Title: The Old Guard (Comics) Media: A limited comic book series with a spin-off anthology miniseries. Approximate Length: At present, there are five issues in volume 1 of The Old Guard, five issues in volume 2, and four out of six planned issues for the spin-off miniseries Tales Through Time. The other two Tales Through Time issues will be released over the next two months, and a third and final volume of The Old Guard is in production. The whole series can be binged in an afternoon.
What It's About The Old Guard tells the story of a band of immortals, each who died as a soldier in their mortal life only to resurrect frozen at the age of their death with an uncanny healing ability. Brought together by dreams of each other, and with no explanation for their gift—or curse—they've honed their fighting skills over the centuries and sell their services as mercenaries to whatever cause they can believe in.
At the start of the first volume, the group consists of leader Andy (a former Copper Age nomadic cavalrywoman), Joe and Nicky (lovers who met killing each other on opposite sides of the Crusades), and Booker (hanged for desertion from Napoleon's army). Their unchanging lives are abruptly shaken up by the appearance of a new immortal, Nile (a young U.S. Marine killed in Afghanistan), at the same time as their healing is caught on video by a former government agent with his own agenda.
The second volume involves the group facing their pasts and the changing standards of morality they've lived through with the return of someone they once thought lost to them. The spin-off miniseries, Tales Through Time, features flashback vignettes about the characters' lives and loves throughout history.
Where to Find It: Available in both print and digital format. See the Image Comics series page for a list of where to purchase online and links to a comic shop locator. The first issue is available online for free from the publisher.
What I Love About It The plot, action, visual storytelling, and humour are all top notch, but what makes me fannish about this series is the characters and their relationships. I love all the gruff and rough-edged affection, teasing, loyalty and understanding borne of centuries together. I love that we get more than one immortal queer romance. I love how legitimately old the characters feel without coming across as time travellers plucked from the past and dropped into the present, and I love the serious questions raised about what it's like to be a person that long, with the powers they have, living through so much change in the world.
I'm Requesting Gen featuring Andy & Zeus (Andy's adopted son introduced in Tales Through Time #3), a mix of romance and plot featuring Andy/Noriko & Joe/Nicky (both canon couples who were part of the team from the late 11th century to the late 16th century), and a mix of romance and plot featuring just Joe/Nicky (the canon couple who've been together for 900-odd years).
Promo: The Old Guard (Comics)
Media: A limited comic book series with a spin-off anthology miniseries.
Approximate Length: At present, there are five issues in volume 1 of The Old Guard, five issues in volume 2, and four out of six planned issues for the spin-off miniseries Tales Through Time. The other two Tales Through Time issues will be released over the next two months, and a third and final volume of The Old Guard is in production. The whole series can be binged in an afternoon.
What It's About
The Old Guard tells the story of a band of immortals, each who died as a soldier in their mortal life only to resurrect frozen at the age of their death with an uncanny healing ability. Brought together by dreams of each other, and with no explanation for their gift—or curse—they've honed their fighting skills over the centuries and sell their services as mercenaries to whatever cause they can believe in.
At the start of the first volume, the group consists of leader Andy (a former Copper Age nomadic cavalrywoman), Joe and Nicky (lovers who met killing each other on opposite sides of the Crusades), and Booker (hanged for desertion from Napoleon's army). Their unchanging lives are abruptly shaken up by the appearance of a new immortal, Nile (a young U.S. Marine killed in Afghanistan), at the same time as their healing is caught on video by a former government agent with his own agenda.
The second volume involves the group facing their pasts and the changing standards of morality they've lived through with the return of someone they once thought lost to them. The spin-off miniseries, Tales Through Time, features flashback vignettes about the characters' lives and loves throughout history.
A few favourite pages from volumes 1 and 2, courtesy of Tumblr:
Andy and Nile Having a Leisurely Chat
Nile and Booker Waiting for a Signal
Joe and Nicky Making Bets and Talking Romance
The Gang Getting Cranky Over Coffee
Joe Worrying About Nicky
Where to Find It: Available in both print and digital format. See the Image Comics series page for a list of where to purchase online and links to a comic shop locator. The first issue is available online for free from the publisher.
What I Love About It
The plot, action, visual storytelling, and humour are all top notch, but what makes me fannish about this series is the characters and their relationships. I love all the gruff and rough-edged affection, teasing, loyalty and understanding borne of centuries together. I love that we get more than one immortal queer romance. I love how legitimately old the characters feel without coming across as time travellers plucked from the past and dropped into the present, and I love the serious questions raised about what it's like to be a person that long, with the powers they have, living through so much change in the world.
I'm Requesting
Gen featuring Andy & Zeus (Andy's adopted son introduced in Tales Through Time #3), a mix of romance and plot featuring Andy/Noriko & Joe/Nicky (both canon couples who were part of the team from the late 11th century to the late 16th century), and a mix of romance and plot featuring just Joe/Nicky (the canon couple who've been together for 900-odd years).