The Latest Comic Crossover: GI Joe and Tomb Raider

The Real American Heroes are about to meet a Real British Hero as Image Comics prepares a crossover special between GI Joe and Tomb Raider. The book will launch this fall and be called, appropriately enough, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero/Tomb Raider.

Those who picked up GI Joe #330 might’ve already been clued in to this, as the issue’s final page contained the surprise appearance of Lara Croft. That issue’s storyline is actually a prelude to this book. Kyle Higgins (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) has been assigned to come up with the reason Lara and the Joes would meet, and Elena Casagrande (Black Widow) will be drawing what happens when they do. Alex Guimarães (Invaders) will color the book, with letters by Pat Brosseau, the letterer for the regular GI Joe book.

“Tomb Raider meets G.I. JOE. Lost artifact, a Destro plot, and a joint infiltration mission to Cobra Island– the appeal of a story like this should be obvious,” says Higgins. “Having never had the opportunity to work with either, I was quite excited when Alex Antone called to ask me if I’d like to build an adventure for both. We’re taking some really fun swings with both brands–and there are definitely some deep cuts for G.I. JOE fans!”

“I’m extremely happy to have the chance to draw one of the top myths in my life: Lara Croft!” throws in Casagrande. “It will be epic to see her in this adventure with the G.I. JOE team, fighting to solve one of her iconic mysteries on Cobra Island! I’m looking forward to showing you more pages!”

This crossover is a wild full-circle moment for Lara Croft, who got her start in comics at Image back in the 1990s. As far as we know, Dark Horse still holds the current license for TR comics, and in such case this would only be a sub-leasing of the IP. But it’s also worth noting that the original Tomb Raider comic had crossover events all the time, usually with other comics Image was publishing. This has made them impossible to reprint, and the more recent reprint collections to be incomplete.

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero/Tomb Raider will be a five-issue miniseries, with the first installment due out in October 2026. Check out the covers for #1 below, along with a short preview.