REVIEW: ‘Blade Runner 2039,’ Issue #1

In 2039, the hunt to decommission rogue Replicants continues. But a new player has taken the field. Developed by the Wallace Corporation, a new and advanced form of Replicant has become a Blade Runner. Named LUV, she has started turning heads with the numbers she is posting. But not everyone is happy to have her on the team. Meanwhile, a lone Replicant searches for a possible future in Blade Runner 2039 #1 from publisher Titan Comics and writers Mike Johnson and Mellow Brown, with art by Andres Guinaldo, colors by Marco Lesko, and letters by Jim Campbell.

This book opens its tale by introducing readers to LUV. She seems like the perfect choice for hunting down rogue replicants. Precise, efficient, and able to take a punch from her quarry, LUV’s apparent advantages over her human counterparts are instantly recognizable. But replicants have a history of flaws in their systems, and Blade Runner 2039 #1 does some subtle work in hinting that LUV may not be the bug-free model her designers are hoping she is. However, some of her coworkers are more than willing to jump to the conclusion that she is a danger. Of course, the fact that she appears to be programmed to be intolerant of corruption might also play a part in that.

The other half of Blade Runner 2039 #1 follows a scared replicant as she attempts to navigate hazards in a search for haven. While this issue doesn’t give the reader much detail about the individual, it does more than enough to make you feel sympathetic. The lengths she seems prepared to go to and the desperation etched on her face clearly indicate how much she has already seen to get as far as she has.

With its split story, writers Johnson and Brown do an admirable job getting both plot lines established well. No time is wasted, yet there is no feeling of a rush to the story either. Instead, it manages to create that strong, noir vibe that one would expect from this franchise. This pacing works great for the story, giving the reader enough to become interested while leaving the true core of the story as a mystery.

The art in this book delivers the harshness of 2039 L.A. excellently. The visuals always convey the grit and roughness of the world fantastically. But while this element of the story shines in the visuals, I wish it could’ve showcased a bit more of the cyberpunk aesthetic in its presentation. This element feels largely lacking from the panels, which is a shame as that is what the Blade Runner franchise is best known for. The colors do a solid job of completing the look that the linework establishes. They fluctuate skillfully with each scene, reflecting the energy of any given panel. Rounding out the book is the lettering. The letters allow the story to flow through the panel, living harmoniously with the art.

Blade Runner 2039 #1 ultimately gets its narrative off to a solid start. It does an excellent job of establishing its primary cast while leaving enough unsaid about them to pique a reader’s interest in what is to come.

Blade Runner 2039 #1 is available now wherever comics are sold.