First conceived as an entry in the Prince of Persia series, Assassin’s Creed is now one of the biggest video game franchises that includes thirteen mainline and several spin-offs that also spanned novels, audio drama, comic books, encyclopedias, board games, and a live-action film.
Created by Patrice Desilets and published by Ubisoft, Assassin’s Creed is a mix between historical fiction, conspiracy thriller and sci-fi. It takes place across various periods and revolves around the secret war fought for centuries between The Templar Order, who wish for mankind to be united in peace under their control, and the Assassin Brotherhood, who believe in flawed humanity and fight to maintain the freedom of all humanity.
The Assassin’s Creed video game franchise is famous for telling its stories across two timelines. Most of the game takes place in the historical timeline where players control an Assassin. The Present-day timeline serves as a framing story, tying everything together, showing how past events influence the present and future.
This format is often respected in the Assassin’s Creed comic books. For this reason, this reading guide doesn’t follow a chronological order or a publication order. Instead, the comics have been organized based on storylines, key characters, or specific game tie-ins.
Assassin’s Creed: Phoenix Project
The Phoenix Project is a major modern-day storyline in the Assassin’s Creed universe, centered on Abstergo’s efforts to unlock the secrets of the First Civilization by reconstructing a Precursor body through DNA memories. The project was formally introduced in the video game Assassin’s Creed: Unity (2014), but the events leading to it began long before. The following comics explore this story, from Daniel Cross’s role in The Fall & The Chain to secret conflicts inside the Templar Order and mysterious factions with their own agendas. If you’re interested in the present-day war between Assassins and Templars, this is where to start!
Assassin’s Creed: The Fall & The Chain (2010-2012) – Written and illustrated by acclaimed creators Karl Kerschl and Cameron Stewart, those prequel comics to Assassin’s Creed III alternates between 19th-century Russian assassin Nikolai Orelov as he strives to claim an artifact of immense power from the hands of the Templars and his descendant Daniel Cross, a recovering alcoholic with a mysterious past who involuntarily experiences Nikolai’s memories. Nikolai Orelov is also the main character of Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: Russia and also appears in Assassin’s Creed: Project Legacy.
- Assassin’s Creed: The Fall & The Chain
Collects Assassin’s Creed: The Fall #1-3 and Assassin’s Creed: The Chain.- Both have been previously released individually as Assassin’s Creed: The Fall and Assassin’s Creed: The Chain.
- You can also find those stories reprinted in Assassin’s Creed: Subject Four.
Assassin’s Creed: Brahman (2013) – From the Assassin’s Creed: The Fall and Chain team comes this stand-alone graphic novel that serves as a prequel to Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India. In 19th-century British India, amidst a period of increasing political tensions between the Sikh Empire and the East India Company, Indian Assassin Arbaaz Mir is on the hunt for an immensely powerful artefact known as the Koh-i-Noor diamond. In 2013, programmer Jot Soora becomes caught in the Assassin-Templar conflict when his fiancée, Monima Das, is revealed to be a descendant of Arbaaz possessing genetic memories that can help both the Assassins and Templars locate a powerful artifact. Arbaaz Mir is also the main protagonist of Chronicles: India.
Assassin’s Creed: Assassins (2015–2016) – Written by Anthony Del Col and Connor McCreery, and illustrated by Neil Edwards, Assassins was conceived as a long ongoing series that was supposed to last at least three years. In the end, it ran a year, for 14 issues that tell three story arcs. It follows Charlotte de la Cruz, an American Assassin recruited into the Brotherhood in 2015, who relives the memories of her ancestors at various points in history.
At the same time was also published Assassin’s Creed: Templars (2016) which served as a companion piece to Assassins. Written by Fred Van Lente and illustrated by Dennis Calero, it focused on the Templar Order.
- Assassin’s Creed: Templars – Volume 1: Black Cross (set mostly in 1920s Shanghai, after the events of Braham but before the start of Assassins).
Collects - Assassin’s Creed Volume 1: Trial by Fire
Collects Assassin’s Creed: Assassins #1-5 - Assassin’s Creed Volume 2: Setting Sun
Collects Assassin’s Creed: Assassin’s #6-10 - Assassin’s Creed Volume 3: Homecoming
Collects Assassin’s Creed: Assassin’s #11-14 - Assassin’s Creed: Templars – Volume 2: Cross of War (set around the same period than the Assassins comic series)
Collects
Assassin’s Creed: Reflections (2017) – Written by Ian Edginton with art by Valeria Favoccia, Reflections was published by Titans Comics to mark the franchise’s tenth anniversary. Set after the events in the Assassins and Templars, it sees Juhani Otso Berg looking at the files of some of the Brotherhood’s most famous members – Altaïr, Ezio, Connor and Edward.
- Assassin’s Creed: Reflections
- Reflections #1 is focused on Ezio Auditore (main character of Assassin’s Creed II, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood & Assassin’s Creed: Revelations)
- Reflections #2 is focused on Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad (main character of Assassin’s Creed, the spin-off games Assassin’s Creed: Altaïr’s Chronicles and Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines, and also appears in Assassin’s Creed: Revelations.)
- Reflections #3 is focused on Edward Kenway (main character of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag)
- Reflections #4 is focused on Connor (after the events in Assassin’s Creed III)
Assassin’s Creed: Uprising (2017-2018) – After the cancellation of Assassins and Templars, Titans Comics launched Uprising from the creative team of writers Dan Watters and Alex Paknadel and artist José Holder. It ran for twelve issues and concludes the Phoenix Project Saga – the end of a ten-year storyline straight from the video games! It also concludes Juno’s story (a decision quite unpopular among gamers who rightly think that her story should have ended in the game).
With the Phoenix Project nearing its completion, tensions are running high for both the Brotherhood and the Templar Order. A new world order is on the horizon and only Charlotte and her new allies have the knowledge and skill to save humanity from subjugation!
- Assassin’s Creed: Uprising Volume 1: Common Ground
Collects Assassin’s Creed: Uprising #1-4 - Assassin’s Creed: Uprising Volume 2: Inflection Point
Collects Assassin’s Creed: Uprising #5-8 - Assassin’s Creed: Uprising Volume 3: Finale
Collects Assassin’s Creed: Uprising #9-12
Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag
Released in 2013, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag is the sixth major installment in the Assassin’s Creed series. The historical events are set during the Golden Age of Piracy (1715-1722), placing the action before Assassin’s Creed III. However, the modern-day sequences are set after those of Assassin’s Creed III. It mostly follows Welsh-born British privateer-turned-pirate Edward James Kenway who made his first appearance in the novel Assassin’s Creed: Forsaken, before being the main protagonist of Black Flag. Since then, the character has made more appearances and you can discover his adventures in an ongoing manhwa!
Assassin’s Creed: Awakening (2013-2014) – a manga series from Kenzi Oiwa and Takashi Yano that loosely adapts the 2013 video game Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. It stars Edward Kenway in the 18th century and Yanao Seijin in the present as Seijin relives Edward’s memories under the eye of Abstergo Industries.
Assassin’s Creed: Reflections #3 (2017) – Part of the Reflection anthology (see above!), this story recounts his encounter with infamous pirate Edward “Ned” Low taking place in 1722.
Assassin’s Creed: Forgotten Temple (2023–present) – This ongoing manhwa written by ARC follows Edward Kenway after the events of Black Flag. In 1725, Edward is searching for Edward Pieces of Eden in Southeast Asia, while his descendant Noa Kim discovers more about his family’s history as he explores Edward’s genetic memories.
- Assassin’s Creed: Forgotten Temple
Digitally released on the Webtoon platform.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Released in 2020, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla is set during the Viking Age (mostly 872–878 AD) and follows Eivor Varinsdottir, a Viking raider who, while attempting to establish a new Viking clan in England, becomes embroiled in the centuries-old conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order. In the 21st century segment, Layla Hassan is an Assassin who relives Eivor’s memories to find a way to save the Earth from destruction.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla became the highest-grossing Assassin’s Creed title to date, so it’s no surprise that several comic books set during this time period have been released, exploring the timeline and this part of the mythology.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla – Blood Brothers (2020–2021) – Written by Feng Zisu, this manhwa Begins in 866 AD and relates the story of Jarl Stensson (or Sten) and the young brothers Ulf and Björn, as they become embroiled in the Viking invasion of England lead by Ivarr the Boneless and Halfdan Ragnarsson, who appears in the Valhalla game.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla – Song of Glory (2020) – Published by Dark Horse, Song of Glory serves as a prequel to the game, relating the exploits of Eivor Varinsdottir and her adoptive brother Sigurd Styrbjornsson two years earlier (870).
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla – The Hidden Codex (2023) – French comics from Mathieu Gabella and Paolo Traisci, it was translated and released in English by Dark Horse. Taking place around the same time as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, it follows Edward, a scribe and reluctant monk, and the Viking Niels Gunnarsson of the Raven Clan as they travel together to Scotland to solve a dangerous mystery.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla – Forgotten Myths (2022) – written by Alex Freed, with art by Martín Túnica, Forgotten Myths is a comic book prequel to the expansion Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök (set in 885). It follows Baldr, the valiant son of Odin, on his quest to forge a lasting peace among the realms.
Assassin’s Creed: Mirage – A Soar of Eagles (2025) – Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the thirteenth major video game in the series. Its action is set partially before Valhalla, while the modern-day story occurs after Valhalla’s events. From the creative team of Michael Avon Oeming, Mirko Colak and Lauren Affe, A Soar of Eagles is a prequel to the game, following Roshan and Fuladh Al Haami as they travel to Adulis to investigate a wave of political unrest caused by the Order of the Ancients.
Not available in English are the 7-page crossover manga from Makoto Yukimura depicting an unlikely encounter between Vinland Saga’s Thorfinn and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Eivor has been released for free on Ubisoft Japan’s website, and the Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla French 8 page webcomic from the Hidden Codex team.
More Stories set in the Assassin’s Creed Universe
Continue exploring the Assassin’s Creed universe with more tales set in different eras, from the Tang dynasty to Victorian London and World War II, offering fresh adventures and perspectives. Some stories in this listing are considered non-canon.
Other Comic Books
Assassin’s Creed (webcomic, 2007) – It was the first comic book published as tie-in to the game. This non-canon 8-page story was promotional material originally available in pre-ordered Limited Edition steelboxes of the game Assassin’s Creed, following Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad on one of his missions in Acre. Today you can read it on Penny Arcade.
Assassin’s Creed (comic, 2007) – This non-canonical, sixteen-page graphic novel was also promotional material included in the Limited Edition of Assassin’s Creed and serving as a prelude to the game.
Assassin’s Creed: Last Descendants – Locus (2016)– Revisits the streets of Victorian London in the company of Tommy Greyling, a policeman-turned-Pinkerton detective in search of a murderer – and a secret! Teaming up with the Assassins Evie Frye and Henry Green, he sets out on a quest to uncover the mystery that has changed the world!
This comic book mini-series is a tie-in to the Scholastic Young Adult Novels, The Last Descendants and set between the first and second Last Descendants novel. Its story has also ties with the 2015’s video game Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.
Assassin’s Creed: Origins (2018) – Written by Anne Toole and Anthony Del Col, with art by PJ Kaiowá, Origins expands on the ending of the 2017 game of the same name — and the tenth major installment in the series. Set primarily in 30 BCE during the Ptolemaic Kingdom’s waning days told opposite Amunet’s flashbacks to 44 BCE in Rome. , it explores the first years of the Assassins Order.
Assassin’s Creed: Visionaries (2023–2024) – a comic book anthology miniseries featuring non-canon stories by various artists to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the franchise.
French-language Assassin’s Creed graphic novel series
Assassin’s Creed French Graphic Novel Series (2009-2014) – Les Deux Royaumes is a French publisher founded in 2009 by Ubisoft to transpose video game franchises into the world of comics. It started with an Assassin’s Creed series written by Eric Corbeyran and illustrated by Djilalli Defaux that has been translated and released in English by Titan Comics.
The particularity of those stories is that, for a time, the historical parts were considered canon while the modern-day parts weren’t. Now, it is generally considered completely non-canon. But you can still read them if you want! Six volumes have been released, telling two stories:
- The Ankh of Isis Trilogy
- Assassin’s Creed Volume 1: Desmond – A retelling of the events from Assassin’s Creed and the beginning of Assassin’s Creed II
- Assassin’s Creed Volume 2: Aquilus
- Assassin’s Creed Volume 3: Accipiter
- The Hawk Trilogy
Assassin’s Creed: Conspiracies (2016–2017) – Also coming from France is Conspiracies, originally released as two volumes, written by Guillaume Dorison and illustrated by Jean-Baptiste Hostache. The action takes place during World War II, featuring a new Assassin named Eddie Gorm during the race for the Atomic Bomb. A few years, later, Dorison wrote Assassin’s Creed: Bloodstone (2019), this time illustrated by Ennio Bufi, focused on ex-Soviet hitman-turned-CIA operative Alekseï Gavrani during the Vietnam War in the early 1960s. The modern-day storyline is a follow-up to the ones featured in Conspiracies, so it is better to read them together.
Manga & Manhua
Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun (2019-2022) – Manga adaptation of Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China by . 1526 AD―China is ruled by the Great-Ming Empire. Though the empire flourishes, the winds of the new Emperor’s political purge are sweeping over the land, and turmoil is brewing. With the decimation of her comrades, Shao Jun has become China’s last Assassin. After escaping to Europe, she has now returned alone to her homeland. Her purpose: vengeance!
- Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun Vol. 1
- Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun Vol. 2
- Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun Vol. 3
- Assassin’s Creed: Blade of Shao Jun Vol. 4
Assassin’s Creed: Dynasty (2020–2022) – Written by Xu Xianzhe with art by Zhang Xiao, the manhua is set in 755 during the Tang dynasty. It follows Li E, a shady Assassin trained by the Hidden Ones in the far West, who teams up with Tang loyalists to turn the tide as the Tang dynasty starts to crumble.
- Assassin’s Creed: Dynasty Vol. 1
- Assassin’s Creed: Dynasty Vol. 2
- Assassin’s Creed: Dynasty Vol. 3
- Assassin’s Creed: Dynasty Vol. 4
- Assassin’s Creed: Dynasty Vol. 5
To continue exploring the Assassin’s Creed universe, check out the Assassin’s Creed Wiki, which has been a great resource in building this guide!