Cyberpunk 2077 Comics: Visiting Night City without a controller in hand

Night City. The city that never sleeps is exhausted and deadly dangerous. Cybernetic modifications aren't just a luxury here, but a necessity for survival. Morality is for sale, and the only thing that counts is surviving—no matter how much you have to sacrifice. In the chaotic world of Cyberpunk 2077, several comic book stories unfold, published in Czech by CREW publishing house.

The good news is that you generally don't need to know the game at all, as the comics aren't adaptations. They just share the setting and occasionally a few familiar characters, otherwise telling their own unique stories.

In the following lines, I will guide you through the entire Cyberpunk 2077 comic series released in Czech and take a look at what each volume has to offer. Perhaps at the very end, I'll reveal which one holds the top spot on my winners' podium.

Trauma Team – when morality is a luxury

This comic was the first to be released and isn't afraid to go very deep psychologically. The protagonist Nadia is a paramedic for Trauma Team, the only insurance company that will pull you out of trouble in Night City—provided you've paid your premiums. After a brutal massacre that she is the sole survivor of, she finds herself in a whirlwind of ethical dilemmas. The story shows the dark depths of professional cynicism and highlights questions that aren't common in Night City, such as loyalty, or how to cope with trauma in an environment where sensitivity doesn't matter to anyone.

This isn't just an action comic, but also a story about humanity and its absence. The art is clear and dynamic, the reading is fluid, and the story stays with the reader long after finishing. Trauma Team is among the emotionally strongest volumes of the entire series. I have only one complaint, and that is its length, as this story simply deserved more.

You Have My Word – honor that hurts

In Night City, there is one guaranteed way to become a legend – die. The second comic takes readers into a world where honor is a dirty word. Or maybe not? This is a story where revenge takes center stage. We follow a sweet grandmother who works as a waitress, but circumstances force her to return to her old lifestyle.

The story develops more slowly than the previous volume. Thanks to this, however, it has plenty of room for building relationships, personal conflict, and emotional escalation. The Valentinos gang takes center stage, as well as the corporate sphere, which is rotten to the core. The dialogues are longer, contain plenty of background information, and strengthen the distinct story and well-developed relationships. The beautifully stylized art further enhances the whole experience. This comic is one of those that stays in your head for a long time, but the ending itself could have used a bit more development.

Blackout – when you don't remember who you are

If you enjoy digital mind-fuckups, this comic will surely please your heart. The protagonist Arturo is a very likable guy, but unfortunately for him, he is also kind—a trait that will get you torn apart instantly in Night City. He tries to survive in a ruthless world of technology where every decision can make the difference between life and death. Trust is a luxury, because you never know who will sell you out for a few eddies; don't even trust your closest buddies here.

Blackout is fast-paced, action-packed, and complemented by more excellent illustrations. The main question here isn't who the enemy is, but who you are yourself. The theme of digital identity is presented simply, yet effectively. The narrative style maintains tension, and the comic is a page-turner. It's a very tasty snack, and again… except for that ending. Well, after reading it, many a reader will understand exactly what I would have liked to see differently here. Even so, it is a very successful piece.

Big City Dreams & Where's Johnny? – two sides of Night City

The fourth comic volume brings 2 different stories in 1 volume.

Big City Dreams follows two central characters, each of whom longs for something completely different. Tasha wants to break through and make a name for herself, while Mirek just wants a happy ending. Neither of them realizes yet that Night City crushes everyone who comes with naive dreams. Unfortunately, I missed a deeper connection with the characters here. I missed something to spice up the story; as it is, it's just a story that you and I have read a thousand times before, and it brings nothing new. Moreover, the plot was quite confusing, and even though it's a civilian tragedy with a cyberpunk backdrop, I lacked emotion. The art and atmosphere of the story helped a little, but it wasn't enough to save it. For me, the biggest disappointment of this comic world.

Where's Johnny? is a wilder ride with the legendary character Johnny Silverhand. Fast pace, gunfire, anarchy, but also melancholy and the weight of the past create an excellent contrast. Thompson is a journalist who hates corps, like the vast majority of the population, and has made their destruction his life's goal. Plus, he gets an offer he can't refuse. The second story has a much better pace and more developed characters. It gradually reveals hidden corruption, and there's no shortage of characters who will stab you in the back before you even turn around.

Although both stories are shorter, they still leave a strong impression and offer a diverse look at Night City.

Your Voice – when an implant silences you

Your Voice, the latest comic in the series so far, is short but damn intense. We follow the story of the technician Todd, who gets a bit tangled up in something he definitely didn't want—a botched job. His life turns upside down, and you'll know something's wrong too, but… what is it?

This volume serves perfectly as a taste of the Night City atmosphere, showing up close a brutal world full of drugs, gangs, augmentations, and violence. There isn't much text here, but the art speaks all the more, being expressive, gritty, and raw. At the same time, it perfectly conveys emotions. Here, I would have appreciated a slightly deeper look into the 'why' behind the whole problem. If you're interested in how the rules of the street work in this world, Your Voice is an excellent start. But count on the ending chewing you up and spitting you out, because people in Night City don't know happy endings.

So which comic wins?

A tough choice. Each volume brings something different and speaks to the reader in a different way. If I had to name a story that really hit me and took me apart, I'd choose Your Voice or Trauma Team. Both comics offer strong emotions, moral dilemmas, and an atmosphere that is cyberpunk to the bone.

In conclusion

Comics from the Cyberpunk 2077 world aren't just bookshelf decorations for fans of the game. They are full-fledged graphic novels that pull you into a world where reality bends under the pressure of money, power, and technology.

Each volume offers a different perspective, whether we are following a paramedic, a hacker, or an ordinary person. Everyone faces the same enemy: a city that never stops. If you set out on a journey to Night City with them, you might never return the same, because that city takes a piece of everyone and changes them.

Author "Bunny" Dominika Mátyásiová