Blade Runner: Black Lotus - Las Vegas #1 - Review of the Comic Book

      Villordsutch reviews Blade Runner: Black Lotus – Las Vegas #1…

      If you, like me, believed that Blade Runner solely revolved around Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Ridley Scott’s 1982 film, and Denis Villeneuve’s 2017 sequel Blade Runner 2049, prepare for a delightful surprise. The franchise is quietly expanding through Titan Comics, crafting a narrative that spans from 2019 to 2032. Their latest addition to this growing universe is Blade Runner: Black Lotus – Las Vegas, created by Nancy A. Collins (Swamp Thing, Red Sonja) and artist Jesús Hervás (TMNT, Suicide Squad).

      The comic centers on Elle, a prototype replicant referred to as Black Lotus. Once a pawn in Niander Wallace Jr.'s ambitious scheme to seize control of his father’s corporation, Elle now finds herself fleeing after a violent confrontation with her “sister,” White Lotus. Wallace Jr. is not the sort to accept rejection, and he is determined to reclaim his coveted creation, no matter the collateral damage involved.

      When the series begins, Elle has taken refuge in the desert, surviving by any means necessary. She encounters a gang of bandits in the midst of a convoy heist and, through their careless chatter, uncovers a potential escape route from Wallace’s grasp. Unfortunately, the heir to the Wallace legacy has already started gathering his forces, including Officer Davis, the only Blade Runner strong (or fortunate) enough to have survived a prior encounter with Elle.

      However, there’s something peculiar about this comic. The inner cover prominently labels it as Issue #1, which implies “new arc, dive right in, no prior knowledge needed!” Yet, even with a brief prologue, it doesn't feel like a fresh start at all. Don’t misunderstand me — the artwork is stunning. Hervás’s style, which is washed, textured, and heavily shadowed, is beautiful; I would love to see him take on Judge Dredd if he hasn’t already. Additionally, Collins certainly displays her expertise — the narrative is sharp, engaging, and flows seamlessly over thirty pages. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had stepped in halfway through the storyline.

      And indeed, I had. There is a substantial collection of Blade Runner comics leading up to this point, and I’ll accept some responsibility for not staying updated. However, when I see “Issue #1” on a comic, I anticipate a genuine fresh beginning. Perhaps I’m just old-fashioned (and, let’s be honest, simply old), but engaging with this felt more akin to arriving late to a gathering rather than initiating one. This left me a bit deflated — and for a fan of Blade Runner and Philip K. Dick, that’s not quite the experience one desires.

      That being said, I’m intrigued enough to continue. Perhaps Issue #2 will clarify things, and I’ll stop complaining like a curmudgeon. Now that I’m aware these comics exist, I truly want to discover more of them.

      Rating: 7/10

      @Villordsutch