In a world where pocket monsters are actually tiny Mortys, the game looks a lot like a bloodsport.
Check out the first cover above.
Below, EW spoke with Howard, Ellerby, and Farina about their vision for the series.
Credit: Oni Press
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Can you explain the premise of this new comic?
HOWARD:Theres a mobile game calledPocket Mortys, a slightPokemonpastiche where you capture little Mortys and battle them.
I had the opportunity to make a story that tied into the world.
The premise of our story is we see Morty from his perspective in that world.
Were supposed to love them, but we make them fight.
I just played with that idea.
Were following Morty through the world ofPocket Mortysand being a battle pet on the go and what that means.
How do you differentiate the story as your own while still paying homage to the style of the show?
HOWARD:I really loveRick and Morty.
I wish I was smart enough to write that kind of humor.
And he was like, I think you are.
Is there anything available?
And I got to try this.
Its a sense of humor that really resonates with me anyway.
My own sense of humor vacillates between goofy and bleak.
So Ill make Ricks hair slightly bigger than it is in the show but its obviously still Rick.
Its without a doubt my favorite drawing job ever.
FARINA:On the color end, theRick and Mortycolor styling is very cartoony anyway.
Theres a lot of bright and saturated colors.
I was looking at a lot ofHunger Gamesscreenshots to get some of those colors.
HOWARD:Im a huge fan of both smartly written humor and sci-fi.
I get to throw in callbacks.
Hes so funny and hes my baby.
ELLERBY:I love everything about the show pretty much.
Sad, plain, unemployed Jerry.
HOWARD:Our editors get feedback from the people writingRick and Morty, and its always really positive.
So Ive just been shrugging and saying, well, they have my number.
