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Blade Runner: Origins #1 takes us back further in time than we have ever gone in this franchise. It seeks to tell the story of the very first Blade Runner, then how and why of their creation. A very ambitious story for such a storied franchise. Does this prequel stick the landing?
Classic Blade Runner Setup
We are introduced to our eyes and ears into the story right away with Detective Cal Moreaux. While we have only had this one issue to get to know him, a lot of things are given away about his background and personality to make him interesting to the reader. We have a classic noir-style mystery story in a sci-fi noir franchise, and so that warrants a classically noir hero.
Cal is a retired soldier that after witnessing a horrific event, decided to switch careers to be a police officer. He’s got a sister who incredibly ill and appears to be on death’s doorstep. He’s got connections around the city that seem to range from normal to shady. And, of course, he’s got a gruff, pessimistic, yet professional demeanor that helps him garner his reputation.
Blade Runner: Origins #1 does not try to reinvent the wheel with Cal, and that is not a bad thing, in my opinion. I’m a sucker for noir, it’s one of my favorite genres, and part of that genre’s charm is the detective who is jaded, cynical, and at times rude, but you know they are still a good person under it all. This trope has been used as the main character for every Blade Runner in the franchise, Deckard, K, and Ash all fit this type. This franchise is firmly rooted in noir, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. So I applaud K. Perkins, Mellow Brown, and Mike Johnson for keeping with tradition.
The overall plot is also classic noir, but it’s got enough charm to keep you invested. The Replicants are not exactly new, but they are also not common either; they are used for special occasions. During his soldiering days, Cal witnessed two Replicants slaughter an entire platoon, giving the case that he finds himself in an added sense of tension. The case itself is a simple one, but one that could get even a great detective in a heap of trouble. An employee of the Tyrell Corporation committed suicide on company grounds, which seems simple until you consider the power Tyrell holds at this point in Blade Runner continuity. Cal is faced with annoying bureaucratic nonsense, corporate cronies, a company that could have him killed at a moment’s notice if he messes up, and on top of all this, he has his personal problems to deal with. When the big twist that a new model of Replicants escapes Tyrell, it isn’t surprising, but that’s the thing with noir stories; the trouble is only just beginning.
A Fresh Take On Cyberpunk
I was interested to see what Blade Runner: Origins #1 was going to offer up art-wise as the other Blade Runner comic series’ art is absolutely stellar. So colour me surprised when Fernando Dagnino’s art blew me away. His really rough around the edges but super detailed characters provides some of the most atmospheric panels in this franchise’s history. Combine it with beautifully scenic shots of the city and its futuristic vistas and you have an artist that can take the look of a distinctly 80’s cyberpunk world and make it his own.
Marco Lesko’s colour pallet only accentuates the art in atmosphere, tone, and style. Mainly dark shades of colours are used in interior shots, while brighter colours are used in the outside shots. This conveys perfectly the feeling of high tech, low life that the cyberpunk genre is famous for—excess for the rich, little for everyone else. Add in the choice to put the Replicants in mostly shadow with light colouring, and you have turned the staple of the franchise into quite a mysterious and foreboding sight.
Blade Runner: Origins #1 Sets Out To Scratch A Very Particular Itch
Blade Runner: Origins #1 really hits the necessary buttons to get a Blade Runner story going. Embracing the noir nature of the franchise, it weaves in subtle character work around the fabric of a classic mystery. It promises to expand upon the existing material in interesting ways. If you got that Blade Runner Blues, then this is the perfect comic for you.
