Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Volume 2

Dick, Philip K. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Graphic Novel, vol. 2. 2011. 144p. ISBN 978-1-60886-509-3. 741.5 DIC on the library shelves.

In this illustrated dystopian world, most of humanity has migrated to the stars, leaving behind those who are too sick, too old, or not smart enough, to slowly rot on a war-ravaged Earth. To entice people to move off-world, corporations and governments are providing androids, robots who look humans and who become personal servants.

Unfortunately, some of these androids escape and make their way to Earth, hoping to achieve a level of freedom impossible elsewhere. Tests have been developed to distinguish androids from humans, as even the dumbest human has the capacity to show compassion for others, something androids are unable to do.

Following the death of a real cat in volume 1, John Isidore must call the owner and notify them. He doesn’t want to make the call, but his employer tells him that unless he does he will be fired. Forced into it, John suddenly feels free, however, to have accomplished something by himself

Following his trip to Seattle, Rick Deckard is assigned the android targets from his predecessor, who was ambushed and killed by one of them. His first target, Dave’s killer, works for the Waste Department, but has fled his worksite and did not report back. Deckard is assigned to work with a Soviet agent, Polokov. When this agent turns out to be an android, Deckart barely escapes with his life. His next assignment is the opera singer Luba Luft.

On his way to test her, however, he receives a call from Rachael Rosen from the Rosen Corporation, manufacturer of the Nexus-6. She proposes an alliance of sorts where she would join him and help him hunt down the androids. Being one herself gives her an edge, she believes. Deckart tells her he will take it under advisement.

In the lounge with Luba, he begins administering her the test, but due to language differences and obfuscations she thwarts him, and when a piece of equipment rolls on the floor he bends down to pick it. When he comes back up, she’s holding a gun to his head.

Continue Deckart's tale in Volume 3.