The immediate thing that leaps to mind with Blade Runner’s penultimate chapter in the 2039 saga is time. I wished we had more of it. More time with its storyline. More time with its characters. Such is the depth and nuance that writer Mike Johnson elicits with every issue of this incredible franchise, the continued cinematic worldbuilding, character dynamics and its socio-political underbelly remain a compelling and epic sci-fi adventure. Issue #11’s latest chapter has flaws, but its anticipation sets up an exciting finale.
The high expectations are set from the get-go: Niander Wallace is still in his God-mode territory as he deals with the fallout from Luv’s suspension from the Los Angeles Police Department. Luv has been captured and held hostage by Freysa as Rash declares her loyalty to the resistance. Meanwhile, Ash receives a key contact that gets her closer to her end destination. With so many spinning plates, it’s enough to make you rub your hands with excited glee, even if there’s an anticlimactic whiff in the air.
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It’s driven by the knowledge of what we already know. As time catches up to 2049, we KNOW Niander Wallace is still alive and well. We KNOW Luv remains his protector and enforcer (although if something happens to her in the finale, we know Wallace has no trouble recreating a new version). And we KNOW Freysa plays a significant role in the resistance in keeping Deckard’s daughter, Dr. Ana Stelline (Carla Juri), safe. The curiosity comes from the unknowns with Ash, Isobel, Cleo, Lexi, Cal, and many others on this journey.
Issue #11 makes no secret that we’re heading into the final chapter, already labelling the series as “The Ash Saga”, mimicking other franchises such as Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in categorising their storylines. Nor do I expect the series to conclude with everything wrapped in a nice bow with a happy ending. Twists and turns are in its DNA. But with the mission coming full circle in a game heavily stacked against our heroes, has the series utilised its time wisely when there are so many loose threads to cover?
Only time will tell once everything is revealed, but at least #11 answers a long-awaited call where audiences get to spend time with Freysa. The small scene doesn’t make up for past issues, but at least it is something. Freysa doesn’t waste time in deducing the real unpinning of Luv’s character – she’s in love with Niander Wallace. It’s a nice dramatic throwback to Denis Villeneuve’s film and Luv’s complex emotional mindset whenever she sheds a tear, fighting against emotions intrinsically human. But what we see in this ‘Replicant on Replicant’ discussion is Luv’s vulnerability and her unshakeable resolve towards her master.
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That scene is one of many scene-stealing, genius moments infused in this chapter. Channelling Roger Deakins’ cinematography, Andres Guinaldo and Marco Lesko excel in the artwork department. They keep Niander Wallace’s demeanour in shadow and darkness while using colours to accentuate mood and tone throughout. I love how Ash and Rash are paired like a buddy cop movie. Their back-and-forth exchanges (including swearing) are a mood we should have gotten more out of in this adventure. But the piece de resistance belongs to the introduction of Daisy and her brute-force bodyguard Hanii, which forces the pair to work together to take them down. These moments work so well because Johnson neatly balances action and the dramatic dialogue alongside its swift pacing. This small detail proves effective when it ramps up the tension heading into the final few pages and a teasing proposition for Ash.
The final chapter promises to be special, but it hinges upon Johnson’s delivery in bringing it to a satisfactory close. Fingers crossed it can because the journey has been outstanding with Ash deserving to go out with a bang.
Blade Runner 2039 #11 is out now from Titan Comics.
