Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix

by Ben Kahn, Adi Shankar (Primary Contributor), Bayou Kun (Illustrator)

A boys love manga adaptation of the upcoming Netflix show,  Captain Blood Dragon REMIX ,  an original anime featuring alter egos of Ubisoft characters in a highly referential homage to the early 90s.

Genres: Manga, LGBT, Romance, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Queer Lit, Fantasy

178 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2024

Reviews

[Adelle R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seriál neznám, předpokládám, že kdyby jo, asi bych některým věcem rozuměla víc. Každopádně svět zajímavý a postavy mě fakt bavily, jen ten konec mi přišel strašně uspěchaný a připadalo mi, že se ne všechno vyřešilo nebo něco prostě přehlédlo. Což je možná právě i tou neznalostí seriálu, kdoví. Ale na něj jsem rozhodně nalákaná. :D

[Miss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased and had to wait for the physical copy of this, but as soon as I had it in hand I couldn't resist immediately reading it. It went by so very quickly. Kind of like the show. I'm hopeful that we'll get more of both the series and manga, but I'd be happy with either. It appears that both are inspired by a video game franchise, but I know nothing of that yet.

This advertises itself as a prequel to the Netflix series and there is an editor's note within that says it takes place between episodes 4 and 5. It definitely fits in there and expands a bit on Dolph's backstory with an emphasis on doing an autopsy on Dolph's relationship with Alex. Much like the show, there's a love/hate that I have for how the characters ended up when they started out so beautifully together on the show. For me, though, there is just such a compelling way that their story is told here and there (the show) that I just can't help but appreciate it in the end even if I don't love it and absolutely want to reset and fix it every time.

The manga introduces us to some characters and plot elements that I really enjoy. We've got asexual representation in Secundo and I wish his character had had more presence in this. We've got comic relief from Chicharrón, a large fighting rooster who "don't like no pretty boys 'cept for Secundo." There's the mystery of Dolph's mom and his abandonment or sale to Eden. Then there’s Lucy Stillman, the spoonful of sugar Eden Corp used to get Dolph to swallow everything they forced upon him until the one mission where the order was too much for even her to force down his throat.

This postmortem on Dolph's past, especially with Alex, could definitely be being manipulated by Marcus Holloway and his VR. That ambivalence to the narrative of the show and manga is actually one of the reasons I love it all so much. It presents so many ways that things can be seen so, despite it all, you can still see Dolph and Alex as this grand gay love affair that is just one game reset away from getting their happily ever after on a private island far from Eden's reach. Buy you can also see Alex as an experienced older hustler that got an immediate read on a vulnerable, naive young Dolph and used it to take control of a weapon from Eden's arsenal. He may well be a creep, but that just adds a layer of darkness to all the feels that I still feel from all of this so kudos from here.

Final notes on the physical quality of the book are I love it. While it is in black and white, losing the vibrancy of color that the show has, the art style is immediately recognizable from the show and likely also the video game. It's a quality paperback that arrived without any damage from the mail and no quality issues from the printer.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent entry into the Laserhawk universe. I do wish some of Alex’s actions had been left more ambiguous/left to reader interpretation rather than the narrative explicitly stating that he’s manipulating Dolph but that seems less and less common anymore. Mostly a Dolph backstory than anything else but enjoyable & all of the story elements were brought together at the end.

[Casey Hampsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting the year off strong with an interesting companion to the show of the same name. Despite cheekily branding itself as a "boys love manga," it reads more like an episode of the show, going through a flashback of Dolph's life and relationship with Alex Taylor. I enjoyed it as a fan of the series.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how you do gay rep.

[Ryofire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is leaning between a 3.5 to a 4. The story was a bit bad at times even for this series, and the art, while generally good in terms of drawing attractive guys and buff women, took some getting used to. Overall it's really angsty (in a mostly good way) and has some interesting build-up, and really heightens just how terrible Alex was, even if it makes precisely zero sense in canon and actually makes the show make even less sense. And it's an interesting addition to the story universe. Alex/Dolph are my favorite relationship in the series, and I was really happy we were getting a boys love spin-off about them. It was truly not something I expected at all, particularly given how absolutely terrible Ubisoft and Netflix are. Given the quality of the show, I tried not to get my hopes up too high. I guess I still failed on that front.

The new cast is pretty nice, with a group of characters who are endearing and fun, though I was surprised that Lucy was real. I figured she was a hologram. The bigger issue I had is that it's really unclear when this takes place: it says it's a prequel, and it kind of explains it's a flashback within a mid-canon(?) story. I'm guessing this is about when Dolph gets kidnapped by Holloway in the show, and this took place before the beach scene? Or after Dolph dies? It's interesting all the same, but it's also a little confusing.

The story spends too much time pointing out how much of an idiot Dolph is for "letting" himself getting taken advantage of, to the point that it's uncomfortable. It doesn't really match the more gentle respect Holloway has for Dolph in the show, and is more like, "let's mock Dolph and make Holloway out to be a complete asshole". We're shown in the show that Dolph, albeit blinded by revenge, is decently smart, and that really isn't on display at all here. The story makes up for it by pointing out he's been brainwashed since he was four, so of course he'd be easy prey for someone else doing the same thing with a slightly better offer, but it's too rushed, and just too painful.

That being said, the boys love elements are fun, particularly Dolph's sexual awakening. It's quite cute and funny. And the chibis help. They're probably the best part of this. And the tragedy of it all is well executed. The story should really be called, "Hindsight is 20/20." I also think that the conceit of Alex being manipulative all along is interesting, and it does help explain that yes, he was always willing to get rid of Dolph. There was no turning point. It makes Dolph a much more tragic character. But it also makes Alex's attempt to get Dolph back to the point Alex essentially lets Dolph kill him make even less sense. If Alex is defined by self-interest and manipulation, what was he supposed to get out of all the efforts he went through? It didn't even read as "he really thought he'd get there if he tried more, and never suspected Dolph was really over him". It just reads as even worse writing than it was before this graphic novel came out.

All in all, it's an interesting addition to the series, just don't pretend for a second it helps explain the series' nonsense, because it really doesn't. I'm still glad they chose to make it because if you turn your brain off, it's a nice addition. The art is fun and at times really cute, the angst is pretty good, and it was a decent if at times clunky read. Now please release the other graphic novel in English, and put the show on physical release.

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mediocre midquel. It is what the blurb says. While this has been sold as a BL it is not. This is an expanded exploration of Laserhawk's past both with Alex and without him. Yes they are gay for each other but a prevailing theme is how he is used by everyone including his lover (the ending really hammers it home). If you like the lore, want an exploration of Laserhawk, or just want more Captain laserhawk goodness then you'll enjoy this. It doesn't exactly match the energy though its a bit reduced and weaker.
The art is passable. It didn't really catch me. Its got Western anime inspired art like the show thanks to the artistic skills of Bayou Kun though it does edge into more Teen Titans chibi-ness.
Also, I'm not a Ubisoft fan but there seems be new Ubisoft references (Fenyx and the name for Laserhawk when they were created) like in the original which is cool if you get them but they're definitely not necessary to enjoy the story.

[Francesca Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun continuation of the series! I was so curious about some of the aspects of Dolph and Alex, this was just the thing to fill in the plot. Some people might not like certain style choices, like going for chibi moments in a Japanese style, but for someone who is very familiar with anime and manga, this was great!!

Can't wait to read more from this artist

[Q Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the show, so happy to read this manga afterward. Really fleshed out the story for me. Absolutely recommended reading!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[The Bibliopossum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, listen. I've watched the whole show maybe four times. I have to read this if only to see what I can glean for Dolph-related fanwork I want to make.
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I got some notes because ooh boy.