The Old Guard is one of the relatively recent Image Comics to come along that is as exciting as it is original. Eisner-Winner Greg Ruka performs top-notch writing that plucks at the heartstrings of the saying, "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away." He puts a new twist on it. What if they do keep coming back? Since the movie Highlander, no one has done the immortal thing quite right. Here Ruka captures it with his main heroine Andromache of Scythia (Andy). You will fall in love with this hero, I did. Ultimately, the story is about soldiers who cannot die having lived hundreds, in some cases thousands of years. Of course, they end up as mercs in modern times. But these mercs have secrets, will their secrets hold up in the 21st Century? Get ready for one heck of an interesting story. Old Guard #1 is a good bet as the next big movie hit for Image, but will this movie currently in post-production be profitable comic book speculation?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Old Guard #1

This comic was created back in 2017 by Greg Rucka (writer) and Leandro Fernandez (art) bringing The Old Guard #1 to life. Fernandez sets a different tone with his artist style and Rucka makes the writing original and fresh as already mentioned. This book is from the Modern Age so I do not know if holding it long-term is worthwhile. When the trailer hits; those of you that own a copy will probably hit a grand slam as a speculator.

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term (2-Years)

  • Grade 9.8 $60 FMV returns positive +25.5%
  • Grade 9.6 $34 FMV returns negative -25%
  • Grade 9.4 $32 FMV returns negative -44%

The long-term numbers are pretty standard stuff for a recent comic book. With grade 9.8 at +25% return that is already worth the purchase initially. These numbers are based on the last 2-years since this book hit the shelves. But what about the news of a finished movie in post-production, could this have a salutary effect on The Old Guard #1?

Short-Term ( 3-Months)

  • Grade 9.8 $60 FMV returns positive +106.3%!!!
        • Be warned this is based on four sales and is definitely a skewed number.

The short-term is off the hook. Quite possibly when we get our first movie trailer this book may double again. The CGC Census has 114 outstanding, plenty of room for the speculative horses of fate to run. The bottom line, good writing can't be beaten, no amount of fluff or nonsensical action can make up for it. As a speculator, I will always be with the writer, in this case, Rucka nails it with The Old Guard #1.

 

 

The Old Guard #1 (Gold Foil Edition)

The gold foil copy is probably the most expensive one you can find. With only 97 in the CGC Census, the book is probably hard to come by. However, if you are one of the few happy retailers or fans who own it, then bravo! Let's run the numbers and see how much stronger an investment it is than its standard copy version above.

Long-Term (2-Years)

  • Grade 9.8 $130 FMV returns positive +11%
  • Grade 9.6 $90 FMV returns positive +135.3%
  • Grade 9.4 $16 FMV returns negative -17.7%

Gold foil or standard copy of #1 is as solid as the standard copy. Try to stay in grade 9.8 or go no lower than 9.6 due to relative low entry price. After all, it is still very cheap to buy. The returns for grade 9.6 are outstanding.

Conclusion:

One added bit of media hype; it is important that Charlize Theron is involved with the movie. Now if she does the Atomic Blonde thing with this movie watch out, that movie made Terminator look like a slow ride in the amusement park. The Old Guard #1 should be one of your recent comic purchases. Otherwise, speculators will beat you to the current inventory that most certainly "can fade away."

 

 

 

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