Written by Nancy A Collins

Pencils by Enid Balam

Titan Comics, out now

 

Fracktown 2032 and Replicant Elle is stranded in a backwater settlement, a town of two warring factions.

The comic book continuation of the animated Blade Runner series hits the ground running and never stops. With its first issue devoted to setting up the new premise, we’re barely two pages in before Elle finds herself back in the firing line again.

The action is breathless, Balam’s kinetic artwork drawing us seamlessly from panel to panel, and there’s a fantastic double-page spread at the height of the conflict. But all of this would be for naught if there wasn’t an emotional edge, which is delivered through our discovery of Miguel’s backstory. By the end of the issue, Elle has a mission and is fired up – I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Verdict: Eclipsing its animated series source both aesthetically and dramatically, this is the Blade Runner comic we didn’t know we wanted, but certainly deserve. 9/10

Nick Joy