The Four Color Media Monitor

NBC News reports that Justin Roiland, co-creator of Rick & Morty, a cartoon that's also been adapted into comics, has been arrested for assault against a girlfriend:

Justin Roiland, the star and co-creator of the animated comedy series “Rick and Morty,” has been charged with felony domestic violence in Orange County, California, in connection with a 2020 incident, according to a criminal complaint filed in May 2020 by the Orange County District Attorney. He appeared in court Thursday for a pre-trial hearing. [...]

NBC News obtained the criminal complaint in the case, which charges Roiland, 42, with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit. NBC News is the first to report publicly on the case.

The complaint states the incident occurred on or about Jan. 19, 2020, against an anonymous Jane Doe who was dating Roiland at the time. [...]

A protective order filed in October 2020 and documented in the court minutes said Roiland is not to harass, threaten or surveil the person named in the protective order, who is not known to NBC News. Roiland cannot go within 100 feet of the person, according to the order, which also ordered Roiland to turn in any firearms he owned or possessed. The order lasts until October 2023, and it’s not known who submitted the request for the order. [...]

Roiland is best known for Adult Swim’s “Rick and Morty,” which has spawned a billion-dollar media and merchandising franchise and is one of the most popular adult television comedies. The show’s sixth season aired in September 2022, and a seventh season was ordered by Cartoon Network as part of a long-term deal for 70 new episodes. Roiland, in addition to co-creating the series with Dan Harmon, voices the two titular characters.

According to additional info on Breitbart, the other R&M co-creator, Dan Harmon, caused a scandal nearly 5 years ago when a video where he appeared to be making rape jokes was discovered. Tragically, he's apparently one more Hollywood hypocrite who's all but gotten away with his offenses till now. From what I know, Rick & Morty was adapted into comics published by Oni Press, and there was even a Dungeons & Dragons crossover co-published by IDW, and written by Jim Zub. One can only wonder what these mostly left-leaning sources think now that one of the cartoon franchise's creators turned out to be a monster. Will they continue working on these projects in the future, or will they distance themselves? And will these comics adaptations cease? It won't be a loss if they do, and it wouldn't be shocking if some of Roiland's deranged mindset found its way into the teleplays. I'm sure Rick & Morty is one more modern cartoon that won't matter in our future lifetimes.

Labels: animation, indie publishers, licensed products, misogyny and racism, violence