Rick and Mortyis known for pushing boundaries when it comes to its jokes and storylines, and while that can sometimes lead to some pretty uncomfortable episodes/comics, the series more often than not hits the mark - and a recentCharlie Brownjoke is no exception. Indeed,Rick and Mortyhas done some wild stuff, but turning Charlie Brown into a literal god within the series’ established universe really takes the cake.
InRick and Morty#7 (by Alex Firer, Rafer Roberts, Andrew Dallhouse, Suzi Blake, and Fred C. Stresing), a number of dead gods who exist in an afterlife called Anti Hala are plotting together against Rick Sanchez. Rick is a known god-killer, and is responsible for sending a number of these gods to Anti Hala, including their leader: Nunzumel.
While the gods agree to followNunzumel in his quest for vengeance against Rick and Morty, it’s quickly revealed that they shouldn’t have, as Nunzumel failed to deliver on his many promises to the other gods - vengeance being one of them. So, the gods (who are all back in Anti Hala) take their anger out on their failed leader by literally ripping him to shreds. And, among the gods that both decided to follow and then turn on Nunzumel is none other thanPeanuts’ Charlie Brown.
Not only that, but Charles M. Schulz (the creator ofPeanuts) also gets another shout-out in this comic, as another god claims that they were killed by a human just as Nunzumel was killed by Rick, saying, “Charles Schulz shot me in 1998”, to which the Charlie Brown God reacted, “Oh dang!”.
Rick and Morty is Paying Tribute to Charles Schulz by Turning Charlie Brown into a God
Charles M. Schulz is Perhaps the Greatest Cartoonist in History, & Rick and Morty Knows That
This issue ofRick and Mortyis a fantastic tribute to Charles Schulz, as it not only turns his most iconic character, Charlie Brown, into an eternal god (implying that Schulz is a ‘god-maker), but it also names him as a mortal capable of killing a god - that’s how legendary Schulz is. Inthe world ofRick and Morty, Charles M. Schulz is equal to Rick as a powerful mortal capable of killing a god, and even surpasses Rick as a mortal capable of creating a god, which is an awesome way to honor perhaps the greatest cartoonist in history.
Rick and Morty Isn’t the Only Franchise with Its Own ‘Charlie Brown’
Charlie Brown is an Official Mutant in Marvel Comics’ X-Men Continuity
Rick and Morty isn’t the only franchise with its own ‘Charlie Brown’, as the hapless member of the Peanuts Gang is also an official mutant in X-Men continuity.Charlie Brown is revealed to be a member of the X-Men(or, at least, a mutant that attends Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters) inAstonishing X-Men#9. He, along with the other mutants at the school, are swept into the Danger Room after the room itself - aptly named Danger - came to life Ultron-style and attacked them. While his mutant powers weren’t displayed, Charlie Brown can still be seen fighting alongside the X-Men.
Charles M. Schulz is truly a legend in the comic community, and that even extends to franchises likeRick and Morty, which paid the ultimate (albeit incredibly wild) tribute to thePeanutscreator by turningCharlie Browninto a literal god.
