Member Since March 2007
148 Artworks | Watched by 78

Tomb Raider/Witchblade #1 variant cover

Location: Published - Other (Image Comics)
Artists: Michael Turner (Penciller) , Joe Weems (Inker)

2058 Views - 20 Comments - 18 Likes

Location: Published - Other (Image Comics)
Title: Tomb Raider/Witchblade #1 variant cover
Artist: Michael Turner (Penciller) , Joe Weems (Inker)
Media Type: Pen and Ink
Art Type: Cover
For Sale Status: PERMANENT COLLECTION
Views: 2058
Likes on CAF: 18
Comments: 20
Added to Site: 12/12/2021

For well over a decade, I've been quietly hoping this cover would resurface. Shortly after Mike's unfortunate and untimely passing, I started to think about purchasing some of his inked work (I only owned a pencils-only piece at that point), especially his work on Witchblade. I made a wishlist of his inked covers that I'd love to own one day, and at the top of the list was the Tomb Raider/Witchblade cover here. But I didn't expect to see it pop up (his prime Top Cow covers were locked up in other collections), so I picked up a cool (no pun intended) Fathom cover that was more within my budget.

Fast forward to the latest Heritage auction, and my jaw dropped when I saw this (and the rest of the issue, including the main cover) for auction. I had my eyes on a couple pieces in the concurrent ComicLink auction (including a Marvel cover of Mike's that I used to own, to try to bring it back "home"), but those didn't matter anymore. It was this piece or bust.

So what makes this cover so special? It does have a movie poster feel with the floating heads in the background, but I love the way Mike drew Sara and Lara so that they're more than just sexy heroines posing for the camera. Sara has an almost wistful look to her as she's staring off into the distance, while Lara is giving some attitude like she's about ready to shoot you for looking at her funny. Since it was inked by Joe Weems, the detail here is incredible, from the ruins to the clothing and Witchblade armor (the scan doesn't do the fine inkwork justice at all). And while not part of the original art, I love the warm color palette of the final published image. (Fun fact- I was so convinced I'd never own this that I purchased a print/giclee of it years ago, just to have a large copy of the art.)

There were some really nice Witchblade pages/covers that came up over the years, and I regretted passing on each one at the time. I sadly can't own them all given the prices that Mike's art has commanded over the years, so if I could only afford to purchase one piece/cover, this would be it.

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Member Since: March 2007
Last Login: April 2026
Country: UNITED STATES
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Carlo B Member Since 2015

Posted On 12/12/2021

Very nice...congrats!

Ankur J Member Since 2003

Posted On 12/13/2021

Amazing piece! Congrats!!!

Nash of the Titans Member Since 2020

Posted On 12/13/2021

Jealous! What a slice of the legendary hand and eye coordination of the almighty Turner!

Witchblade collector Member Since 2018

Posted On 12/13/2021

This is a gorgeous cover!!! The centerpiece Sara is one of the best Witchblade illustrations ever. A great example of Michael's classic Witchblade armor look. And the heads in the background are the cherries on the top. Congrats!

Compared to the TR splashpage and the DPS from the same issue, they were sold for the quite same price, I would not say you got a bargain, but you got one of the best Turner covers for a very reasonable price. Some of the interiors price went crazy. I was lucky that my DPS from Witchblade #4 ended first, so the bidders wanted to save money for all the other pages.

Vit Budin Member Since 2016

Posted On 12/13/2021

This is stunning cover man.... (and the price as well lol ). Huge congratulations and enjoy your grail :).

F M Member Since 2005

Posted On 12/13/2021

I have outgrown my interest for Turner's art myself but that cover and that particular project was probably one of his finest work. Congrats on landing something that matters so much to you.

Marcus Wai Member Since 2005

Posted On 12/13/2021

A great crossover issue 1 cover that was advertised all over the place which made it one of the most memorable of his Top Cow work.

James S Member Since 2017

Posted On 12/13/2021

Beautiful piece and congrats on chasing down a grail for you!

Johnny M Member Since 2014
Forum Moderator

Posted On 12/14/2021

This Cover is incredible and I'm glad you were able to get it!

R B Member Since 2008

Posted On 12/14/2021

I totally agree with you about what makes this cover so special. This is to be considered one of the masterpieces of the Turner/Weems collaboration. Congratulations!

Jordan Joanou Member Since 2008

Posted On 12/14/2021

Not just a beautiful cover, but also a historic one too. Congrats on landing your grail.

Tatiana TDArt Dykes Member Since 2005
CAF Administrator

Posted On 12/17/2021

EPIC, I'm so glad this beauty ended up in your collection, congrats!

sean wallace Member Since 2004
Forum Moderator

Posted On 1/7/2022

Fantastic addition, grats.

Bill J Member Since 2009

Posted On 3/25/2022

Exquisite! Love Michael Turner's delicate linework here. And Joe Weems' inks are the perfect complement! Just an astonishingly beautiful cover!

Frank Lanza Member Since 2006

Posted On 5/3/2022

I can't even describe how many memories this cover conjures up. I was an incredibly fun time to collect comics and Michael's art was the catalyst for so much of my enjoyment of the time. This one has it all, you really couldn't have done much better. Congrats on an all-timer!

Claudio Lampa Member Since 2021

Posted On 8/25/2022

a dream!
congratz

Bill J Member Since 2009

Posted On 11/28/2022

Phenomenal cover! Michael Turner's work is so gorgeous and so distinctive! Love the composition of this piece and the inks are superb. Congats on picking up the piece you really wanted--That's got to be such a thrill!

Kavi H Member Since 2018

Posted On 9/8/2024

an incredible Turner cover - huge congrats on the win and amazing addition!

FRED CRAMPTON Member Since 2010

Posted On 7/19/2025

EXTREME JEALOUSY !!!BUT I APPRECIATE U SHARING THIS WITH US.PARAMOUNT

Mario Rhodanos Member Since 2004

Posted On 11/25/2025

woooooooooooooooooooooow

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Tomb Raider/Witchblade #1 variant cover

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