Review: Blade Runner 2019 #10
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers:  Mike Johnson & Michael Green
Artists:Â Andres Guinaldo
Colors:Â Marco Lesko
Letters: Â Jim Campbell
Reviewed by: Carl Bryan
Summary
Ex-Blade Runner Ash and her charge Cleo return to the rain-soaked dystopian future of Los Angeles for a confrontation with Alexander Selwyn that will expose a terrifying conspiracy that could bring down a dynasty!
Positives
First, the story telling is awesome and writers Mike Johnson and Michael Green have found the right way to continue the Blade Runner franchise. Admittedly so as a reviewer, I am not sure at times if I am reading/watching a prequel or a sequel as the content is just that good.
If Blade Runner the movie was your “Star Wars”, then Blade Runner 2019 is your “Empire Strikes Back.” For those of you that are not Star Wars fans, Empire is arguably the best one of the movies ever made.
The artwork is superb. Andres Guinaldo captures the cinema of Blade Runner as well as develops the script he was provided. However, he fumbles on the penciling this issue with Ash looking more like she possesses a mullet rather than her usual coif.
But the wardrobe is all Blade Runner. Well done Andres on capturing the world of Blade Runner. To really add to a cult classic is a compliment in any medium and he has done so in this comic!
Positives 2.0
As Bon Jovi asks “Who says you can’t come home?”, the writers answer here and indicate that Ash is not welcome at all. The authorities bring her down in her vehicle, but not before she has gathered more information on Alexander Selwyn. The opening pages are key to both this comic and the prior movies.
No spoilers here, but remember how Harrison Ford’s Deckard eventually leaves with replicant Rachael…. these replicants realize that Ash is a Blade Runner, but these Replicants need Ash if they wish to survive.
Finally, one can go really deep if you examine the original film and to try to delve into this comic, you can see that the environment and the rain are a character in and of itself. How the streets of LA are not floating and the Blade Runners are not using Arks at this point is mind-boggling. But enjoy this Pulp Noir… it’s like an old friend with a new rain jacket!
Negatives
Crickets are chirping as you need to check this out! This comic is breaking the rules a bit in expanding our knowledge of the Blade Runner universe. If you are a Pulp Noir fan or simply a Blade Runner fan, you should be on board with this Titan Comics entry.
Verdict
This story arc begins with a return to her roots to finish the mission. Chase scenes, flashbacks, and a corrupt force that seeks to derail Ash and her efforts. Settle back with this book on a rainy afternoon.
