‘Blade Runner 2029 #6’ Review
Written by Mike Johnson | Art by Andres Guinaldo | Published by Titan Comics
Last issue was one of those issues that really raise the ante. You get the ones with all the drama, the ones with all the world building, the ones with all the fighting, but ones that raise the ante really move things forward. Things have been edging towards a confrontation between Ash and her Replicant nemesis Yotun, but in a way that seemed like your typical face off. Sure, there were a few details that needed explaining, such as the biggie, how could Yotun still be alive twelve years after first encountering Ash, but these things usually tie up quite conventionally. Things went off road at the end, when we discover that not only can Yotun seemingly bring back retired Replicants from the dead, he can also create new ones. Like a new Ash. That’s how you build up anticipation for the next issue.
While Ash is ‘healing’ in one of Yotun’s rejuvenation tanks, Yotun continues his mission to bring humankind to its knees. For now, it’s Los Angeles on which he is focused, and attacking the power stations without which technology, and humanity, cannot function. His mission, though, is also his weakness, as it gives Ash’s friends a way to gain entrance to Yotun’s presence. Freysa uses some Replicant friends to gain entrance to Yotun’s base, Freysa pretending to be their prisoner. It’s a high risk strategy, especially as Yotun pretty much guesses what they are doing straight away. He tests Freysa’s resolve, by making her come with him on one of his missions, promising her Ash is safe as long as she plays along. Freysa reluctantly plays along…or does she. Seems like Yotun’s not as smart as he thought, as Freysa gambled on him doing exactly what he did. Heh.
With Yotun out the way, Freysa’s Replicants manage to fight their way into the laboratory where the rejuvenation tubes are, and manage to free Ash from hers. Good and bad situation here. The good? the rejuvenation tubes have seemingly cured her back injury, meaning she will no longer be reliant on a hidden back brace. Handy. The bad? A lot of angry Replicant followers of Yotun. With big guns. Time to escape. As with every dramatic escape, they do get out but lose Silke, one of the main architects of the plan. The bittersweet tone continues, as Ash reveals that she overhead Yotun talking, and knows exactly where he has taken Freysa for his big, final terrorist gesture. It’s not good.
This was a quick read this month, mainly because it was full of such frenetic action. There was no time to catch breath, for either the characters or the reader. One of those issues where the art, and the pacing of the layouts, did more work than the text. The dialogue that was there was important, although Yotun did a little too much of that master villain monologuing, but it was all about pace and movement. A daring assault on a power station, an incursion into Yotun’s base, Yotun forcing Freysa to go with him on his mission, and a daring shoot out and break out. All the story threads are starting to pull a little tighter, and you get a feel for where this is all going. Tragedy is a certainty, but not just Yotun’s assault on the city. I fear Freysa has a target on her back too. Time will tell.
Efficient writing and storytelling from Mike Johnson, excellent pacing and art from Andres Guinaldo. High quality on this book is a given, and long may that continue.
