Cyberpunk 2077: XOXO

Cyberpunk 2077 #LS5

by Bartosz Sztybor, Jakub Rebelka (illustrator)

Only two things can stop a heart from love and death.

It’s gang on gang violence as the Maelstroms plan an ambush on the Moxes. The corpo cargo worth a heavy sum of cash. But loyalty only goes as far to one’s deepest desires, and one member of the Maelstroms has found something worth sacrificing for. Jaw dropping, eyes popping, pulse racing—he’s never known anyone like her . . . 

Created in close collaboration with CD Projekt Red, writer Bartosz Sztybor (Cyberpunk 2077: Blackout, Cyberpunk 2077: Edgerunners) and artist Jakub Rebelka (Judas, Origins) ramp up an explosive love story like no other.

Collects Cyberpunk 2077: XOXO #1–#4.

Genres: Cyberpunk, Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fiction, Dystopia, Thriller

Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2024

About the author

Bartosz Sztybor - polski dziennikarz, publicysta, krytyk filmowy i komiksowy, scenarzysta komiksowy. Wielokrotny laureat konkursu na krótką formę komiksową na MFK. Publikował m.in. w pismach Ozon, Wprost, Esensja, Chichot, Machina, Cinema, periodykach komiksowych i zinach.

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't been impressed with most of these Cyberpunk comics, with two exceptions - Cullen Bunn's Trauma Team (I'm as suprised as you are, still, after all this time!), and this book!

The Maelstrom gang from Cyberpunk 2077 is a scarily tough gang, with a penchant for insane over-cyberneticising themselves, and seeing no problem to rob, pilfer and kill to pay for it (or just steal it).

The art in this is rough, over the top, hard to look at, dare I say it: a strange combination of detailed and raw, and it fits perfectly with a Maelstrom story. I'm not entirely sure why there's a lot of psychotic cartoons performing as analogues of what's happening in the real world (is there a real world when Maelstrom are involved?).

The story itself is simple enough, and it reads a bit like the other stories in this series of books - over the top, melancholy, always a bleak ending. It isn't Shakespeare, but it works.

(Thanks to Dark Horse Books for providing me with a review copy through Edelweiss)

[Frédéric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short "love"story of unimaginable darkness and even more impressive gory violence, if you can believe it.
The plot clearly fits on a postage stamp, and it's Jakub Rebelka who unquestionably carries the book on his shoulders. The drawing is raw - but totally mastered - sometimes tending towards aggressive street art with extremely intense and garish colours, bright yellows and brilliant reds that make you blink.
Personally, I love it, but it's clear that everyone's judgement will be a hit or miss thing with nothing much in between.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following a maelstrom member suffering from both cyberpsychosis and an unreciprocated love, this is the best Cyberpunk spin-off comic to date. The art is heavily stylised, and every panel is popping with colour and intent. I'm also happy with the direction the story took, and given the setting, the conclusion was both fitting and inevitable.

[Chris Greensmith · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Love. Just. Is."

[Navid Momeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

داستان XOXO داستان شخصیتی به نام Screw یکی از اعضای گروه Maelstorms هست که تو یکی از ماموریت هاشون که قرار به یکی از کاروان های گروه The Mox حمله کنند و وسایل ارزشمند و پول این گروه رو بدزدن هست که حین این ماموریت Screw به صورتی ناگهانی عاشق یکی از اعضای گروه The Mox که تو ماشین زخمی شده میشه و باعث میشه اعضای گروه خودش رو بکشه و ادامه ی داستان
داستان XOXO داستان عشق،خیانت،ابعاد منفی و مثبت تکنولوژی هست.

[Reggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark, bloody, tragic. I enjoyed the zany art style in this one, always liked the Maelstrom look.

[DBF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Velice zajímavý díl. Dějově se toho moc nepřihodí, ale kombinace niterných úvah a převyprávění starého komixu je naprosto skvělá.

[Yaroslav Chernovol · Rating 4 out of 5]

«what is love....» саме пісня Haddaway була б ідеальним епіграфом до цього коміксу.

«Cyberpunk 2077: XOXO» це лімітована збірка у всесвіті кіберпанку від сценариста Бартоша Штибора та художника Якуба Ребелки.

Сюжет розгортається навколо протистояння банд «Вихорів» та «Моксів». Головний герой - Гвинт з «Вихорів» все частіше замислюється над питанням що ж таке любов. Він отримує замовлення на засідку для конвою «моксів», але під час нападу стається неочікуване: Калі, одна з дівчат-моксів, виживає. Щось клацає в голові Гвинта і він вбиває майже всіх своїх поплічників і тікає з нею. Гвинт і Калі тікають до фіксера Діно, який би допоміг їм збути дещо цінне.

Це б певно могла бути чудова історія про кохання, якби не напис «Cyberpunk 2077» титульній сторінці. У Найт Сіті навряд можна знайти хороший кінець. Тож розв’язку дізнатись краще самостійно.

Окремої уваги заслуговує «мультяшна» вставка. Це історія про вовка (койот), який закохується в кролика, поки до неї залицяється ведмідь. Малюнок у цій історії вставці дуже виразний, одразу кидає в ностальгію за мультфільмами про Друпі та дорожнього бігуна. Усі ці вставки мають потужний вплив на сюжет, і розкриється ближче до кінця коміксу.

Від малюнку просто перехоплює подих. Якуб Ребелка просто творить неймовірне з кольором. Читаєш на одному подиху, але палітра змушує зупинятись на кожній сторінці і досліджувати.

Для мене це певно поки що один з топ-3 коміксів по всесвіту кіберпанку. Вже маю в черзі 3-4 комікси для прочитання, щоб наздогнати новинки.

P.S. Дуже цікаво як адаптують українською «XOXO». Варіантів багато, і цікаво що запропонують. Можливо цьом-цьом чи цьомки-бомки.

[Derick Pizarro · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the fuck is love!!

[Zare · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one up because it was Cyberpunk 2077 universe story and cover looked pretty interesting. But it did not work for me visually, and to a degree story-wise.

First lest talk about the story. This is story of a man who finds his love, loses her and then joins Maelstrom gang (heavy on cybernetic implants, and not always good in their heads). So when Maelstrom raid on other gang's transport makes him cross the path with his ex again, things go downward very fast. And this is my problem story-wise. I mean, does every story set in this universe need to be so depressing? I am yet to see a story that would end up in something reminiscent of positive note.

Art wise, it is extremely psychedelic (especially cartoon like panels that explain the history of our protagonist), but it is so weird that it left me feeling queasy. I just could not enjoy it. As I said, it is not my cup of tea.

All in all, interesting story, but do check the preview (if available to you) to see if visually comic works out for you.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that it’s a Maelstromer love story (as a Dum Dum fan myself) and without giving any major spoilers it is definitely giving “Fall For Me” by Sleep Token vibes.

[Tristan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure if I’m reaching, or I’m just extrapolating my own meanings, but that’s what art is for, right? The story is about a maelstrom gang member falling in love with a girl from another gang. Maelstrom is all about replacing their flesh, their humanity. The cyberpunk world itself, is also very cold and unforgiving. Yet the main character still fell in love despite all that. Which is one of the big themes of cyberpunk 2077 for me, is the persistence of the human experience. Despite all their advanced tech and cyberware, despite all the adversity they face, you can still find pockets of humanity. Throughout the story he is always asking himself “what is love”, and I take this to mean that since night city is such a cold and unloving place, the main character never really learned what love is. Furthermore, when he finds himself in love, he does what he *thinks* people in love do, because he has no firsthand experience

[Pedro Plasencia Martínez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una historia corta y ultraviolenta que pretende filosofar sobre el origen del amor y sobre su esencia a ritmo de tiros, desmembramientos y explosiones. El estilo visual juega con la animación de Tex Avery imitando el flechazo del lobo feroz con caperucita. Pasable y entretenida, pero el resultado es un producto demasiado directo y simple.

ENGLISH
A short and ultraviolent story that aims to philosophize about the origin of love and its essence to the rhythm of shots, dismemberments and explosions. The visual style plays with Tex Avery's animation imitating the crush of the big bad wolf with the hood. Passable and entertaining, but the result is a product that is too direct and simple.

[Yunie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far the Cyberpunk 2077 comics I've read have been very hit or miss. But this one has to be my favorite besides the Trauma Team one. I actually really enjoy the art style. It reminds me of the art used for the Metal Gear Solid Comic series. One of the things that really makes the art pop is the use of color.
I found it interesting to incorporate panels that are done in the style of a retro cartoon; ot really added a certain layer of nuance to the story and the mindset of one of the main characters.

The story while simple and straightforward is brilliant. It perfectly reflects the riskiness of relationships in the hellscape of the world of Cyberpunk.

"Love. Just is."

[Thea Pinto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would rate as a 3.75!

Wuv story in night city except there r no happy endings in night city 😔

I still love love ESPECIALLY if there’s a cyberpsycho

Kinda interesting to see wat da fak is goin on in a maelstrom’s head since they’re basically all cyberpsychos. Also jus the thought of a maelstrom fallin in lov with a mox… i, too, love the mox

Exactly wat u would expect from a love story in night city 💕

Art style was also different compared to other cyberpunk comics which was also interesting - it felt very experimental. Will be scrounging for a hardcopy for my likkle cyberpunk collection hehe

[Molly The Void Syr3n · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the Mox and Maelstrom but honestly the story felt so short. It did a somewhat in depth exploration of the tragedy of love and some of the scenes were honestly astoundingly tragic. It just
... fell so far short of what it could be. it barely had plot or character beyond maniacy. While I will get a physical copy someday, and upon a second read I'll enjoy it more, im just, not motivated to do either.

[Czterysta Czterdzieścicztery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bardzo zaskoczył mnie ten komiks. Spodziewałem się, że charakterystyczna kreska Jakuba Rebelki nie będzie pasować do świata CyberPunka, a jednak ukazuje ciekawą perspektywę i tworzy makabryczny klimat. Bardzo dobry pomysł na połączenie miłości i cyberpsychozy, a także akcji w Night City i z wydarzeniami z kreskówki. Pewnie kilka razy to jeszcze napisze, ale Bartosz Sztybor zdecydowanie lepiej odnajduje się przy scenariuszach cyberpunkowych niż wiedźmińskich.

Scenariusz: ***
Rysunki: ****

[Casey Halvorsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Edelweiss Plus and Dark Horse Books for this arc

4/5 stars

This was action packed and melancholy, and I wouldn't expect anything less from the Cyberpunk 2077 universe. The art was phenomenal, very stylized and vibrant. This was really good, and I'm definitely going to get this as a gift for my partner who loves art and Cyberpunk 2077

[Martti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Looks like they have produced some Cyberpunk 2077 spin-off graphic novels (and regular novels) and I happened to start with the worst art and the most confusing and/or pointless story.

There is a (metaphoric) wolf and a bunny in this one, inspired by the russian classic "Nu, Pogodi!", no doubt.

[Danny Broome · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know only a little of the Cyberpunk world, from the video game (not to completion).

I quiet liked this unique read, a view that love can even conquer "the impossible".

Really enjoyed the art-style and the alongside child's cartoon for reference in his mind.

great little read, short and not MUCH happens, really. but still fun.

[Chad · Rating 1 out of 5]

This stunk. I could barely tell what was going on. So many pages of all red art really obscured things. Then interspersing things with that pointless cartoon nonsense. Just completely awful and not worth the paper it's printed on.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 - After all the mediocre Cyberpunk Dark House comics (apart from Trauma Team) I really wasn't expecting this, but this one is really good. A cyberpsycho looking for love is a pretty interesting premise, and the artwork really fits the mental instability of the main character.

[Karol Zigmunth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Co za po*ebana historia miłosna. Historia jakich wiele. Przeplatanie wilkiem i króliczkiem odnoszącymi się do zakochanego w Jessice Rabbit wilka oraz ultra brutalny styl pasujący jak ulał do Maelstromu.



Zajebiste!

[Eva & Ari Déjensever · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hace tiempo que seguimos la línea de cómics de Cyberpunk 2077. Algunos dejaron el listón muy alto, como “You have my word”, otros nos parecieron bastante buenos, como “Trauma Team” o “Blackout”, y algunos nos ha costado hasta terminarlos y hemos acabado vendiéndolos o regalándolos, nos hemos quedado sólo con los de la foto.

Por suerte no están numerados ni se relacionan entre sí, con lo que podemos tomarlos como historias independientes y pillar solo los que creamos que merecen la pena.

En esta ocasión, XOXO está casi en el umbral del sí y el no. Tiene un dibujo tremendamente grotesco, deforme, sucio y sanguinolento, pero calza muy bien con la trama que nos quieren contar, el concepto de averiguar qué es el amor y hasta dónde puedes llegar por él en un lugar tan podrido como Night City logró captar nuestra atención.

Además, cada capítulo se alterna con un pequeño “sketch de dibujos animados” de estilo retro, con situaciones “Coyote y Correcaminos”, donde el protagonista nunca consigue lo que se propone y fracasa una y otra vez (normalmente aplastado o humillado de alguna manera) Esto le da un respiro cromático al volumen y nos permite ver en otros colores además de rojo y negro.

La trama sigue la premisa del videojuego, dejando claro que ni la ciudad ni sus habitantes tendrán piedad con nadie. Quizás no es un cómic que recomendaríamos por sí solo, pero si estáis siguiendo la serie de Cyberpunk no es una mala adquisición para seguir descubriendo historias desarrolladas en este universo.

[Tiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art style for this one was so different from the others, but I like it! Seeing a love story built within a messy and wild group such as Maelstrom was definitely something I did not expect, but ultimately enjoyed. Another tragic but interesting tale in Night City~

[Nathaniel R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the artstyle is not really my favourite, it works very well for a story following the Maelstrom gang. What are people willing to do for love? Everything, it seems, but they must be willing to die.

[Mee Too · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Love just is.” (Which is not an original concept) was the only valuable piece of work in this installment of yet another poorly executed cyberpunk edition.

Interesting art but overly gruesome

2.5 🌟

[Mati · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much love in it. The art is superb. The story depressing in the right way. Lot of violence.

[Tormentedone7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing art. Kept blowing me away with its images.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the fuck IS love