Top Cow’s special comics consist of one-shot comics and various crossover issues, in which characters from different sagas appear together. These stories are part of their own universe and are not official canon alongside the video games.

  • Lara Croft in Tomb Raider
  • Sara Pezzini in Witchblade
  • Magdalena
  • Aspen Matthews in Fathom
  • Jackie Estacado in The Darkness.

Remember that if you are interested in these comics, you can buy them at comic book stores or purchase them through the various links on the Dark Horse website, as well as on Amazon.

Dark Horse, which publishes the new Tomb Raider comics, also publishes compilations of the classic Top Cow comics.

The special comics can be read in Colossal Collection Volume 2 and also in Archives Volume 4, both published by Dark Horse, but only the following issues:

  • Origins
  • Epiphany
  • Takeover
  • Arabian Nights
  • The Greatest Treasure of All

For more information about the Top Cow: Vol. 1 collection and the Journeys comics, please refer to these sections.

Below, you can read information about each of the special issues in a series (One-shot) and Crossovers, along with some preview pages.

Specials – One-Shot

One-shot comics are standalone stories.

Origins

Lara and Chase Carver go in search of the Lu Vinh idol in Cambodia, where she proves that it is her instinct that makes her a better adventurer than anyone else.

  • Writer: Dan Jurgens
  • Penciller: Mark Pajarillo
  • Inker: Danny Miki
  • Colorist: Brett Evans
  • Cover artist: Jonathan D. Smith
  • Release date: June, 2002
  • Format: 12 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.99

Epiphany

As a child, Lara Croft had no interest in archaeology until she heard several lectures given by Professor Werner Von Croy, who had revealed some of history’s greatest secrets. Lara joined him on a quest, and the two friends quickly became enemies when Von Croy’s greed led him to betray Lara. Now, the specter of Von Croy has returned as Lara returns to the scene of her first adventure, where she nearly lost her life.

  • Writer: Dan Jurgens
  • Penciller: Darryl Banks
  • Inker: Al Vey
  • Colorist: Brian Buccellato
  • Cover artist: Matt Haley
  • Release date: August, 2003
  • Format: 40 full-color pages
  • Price: $4.99

Takeover

Cuando Lara Croft entrega un artefacto de valor incalculable a un museo metropolitano para una recepción de etiqueta, acude vestida para matar, pero con un elegante vestido de noche y sin sus pistolas. Todo va bien hasta que un grupo de intrusos fuertemente armados toma el control del museo y Lara Croft se ve obligada a enfrentarse a una banda de criminales de alta tecnología armada solo con su ingenio, sus nervios… y un par de tacones de aguja.

  • Writer: James Bonny
  • Penciller: Scott Benefiel
  • Inker: Jasen Rodriguez
  • Colorist: Andrew Crossley
  • Cover artist: Tony Daniel
  • Release date: January, 2004
  • Format: 24 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.99

Arabian Nights

When Lara Croft delivers a priceless artifact to a metropolitan museum for a formal reception, she arrives dressed to kill, but in an elegant evening gown and without her guns. Everything goes well until a group of heavily armed intruders takes control of the museum and Lara Croft is forced to face a gang of high-tech criminals armed only with her wits, her nerves… and a pair of stiletto heels.

  • Writer: Fiona Avery
  • Penciller: Billy Tan
  • Inker: Billy Tan
  • Colorist: Billy Tan
  • Cover artist: Billy Tan
  • Release date: August, 2004
  • Format: 40 full-color pages
  • Price: $5.99

The Greatest Treasure of All

Lara Croft and Chase Carver travel to a Central American jungle in search of an astonishing discovery. The expedition is thwarted when, while flying over a region in civil war, rebels open fire on the plane, causing it to crash in the heart of the jungle.

  • Writer: Dan Jurgens
  • Penciller: Joe Jusko
  • Inker: Joe Jusko
  • Colorist: Joe Jusko
  • Cover artist: Joe Jusko
  • Release date: October, 2005
  • Format: 40 full-color pages
  • Price: $6.99

Dark Aeons

Cults. Government agencies. High-tech commandos. Antediluvian legends… A simple letter from an old friend will lead Lara Croft into the maelstrom of her greatest adventure. From New England to Prague. From Prague to Irian Jaya. Losing an ally. Gaining a friend. Debunking the legend…

This comic was a special edition that was only available in France, published by Glénat.

  • Writer: Alex Alice
  • Penciller: Alex Alice
  • Inker: Patrick Pion
  • Colorist: Nadine Thomas
  • Cover artist: Mathieu Lauffray
  • Release date: March, 1999
  • Format: 50 full-color pages
  • Price: $6.99

Scarface’s Treasure

In Carmine Cavalieri’s apartment in Chicago, Lara Croft ties the man to his bed, but only to entertain him and steal Al Capone’s hat. Inside the hat was a hidden map leading to Scarface’s treasure.

This issue was also published in the comic book Witchblade and Tomb Raider, released in April 2005.

  • Writer: Geoff Johns
  • Penciller: Mark Texeira
  • Inker: Robin Spehar
  • Colorist: Beth Sotelo
  • Cover artist: Mark Texeira
  • Release date: 2003
  • Format: 14 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.99

Sphere of Influence

Lara is in the sewers trying to recover a rag doll that a little girl has lost. Lara goes to an auction where the Sphere of Influence, a jewel she herself had found in a Mayan tomb several weeks earlier, is being pawned.

This edition was first published in January 2004 and republished in July 2005 together with the issue Witchblade / The Magadelena / Vampirella: Convergence, which was titled Magdalena, Tomb Raider, Vampirella, Witchblade #1.

  • Writer: Kevin McCarthy
  • Penciller: Joyce Chin
  • Inker: Joyce Chin
  • Colorist: Beth Sotelo
  • Cover artist: Howard Chaykin
  • Release date: January, 2004
  • Format: 12 black and white pages
  • Price: $2.99

Tomb Raider Gallery

Special issue featuring comic book covers and artwork from Tomb Raider issues published by Top Cow.

  • Penciller: Varios artistas
  • Cover artist: Clarence Lansang / Andy Park
  • Release date: December, 2000
  • Format: 24 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.99

Crossovers

Tomb Raider / Witchblade Special #1 – Vendetta

While investigating a murder, New York Police Detective Sara Pezzini encounters an unleashed monster that Lara is tracking closely. Lara Croft’s first appearance in the pages of a comic book!

This comic was first published in December 1997 and a year later, in December 1998, it was republished with some extra pages of information in Tomb Raider / Witchblade Revisited Special.

  • Writer: Michael Turner
  • Penciller: Michael Turner / Brian Ching
  • Inker: Victor Llamas / Marco Galli / Joe Weems
  • Colorist: Jonathan D. Smith
  • Cover artist: Michael Turner
  • Release date: December, 1997
  • Format: 24 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.95

Witchblade / Tomb Raider #1/2

Lucas Moralto tasks Lara Croft with finding a black pearl talisman that is said to contain the source of immortality. However, the talisman releases a winged demon, a tool for Moralto’s personal revenge. Lara and Sara Pezzini join forces to stop them.

This comic is a sequel to Tomb Raider / Witchblade Special.

  • Writer: Brian O’Neil
  • Penciller: Mark Pajarillo / Dan Fraga
  • Inker: Andy Owens / Walden Wong
  • Colorist: Brian Buccellato
  • Cover artist: Keu Cha
  • Release date: July, 2000
  • Format: 24 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.95

Witchblade / Tomb Raider Special #1

Sara and Lara are on the trail of a wealthy heiress who has stolen an ancient idol that is said to confer the powers of an Egyptian goddess upon its owner.

  • Writer: Brian O’Neil
  • Penciller: Keu Cha
  • Inker: Aaron Sowd / Jason Gorder / Jason Livesay / Marco Galli
  • Colorist: Jonathan D. Smith
  • Cover artist: Michael Turner
  • Release date: December, 1998
  • Format: 24 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.95

Dark Crossings: Dark Clouds Rising #1

Lara must prevent a dangerous sword from falling into the wrong hands.

With Tomb Raider, Witchblade, The Darkness, Fathom, and a host of other characters from the Image universe, Top Cow is proud to present a crossover of dark proportions. Witness the birth of Butcher Knight as Image jumps from the Middle Ages to the present day in a story that clarifies the Arthurian legends once and for all. Television writer Charles Holland (Murder One, Millennium) and artist Dwayne Turner (Spawn) bring you a story that spans centuries and will redefine the Image universe as you know it.

This is the first part of the novel Dark Crossings, the sequel to which is called Dark Clouds Overhead.

  • Writer: Charles Holland
  • Penciller: Dwayne Turner
  • Inker: Dwayne Turner
  • Colorist: Jonathan D. Smith / John Starr / Steve Firchow / Richard Isanove / Liquid!
  • Cover artist: Dwayne Turner
  • Release date: June, 2000
  • Format: 32 full-color pages
  • Price: $5.95

Dark Crossings: Dark Clouds Overhead #2

The sword falls into the wrong hands, and the appearance of a medieval demon doesn’t exactly help to improve Lara’s day.

This is part 2 and the final part of the novel Dark Crossings. Part 1 is called Dark Clouds Rising.

  • Writer: Charles Holland
  • Penciller: Dwayne Turner
  • Inker: Dwayne Turner
  • Colorist: Jonathan D. Smith / Steve Firchow / Richard Isanove
  • Cover artist: Dwayne Turner
  • Release date: October, 2000
  • Format: 25 full-color pages
  • Price: $5.95

Tomb Raider / The Darkness Special #1

Tomb Raider/The Darkness is a 12-page story exclusive to TopCowStore.com. Lara Croft and Jackie Estacado investigate the theft of a special pendant.

It is a crossover between the Tomb Raider and The Darkness sagas, with Witchblade playing a more secondary role.

It was republished in April 2005 under the title The Darkness and Tomb Raider #1, containing 28 pages with a prelude to The Darkness Prelude and the original comic Tomb Raider / The Darkness Special #1.

  • Writer: David Wohl
  • Penciller: Billy Tan
  • Inker: Billy Tan
  • Colorist: Steve Firchow
  • Cover artist: Billy Tan
  • Release date: January, 2001
  • Format: 12 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.99

Monster War #1 – Magdalena Vs Dracula

The new miniseries pits Top Cow against classic monsters! The seed is sown when Dracula invades London, and only Magdalena can stop him! But will Drac turn Maggy into a vampire… or will Tomb Raider be able to stop him?

Edition republished in December 2014.

  • Writer: Christopher Golden
  • Penciller: Joyce Chin
  • Inker: Troy Peteri
  • Colorist: Scott Kester
  • Cover artist: Steve Firchow
  • Release date: May, 2005
  • Format: 24 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.99

Monster War #2 – Tomb Raider Vs Los Hombres Lobo

Magdalena has been infected by Dracula’s bite and is slowly turning into one of the undead. It’s up to Lara Croft, the tomb raider, and the mysterious Dr. Jekyll to find the only known cure in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, where they will battle a savage pack of werewolves. Meanwhile, the monstrous Mr. Hyde continues to pursue his insidious plans to bring about the apocalypse.

Edition republished in December 2014.

  • Writer: Christopher Golden
  • Penciller: Joyce Chin
  • Inker: Troy Peteri
  • Colorist: Scott Kester
  • Cover artist: Tyson Wengler
  • Release date: July, 2005
  • Format: 24 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.99

Monster War #3 – Witchblade Vs Frankenstein

While investigating a series of brutal murders at a New York brothel, Sara Pezzini, bearer of the Witchblade, comes face to face with the legendary monster Frankenstein. It’s a clash of supernatural weapons and an immortal creature created from the remains of the dead in a battle royale! Plus, tomb raider Lara Croft and Dr. Jekyll arrive in town in search of Magdalena, who is looking for her new lord and master… Dracula.

Edition republished in December 2014.

  • Writer: Christopher Golden / Tom Sniegoski
  • Penciller: Victor Ishimura
  • Inker: Troy Peteri
  • Colorist: Scott Kester
  • Cover artist: Rob Hunter / Eric Basaldua / Joyce Chin
  • Release date: August, 2005
  • Format: 24 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.99

Monster War #4 – Darkness Vs My. Hyde

Witchblade, Magdalena, and Lara Croft convince Jackie Estacado that they need the Darkness to help them in the war against even darker enemies. Mr. Hyde has recruited Dracula, his brides, and Frankenstein’s soulless monster for his plan to deliver the world into the hands of ancient horrors. The Darkness must face Mr. Hyde himself, as the War of the Monsters reaches its gruesome conclusion!

Edition republished in December 2014.

  • Writer: Christopher Golden / Tom Sniegoski
  • Penciller: Victor Ishimura
  • Inker: Troy Peteri
  • Colorist: Scott Kester
  • Cover artist: Chad Fidler / Eric Basaldua / Joyce Chin / Jeff de los Santos
  • Release date: September, 2005
  • Format: 24 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.99

Fathom La Reina de Hielo #12 – Vana’s Revenge (Parte 1 de 3)

Lara is on a boat trip with Cannon Hawke (a character from Fathom) when he is kidnapped by a group of underwater people led by Vana (another character from Fathom, the mother of a villain killed by Cannon). Lara alerts Sara Pezzini, who turns to Aspen Matthews (heroine of Fathom) for help.

  • Writer: Michael Turner / Bill O’Neil
  • Penciller: Michael Turner
  • Inker: Jonathan Sibal
  • Colorist: Peter Steigerwald
  • Cover artist: Michael Turner
  • Release date: July, 2000
  • Format: 24 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.99

Fathom La Reina de Hielo #13 – Vana’s Revenge (Parte 2 de 3)

Sara and Aspen are captured by Vana, who attempts to resurrect her son by taking Cannon’s life. However, Lara manages to free them.

  • Writer: Michael Turner / Bill O’Neil
  • Penciller: Michael Turner
  • Inker: Jonathan Sibal / Jason Gorder
  • Colorist: Peter Steigerwald / Beth Sotelo
  • Cover artist: Michael Turner
  • Release date: February, 2002
  • Format: 24 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.99

Fathom La Reina de Hielo #14 – Vana’s Revenge (Parte 3 de 3)

Lara, Aspen, and Sara rescue Cannon and defeat Vana, who commits suicide.

  • Writer: Michael Turner / Bill O’Neil
  • Penciller: Michael Turner
  • Inker: Jonathan Sibal / Eric Basaldua / Billy Tan / Jason Gorder / Jay Leisten
  • Colorist: Peter Steigerwald / Beth Sotelo
  • Cover artist: Michael Turner
  • Release date: May, 2002
  • Format: 24 full-color pages
  • Price: $2.99

Wallpapers Gallery

Below are some art concepts and promotional images from these comic book crossovers published by Top Cow.