
Part of Series
Early in the 21 Century, the Tyrell Corporation advanced robot evolution into the Nexus phase – a being virtually identical to a human – known as a Replicant. The early Nexus models were intended to reassure the public – and corporate interests – that Replicants were viable replacements to perform jobs considered too hazardous or mundane for humans. In Los Angeles, a child was diagnosed with a rare spinal affliction. Her mother departed for an Off-World colony, hoping to find employment to support her daughter back home. She was never heard of again. The grown of Off-world colonies fuelled the rapid development and construction of new Nexus models. By the time Nexus 5 Replicants were ready, they were superior in strength and agility, and at least equal in intelligence, to the genetic engineers who created them. The girl was raised by her grandmother. Over time, she learned to survive on the crowded streets of Los Angeles, among those too poor and infirm to leave Earth. After a bloody mutiny by a Nexus 6 combat team in an Off-world colony, Replicants were declared illegal on Earth – under penalty of death. Special police squads – Blade Runner units – had orders to shoot and kill, upon detection, any trespassing Replicant. The girl, now grown, calls herself ASH. She is the most capable Blade Runner in the city.
Authors

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database. Mike Johnson is a comic book writer. An almost lifelong Trekkie, he has scripted more Star Trek comic books than anyone else to date.

Michael Green is an American television and film writer, as well as a comic book scripter. Green grew up in Mamaroneck, New York. Green has been a contributor for Superman/Batman. He will also co-write a Green Lantern movie with Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim, set for release in 2011. He wrote the six-issue story arc "Lovers and Madmen" for Batman Confidential. Green was a producer and writer on Everwood and Heroes. Green is the creator and writer of Kings, an NBC drama based on the biblical story of King David but set in an alternate present. Kings premiered on 15 March 2009 but was cancelled soon after. The remainder of season 1 (thirteen episodes) was shown in the summer of 2009.