Titan Publishing and Alcon Media Group, the producer behind more than 30 films over the past 20 years, announced a partnership that will mean the beginning of an expanded universe of stories for Rick Deckard, Replicants, and the world of Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049. So expect new comic book series, tie-in fiction books, and maybe even a new book on Syd Mead and that tech noir futurism the franchise is known for. It would seem the possibilities are endless.
In a press release issued late yesterday, the companies said they will develop and publish a variety of both fiction and non-fiction print media. The program will feature new, “in canon” comics and graphic novels that dive deeper into the Blade Runner world. They also plan to create a variety of publications focused on the visual and technical sides of the films. Titan is also well-known for its Hard Case Crime imprint featuring the best of classic, lost, and new crime genre stories. What better avenue to issue a vintage-style Deckard and femme fatale Rachael noir story than in a Hard Case Crime novel?
Alcon expressed its confidence that the world of Blade Runner will continue to organically grow in a way that refuses to sacrifice the quality, tone and high standards of this beloved property. “We are extremely excited to be publishing Blade Runner comics and illustrated books,” said representatives of Titan. “The Blade Runner universe has barely been explored; there is so much more there. It’s an honour to be bringing this world to life in new ways for a new audience – and to reveal tales from that universe that you’ve never seen before.”
Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner was adapted from the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, a novel by science fiction legend Philip K. Dick, who endorsed the original film project in 1982, but died before its release.
Other than the release last year of Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 (reviewed here at borg.com) starring the return of Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard and film lead Ryan Gosling, the franchise lay dormant for the most part, with only the occasion home release tweak of the original film by director Ridley Scott, an adaptation and prequel to Dick’s novel from BOOM! Studios, and a brief series of sequel novels.
Based on the publishing industry timelines we’re thinking we should be looking for the first of the Blade Runner tie-ins from the new partnership as early as next year. The partnership may also result in other projects. Most recently Alcon has been known for its Syfy series, The Expanse. Keep checking back in with borg.com for more information on these new Blade Runner–and possibly other–stories from this team.
C.J. Bunce
Editor
borg.com
