Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández’s The Old Guard began as a sharp, tightly written comic series before spinning into a multimedia franchise that includes the popular Netflix films. Having come to the comics after watching the first movie—a personal favorite for both me and my wife—I found myself reading them with Charlize Theron’s Andy and the rest of the cinematic team already in mind. That context colored the experience, for better and for worse.

The First Series: A Strong Start

The opening series of The Old Guard delivers everything you’d hope for in an immortal-mercenary saga: gritty action, complex characters, and a core question about what it means to live forever in a world constantly shifting beneath your feet. Rucka’s writing paired with Fernández’s kinetic artwork builds a story that is both visceral and thoughtful. Andy, Nile, and the crew are fully realized, and the plot balances bloodshed with poignancy. This arc is easily the high point of the trilogy.

The Second Series: A Drop in Momentum

The sequel arc loses much of the spark that made the first so compelling. The pacing is uneven, and while the stakes are certainly large, the storytelling feels less cohesive. Characters who were vibrant in the first outing seem less sharp, and the emotional beats don’t land as consistently. It’s not without its moments but compared to the opener, it reads like a noticeable drop-off.

The Third Series: Stories Through Time

Rather than pushing the central narrative forward, the third installment functions more as a collection of vignettes, sending the immortals across eras and settings. On one hand, it’s fascinating to see these characters placed into different historical backdrops. On the other, it feels more like a series of side quests than a driving story arc. The result is a mixed bag—occasionally striking, occasionally forgettable, but always reminding the reader of the intriguing premise that makes The Old Guard unique. It reminds of Highlander or BRZRK.

Comic vs. Film

Coming into the comics after seeing the films, I couldn’t help but compare the two. The first movie distilled the best parts of the comics into a stylish, emotionally resonant package. Where the comics sometimes faltered—particularly in consistency—the film version smoothed those edges. That said, reading the source material enriches the experience of the movies, adding depth to the lore and giving a sense of the raw creative energy behind the franchise.

Final Thoughts

The Old Guard comics are worth reading, especially for fans of the films. The first series stands out as a gem of modern action storytelling, though the subsequent arcs don’t quite live up to the promise. Even so, the blend of immortal mercenaries, moral complexity, and bursts of violence make it a distinctive entry in the comic landscape.

Rating:

• Series One: ★★★★½
• Series Two: ★★½
• Series Three: ★★★