Comic Book Review - Cyberpunk 2077: Blackout #1

Rob reviews Cyberpunk 2077: Blackout #1...

We're back for another trip to Night City as Bartoz Sztybor delves back into the world of Cyberpunk 2077.

While I'm still waiting for the concluding part of Sztybor's previous Cyberpunk 2077 outing; You Have My Word. This new outing promises something wildly different from Maria's bloody quest for vengeance, whilst delving into the un-tapped hell-hole of Night City.  That's what makes these Cyberpunk 2077 comics a great read - Night City has so much potential for storytelling. From gang-wars, Cyber-psycho, corporate greed, petty theft, high-flying "Corpo" suits, to low-life scum, Night City has it all. For Blackout Sztybor focuses on the art of Braindance - a way for someone to relive someone else's memories with all the same senses and emotions as the host. 

Arturo is a BD (Braindance) technician/repairman. His job revolves around him travelling from place to place repairing defective BD machines. Through his line of work, Arturo has developed a sixth sense that allows him to see the real emotions hidden behind the often smiley facades. However, deep down and Arturo knows that he's nothing but a glorified drug dealer and he's constantly looking for a, way out. His employer; Diverse Media Systems peddles memories for its clients to get lost in. Their clients are so often removed from reality they can't tell what's real and what's not. It's only the constant city-wide power outages that are giving these citizens some lucid sense of reality. When Arturo discovers that the blackouts are also causing havoc to Night City's banks, he - along with Edgerunner's pal Al-Beta - may have just found a way out.

This opening issue does a great job of introducing the reader to Arturo. Throughout we get a great insight into the troubles that plague his existence and his need for something greater rather than just repairing faulty BD machines. It's through this that Sztybor makes Arturo quite a relatable character. He's not a member of the paramilitary Trauma Team, he doesn't have links to any gangs, and he doesn't affiliate with any Corporation. He's an average Joe who's lost in the hustle and bustle as life goes on around him. 

Away from this and we also get yet another look at Night City itself. With this being the third visit that Dark Horse has made to this city, one does wonder if the need to constantly reveal it to us is necessary. However, it is! With each visit, we focus on a different side of the city. It's here that we swap the neon-soaked signs of the city's high-life, to enter the intimate dwellings of its citizen's hopes and dreams. It not only shows just how diverse this landscape is, but it also mirrors my earlier statement that there are a lot of stories to be told, and the city is just as much a character as its cast.

Artist Roberto Ricci's linework perfectly captures the aspects of this urban environment. Everything from the overcrowded streets, to the tight cramped living quarters, is captured with a real sense that everything's built on tip of one giant tinderbox. The artwork here also takes on a more manga-style feeling which gives everything a somewhat dreamy appearance. Ricci also gives us plenty of detail that emphasises the difference between each character and location, whether this be through intricate cybernetics, or something as simple as sunlight shining through a window.

Colourist Fabian Mascolo works well with Ricci and compliments the linework with various shades and textures. There are no blank spaces here as Mascolo fills backgrounds with colours that fit the scene. Flashback scenes are spotlighted by being in black and white, there's also a superb use of the Ben-Day process' to keep the readers focused on the scene's goings-on. 

All in all, Cyberpunk 2077: Blackout is another enjoyable trip into the heart and soul of Night City. Bartoz Sztybor pulls you straight into the plight of Arturo with a very world-building centric issue. While Arturo is very different from what we've seen before, Sztybor has a knack for crafting a hard-hitting narrative that centres around these often forgotten and overlooked characters. If you've played Cyberpunk 2077, or read any of the past comics - then you know that you don't have to be someone to get swallowed up in Night City's nightmare! 

Rating: 9/10

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