Titan Comics have announced “Blade Runner Origins,” a prequel to the original Blade Runner film, set to begin in February 2021. It will explore the genesis of the “blade runners” tasked with “retiring” rogue replicants hiding on Earth, and centers on Cal Moreaux, a grizzled LAPD detective who uncovers a sinister conspiracy behind the apparent suicide of a Tyrell Corporation scientist.
The series will be written by Mike Johnson (“Blade Runner 2019”), K. Perkins (“Supergirl”), and Mellow Brown (the American Gods TV series), with art by Fernando Dagnino (“Justice League,” “Suicide Squad”).
Brown and Perkins stated in the press release, “We’re thrilled to be joining the creative team behind the ‘Blade Runner’ comics, to bring fans the story behind the first Blade Runner unit. As fans ourselves, we look forward to expanding this universe, telling stories from new perspectives and shedding light on the corners of L.A. only hinted at in previous chapters.”
This is the third “Blade Runner” comics series announced by Titan, following “Blade Runner 2019” (penned by Johnson and Blade Runner 2049 co-writer Michael Green with art by Andres Guinaldo), and its follow-up “Blade Runner 2029” (debuting December 16, 2020).
“Blade Runner Origins” #1 will be available digitally and in comic book stores on February 24, 2021, and be released with covers by artists like Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, Peach Momoko, and Robert Hack (“Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”).
Press release:
UPCOMING PREQUEL COMIC REVEALS THE GENESIS OF THE BLADE RUNNER DIVISION
October 22, 2020 – Titan Comics and Alcon Media Group are excited to announce the February 2021 debut of BLADE RUNNER ORIGINS. Set ten years before Titan’s current bestselling and award-winning Blade Runner 2019, the year-long comic book series will follow the events leading up to the creation of the Blade Runner division, reflecting the world, characters and events first seen in the genre-defining films Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049.
Synopsis:
A senior bioengineer for the Tyrell Corp is found hanging in her sealed laboratory, the victim of an apparent suicide. LAPD Detective Cal Moreaux—a war-scarred veteran of the bloody Off-world conflict known as Kalanthia, as depicted in the “Blackout 2022” Blade Runner anime—is sent to write it up, quickly, quietly and with the minimum of fuss. But something doesn’t sit right with the detective, and it soon becomes apparent that this is anything but a “normal” suicide. Did the scientist’s ground-breaking research on Nexus-model Replicants somehow contribute to her death? And is the apparent disappearance of a prototype Nexus unit also connected to the case? Det. Moreaux’s investigation will draw him into a dark conspiracy behind Dr. Tyrell’s Replicant empire.
The BLADE RUNNER ORIGINS series is being helmed by Mike Johnson (Supergirl, Star Trek), the award-winning co-writer of Titan’s Blade Runner 2019, joined here by DC Comics veteran K. Perkins (Batwoman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl), and screenwriter Mellow Brown (American Gods, Calls).
“We’re thrilled to be joining the creative team behind the Blade Runner comics, to bring fans the story behind the first Blade Runner unit. As fans ourselves, we look forward to expanding this universe, telling stories from new perspectives and shedding light on the corners of L.A. only hinted at in previous chapters.” — Mellow Brown & K. Perkins
States Alcon’s Johnson and Kosove: “The Blade Runner universe provides a vast canvas for a variety of compelling stories. How the Cal character ties in with events and characters from 2049, even though his story takes place forty years before the film, is a testament to the writers’ creativity. We are thrilled to add a second ongoing comic to the world of Blade Runner.”
Seasoned comic artist Fernando Dagnino (Justice League, Suicide Squad) brings a compelling visual interpretation to the iconic science fiction world of BLADE RUNNER ORIGINS. His dense, noir-inflected work is a perfect complement to the evocative style of the Blade Runner 2019 series, currently wrapping up its inaugural 12-issue run before launching a second year as Blade Runner 2029.
ORIGINS #1 will debut with a selection of amazing variant covers, including artwork by superstar artists Stanley “Artgerm” Lau and Peach Momoko, as well as a set of retro pulp-style covers by Robert Hack (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), plus much more!
Blade Runner Origins #1 is set for release in comic stores and digital devices on February 24, 2021, and will be available to pre-order from the Diamond Previews December catalog and Forbidden Planet (UK & Europe).
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