BLADE RUNNER 2029 #8 – Review

In BLADE RUNNER 2029 #8, available from Titan Comics on September 29th, 2021, Yotun publicly announces his intentions to put replicants in place as rulers of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Ash races to stop Yotun and free Freysa.

The Details

• Written By: Mike Johnson
• Art By: Andres Guinaldo
• Colors By: Marco Lesko
• Letters By: Jim Campbell
• Cover Art By: John McCrea
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: September 29, 2021

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Was It Good?

The series has entered the “rising action” phase of the drama where things start to heat up in Yotun’s master plan to take over the city. The special part of this issue is the overdue reveal of how Yotun managed to outlive his expiration date. The answer comes unceremoniously, but it makes sense and it exposes a loophole in the expiration program and gives readers a new nugget about how replicants work.

As far as the plot movement, not a lot happens here. Yotun was taking over police HQ and Ash was on her way to the police HQ to stop Yotun and free Freysa in the last issue, so you could look at this issue as the conclusion of a scene already in progress. That’s not to say the contents of this issue felt incomplete or lacking. In truth, the issue was very well-written. However, it did feel like the events didn’t need to be spread over two issues.

Guinaldo’s art looks great. Arguably this is the best-looking issue in the series so far. The character designs are practically flawless. The action feels grounded yet cinematic. And the panel composition often contains wide views of the city or large atriums that make the scale feel huge. Again, this is some of the best art in the series so far.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

Don’t reach your expiration date before reading our BLADE RUNNER 2029 #7 review.

We begin with Yotun and his forces taking full control of LAPD HQ. Police have been stretched thin due to a series of randomly ignited emergencies Yotun set off across the city, and there’s nothing but a skeleton crew left in HQ. The takeover is deadly and all too easy.

Freysa is present but unwilling to cooperate with Yotun’s takeover. During a heated exchange, we learn the secret to Yotun’s longevity – as a Nexus6, he’s given the “blood” of Nexus 8’s to override his expiration, confirming the replicant programming is partially written in their blood.

Yotun uses the police communication channels to issue a city-wide broadcast and announce his intentions to take over the city. Before he can complete his speech, Freysa destroys part of the comms and sends Yotun into a rage over Freysa’s betrayal of her people.

We conclude the issue with Ash entering LAPD HQ before Yotun blows it up, Freysa paying the price for her resistance, and an acknowledgment that there are some angels left in the City of Angels.

Final Thoughts

BLADE RUNNER 2029 #8 answers key questions about Yotun’s longevity and his plans for Los Angeles. The action is gritty and tense, and this issue contains some of the best art in the series so far. Despite only mild movement on the plot, this was a generally satisfying issue and worth the read.

Score: 8.5/10