As opening chapters go, Blade Runner 2039’s newest issue certainly knows how to make an entrance!
Blade Runner has always had more in its storytelling arsenal, a fact made possible by its multi-layered arcs and how the story has naturally gravitated towards Denis Villeneuve’s masterpiece. It’s a journey not without its occasional rough spots, such as how it navigates its character development, or its formulaic tendency to conclude each saga with a rushed ending. However, while regular Blade Runner scribe Mike Johnson may have used the series’ 9th issue as another reset, in setting the expectations to come, it does promise something exciting on the horizon. The 9th issue is brimming with surprises, so much so that even readers will find themselves caught off guard.
We find ourselves back in Ash’s orbit (with the handy voiceover to boot), now on a relentless mission to “kill God”, aka Niander Wallace – the CEO of the Wallace Corporation. The stakes have never been higher. Wallace – sitting at the top of society’s paradigm – has forged ahead with his technological revolution. We see it from the opening panels when Ash tries to visit her old friend Wojciech at the retirement home with its newly installed hologram system. It doesn’t take long for Ash to show her frustration at its inability to find her friend, and without question it refers to the relatable parallels between technology and its ever-growing impact on social communities. Change is always presented as “better”, “easier”, “simpler”, or a “necessity”, but the human element always comes at a cost. In this case, a glitchy system lacks the human compassion and warmth to be helpful with requests. While the outcome of Ash’s visit eventually ends in sadness, seeing Gaff (famously played by Edward James Olmos in both Blade Runner films) was lovely to see.
Gaff’s cameo is not the only familiar face to grace the comics. For instance, we’ve seen Sapper Morton (and he also makes a brief return here) and Niander Wallace himself (still lit in the shadows as if Roger Deakins himself was orchestrating the comic’s cinematography). But we’ve been so used to Blade Runner forging its own storytelling path that it is easy to forget who else would have been operating in those circles! Such is the confidence of its output, the previous issues never presented a need to do so, but here Gaff’s re-introduction never feels like it is part of a cheap gimmick. Its purpose is intentional, with the former Blade Runners getting acquainted over the loss of their friend and recognising the dangerous challenge ahead in going after Wallace. In typical fashion, Gaff provides advice, and nothing is more pleasing to the eye than seeing him still crafting his origami animals as Ash’s parting gift.
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Even at this early stage, there’s already a lot to admire about #9’s direction. Artist Andres Guinaldo continues to do stellar work, ensuring Blade Runner’s look, feel, and texture match the energy of Syd Mead’s inspirational designs. Johnson’s convergent storytelling continues to be his strength as a writer, knowing the familiar methodology drives the organic conversations about where we’re heading into the future as a society. Credit where it is due, #9 refuses to rest on its laurels, building momentum with every page turn.
Whilst Luv gets an expository scenario which relieves her of her policing duties, Johnson uses the remaining pages to examine Ash’s encounter with her Replicant doppelganger. Ash still shows she’s two steps ahead, and the pair still can’t trust each other, but that is beside the point. The fascination comes from watching two characters from opposite sides of the spectrum interact. In a throwback to how Ash’s story began, Rash undergoes the same ‘change of heart’, and is now eagerly wanting to learn more from her original maker. In hindsight, you wished we saw more of this realisation, knowing the pair share the same commonalities. It’s healthy character development knowing Rash was built for a purpose, now demonstrating that Wallace’s code is flawed by design. But it still sets up an engaging tangent, with Rash becoming a weapon against Wallace.
That is one of many things it sets up nicely, and if executed well, 2039’s final chapter promises to be something special. Despite the air of inevitability in knowing how 2049’s world came to be, it’s off to a tantalising start. Its final panel confirms that with another familiar face entering the arena, as a just reward and faith for following its comic book journey. And in seeing how everything comes together, this is where Blade Runner shines the brightest.
Blade Runner 2039 #9 is out now from Titan Comics.
