RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK opened June 12, 1981, introducing the world to Indiana Jones. Lucasfilm reached out to Marvel for a comic adaptation, and they got the job done in three issues.
The dates on the issues are September, October, and November, but back then Marvel released comics three months prior to the month seen on the cover. So, these issues came out June, July, and August, with #1 coordinating with the theatrical release of RAIDERS.
Once the adaptation came out, all was quiet on the Indy comic front for a while. But then, over a year later in October 1982, Marvel launched an ongoing series called THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF INDIANA JONES, featuring all new stories. It lasted for 34 issues, concluding in December 1985.
INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM dropped on May 8, 1984 and once again Marvel put out a three-issue adaptation. They came out June, July, and August ’84, the same months as FURTHER ADVENTURES #21, 22, and 23.
Later, after three-years with no Indy comics, Marvel finally put out four more issues – an adaptation of INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE which hit theaters on May 24, 1989.
I’m missing LAST CRUSADE #3, but here’s an online image.
By 1990, Marvel was done with the franchise, and Dark Horse Comics picked up the rights.
But I’ll always look back at the Marvel run with fondness – lots of adventure and fun in every issue.
