G.I. Joe Meets Tomb Raider in First-Ever Crossover Event This October
G.I. Joe and Lara Croft are crossing paths for the first time ever in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero/Tomb Raider #1, a new five-issue limited series launching October 7, 2026, from Image Comics.
The crossover brings together two iconic action franchises for a story centered on Cobra Island, a long-hidden treasure, and a dangerous expedition involving Lara Croft, Shipwreck, Destro, Baroness, and multiple G.I. Joe teams.
The series is written by Kyle Higgins, with art by Elena Casagrande, colors by Alex Guimarães, and lettering by Pat Brosseau. Image Comics lists the debut as a 32-page miniseries premiere priced at $4.99.
The supplied advance edition also confirms Higgins, Casagrande, and Guimarães on the issue itself.
Readers can see the official solicitation and cover lineup on the Image Comics page for G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero/Tomb Raider #1.
Lara Croft Is Heading to Cobra Island
The crossover has a premise that feels surprisingly natural for both franchises.
Lara Croft has built her reputation exploring ancient ruins, forgotten civilizations, dangerous tombs, and locations where history has a habit of fighting back.
This time, however, her destination is Cobra Island.
According to Image Comics, Lara must reunite with her old acquaintance Shipwreck and several squads of Joes for an expedition into the heart of the island. Their objective is a treasure that has remained hidden for decades. Unfortunately, Destro and Baroness want it too.
That setup gives the crossover a strong combination of the two franchises’ core strengths.
Tomb Raider brings archaeology, exploration, mystery, and hidden history.
G.I. Joe brings military operations, specialized teams, advanced weaponry, espionage, and Cobra.
Putting those elements together creates something more interesting than simply dropping Lara into a conventional G.I. Joe battle.
Shipwreck Connects the Two Worlds
One of the smartest elements of the premise is Lara’s connection to Shipwreck.
Instead of introducing the two properties through a random encounter, the story establishes a history between the characters and uses that relationship to bring Lara into the mission.
The preview material also makes the maritime setting an important part of the story, beginning with G.I. Joe forces operating in the Gulf of Mexico before events move toward Cobra Island.
That makes Shipwreck an especially fitting character to help bridge the two worlds.
From there, the mission expands into a larger G.I. Joe operation as Lara’s knowledge becomes increasingly important to understanding what Cobra may be searching for.
A Race Against Destro and Baroness
Of course, Cobra isn’t waiting around for the Joes to solve the mystery.
Destro and Baroness are pursuing the same hidden treasure, transforming the expedition into a race where Lara and the Joes must enter hostile territory while Cobra already controls the battlefield.
Image’s official description specifically positions the artifact as something important enough that Destro and Baroness will do anything to reach it first.
That is exactly where the crossover becomes especially promising.
Lara Croft is at her best when a historical mystery becomes increasingly dangerous the deeper she investigates it. G.I. Joe stories thrive when a mission suddenly becomes larger and more complicated than expected.
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero/Tomb Raider #1 appears designed to take advantage of both.
Kyle Higgins and Elena Casagrande Lead the Crossover
The creative team adds another reason to watch this series closely.
Writer Kyle Higgins, known for titles including Radiant Black, is joined by artist Elena Casagrande, whose previous work includes Black Widow.
Casagrande’s artwork is particularly well suited to a crossover built around Lara Croft’s physicality and G.I. Joe’s tactical action. The preview pages move easily between vehicles, military environments, character-driven conversations, jungle terrain, and Cobra installations.
Colorist Alex Guimarães gives the environments a distinct visual identity, particularly when the story shifts from open ocean blues into the colder, more threatening atmosphere surrounding Cobra Island.
G.I. Joe/Tomb Raider #1 Has a Big Variant Cover Lineup
Collectors will also have several versions of issue #1 to choose from.
Image Comics currently lists covers from Elena Casagrande and Alex Guimarães, Stjepan Šejić, Chris Mooneyham, Lesley “Leirix” Li, Mike Spicer, plus a blank sketch cover.
Some of those covers lean heavily into Lara Croft, while others emphasize the larger collision between the G.I. Joe and Tomb Raider worlds.
Collectors interested in securing multiple covers can also check out the G.I. Joe/Tomb Raider #1 cover packs available through Stadium Comics.
Stadium Comics currently lists several multi-cover preorder packages featuring regular covers, foil editions, incentive variants, and the blank sketch cover.
When Does G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero/Tomb Raider #1 Release?
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero/Tomb Raider #1 arrives Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at comic book shops and digital platforms. Image Comics identifies the crossover as a five-issue miniseries.
For fans of either franchise, the biggest attraction may simply be seeing how these worlds fit together.
But the premise suggests there is more happening here than novelty.
A mysterious treasure has been hidden for decades.
Cobra wants it.
G.I. Joe is preparing an expedition.
And Lara Croft may be the person best equipped to uncover what everyone is really searching for.
Final Thoughts
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero/Tomb Raider #1 looks like one of the more natural crossover concepts of 2026.
Lara Croft brings the archaeological mystery and adventure. G.I. Joe brings military scale and covert operations. Cobra Island provides the perfect setting to combine both.
With Kyle Higgins and Elena Casagrande leading the creative team and Destro and Baroness positioned directly in the path of Lara and the Joes, this first-ever meeting has the potential to be much more than a one-note crossover.
G.I. Joe and Tomb Raider finally collide on October 7.
Join the Discussion
Are you excited for the first-ever G.I. Joe and Tomb Raider crossover? And which G.I. Joe character would you most like to see paired with Lara Croft during the five-issue series?
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