The writers of the latest Blade Runner comic break down the creation of their retro-futurist Japan

ComicsBlade RunnerThe writers of the latest Blade Runner comic break down the creation of their retro-futurist JapanWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. ComicsBlade RunnerThe writers of the latest Blade Runner comic break down the creation of their retro-futurist JapanWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Titan Comics) The rain-lashed world of Ridley Scott’sBlade Runnerhas expanded again – and this time humans and replicants must work together if they want to survive a deadly mystery. Image1of6Christian Ward’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Andy Belanger’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Dagnino’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Paul Pope’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Taibo’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Blank cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Image1of6Christian Ward’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Andy Belanger’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Dagnino’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Paul Pope’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Taibo’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Blank cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Image1of6 Christian Ward’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Andy Belanger’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Dagnino’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Paul Pope’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Taibo’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Blank cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Christian Ward’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Andy Belanger’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Dagnino’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Paul Pope’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Taibo’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics)Blank cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Christian Ward’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Christian Ward’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Christian Ward’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Christian Ward’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Christian Ward’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Andy Belanger’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Andy Belanger’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Andy Belanger’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Andy Belanger’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Andy Belanger’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Dagnino’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Dagnino’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Dagnino’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Dagnino’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Dagnino’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Paul Pope’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Paul Pope’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Paul Pope’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Paul Pope’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Paul Pope’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Taibo’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Taibo’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Taibo’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Taibo’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Taibo’s cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Blank cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Blank cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Blank cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Blank cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) Blank cover for Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1(Image credit: Titan Comics) In the first issue of Tokyo Nexus we meet Mead and Stix, two survivors of a doomed off-world military mission on Kalanthia. Mead is a human, while Stix is a replicant. Now back on Earth in 2015 (making this in some ways a prequel to the first movie, which is set in an alternative 2019) they are searching for the person who sold their team mates out, while also working as detectives on a missing persons case in the capital of Japan – slightly surprisingly the first time the nation has appeared in the Blade Runner franchise. “It was important to me to read and watch a lot of Japanese media with the sci-fi and cyberpunk themes,” said Shore, of how she researched the project. “Of course I visited the classics such asNeon Genesis EvangelionandAkira, but I also wanted to explore Japanese media in a post-2011 Tōhoku disaster world. I rewatched Shinkai Makoto’s Your Name andWeathering with Youalong with media such as Bubble and Japan Sinks. This is the first time that the Blade Runner franchise is in East Asia, so I wanted to create a story that could only be set in Japan. When Mellow and I first started talking, we had a similar taste in Japanese media so I knew that we could envision something never seen before.” Image1of3(Image credit: Titan Comics)(Image credit: Titan Comics)(Image credit: Titan Comics) Image1of3(Image credit: Titan Comics)(Image credit: Titan Comics)(Image credit: Titan Comics) Image1of3 (Image credit: Titan Comics)(Image credit: Titan Comics)(Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics)(Image credit: Titan Comics)(Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) (Image credit: Titan Comics) “I am a huge fan of these particular pages,” said Mellow Brown of the preview pages above. “They definitely capture the ‘promise of the premise’ in a way that is distinct to Blade Runner. While many other cyberpunk universes would take the Japan setting and fill it with samurai and cyber ninjas, it instead chooses to comment on the state of a place that has issues that are ironically parallel to what’s happening in (the in-universe) Los Angeles.” Brown went on to explain how the location reflects things about the series' protagonists. “It locks in on what it feels like to live in a false utopia and questions how much our lead, Mead, is willing to compromise themselves for peace they feel they’ve earned. It’s in juxtaposition to the dark, rainy, neon-soaked environments we’ve grown accustomed to. But, it shows that level of peace comes at a price, creating new challenges unique to this environment. It reminds the reader that they are in a noir and poses a philosophical challenge that makes us ask the same thing. Who are we willing to sacrifice for peace?” Comic deals, prizes and latest news Get the best comic news, insights, opinions, analysis and more! Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus #1 is out now from Titan Comics. Check out where Blade Runner lands on the list of the30 best sci-fi movies of all time. More about comicsPatton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - “Visuals that will never be achieved in TV or movies can be achieved in comics"Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday giftLatest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetSee more latest► More about comicsPatton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - “Visuals that will never be achieved in TV or movies can be achieved in comics"Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday giftLatest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetSee more latest► More about comicsPatton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - “Visuals that will never be achieved in TV or movies can be achieved in comics"Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift More about comics Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - “Visuals that will never be achieved in TV or movies can be achieved in comics"Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - “Visuals that will never be achieved in TV or movies can be achieved in comics” Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum explain why comics are still the perfect medium for superhero stories - “Visuals that will never be achieved in TV or movies can be achieved in comics” Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift Latest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetSee more latest► Latest “Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet “Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet “Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet See more latest► Most Popular Elder Scrolls modders have released a playable part of the ambitious Project Tamriel, which aims to recreate all of the beloved RPG’s regions in Morrowind Disney Plus' new Spider-Man show is no longer canon in the MCU because it was “not fun” to put limitations on its story Master Chief’s absence from Halo Wars wasn’t Bungie’s fault, it was a move to make players “care about everybody else” in the RTS One of Sonic 3’s writers threatens us with a good time in a future movie: “We gotta get Big the Cat in there in some capacity” This nifty gadget turns any M.2 SSD into a portable drive, but it’s great for when you’re upgrading your PC too League of Legends co-creator responds to report that Arcane was a “financial miss,” says “people think we make things like Arcane to sell skins, when in reality we sell skins to make things like Arcane” After hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarming James Gunn says his DC shows will likely stick to the “one episode a week” schedule moving forward: “It affords a quality show an opportunity to be discussed” Just two weeks after its theatrical release, Lord of the Ring: The War of Rohirrim is heading to digital Escape the horrors of family time this holiday with Slitterhead’s first ever discount GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”