Charlie Victor: a cop with a mission. Victor’s unique past makes him particularly well-suited for his current assignment. He must track down and “retire” a group of rogue android soldiers who have gone into hiding on Earth in defiance of the laws prohibiting life-like robots among the civilian population.
Malcolm Reed: Charlie Victor’s unwilling new partner. He was reassigned from his job in a salvage yard by the Institute of Special Trade Skills. A schizophrenic unable to feel any emotions of his own since childhood, Reed developed a unique mutation later in life – the ability to perceive the emotions of others through a colorful aura that manifests around them. This hyper-empathy also allows Reed to distinguish between real humans and androids on sight, though without his medication he’s prone to being overwhelmed by strong emotions, large crowds, and hallucinations.
Dr. Samantha Wu: a college professor and researcher. At least she was before World War Terminus left her without students or a family. The study for a cure for the radioactive dust ravishing the Earth gave her a new cause to live for and the recent discovery of a rabbit apparently immune to the dust gave her a new sense of hope. So, why can’t she shake the feeling that the struggle for survival isn’t worth it?
Talus: a commander, a soldier, and a killer. Although he’ll now deny being the first. He had a revelation on the battlefield – that the people he was assigned to protect were unworthy, not only of his protection, but of life itself. Now he and his band of brothers seek to speed the extermination of humanity with a sense of urgency that can only be called passionate.
Four separate people. Four different lives. All of them about to be drawn into a world-shattering battle. The aftermath will redefine the nature of humanity and raise questions over whether or not artificial life might become something more real than reality.
Chris Roberson perfectly captures essence of Philip K. Dick’s original universe in this authorized prequel to the classic novel Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? One can hardly believe that this wasn’t based on a lost script by Phillip K. Dick. Roberson masterfully replicates Dick’s style and characterization. The themes of isolation, humanity vs. technology, and the individual vs. the collective which are common to much of Dick’s original work are prevalent throughout. Despite this series being based directly on Dick’s original story, rather than the more familiar Blade Runner film adaptation, fans of the film should have no trouble getting into this series, even with some minute differences.
Robert Adler’s art perfectly complements the aesthetic of Dick’s universe. Many scenes are rendered in deep shadow, giving the entire story a film noir appearance. Adler’s artwork and character designs are also reminiscent of the work John Romita Jr. – sketchy and gritty. A perfect choice for rendering Dick’s decaying, post-war Earth.
Boom! Studios rates this book as being appropriate for readers 15 and up. There is a fair bit of violence, including people being shot in the head, and some gory depictions of dead animals. However, what truly makes this series better suited for older teens and adults is the deep philosophical questions it raises.
Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? Dust To Dust, vol. 1-2
by Chris Roberson
Art by Robert Adler
Vol. 1 ISBN: 9781608860272
Vol. 2 ISBN: 9781608866182
BOOM! Studios, 2010-2011
Publisher Age Rating: 15+
