BLADE RUNNER: BLACK LOTUS #2, from Titan Comics on September 7th, 2022, turns up the desert heat when Barnes and his gang raid Miguel’s colony, taking Nyoko and her daughter hostage.
The Details
- Written by: Nancy A. Collins
- Art by: Enid Balam, Bit
- Colors by: Marco Lesko
- Letters by: Jim Campbell
- Cover art by: Dani Strips (cover A)
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: September 7, 2022
Is It Good?
BLADE RUNNER: BLACK LOTUS #2 kicks the tension up several notches and finds a way to improve on one of the criticisms from the past issue. In every practical way this is a better issue than the first.
The big improvement in this issue (read through to the next section for the details) is the introduction of a Blade Runner to the mix. Elle is an engaging character, but the absence of Los Angeles as a backdrop and any Blade Runners to provide the detective noir vibe made the story feel very un-Blade Runner-like. The “arrival” of a Blade Runner is not a huge element of the plot development in this issue, but having a Blade Runner present at least grounds this story more solidly in the Blade Runner mythos.
The plot revolves around an attack on Miguel’s colony by Barnes and his gang of bullies. Rather than a simple squabble between personal enemies, the attack has a strong motivation behind it and spells big trouble for Miguel’s friends. The stakes are elevated significantly over the first issue, forcing Elle to get involved and amplifying the drama for a more gripping read.
The art is average in this issue. Balams blocky-yet-fluid anatomy style sometimes comes off as caricatures and may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the panel compositions look great, and the fight scenes are well-choreographed.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our BLADE RUNNER: BLACK LOTUS #1 review to find out how Elle found herself in the vicinity of Fracktown.
We begin with Elle (the replicant) and Kaja enjoying a friendly game of soccer. Nyoko calls the players to come in for a communal dinner in honor of Elle’s arrival. When the dining begins, Miguel stands to give his Welcome speech. Suddenly, a sniper bullet pierces Miguel’s shoulder, and raiders storm the commune.
The raiders appear intent on taking hostages rather than killing. Elle rushes into the fray and knocks out several attackers before one of the raiders grabs Kaja at gunpoint. Fearing for Kaja’s life, Elle stands down as the raiders depart with several hostages – including Nyoko.
Later, a wounded Miguels request a private chat with Elle. He asks for Elle’s help in getting his wife and daughter back because he knows she’s a replicant. Former Blade runners have a sense of these things. We conclude the issue with the gift of a family heirloom, the motivation behind the attack, and an agreement under extreme duress.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
BLADE RUNNER: BLACK LOTUS #2 is a superior entry compared to issue #1 as the story’s stakes and drama bloom exponentially. The action is intense, the dramatic moments drip with tension, and the action is well-choreographed.
Related Information
Which Blade Runner should I watch first?
The true answer is whichever one you want. However, most viewers new to the Blade Runner franchise start with the original version, called the “Theatrical Cut,” released to theaters in 1982.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.