Conclusion of first story arc. Ash returns to Earth as a changed woman. Having a change of heart when it comes to replicants she is now trying to help them. But she also knows that she must confront the corporate mogul hunting his daughter across the colonized space - everything is getting ready for the final showdown.

Good conclusion to the first story arc - we follow Ash as she tries to blend in a world that changed dramatically after the Blackout event. Earth is shaken and left in ruins, loss of information on replicants is now treated as an all out call for their extermination wherever they are found. Ash, having spent six years in space colonies tries to change her own life and works on saving lives for a change (instead of taking them).

Art, as is case with all previous books, is true joy for the eyes.

Highly recommended to all fans of cyberpunk and SF in general. ( )

Blade Runner 2019 is a unique blend of hardboiled noir and grungy sci-fi. It possesses elements of the original Blade Runner film and builds on some of the mystery that was introduced in the sequel film 2049 such as the blackout and the replicant resistance. Yet, at the same time, the comic is able to be its own thing separately. No knowledge of Blade Runner or BR:2049 needed to enjoy this story.

The first issue/chapter of this book is a prequel, going back to Ash's early years and her first Blade Runner case. It was a bit confusing. The rest of the book continues from the last volume. Ash is back in LA for one reason: to keep the promise she made at the end of volume 1. Ash is back for a confrontation with Cleo's father - the agribusiness tycoon Alexander Selwyn who had sold his daughter to Eldon Tyrell for genetic experiments.

Overall, the ending did not feel as climactic as it should have. Perhaps if Selwyn had found his daughter off-world somehow and kidnapped her...the stand-off with him and Ash would have been more powerful.

Still, I'd love to see Vol.1 to Vol.3 adapted into a film. The world-building is great and Ash is an awesome character. I just feel like the stakes slowly dissolve as the story evolves. It's Ash and Cleo's bond that is moving & thought-provoking. ( )