick is to “Think like Rick.” Morty reluctantly agrees, terrified of what that implies.
The Transformation: “Mortrick”
A Few Minutes Later.” Morty is sent back to the Ball Fondlers HQ to resume his fight/interrogation. He realizes that “thinking like Rick” means abandoning empathy.
Morty feigns a breakdown. He starts wailing like a terrified 14-year-old, crying for his mom. He claims he’s just a “little boy” who made a mistake. The Ball Fondlers, confused by this sudden shift, lower their guard and try to comfort him.
The trap springs. As soon as they are distracted, Morty attacks. His internal monologue chills the bone: “Think like Rick… They don’t matter.”.
Implied flow: The ensuing fight is a massacre. Morty realizes that being the smartest guy in the room means realizing no one else exists—or that they don’t matter. He brutally dispatches the Ball Fondlers.
The aftermath. Morty stands amidst the carnage. He admits to himself that he let out his “Inner Rick,” coining the name “Mortrick.” Suddenly, a voice warns him: “You should really watch your back, Morty. You’ve only got one.” The issue ends with a “TO BE CONTINUED…” promising part 2 in January 2026.
