Kondorr

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Top Cow Chronology Part 1

Chronology of Top Cow universe... as I read on I try to bring order to the chaos :)

The rule is... if a story is told by someone in the modern days, than that is the point in it's proper chronological order (I made one exception in the Medieval Witchblade Spawn crossover)

This is part one. Go here for Part 2 and Part 3.

Go here for the future of the reborn univsere.

Top Cow Hunting List is a list of stuff I am trying to collect next.

If you wish to delve deeper into the Top Cow Universe head over to The Comic Source, where you can find the Top Cow Chronology Project, where every issue gets reviewed on air.

If you are looking for podcasts regarding specific issues, I will update each issue with the appropriate podcast episode number.

Summary (Spoilers):

This list covers the earliest entries in the Top Cow shared universe. Ancient egipt, pirates, Romans, knights and samurai all see themselves in between the epic and everlasting struggle of the Witchblade, the Darkness and The Angelus... with the Magdalena not far behind.

Further down the line you will find the beginnings of the current wielders, team-ups with Lara Croft, inter-dimensional clashes with Mephisto and Co. from the Marvel Universe as well as the first encounters of Estacado, Pezzini and the Magdalena.

All this ends with an epic show down where the Franceti women stole the Angelus, the Darkness had a change of heart (curtsey of Batman) and the Witchblade got all SadoMaso on the Darkness annihilating the ancient race of the Necrobi (sex demons) in the process.

Oh, and the Sonatine/Wenders storyline gets even more absurd ;)

Last update 2021-06-18

Added Cyberforce and Strykeforce

List items

  • Egypt 1000 B.C.

    Collected in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 2

    Anubis shows Queen Raquel the path to the Witchblade, so that she might defeat Bastet, an ancient goddess, which enamored her to-be-husband Salah.

    Podcast episode #10

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Egypt 1000 B.C.

    Collected in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 2

    The Witchblade dooms the queen, the goddess and Sallah and disapears in time and space...

    Kinda SPOILERISH Continuity Comment: To be concluded thousands of years later...

    Podcast episode #11

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Roman Empire ca. 60 B.C

    Podcast episode #12

    My opinion: TOP COW!

  • Mayan City of Cerro 50 B.C.

    Collected in Witchblade Distinctions andin the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 2

    My opinion: Cannot really recommend!

    Podcast episode #25

    X

  • Rome c. 229 A.D.

    Collected in Witchblade Distinctions and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 2

    Samantha returns to her celtic home village, only to find the roman occupation still there. Usuing the Witchblade, which was given to her by celtic druids she tries to fight the invaders.

    Podcast episode #13

    My opinion: Just OK!

    X

  • Northern Europe around 793 to 1066

    Collected in The Darkness Compendium Vol.2

    Podcast episode #14

    My opinion: Read it!

  • Darkness #39

    Medieval Gastonia

    Evil vs. Evil... Darkness vs. royal ignorance and arogance... a city, that used to be utopic is to be wiped from the face of the earth, because of their decadent leader...

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    Podcast episode #15

    My opinion: Just OK!

    X

  • 1175 Medieval England

    (#1 - 3)

    The Darkness invades Faire and only an unlikely alliance between the Spawn and a new wielder of the Witchblade.... Katarina, might save the doomed land of wonders... but what they all do not know... is that they are the puppets of the wizard Royale.

    Sequel Comment:

    Ooook, I stumbled upon this info by accident... it seems, that Royale appeared in another series by Top Cow called ARCANUM, I have it, soon I am gonna read it ;)

    My opinion: Cannot really recommend!

    Podcast episode #16; #17; #18

    X

  • I choose to believe that the Witchblade wielder from the beginning is Katarina from the Ennis issues.

    My opinion: Read it!

  • Lady Death & Medieval Witchblade

    Medieval England

    In an alternate universe a Witchblade wielder must join with Lady Death in order to save the world from a growing darkness.

    My opinion: Cannot really recommend!

  • 1213 Sicily

    Collected in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 1

    Annabella, the heir to the throne of Sicily is beeing sheltered in secret by the monks called The Hand of God. Only when doom is iminent it turns out that this hand of god is the Witchblade, which is destined to lead Altavista to greatness...

    Collected in Witchblade Distinctions

    Podcast episode #22

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • 14th century

    Arabia

    Collected in Witchblade Rebirth Vol.4

    Podcast episode #26

    My opinion: Just OK!

    X

  • 1632 Japan

    My opinion: Read it!

    Podcast episode #27

    X

  • The Darkness: Black Sails

    1671 Spain

    Magdalena Vs Darkness

    My opinion: GOLDEN TOP COW!

    Podcast episode #28

    X

  • 1718 The Caribbean

    Collected in Witchblade Distinctions andin the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 1

    On a side note, we will me Anne again ;)

    My opinion: Just OK!

    Podcast episode #30

    X

  • The Darkness #89

    Wild West Era in Spain

    Collected in The Darkness Compendium Vol.2

    My opinion: GOLDEN TOP COW!

    Podcast episode #31

  • 1878 Colorado

    Collected in Witchblade Rebirth Vol.4

    X

    My opinion: TOP COW!

  • 1897 New England

    Shadow and Flame

    Collected in The Darkness Compendium Vol.2

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Close your Eyes

    1912 California

    My opinion: GOLDEN TOP COW!

  • Issue #0 - Issue #5

  • Issue #1 - Issue #35

  • Issue #0 - Issue #14

  • Issue #1 - Issue #2

  • Tomb Raider: The Origin of Lara Croft

    Continuity comment: Lara does cross over within the Universe quite often at the beginning so I decided to include her Origin.

    Collected in TOMB RAIDER ARCHIVES V4

    My opinion: Barely OK!

    X

  • Tomb Raider Journeys

    Collected in TOMB RAIDER ARCHIVES V4

    Lara's solo adventures have little impact on the Top Cow universe, and this is true also for the Journeys line.

    Podcast Episodes: #210; #216; #221;

    My opinion: You might want to skip it!

  • Collects Witchblade 1 - 8

    1997 Present NYC (Year One)

    Here are the podcast episodes for this arc

    #1-#7,#9

    My opinion: TOP COW!

    X

  • Tomb Raider #0

    My opinion: Its just OK!

  • Shades of Gray

    The Witchblade's past catches up with Sarah, we learn more of a former bearer and nemesis of the Witchblade.

    My opinion: Its just OK!

    Podcast episodes: #250; #264; #285

    X

  • Saga of the Medusa Mask

    Collected in the Tomb Rider Archive V1

    My opinion: PURE 90IES GOLD!

  • Witchblade: #9

    The Witchblade gives Sarah a vision about Anne Bonne.

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 1

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Tomb Raider/ Witchblade

    Sara meats Lara for the first time chasing a brownstone with monstrous powers.

    Continuity comment:

    The placement of the Tomb Raider crossovers is somewhat tricky...

    Sara's issues get more and more serialized... the story arcs flow into one another, and there seems to be no real definitive ending to her adventures. So instead of forcing these later on and making the reading experience totally confusing I chose to put them here...

    The only downside is, that Sara has a better grasp on the Witchblade than she should have at this point, but she never really has any grasp on it, so this argument is kinda invalid (at least till issues past 80). But that is a minor thing, which most should not even notice.

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Witchblade: #10

    First appearance of Jackie Estacado, before attaining the Darkness power.

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 1

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Witchblade: #11

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 1

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • The crossover between Top Cow and Marvel in which Mephisto attempts to gather all the souls of the Top Cow Universe so that he may return to the Marvel Universe more powerful than ever.

    Collected in Top Cow/Marvel: The Crossover Collection Vol. 1

    Additional note: This is the first time we meet people from the Cyber force. I have not really followed those stories, which are also part of this universe. But they do pop up from time to time.

    So, whenever I actually get around to read this stuff (Cyber force and/or Hunter Killer) I will include it, but do not count on this happening in the near future, as the early ones are extremely hard to get nowadays and Top Cow seems not really interested in collecting its early material.

    Reading Order NOT as in the link:

    Silver Furfer/Witchblade

    Weapon Zero/Silver Surfer

    Cyblade/Ghost Rider

    Ghost Rider/Ballistic

    Ballistic/Wolverine

    Wolverine/Witchblade

    Witchblade/Elektra

    Elektra/Cyblade

    Silver Sufer/Wapon Zero

    I did not read the interludes Weapon Zero #10 and Cyberforce #30

    Podcast Episodes #511; #520; #529; #552; #564; #575; #584; #604; #613; 623; #652

    My opinion: Its chaotic, disjointed but kinda OK!

  • Tomb Raider Origins - Tripped Up

    My opinion: Its OK!

  • Arcanum is placed sometime after Sara got the Witchblade.

    My opinion: Cannot really recommend!

    Podcast Episodes #672; #683; #693; #723; #733; #763

  • Witchblade: #12

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 1

    My opinion: TOP COW!

    X

  • Witchblade #13

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 1

    My opinion: TOP COW!

    X

  • Witchblade #14

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 1

    My opinion: TOP COW!

    X

  • Witchblade/Tomb Raider 1/2

    The brownstone was stolen from Lara's collection and causes yet again major mayhem.

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • The Darkness #1 - #6

    Jackie Estacado becomes the darkness.

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    My opinion: TOP COW!

    X

  • The 1st story of issue 1/2.

    This actually happens sometime during "Coming of Age"

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    My opinion: Just OK!

    X

  • Witchblade/ Tomb Raider

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Darkness 1/2 - The 2nd story

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    My opinion: Just OK!

    X

  • Raquel, Part 3

    Most place this much later in their timeline, I guess their choice is based on release date of this issue. I prefer to put it here, because of the same reasons mentioned above, regarding the Tomb Raider cross overs.

    And there is no real indication on when these happened, so there is some room for creative freedom ;)

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Witchblade #15

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Witchblade #16

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 1

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Witchblade #17

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 1

    Just in case you were wondering... this issue WITH its cliffhanger, IS the end to this story arc... it does not make any sense top me, but I can calm you... it will be explained much later on with a short throw-away-line.

    Now, THAT is one, big shift in creative direction.

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • The Darkness #7

    Jackie tries to get a grasp on his powers, he even makes an attempt making a human female out of the Darkness, although it doesn't turn out quite as he hoped for.

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • The Darkness #8

    The war Yakuza wages already on everybody in NYC escalates...

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Family Ties

    Witchblade #18

    Darkness #9

    Darkness #10

    Witchblade #19

    Collected in Darkness Origins Vol 2 Family Ties and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 1

    My opinion: Golden TOP COW!!

    X

  • Witchblade #20

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 2

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Witchblade #21

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 2

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Witchblade #22

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 2

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Witchblade: #23

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 2

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Witchblade Vs Darkness 1/2

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 2

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Tomb Raider #5 & #6

    Ancient Futures

    Collected in Tomb Raider Archives Vol.1

    My opinion: PURE 90IES GOLD!

  • Witchblade: #24

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 2

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Witchblade: #25

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1 and in the new The Complete Witchblade Volume 2

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Magdalena: Blood Divine

    Collected in The Magdalena Vol.1

    My opinion: GOLDEN TOP COW!

    X

  • The Darkness #11 -> #14: Hearts of Darkness

    Frankie's daughter Appolonia wants to take over. She has a grudge against Jackie.

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1 & Darkness Origins Vol.3

    X

  • Tomb Raider #7 - #10: Dead Center

    Collected in Tomb Raider Archives Vol.1

    My opinion: Its OK!

  • The Darkness #15 -> #18: Spear of Destiny

    The Magdalena Vs. The Darkness

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1 & Darkness Origins Vol.3 and Magdalena Vol.1

    My opinion: TOP COW!

    X

  • Tomb Raider #11 - #12: Shangri-La

    Collected in Tomb Raider Archives Vol.1

    My opinion: Read it!

  • The Darkness #19<br>

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • The Darkness #20<br>

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Witchblade: #26

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1

    My opinion: Just OK!

    X

  • Witchblade: #27

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1

    My opinion: Just OK!

    X

  • Witchblade: #28

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1

    My opinion: Just OK!

    X

  • Witchblade: #29<br>

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1

    My opinion: Just OK!

    X

  • Witchblade: #30<br>

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1

    My opinion: Just OK!

    X

  • Witchblade: #31<br>

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1

    My opinion: Just OK!

    X

  • The Darkness #21<br>

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • The Darkness #22<br>

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    My opinion: Read it!

    X

  • Witchblade: #32<br>

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1

    X

  • Witchblade: #33<br>

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1

    X

  • Witchblade: #34<br>

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1

    X

  • Witchblade: #35<br>

    Collected in Witchblade Compendium 1

    X

  • The Darkness #23<br>

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    X

  • The Darkness #24<br>

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    X

  • The Darkness #25<br>

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    X

  • Overkill

    Issues #1 - 2

    This story occurs definitely before the Darkness/Batman crossover...

  • The Magdalena / Angelus <br>

    <br> The Magdalena Vs. The Angelus

    Collected in The Magdalena Volume 1

    X

  • The Darkness #26<br>

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    X

  • The Darkness #27<br>

    Collected in Darkness Compendium 1

    X

  • The Darknss Vs. Batman

    Collected in DC/TOP Cow Crossover Collection

    Comment: As crossovers go, there are some utterly bad ones all over the Top Cow Universe... BUT, THIS is probably the best inter-company crossover I have read.

    It is good written, but it also is essential to the all around tale of Jackie Estacado... If you want to know the whole tale you CANNOT skip this...

    X

  • Witchblade #36<br>

    Collected in Darkness Vol. 3.5 Flesh and Blood

  • The Darkness / Witchblade<br>

    Collected in Darkness Vol. 3.5 Flesh and Blood

  • The Darkness / Witchblade<br>

    Collected in Darkness Vol. 3.5 Flesh and Blood

  • The Darkness #28<br>

    Collected in Darkness Vol. 3.5 Flesh and Blood

  • Awaiting placement in chronology