When DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint partnered with writer Denise Mina to adapt Stieg Larsson’s internationally acclaimed Millennium trilogy, fans were both intrigued and cautious. Could Lisbeth Salander’s icy brilliance and Mikael Blomkvist’s dogged pursuit of truth translate to panels and word balloons? Across several graphic novel releases between 2013 and 2015, Vertigo gave us a gritty, stylish reimagining of Larsson’s world. Here, we rank these adaptations from good to great.
Our Rankings
5) Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Book 1 (2013)
A promising start that struggles with pacing, but Mina captures the brooding tone well. The art is atmospheric, though occasionally stiff.
4) Stieg Larsson's The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (2015)
A faithful adaptation of the final novel, though compressed storytelling makes it feel rushed. Still, it lands some powerful moments.
3) Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Book 2 (2013)
The second half of the first novel fares better, with more room for Lisbeth to shine. Stronger tension and sharper visuals.
2) Stieg Larsson's The Girl Who Played with Fire (2014)
Perhaps the most faithful in tone, it nails Lisbeth’s independence and paranoia, with gripping courtroom and investigative sequences.
1) Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Book 1 and Book 2, 2014)
Collected together, this two-part adaptation flows seamlessly and stands as Vertigo’s best take—capturing Larsson’s complexity without losing narrative drive.
Final Verdict
DC/Vertigo’s Millennium adaptations aren’t perfect, but they prove Lisbeth Salander is just as compelling on the page of a graphic novel as in prose or film. For fans, these books offer a stylish new lens on a modern classic.
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