BLADE RUNNER 2039 #2, from Titan Comics on January 11th, 2023, deepens the mystery behind Arthur Selwyn’s research when Luv finds out the hard way that not everyone is willing to cooperate with the LAPD.
The Details
- Written by: Mike Johnson, Mellow Brown
- Art by: Andres Guinaldo
- Colors by: Marco Lesko
- Letters by: Jim Campbell
- Cover art by: Kendrick Lim (cover A)
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: January 11, 2023
Is It Good?
BLADE RUNNER 2039 #2 significantly improves over the first issue with intriguing breadcrumbs that may (or may not) lead to a bigger problem for the Wallace Corporation and Replicants in general. While we felt the first issue was too generic to generate curiosity, this issue steps up the intrigue considerably.
The central premise of Brown and Johnson’s script is Luv’s investigation, at the behest of the Wallace Corporation, into the late Arthur Selwyn’s secret replicant research. That may not sound exciting, but Luv’s research immediately bears fruit that something’s amiss, and deeper still, there’s a suggestion that Luv will go to extremes to follow Wallace’s orders.
That last bit is the big differentiator. Prior Blade Runner stories have focused on a character acting autonomously to do what’s right. Here, the protagonist may have questionable motives and morals, so there’s an opportunity in this arc to have expectations subverted (in a good way).
The missing piece to this story is a sense of motivation and direction. So far, we don’t know what Selwyn was doing or why Wallace is interested, and Luv hasn’t displayed any curiosity to find out other than what’s called for in her orders. Again, there are more intriguing breadcrumbs in this issue, so we’ll see if Brown and Johnson can capitalize on it.
Regarding the art, Guinaldo, Lesko, and Campbell nail the Blade Runner aesthetic with a faint veneer of Moebius’s Euro-sci-fi aesthetic. The character designs feel fresh yet familiar. The dystopian malaise from the constantly dreary settings adds to the somber atmosphere. And Lesko’s deceptively subtle coloring is excellent.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our BLADE RUNNER 2039 #1 review to find out how Luv is greeted as the first replicant Blade Runner.
We pick up with Ash taking Lexi to see Freysa. The meeting is contentious as Freysa isn’t pleased about receiving surprise guests. However, Lexi brought the eyes required as payment for safe passage, and we see why both Freys and Ash needed the payment.
Elsewhere, Luv heads off to the late Arthur Selwyn’s former home to search for any research materials he may have left behind. The new owner, Penelope Hythe, accommodates Luv’s visit, but she isn’t keen on the idea of having her home searched. When Luv asserts her authority, her assertions are met with an equal and greater force.
We conclude the issue with an expensive mess and a new player entering the mix.
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Final Thoughts
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BLADE RUNNER 2039 #2 significantly builds on the first issue with mysterious tidbits surrounding Luv’s investigation into Selwyn’s research. The art is gorgeous, mystery tidbits amp up the curiosity considerably, and the creators show signs of presenting a radically different protagonist than implied in the first issue.
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