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Blade Runner: Black Lotus #1-4
Blade Runner: Black Lotus - Leaving L.A.
Based on the all-new acclaimed Anime Black Lotus. This officially sanctioned graphic novel heralds an all-new saga in the Blade Runner franchise, one whose ramifications will ripple throughout the Blade Runner universe.
Set in the year 2032, Blade Black Lotus features an all-new cast of characters and introduces Nia Wallace, heir to the Tyrell empire and future creator of the JOI hologram and the Replicant Love, as seen in the smash hit 2017 movie Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Revealing a world of Blade Runner not previously explored, this all-new graphic novel collects together the four-issue mini-series and features a new type of Replicant, not seen before – the deadly Nexus 9.
Collects Blade Black Lotus #1-4.
Set in the year 2032, Blade Black Lotus features an all-new cast of characters and introduces Nia Wallace, heir to the Tyrell empire and future creator of the JOI hologram and the Replicant Love, as seen in the smash hit 2017 movie Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Revealing a world of Blade Runner not previously explored, this all-new graphic novel collects together the four-issue mini-series and features a new type of Replicant, not seen before – the deadly Nexus 9.
Collects Blade Black Lotus #1-4.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2023
5 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Nancy A. Collins
337 books670 followersNancy A. Collins (born 10 September 1959) is a United States horror fiction writer best known for her series of vampire novels featuring her character Sonja Blue. Collins has also written for comic books, including the Swamp Thing series, Jason Vs. Leatherface, Predator: Hell Come A Walkin and her own one-shot Dhampire: Stillborn.
Collins was born in McGehee, Arkansas, United States. She lived in New Orleans, Louisiana in the 1980s; after time in New York City and Atlanta, Georgia she settled in Wilmington, North Carolina in the late 2000s.
Collins has written twenty novels since 1989, many of which refer to and directly include races of creatures the author calls Pretenders, monsters from myth and legend passing as human to better hunt their prey.
Collins has also written a number of highly acclaimed Southern Gothic short stories and novellas, most of which are set in Seven Devils, Arkansas, a highly fictionalized version of her hometown.
Most recently, she has focused her attention onto the Golgotham urban fantasy series,published by Penguin. Golgotham is the 'supernatural' ghetto of New York City, where creatures from myth and folklore--including witches,shapeshifters,leprechauns and centaurs--live and work in uneasy alliance with mankind.
Collins was born in McGehee, Arkansas, United States. She lived in New Orleans, Louisiana in the 1980s; after time in New York City and Atlanta, Georgia she settled in Wilmington, North Carolina in the late 2000s.
Collins has written twenty novels since 1989, many of which refer to and directly include races of creatures the author calls Pretenders, monsters from myth and legend passing as human to better hunt their prey.
Collins has also written a number of highly acclaimed Southern Gothic short stories and novellas, most of which are set in Seven Devils, Arkansas, a highly fictionalized version of her hometown.
Most recently, she has focused her attention onto the Golgotham urban fantasy series,published by Penguin. Golgotham is the 'supernatural' ghetto of New York City, where creatures from myth and folklore--including witches,shapeshifters,leprechauns and centaurs--live and work in uneasy alliance with mankind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 17, 2023
I was a little disappointed. I am about 4 episodes into the Black Lotus animate series (I bought Season 1) and I love that series. I very much get the Blade Runner mood and settings from the original movie. But I just do not get a Blade Runner feel from this volume. Not at all.
Could it be the mediocre art? The change of setting from dark dismal LA to the bleak desert? Whatever, it felt more of a Mad Max type story. Read this via a library loan and saved me some money.
I loved reading Blade Runner 2019, 2029, Origins, and 2039. All excellent. The art is top notch, the stories give us readers a very Blade Runner type atmosphere. You can almost feel the bleak rain coming down as you read.
I will finish up with the final episodes of the animated Black Lotus series and will be caught up in the 2039 series in a couple of days (4 issues out of a possible 12). Would love to see a Replicant/Blade Runner story set in the off-world colonies. Replicants in combat?
Could it be the mediocre art? The change of setting from dark dismal LA to the bleak desert? Whatever, it felt more of a Mad Max type story. Read this via a library loan and saved me some money.
I loved reading Blade Runner 2019, 2029, Origins, and 2039. All excellent. The art is top notch, the stories give us readers a very Blade Runner type atmosphere. You can almost feel the bleak rain coming down as you read.
I will finish up with the final episodes of the animated Black Lotus series and will be caught up in the 2039 series in a couple of days (4 issues out of a possible 12). Would love to see a Replicant/Blade Runner story set in the off-world colonies. Replicants in combat?
November 22, 2023
Not really bad. Just unimaginative cyberpunk for kids.
Art’s more of the same: not bad per se but lacking a spark of something more than serviceable. The slightly cartoony aspect highlights the aforementioned "for kids" aspect .
Art’s more of the same: not bad per se but lacking a spark of something more than serviceable. The slightly cartoony aspect highlights the aforementioned "for kids" aspect .
April 5, 2023
I had to give this book 5 stars simply as this is what I always wanted the Blade Runner series to be like. A replicant with not only fighting skills but a willingness to fight back.
Elle does not know what she is searching for but in the middle of the desert, she finds a community. However when the community comes under attack will she fight back or walk away?
A great addition to the Blade Runner universe. I really hope to see Elle in the main storyline possible in 2039? The book finishes with a cover gallery and sketchbook with notes on the page designs.
Elle does not know what she is searching for but in the middle of the desert, she finds a community. However when the community comes under attack will she fight back or walk away?
A great addition to the Blade Runner universe. I really hope to see Elle in the main storyline possible in 2039? The book finishes with a cover gallery and sketchbook with notes on the page designs.
March 6, 2024
This is an example of the lasting impact of the original Blade Runner film - yes that was taken from the PK Dick story but the film really gave it an identity all of its own which the first explored further by K W Jeter and then again in Blade 2049 and the it seemed there was an explosion of new material.
So here we have the spin off a spin off(?) First you had the animated series that then ran in to this story. Set in 2032 you fall between the second movie and the events of the Blade Runner 2029 / 2039 graphic novel series.
Yes it appears there is a grown series which I am sure will converge and cross over before it is finished but for now we have a standalone story which I feel is going to grown (lets hope we do not have to wait too long). Its great fun and just as actioned packed as the shows - love it
So here we have the spin off a spin off(?) First you had the animated series that then ran in to this story. Set in 2032 you fall between the second movie and the events of the Blade Runner 2029 / 2039 graphic novel series.
Yes it appears there is a grown series which I am sure will converge and cross over before it is finished but for now we have a standalone story which I feel is going to grown (lets hope we do not have to wait too long). Its great fun and just as actioned packed as the shows - love it
February 23, 2023
I rather liked the Blade Runner miniseries I watched last year called "Blade Runner: Black Lotus". This graphic novel here is a continuation of that series (which, in itself, probably limits the audience for this work).
Interesting enough story, and I probably would have liked it better if they hadn't been weird about how they drew the main character, Elle. Elle looked, on the tv series, roughly like how she looks on the over of this work. But inside? Inside she looks like a 12 year old girl. It was confusing. She is/was a small thin woman on the tv show, but didn't look like a 12 year old.
This was published by Titan comics, the same publisher that publishes the Hard Case graphic novels. So, since it's the same company, I figure I should note: no nudity occurs in this work. Unlike every other Titan graphic novel I've read (all of which have been connected to the Hard Case imprint). Massive amounts of violence, death, and bones sticking through skin, so this isn't a G rated comic. The R(estricted)/A(dult) rating here would be for the violence and gore, as opposed to the other Titan works I've read. Which would be R/A for sex and nudity (and, depending on the specific work, on violence and blood-shed).
Rating: 3.15
Feb 23 2023
Interesting enough story, and I probably would have liked it better if they hadn't been weird about how they drew the main character, Elle. Elle looked, on the tv series, roughly like how she looks on the over of this work. But inside? Inside she looks like a 12 year old girl. It was confusing. She is/was a small thin woman on the tv show, but didn't look like a 12 year old.
This was published by Titan comics, the same publisher that publishes the Hard Case graphic novels. So, since it's the same company, I figure I should note: no nudity occurs in this work. Unlike every other Titan graphic novel I've read (all of which have been connected to the Hard Case imprint). Massive amounts of violence, death, and bones sticking through skin, so this isn't a G rated comic. The R(estricted)/A(dult) rating here would be for the violence and gore, as opposed to the other Titan works I've read. Which would be R/A for sex and nudity (and, depending on the specific work, on violence and blood-shed).
Rating: 3.15
Feb 23 2023
June 28, 2023
More post-apocalyptic Western than sci-fi noir but enjoyable enough for a summer’s afternoon.
July 6, 2023
Before reading the 'Blade Runner: Black Lotus' graphic novel. I tracked down the anime series that precedes it (not easy to find these days as it's no longer available on any streaming service) and watched all 13 episodes. And while the series was a bit of a mixed bag in its own right, I'm glad I went to the trouble.
The graphic novel, titled 'Leaving L.A.', picks up right where the anime left off. They do include a one-page recap of the show, but as you might imagine it's a bit lacking in detail. The final shot of the show shows Elle, a Replicant who's just been through a lot, speeding away into the desert on a hover bike. And the first frame of the graphic novel shows her speeding into the desert on a hover bike.
Unfortunately, that's where the similarities end.
I'm honestly not sure why this is a continuation of the show at all. The story it tells has only passing reference to what came before and the evolution Elle experienced as a character doesn't really come into play. The story is fine on its own - a desert commune of sharecroppers pitted against a corrupt mining boss and his thugs. When the conflict reaches its apex, luckily Elle is here to help sort things out. And that's about it.
Set in a desert and featuring a lot of people scraping by, 'Leaving L.A.' reminded me more of Mad Max than Blade Runner. While there are some references to Replicants, other than Elle herself those are mostly replaceable with "slaves" or "victims" and it would be the same.
Where is Blade Runner here? This doesn't look or feel like a noir story. It doesn't ask interesting questions about the nature of humanity and artificial life. Elle being a Replicant doesn't even really seem to matter much in the end. It's just a story of a mysterious hero in the near-future world, and there are an awful lot of those these days.
So I'm glad I watched the anime first. Because it was mostly pretty good, and even where it missed the mark, I appreciated that it presented a different kind of Blade Runner story. When it was over and Elle raced off into the distance, I was left wondering what happened next.
On the last page of this graphic novel, it says "Black Lotus will return." I'm not sure I'm still interested enough to see what happens if she does.
The graphic novel, titled 'Leaving L.A.', picks up right where the anime left off. They do include a one-page recap of the show, but as you might imagine it's a bit lacking in detail. The final shot of the show shows Elle, a Replicant who's just been through a lot, speeding away into the desert on a hover bike. And the first frame of the graphic novel shows her speeding into the desert on a hover bike.
Unfortunately, that's where the similarities end.
I'm honestly not sure why this is a continuation of the show at all. The story it tells has only passing reference to what came before and the evolution Elle experienced as a character doesn't really come into play. The story is fine on its own - a desert commune of sharecroppers pitted against a corrupt mining boss and his thugs. When the conflict reaches its apex, luckily Elle is here to help sort things out. And that's about it.
Set in a desert and featuring a lot of people scraping by, 'Leaving L.A.' reminded me more of Mad Max than Blade Runner. While there are some references to Replicants, other than Elle herself those are mostly replaceable with "slaves" or "victims" and it would be the same.
Where is Blade Runner here? This doesn't look or feel like a noir story. It doesn't ask interesting questions about the nature of humanity and artificial life. Elle being a Replicant doesn't even really seem to matter much in the end. It's just a story of a mysterious hero in the near-future world, and there are an awful lot of those these days.
So I'm glad I watched the anime first. Because it was mostly pretty good, and even where it missed the mark, I appreciated that it presented a different kind of Blade Runner story. When it was over and Elle raced off into the distance, I was left wondering what happened next.
On the last page of this graphic novel, it says "Black Lotus will return." I'm not sure I'm still interested enough to see what happens if she does.
May 2, 2023
I was looking forward to this novel, having truly enjoyed the animated series.
And man was I disappointed. It seems that main comic Blade Runner series will remain the flagship for a long time to come.
Art is interesting, slightly on a cartoonish side of things, but OK. Most important it is consistent throughout the volume. Coloring is also beautifully done. So graphically very well done work.
Problem is in the story. Story must be the most bland story I read in a while (including comics and prose fiction, even poetry I might add). It is just that story goes from A to B to C to D, even after first issue I knew exactly where this story will go. There is no dramatic element, no place where you wonder if our heroes will survive, will they manage to overcome the next hurdle. There is nothing because from the start it is visible there is no danger to our heroes. Yes, people will die but this happens in the background, almost noiseless because these characters are there just to show how bad things are but we could just as well be without these characters. They add no ..... weight?..... to the story, they are just part of the set, basically nothing.
Don't get me wrong, this is comic, I do not expect some high level of story presentation. But let us look at the stories like Conan, various crime stories (pulp fiction) and even let us go to the main story line of Blade Runner comics - we all know our heroes will survive, but these comics kept me interested to see what is going on, what is lurking behind the next corner, how will our heroes handle it, I mean some kind of progress of both characters and the story, some hint of challenge. This is what makes good story. Otherwise we could all read phone books or political pamphlets for entertainment.
All of this is missing from this volume. Everything is just straight forward, everyone is highly knowledgeable, highly capable that basically there is no ..... story. Two panels could have made the whole volume - Elle coming into the town outside LA on one panel and Elle leaving the city with all dead bad guys in the background on another panel.
Hopefully author's will improve in follow up stories about the Elle. Animated series was great, I truly enjoyed it, I just wish they build up the equivalent story-wise in graphical format.
And one thing that is so cringy and you cannot miss it on pages of this comic, is political messaging. I understand that this is now trendy and everything but it just makes the entire story blah - Russian mafia leading the fracking company that looks like Sauron's lair with all the smoke and towers, good guys living in, for all means and purposes, Eden with enough propellers on all the wind turbines to be able to elevate few miles above ground. Living in such a clean condition and in harmony with nature that I was ..... huh? I mean, what, in else completely polluted world few miles outside LA you basically have equivalent of zero pollution area, clean beautiful blue sky (as opposed to dark, ridiculous smoke area of fracking company) where you can grow food without any problems to feed hundreds o people (in bloody desert)? Not to mention that hover bikes that noone saw for decades, oh yeah they can be fixed in couple of days by only changing the circuit board in mechanic shop in the middle of nowhere (whaaat?). And this Eden of course is built and led by the best and brightest from all over - scientists, engineers, medical personnel etc. I mean in any apocalyptic, dystopian story this would be the Holy Grail for all people to find and live there and it exists just outside of LA, few days ride away. I mean, what? I could just see common sense (and I mean it in terms of fiction story) going out the window.
As I said, this political element and preachiness just kills of the story.
In summary, interesting. But nowhere near the quality of the main Blade Runner series.
And man was I disappointed. It seems that main comic Blade Runner series will remain the flagship for a long time to come.
Art is interesting, slightly on a cartoonish side of things, but OK. Most important it is consistent throughout the volume. Coloring is also beautifully done. So graphically very well done work.
Problem is in the story. Story must be the most bland story I read in a while (including comics and prose fiction, even poetry I might add). It is just that story goes from A to B to C to D, even after first issue I knew exactly where this story will go. There is no dramatic element, no place where you wonder if our heroes will survive, will they manage to overcome the next hurdle. There is nothing because from the start it is visible there is no danger to our heroes. Yes, people will die but this happens in the background, almost noiseless because these characters are there just to show how bad things are but we could just as well be without these characters. They add no ..... weight?..... to the story, they are just part of the set, basically nothing.
Don't get me wrong, this is comic, I do not expect some high level of story presentation. But let us look at the stories like Conan, various crime stories (pulp fiction) and even let us go to the main story line of Blade Runner comics - we all know our heroes will survive, but these comics kept me interested to see what is going on, what is lurking behind the next corner, how will our heroes handle it, I mean some kind of progress of both characters and the story, some hint of challenge. This is what makes good story. Otherwise we could all read phone books or political pamphlets for entertainment.
All of this is missing from this volume. Everything is just straight forward, everyone is highly knowledgeable, highly capable that basically there is no ..... story. Two panels could have made the whole volume - Elle coming into the town outside LA on one panel and Elle leaving the city with all dead bad guys in the background on another panel.
Hopefully author's will improve in follow up stories about the Elle. Animated series was great, I truly enjoyed it, I just wish they build up the equivalent story-wise in graphical format.
And one thing that is so cringy and you cannot miss it on pages of this comic, is political messaging. I understand that this is now trendy and everything but it just makes the entire story blah - Russian mafia leading the fracking company that looks like Sauron's lair with all the smoke and towers, good guys living in, for all means and purposes, Eden with enough propellers on all the wind turbines to be able to elevate few miles above ground. Living in such a clean condition and in harmony with nature that I was ..... huh? I mean, what, in else completely polluted world few miles outside LA you basically have equivalent of zero pollution area, clean beautiful blue sky (as opposed to dark, ridiculous smoke area of fracking company) where you can grow food without any problems to feed hundreds o people (in bloody desert)? Not to mention that hover bikes that noone saw for decades, oh yeah they can be fixed in couple of days by only changing the circuit board in mechanic shop in the middle of nowhere (whaaat?). And this Eden of course is built and led by the best and brightest from all over - scientists, engineers, medical personnel etc. I mean in any apocalyptic, dystopian story this would be the Holy Grail for all people to find and live there and it exists just outside of LA, few days ride away. I mean, what? I could just see common sense (and I mean it in terms of fiction story) going out the window.
As I said, this political element and preachiness just kills of the story.
In summary, interesting. But nowhere near the quality of the main Blade Runner series.
June 24, 2023
Too little action. Too much nothing-dialogue: not funny, not important, not deep, irrevelant, unmemorable.
The action was really cliché:
- dropping the child, but diving down to grab them
- not killing the villain, given the chance, too many ridiculous kicks, too much repetition with katana handle head-butts.
Not reading anymore from this series.
Discouraged from future Blade Runner comics.
The action was really cliché:
- dropping the child, but diving down to grab them
- not killing the villain, given the chance, too many ridiculous kicks, too much repetition with katana handle head-butts.
Not reading anymore from this series.
Discouraged from future Blade Runner comics.
July 11, 2024
POPKULTUROWY KOCIOŁEK:
Część osób (zwłaszcza fanów anime) mogło się już zetknąć z tytułem Blade Runner: Czarny Lotos. W 2021 zadebiutował bowiem na rynku serial animowany pod tym samym tytułem (którego recenzja jest do znalezienia na blogu). Zbieżność tytułów nie jest przypadkowa, mamy tu bowiem do czynienia z dziełem w którym obserwujemy dalsze losy replikanta Elle. Po komiks można jednak sięgnąć bez znajomości wspomnianej animacji.
Akcja przenosi nas tu do Los Angeles roku 2032. Replikant Elle (zwana jako Czarny lotos) po wymknięciu się z rąk swojego twórcy, wyrusza na pustynię w poszukiwaniu odkupienia i nowego życia, wolnego od rozlewu krwi i śmierci. Miejsce to nie należy jednak do najbezpieczniejszych, a i sama jej przeszłość nie da tak łatwo o sobie zapomnieć.
Nancy A. Collins w pierwszym tomie serii kreśli historię, której estetyka znacząco odbiega od klasycznego Blade Runnera. Miejsce, w którym znalazła się Elle, przypomina bowiem lokacje żywcem wyjęte z Mad Maxa. Fani BR mogą więc być mocno rozczarowani klimatem komiksu, który z kolejnymi przeczytanymi kadrami coraz bardziej przypomina western postapo z dodatkiem cyberpunkowych elementów.
Na pewno nie brakuje tu wartkiej i widowiskowej akcji. Komiks w dynamiczny sposób prowadzi nas przez kolejne wątki. Sam świat przedstawiony jest zaś pełen brudu, pyłu i przemocy.
Niestety ten element komiksu również ma swoje pewne zauważalne niedociągnięcia. Scenarzystka po ciekawym początku dosyć szybko stawia tu bowiem na dużą schematyczność i przewidywalność, przez co trudno jest jej zaskoczyć czytelnika. Na dodatek niektóre postacie są niedopracowane i jednowymiarowe. Brakuje tu też bardziej szczegółowego rozwinięcia niektórych wątków pobocznych, co pozostawia pewien niedosyt....
https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/blade...
Część osób (zwłaszcza fanów anime) mogło się już zetknąć z tytułem Blade Runner: Czarny Lotos. W 2021 zadebiutował bowiem na rynku serial animowany pod tym samym tytułem (którego recenzja jest do znalezienia na blogu). Zbieżność tytułów nie jest przypadkowa, mamy tu bowiem do czynienia z dziełem w którym obserwujemy dalsze losy replikanta Elle. Po komiks można jednak sięgnąć bez znajomości wspomnianej animacji.
Akcja przenosi nas tu do Los Angeles roku 2032. Replikant Elle (zwana jako Czarny lotos) po wymknięciu się z rąk swojego twórcy, wyrusza na pustynię w poszukiwaniu odkupienia i nowego życia, wolnego od rozlewu krwi i śmierci. Miejsce to nie należy jednak do najbezpieczniejszych, a i sama jej przeszłość nie da tak łatwo o sobie zapomnieć.
Nancy A. Collins w pierwszym tomie serii kreśli historię, której estetyka znacząco odbiega od klasycznego Blade Runnera. Miejsce, w którym znalazła się Elle, przypomina bowiem lokacje żywcem wyjęte z Mad Maxa. Fani BR mogą więc być mocno rozczarowani klimatem komiksu, który z kolejnymi przeczytanymi kadrami coraz bardziej przypomina western postapo z dodatkiem cyberpunkowych elementów.
Na pewno nie brakuje tu wartkiej i widowiskowej akcji. Komiks w dynamiczny sposób prowadzi nas przez kolejne wątki. Sam świat przedstawiony jest zaś pełen brudu, pyłu i przemocy.
Niestety ten element komiksu również ma swoje pewne zauważalne niedociągnięcia. Scenarzystka po ciekawym początku dosyć szybko stawia tu bowiem na dużą schematyczność i przewidywalność, przez co trudno jest jej zaskoczyć czytelnika. Na dodatek niektóre postacie są niedopracowane i jednowymiarowe. Brakuje tu też bardziej szczegółowego rozwinięcia niektórych wątków pobocznych, co pozostawia pewien niedosyt....
https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/blade...
July 9, 2023
Another pre-existing universe given a stereotypical American West plot treatment. Big bad industry vs small do-good village, badass stranger coming in to save the day, a desert setting--heck, there's even a saloon. And that would've been totally fine if done well. As it stands, though, none of the characters are especially vivid, and the protagonist Elle is about third down on the list of characters with actual depth. And considering how much misogynistic violence and language there is in this story, I was surprised to see that a woman wrote it. Violence against women can obviously be rampant within a story and still work; but in this case it came off as unwieldy at best and generally pandering to a misogynistic reader at worst. Yes, Elle, the mother Nyoko, and the co-op won in the end, but it was a very small win on a vast scale of a violent patriarchy. Also did not love how the co-op was going to invite all the remaining factory workers--who participated in the sexual slavery of the replicants and would've assaulted any non-replicant captives--to join them in their nice li'l colony. All kinds of nonsense in here.
I'll try the next one because the world of Blade Runner is amazing and I do love a ronin saga, but boy, it'll need to show improvements real quick.
I'll try the next one because the world of Blade Runner is amazing and I do love a ronin saga, but boy, it'll need to show improvements real quick.
March 18, 2023
Full disclosure: I did not enjoy the Black Lotus series. Elle's story had its moments, but she was ultimately a pretty bland protagonist.
This series doesn't change that a whole lot, although she does seem to have a bit more humanity in her here, as she basically lives out a post-apocalyptic version of a western. A company town, the commune nearby, and Wallace Corporation all come together to cause a lot of death and destruction in a story that will feel very familiar, but still be relatable due to a number of interestingly developed characters. Elle basically walks through the story doing everything you would expect, trying to help the good guys, but causing a lot of disaster in her wake. Not that she doesn't clean up her own messes, but there's nothing here that felt particularly novel - it didn't even really need to be in the Blade Runner universe. If you're a fan of the series, it's a nice follow-up, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but the most dedicated Blade Runner fans.
This series doesn't change that a whole lot, although she does seem to have a bit more humanity in her here, as she basically lives out a post-apocalyptic version of a western. A company town, the commune nearby, and Wallace Corporation all come together to cause a lot of death and destruction in a story that will feel very familiar, but still be relatable due to a number of interestingly developed characters. Elle basically walks through the story doing everything you would expect, trying to help the good guys, but causing a lot of disaster in her wake. Not that she doesn't clean up her own messes, but there's nothing here that felt particularly novel - it didn't even really need to be in the Blade Runner universe. If you're a fan of the series, it's a nice follow-up, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but the most dedicated Blade Runner fans.
August 31, 2024
It was just ok and giving it three stars to look better as a chance.
I did enjoy the animated series much more than I thought I would. Some things might've been done oddly, but they also did good on others. As for the comics, compared with the other series going on, this one is both the weakest and most unimaginative. I'd say it gains points for having an happy ending for once, and I enjoy the visuals, but that's about it.
Watching the animated series I did not feel there was a much different audience in mind. The themes were on par with what was portrayed in the movies, even if they weren't as deep. Some of the soundtrack wasn't helping either.
Reading the comics it simply felt generic and low risk. So it felt neither a follow up of the series nor on the same world as the other comics, even though it is visually.
Putting it bluntly, I just felt disapointed. Hope it goes better for you.
I did enjoy the animated series much more than I thought I would. Some things might've been done oddly, but they also did good on others. As for the comics, compared with the other series going on, this one is both the weakest and most unimaginative. I'd say it gains points for having an happy ending for once, and I enjoy the visuals, but that's about it.
Watching the animated series I did not feel there was a much different audience in mind. The themes were on par with what was portrayed in the movies, even if they weren't as deep. Some of the soundtrack wasn't helping either.
Reading the comics it simply felt generic and low risk. So it felt neither a follow up of the series nor on the same world as the other comics, even though it is visually.
Putting it bluntly, I just felt disapointed. Hope it goes better for you.
April 24, 2025
Blade Runner Black Lotus Vol. 1 – Leaving L.A.
An excellent Mad Max-style addition to the Blade Runner universe. Gritty, raw, and fueled by adrenaline, Black Lotus doesn’t just expand the dystopian world — it slams the pedal to the floor and doesn't look back.
Vol. 1, Leaving L.A., is packed with cinematic tension and razor-sharp dialogue. A few standout lines that capture the tone:
#1: “We’re better off killing her once we’re done. Leave her for buzzards. What the —?”
#2: “Let them go!” / “Stand down or the brat gets it.”
#3: “Do you trust her, Miguel?” / “…my daughter is an EXCELLENT judge of character.”
#4: “How the hell can a skinny little thing like her take out a lug like Kozlov?”
Fast-paced action, layered characters, and a vibe that’s equal parts neo-noir and desert fury. If you like your dystopia with attitude, Black Lotus delivers.
An excellent Mad Max-style addition to the Blade Runner universe. Gritty, raw, and fueled by adrenaline, Black Lotus doesn’t just expand the dystopian world — it slams the pedal to the floor and doesn't look back.
Vol. 1, Leaving L.A., is packed with cinematic tension and razor-sharp dialogue. A few standout lines that capture the tone:
#1: “We’re better off killing her once we’re done. Leave her for buzzards. What the —?”
#2: “Let them go!” / “Stand down or the brat gets it.”
#3: “Do you trust her, Miguel?” / “…my daughter is an EXCELLENT judge of character.”
#4: “How the hell can a skinny little thing like her take out a lug like Kozlov?”
Fast-paced action, layered characters, and a vibe that’s equal parts neo-noir and desert fury. If you like your dystopia with attitude, Black Lotus delivers.
December 4, 2022
This self-contained story takes place immediately after the events of the Black Lotus anime series. So, if you want to avoid spoilers for the series, don't read this first (and you really should watch the series--it's an excellent addition to the Blade Runner universe). The story starts with Elle leaving Los Angeles, but she soon finds trouble in the California desert when she gets involved in a feud between a fracking operation and a green energy commune. Collins deftly paces the story, alternating good action sequences with interesting character development, smoothly building information for maximum impact. I look forward to reading or watching more about Elle as she learns more about herself on her journey of discovery.
September 15, 2023
I’ve been really having a blast lately with the comic book series of Blade Runner. However this is the first time where I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the others. Being a continuation of the Black Lotus anime series (which I loved by the way), I simply didn’t get the feel of the unique world of Blade Runner. It came closer to a spaghetti western combined with Mad Max. The art also wasn’t something that attracted me, especially main character Elle who just looked radically different from the way she looked in the anime. The story also wasn’t as clever as the ones in the other 3 series I’ve read so far. It was all just pretty mediocre. It was nice to at least see Elle back in action again, but I’m hoping she will get a better treatment if they decide to bring her back.
July 28, 2024
1.5 rounded up.
Edit: Nevermind this was a 1 star.
I grabbed this from the library while browsing the graphic novels and thought it looked neat. It's apparently a continuation of the Blade Runner: Black Lotus anime which I've heard of but not watched.
It was... ok. Extremely basic set-up, minimal characterization, ok art... the action scenes were pretty good, albeit pretty basic. Pretty painful dialogue:
"You're insane to think I'd ever love a man who arranged to have my husband assassinated and me and my daughter kidnapped!"
"I did it for our love! I killed them all for you, Nyoko!"
...
"Are you sure you won't change your mind about staying, Elle? You could make a big difference here."
"Maybe someday, but right now, there are still answers I must find in the desert."
Edit: Nevermind this was a 1 star.
I grabbed this from the library while browsing the graphic novels and thought it looked neat. It's apparently a continuation of the Blade Runner: Black Lotus anime which I've heard of but not watched.
It was... ok. Extremely basic set-up, minimal characterization, ok art... the action scenes were pretty good, albeit pretty basic. Pretty painful dialogue:
"You're insane to think I'd ever love a man who arranged to have my husband assassinated and me and my daughter kidnapped!"
"I did it for our love! I killed them all for you, Nyoko!"
...
"Are you sure you won't change your mind about staying, Elle? You could make a big difference here."
"Maybe someday, but right now, there are still answers I must find in the desert."
February 22, 2023
Released in 2021, Blade Runner: Black Lotus was an anime series co-produced by Crunchyroll and Adult Swim set in-between the two feature films. The story followed replicant Elle’s journey to discover her identity, and her story continues in this graphic novel from writer Nancy A. Collins. After being used as an unwitting assassin for Niander Wallace Jr’s machinations, the replicant escapes Los Angeles while trying to leave behind her violent past.
My review can be read at Bloody Good Screen.
My review can be read at Bloody Good Screen.
June 16, 2023
I take it Black Lotus extends a Blade Runner anime series - having never seen the series, I didn't have a lot invested in the main character here. She shows up in a filthy energy mining town and quickly gets in a fight. The neighboring green energy town needs a hero, and she serves ably. It's all over quite quickly with almost no surprises. The desert landscape lacks the moodiness of other Blade Runner efforts. Black Lotus is fully skippable.
September 23, 2023
Great story about Blade Runner Universe. I had fun reading it and like a lot the art, settings, characters, and the few last pages about the behind the scenes of how they make the comics and other ideas for the story.
I hope the make more stories about this characters and spin-offs, and novels too.
I hope the make more stories about this characters and spin-offs, and novels too.
August 5, 2025
Went into this very excited, but found this Blade Runner comic missing the key element: Blade Runner.
Story was fine—nothing new or super exciting. Art wasn’t my personal taste, but it looked great. Action blocking was done very well. Overall was a fun read, but I’m hoping the Blade Runner 2019 comic feels more Blade Runner than this!
Story was fine—nothing new or super exciting. Art wasn’t my personal taste, but it looked great. Action blocking was done very well. Overall was a fun read, but I’m hoping the Blade Runner 2019 comic feels more Blade Runner than this!
February 25, 2023
The animated series looked great but was slow and not very interesting. This isn't slow but too action orientated and worse Elle doesn't look like how she did in the series - which was the best thing.
September 16, 2023
It’s decently good. A worthy continuation from the show but definitely isn’t the most philosophical when it comes to Blade Runner content.
It’s different but it’s a cool enough story. Definitely recommend to Blade Runner completionists.
It’s different but it’s a cool enough story. Definitely recommend to Blade Runner completionists.
August 29, 2024
This was very disappointing. The story is yet another retread of 'Shane', with the main characters having their genders swapped (with no apparent effect on the story); the art is sub-Panzer Brothers and in a few places the colouring was very muddy and distracting.
March 18, 2023
I enjoyed it. Good story, good artwork. I'm a big fan of the Blade Runner world.
June 4, 2023
Not great. The storytelling feels very rushed and the dialogue incredibly stilted. The art is serviceable.
May 24, 2024
Elle comes into town as the ronin to help the wind farmers. Assassination, kidnapping, explosions, etc.
September 14, 2024
Lacks quite a bit of imagination and originality in plot which makes it quite forgettable.
Artstyle was nice but overall did miss the Blade Runner vibes from it.
Artstyle was nice but overall did miss the Blade Runner vibes from it.
April 29, 2025
It's a pretty generic story that feels like it was just slapped with the "Blade Runner" title. It doesn't come close to giving the feel of the book or movies.
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