Review: Cyberpunk 2077: Trauma Team by Cullen Bunn and Miguel Valderrama
As an avid fan of graphic novels and a big enthusiast of the Cyberpunk universe, I was drawn to Cyberpunk 2077: Trauma Team. The concept of diving deeper into the gritty, neon-lit world created by CD Projekt Red intrigued me. The premise focuses on Nadia, an EMT assistant working for Trauma Team International, who is the sole survivor of a disastrous mission. The emotional depth and the intense circumstances surrounding her character immediately piqued my interest.
In just 96 pages, Bunn and Valderrama weave a tale that is intense, emotional, and thrilling. I genuinely appreciated the character development of Nadia, especially as she grapples with her traumatic past while forced to embark on a mission to extract a man—Apex—whom she holds responsible for the deaths of her former teammates. The moral complexity and the character’s internal struggles were accurately portrayed and resonated deeply with me.
One aspect that stood out positively was the artwork. Valderrama’s illustrations perfectly complement the story’s dark and cybernetic themes. The colors, shadows, and dynamic action sequences breathe life into the narrative and transport readers into the heart of Night City. Moreover, the pacing of the story kept me on the edge of my seat. With adrenaline-pumping missions and personal conflicts, I found it hard to put the book down.
However, while the graphic novel excels in many areas, there are a couple of drawbacks. One that I found particularly true was the pacing in the middle chapters; it seemed to slow down slightly as some scenes felt stretched. Although essential for character development, it sometimes felt like a drag, especially considering the high-stakes nature of the story. Additionally, while the world-building was commendable, I wished for a bit more depth in the secondary characters. They were interesting, but I felt that they could have been fleshed out further to give a thicker backdrop to Nadia’s journey.
The official description mentions that the story takes place a hundred floors high in a skyscraper filled with members of Apex’s rival gang, and I couldn’t help but feel the tension in every scene taking place in that nerve-wracking setting. The danger and chaos surrounding the extraction mission not only raised the stakes but allowed for some surprising moments of action that I found very satisfying.
The overall rating of 4.5 stars feels appropriate, reflecting a solid reading experience without glossing over the minor issues I encountered. As a reader, I appreciate when a graphic novel manages to blend action and character exploration effectively, and Trauma Team accomplishes this while still providing insights into the Cyberpunk universe.
In conclusion, I would wholeheartedly recommend Cyberpunk 2077: Trauma Team to both fans of graphic novels and the Cyberpunk genre alike. It’s a powerful, immersive journey that captures the essence of what makes Cyberpunk compelling. Despite a few pacing issues and some underdeveloped side characters, the sheer intensity and emotional weight of Nadia’s story make it a worthwhile read. So gear up and dive into the neon-soaked streets of Night City—you won’t regret it!