Exploring never ending wars, and the warriors who fight them is nothing new to Greg Rucka. In fact, this territory is so well covered in Rucka’s previous works that one has to wonder if Old Guard #1 is nothing more than a lot of travel with very little movement.
Here’s the official word from @imagecomics
Eisner-winning writer GREG RUCKA and critically acclaimed artist LEANDRO FERNÁNDEZ team up together to introduce THE OLD GUARD, the story of old soldiers who never die…and yet cannot seem to fade away. Trapped in an immortality without explanation, Andromache of Scythia—“Andy”—and her comrades ply their trade for those who can find—and afford—their services. But in the 21st century, immortality is a hard secret to keep, and when you live long enough, you learn that there are many fates worse than death.
There are a lot of things that Greg Rucka does very well, but for the sake of this review, let's just focus on two: crafting kick ass female characters (yes, think Tara Chace from Queen and Country) and building complex worlds that are somehow delightfully accessible (Lazarus is probably his most ambitious example to date). These dual gifts have served Rucka -- and his readers -- well, and delivered some of the most memorable series of the last twenty years. To say that Rucka has set a high bar for himself would be an understatement -- Rucka’s talents have made him a giant in the medium, and he creates a buzz every time he pitches a script.
It’s against this backdrop that Rucka launches Old Guard this week, a title that seemingly takes some inspiration from the old Highlander movies, where millennium-old warriors are blessed (or cursed) with eternal life, all the while being engaged in some ancient yet-to-be-examined struggle. The difference with the Old Guard warriors is that even when wounded they can’t die -- they seem impervious to any kind of injury, even a gunshot to the head. Afforded this rare gift, the Old Guard warriors have become mercenaries for hire, and artist Leandro Fernandez offers us some beautiful flashbacks of the Old Guard fighting (and being wounded) as soldiers in ancient Rome and feudal Japan. Those familiar with Fernandez will be pleased to see him in top form here; his images are fluid, rich, and enchanting.
As one would expect, immortality breeds loneliness, boredom, and more than just a little contempt for those of us who get to buy the farm after eighty or ninety years. The Old Guard is cranky and composed of four warriors (only one a woman) who spend most of their days debating the merits of various missions where their rare talents can be put to the best use.
Alternating with this front story, Rucka interjects the narrative of a newbie marine dispatched to Afghanistan whose approach to battle is strikingly humanitarian compared to the Old Guard’s kill-for-cash methodology. The fact these two narratives will eventually intertwine is, of course, inevitable.
Overall, Old Guard offers a solid and enjoyable start. And I can’t wait for issue two.
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