Indiana Jones
Product brand
UnclaimedIndiana Jones is a licensed comic-book publishing brand built around the archaeological adventurer and his serialized adventures.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Indiana Jones in comics is a licensed publishing brand centered on the fictional archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones. The comic-book program has translated the character's film, television, and interactive-media stories into sequential art while also creating original adventures that expand the character's mythology. The subject is therefore best understood not as a standalone comic publisher, but as a cross-media entertainment property expressed through multiple publishing arrangements. Marvel Comics held the initial comic-book license. Its first major publication was a three-issue adaptation of Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981. Marvel subsequently launched The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones, the first ongoing comic series devoted to original Indiana Jones stories. The monthly title began in January 1983 and ran for 34 issues through March 1986. It regularly featured supporting characters including Marcus Brody and Marion Ravenwood, with Sallah, Katanga, and Short Round also appearing. Rather than simply repeating the films, the series developed its own continuity and introduced original antagonists such as rival archaeologist Ian McIver and the Levantine tycoon Ali Ben Ayoob. Marvel also published adaptations of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. These adaptations established the property as a continuing comics presence rather than a one-off film tie-in. Marvel's material was later reissued in collected editions, allowing the earlier stories to reach readers beyond their original newsstand format. Dark Horse Comics acquired the Indiana Jones comic-book license in 1990. Its first major project was a four-issue adaptation of the computer game Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, published from March to September 1991. Dark Horse then produced a sequence of limited series and one-shots during the 1990s, including Shrine of the Sea Devil, Thunder in the Orient, The Arms of Gold, The Golden Fleece, The Iron Phoenix, The Spear of Destiny, and The Sargasso Pirates. The publisher also adapted The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles in a 12-issue series beginning in 1992. These works broadened the publishing line's settings, formats, and source material while retaining the brand's action-adventure and supernatural themes. Later sales of some Dark Horse series were weak enough to contribute to the cancellation of the planned Indiana Jones and the Lost Horizon project. Even so, Dark Horse continued to maintain the back catalogue through omnibus editions. Three Indiana Jones Omnibus volumes collected its 1990s material, while three Further Adventures volumes reprinted the Marvel adaptations and series. The franchise returned to wider comic-book activity in 2008 alongside the release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Dark Horse published a comic adaptation of that film, an ongoing children's title called Indiana Jones Adventures, and the limited series Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Gods. The children's line used a simpler, more accessible presentation and introduced new adventure settings, including Sweden and Marrakesh. Dark Horse also released collected editions of the earlier stories during this revival period. The brand has had an international publishing footprint. Titan Magazines began publishing an Indiana Jones comic in the United Kingdom in May 2008, and French hardcover albums were produced by Bagheera with stories by Claude Moliterni and art by Giancarlo Alessandrini. The comics have consequently served several functions: adaptation, continuation, archival reprinting, children's publishing, and international localization. Reception has varied by title. Reviews praised several Dark Horse stories for their action, supernatural atmosphere, and visual resemblance to the film character, while the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull adaptation was criticized for reading more like a condensed synopsis than a fully developed narrative. The canonical subject covered here is specifically the Indiana Jones comics publishing body of work, not the broader film, television, game, or merchandise businesses associated with the character.
History
Indiana Jones comics began as licensed adaptations and later developed into an independent publishing continuity. Marvel Comics published the first major adaptation, a three-issue version of Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981. In January 1983, Marvel introduced The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones, a monthly series that supplied original stories rather than directly adapting a film. It continued for 34 issues until March 1986 and incorporated recurring supporting characters such as Marcus Brody and Marion Ravenwood. The title also introduced original adversaries and story concepts, giving the comics their own continuity within the broader Indiana Jones mythology. Marvel continued to support the property with adaptations of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. These releases established a publishing pattern that would recur throughout the brand's history: a film or game could be adapted into comics, while the licensed line could simultaneously develop new adventures. The Marvel material was later preserved through collected editions, including omnibus and deluxe reprint programs. Dark Horse Comics acquired the comic-book rights in 1990. Its first substantial project was a four-issue adaptation of Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, a computer game, published between March and September 1991. From 1992 through 1996, Dark Horse released a succession of limited series and one-shots. The program included Shrine of the Sea Devil, Thunder in the Orient, The Arms of Gold, The Golden Fleece, The Iron Phoenix, The Spear of Destiny, and The Sargasso Pirates. Dark Horse also published a 12-issue adaptation of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles beginning in 1992. The line therefore connected the comics to more than the original film trilogy, incorporating television and interactive-media source material. The later Dark Horse series did not all perform equally well commercially. Poor sales contributed to the cancellation of the planned Lost Horizon project, which would have explored Indiana Jones's relationship with Abner Ravenwood in 1926. Nevertheless, Dark Horse maintained the catalogue through reprints and collections. Its omnibus program gathered the 1990s limited series into two volumes, while a separate three-volume Further Adventures series reprinted Marvel's adaptations and ongoing series. The 2008 release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull prompted a renewed comics program. Dark Horse published an adaptation of the film, the children's ongoing title Indiana Jones Adventures, and the four-issue limited series Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Gods. The children's series adopted a more accessible visual and narrative style and placed the character in new locations and mythological situations. Dark Horse's revival period also generated further collected editions of earlier material. The publishing brand reached international readers through localized formats. Titan Magazines began an Indiana Jones comic in the United Kingdom in May 2008, while French publisher Bagheera released three hardcover albums created by Claude Moliterni and Giancarlo Alessandrini. Reception depended on the individual work. Reviews of Fate of Atlantis, Thunder in the Orient, and The Arms of Gold recognized their action, supernatural elements, and broad adventure appeal, although some criticism was directed at characterization or inconsistent artwork. The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull adaptation received a weaker response because its narrative was viewed as overly compressed, while the art and several other 2008 releases were received more favorably.
- 2009
Marvel-era material receives omnibus reprints
[1]Dark Horse began publishing collected editions of Marvel's earlier Indiana Jones comics.
- 2008
Comics revival
[1]Dark Horse launched several titles associated with the release of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, including a film adaptation, a children's series, and Tomb of the Gods.
- 1992
Young Indiana Jones comic adaptation
[1]Dark Horse began a 12-issue series adapting The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.
- 1991
Fate of Atlantis adaptation
[1]Dark Horse published a four-issue adaptation of the computer game Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis.
- 1990
Dark Horse takes over comics licensing
[1]Dark Horse Comics acquired the Indiana Jones comic-book rights from Marvel.
- 1986
Marvel ongoing series ends
[1]The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones concluded after 34 issues.
- 1983
The Further Adventures begins
[1]Marvel launched the first ongoing original Indiana Jones comic series.
- 1981
First major comic adaptation
[1]Marvel Comics published a three-issue adaptation of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Products and positioning
A cross-media adventure property presented in comics through film adaptations, original archaeological adventures, supernatural mysteries, historical settings, and accessible children's publishing.
Ongoing comic series · 1983
The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones
Marvel's original ongoing Indiana Jones comic series ran for 34 issues from January 1983 to March 1986. It expanded beyond film adaptations with original plots, recurring supporting characters, and new villains. The series established a separate comics continuity while preserving the character's archaeological investigations, action sequences, supernatural threats, and international adventure setting.
Comic adaptations · 1981
Indiana Jones film adaptations
Marvel adapted Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade into comic-book formats. Dark Horse later adapted Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. These editions translated the principal film narratives into serialized or collected sequential art.
Limited comic series · 1992
Dark Horse original limited series
Dark Horse's original 1990s program included Shrine of the Sea Devil, Thunder in the Orient, The Arms of Gold, The Golden Fleece, The Iron Phoenix, The Spear of Destiny, and The Sargasso Pirates. These stories used new mysteries, historical settings, rival treasure seekers, supernatural artifacts, and action-driven plots to extend the character beyond the films.
Children's comic series · 2008
Indiana Jones Adventures
Indiana Jones Adventures was a children's-oriented ongoing series launched by Dark Horse in 2008 during the franchise's comics revival. Its presentation was modeled on the publisher's Clone Wars Adventures format. Early material placed Indiana in settings including Sweden and Marrakesh and emphasized accessible adventure, mythology, and action for younger readers.
Limited comic series · 2008
Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Gods
This four-issue Dark Horse limited series was written by Rob Williams and illustrated by Steve Scott. It was part of the 2008–2009 publishing revival and represented an original comic story rather than a direct film adaptation.
Collected editions · 2008
Indiana Jones Omnibus
Dark Horse collected its principal 1990s Indiana Jones limited series in two omnibus volumes. The first gathered Fate of Atlantis, Thunder in the Orient, and The Arms of Gold. The second collected The Golden Fleece, The Iron Phoenix, The Spear of Destiny, The Sargasso Pirates, and Shrine of the Sea Devil.
Collected editions · 2009
Indiana Jones Omnibus: Further Adventures
This three-volume reprint series preserved Marvel's Indiana Jones comics. It included the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, and Last Crusade adaptations as well as all 34 issues of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones.
Brand decisions
2008
Expansion into children's comics during the franchise revivalStrategyBackground
The release of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull created renewed interest in Indiana Jones publishing.
Action taken
Dark Horse launched Indiana Jones Adventures alongside the film adaptation and Tomb of the Gods.
Aftermath
The property was presented to both established adventure-comics readers and younger audiences through separate formats.
1990
Transfer of comic-book licensing rights to Dark HorseM&ABackground
Marvel had published the earliest major Indiana Jones comic adaptations and the first original ongoing series. Dark Horse acquired the comic-book licensing rights in 1990.
Action taken
Dark Horse became the principal publisher for subsequent game, television, film, and original comic adaptations.
Aftermath
The change led to a new publishing program of limited series, one-shots, collected editions, and a later comics revival.
Recent events
Reported
Hasbro renews Star Wars license and agrees to develop Indiana Jones products[2]
Hasbro said it extended its relationship with Lucasfilm by renewing its Star Wars licensing deal and announced a new agreement to develop products based on the Indiana Jones franchise. Hasbro said the Indiana Jones line would be available in the U.S. in 2023.
Sources3 sources
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