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K. Perkins, Mellow Brown, Mike Johnson and Fernando Dagnino put Detective Cal Moreaux through the ringer in Blade Runner: Origins Volume 1.
Philip K Dick’s iconic novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and Ridley Scott’s 1982 film adaptation Blade Runner set the gold standard for dystopian science fiction. Over the years, Blade Runner‘s cyberpunk version of L.A. has inspired countless adaptations and homages. Now, writers K. Perkins, Mellow Brown and Mike Johnson, and artist Fernando Dagnino explore the history of the Blade Runner universe in the excellent Blade Runner: Origins Vol. 1, which collects the first four issues of the series, published by Titan Comics.
Set in 2009, Blade Runner: Origins Vol. 1 follows Detective Cal Moreaux, a grizzled veteran with a mysterious past, as he tries to hold onto his job and his morals on a case involving the mysterious death of a Tyrell Corp engineer, Doctor Lydia Kine, that seems to be connected to missing replicant prototypes. Moreaux’s investigation takes him everywhere from the opulent offices of the Tyrell Corporation to the grimy city streets of a dystopian L.A. He connects with Kine’s brother Marcus and her lab assistant Effie Koropey, who both know that there is more to her death than meets the eye. But, the company is hell-bent on keeping everything quiet and at least one replicant is wreaking havoc throughout the city.
Often times when too many writers collaborate on the same comic, the writing suffers. It is rare for three writers to consistently capture and communicate one cohesive voice. Fortunately, K. Perkins, Mellow Brown, and Mike Johnson work together seamlessly. The three writers have crafted a strong, well-plotted mystery told in a singular voice. The tone and cadence of Moreaux’s narration are reminiscent of Dick’s original novel while still feeling modern. While much remains to be seen, all of the central characters feel well-rounded and nuanced in spite of the archetypes they represent. This nuance leaves room for the conversations about justice and identity that make the Blade Runner universe so compelling.
Dagnino’s art perfectly matches the tone of the writing and adds a great deal to the world. Dagnino’s L.A. is a retrofuturistic cacophony of lurid cyberpunk neon and grim noir shadows. Moreaux moves through the city like an old-school detective in a trench coat that stands out in the futuristic crowd. These anachronisms add an overall sense of tension in the comic and help to characterize the detective as a lonesome hero. Dagnino handles the action as deftly as he does the landscape. Scenes of Moreaux chasing replicants through busy city streets capture the chaos of the moment while remaining clear and easy to read.
The entire creative team has crafted a series that perfectly captures the spirit of the Blade Runner universe while presenting a unique narrative. Blade Runner: Origins Volume 1 weaves philosophy and action into a mystery where no one is what they seem. The surprises at end of the volume are sure to leave readers reeling and thinking for a long time after they’ve finished reading. But the comic’s real strength lies in its brooding tone and fascinating landscapes.
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