Editing Top Cow Productions (section)

==History==
[[File:10.13.12MattHawkinsByLuigiNovi2.jpg|thumb|right|Top Cow President Matt Hawkins (left) speaking with fans (right) at the [[Image Comics]] booth at the 2012 [[New York Comic Con]].]]

===1990s===

[[Marc Silvestri]] was one of the original seven founders of [[Image Comics]], along with [[Erik Larsen]], [[Rob Liefeld]], [[Jim Lee]], [[Todd McFarlane]], [[Jim Valentino]], and [[Whilce Portacio]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Overstreet |first=Robert M. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/34703954 |title=The Overstreet comic book price guide : books from 1897-present included : catalogue & evaluation guide-- illustrated |date=1996 |publisher=Avon Books |isbn=0-380-78778-4 |edition=26th |location=New York |pages=A-50 |oclc=34703954}}</ref>  When Image Comics first launched in 1992, Silvestri was still part of the Homage Studios group which at the time he co-owned Lee, Joe Chiodo, Portacio, and Scott Williams.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sodaro |first=Robert |date=February 1994 |title=Paying Homage |journal=Wizard |issue=30 |pages=40–46}}</ref> Silvestri's first title for Image Comics was ''[[Cyber Force (comics)|Cyberforce]]''. By the time the second issue was released in March 1993 Silvestri was publishing under the Top Cow Productions name.<ref>{{Cite comic |date=February1993 |title=Cyberforce |issue=2 |volume=1 |publisher=Image Comics}}</ref>

Silvestri says that naming his company "Top Cow" was a drunken decision. He was about to change the name to "Ballistic Studios," but changed his mind when he saw the Top Cow logo.<ref name=":2" />

Silvestri began expanding his line with ''Cyberforce'' spin-off called ''[[Codename: Strykeforce]]'' in 1994, which became the third top selling comic book of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comichron: 1994 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops |url=https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/1994.html |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=www.comichron.com}}</ref> He left Homage Studios in 1994 to move to Los Angeles to be closer to Hollywood and to better distinguish his publishing efforts from Lee's.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Khoury |first=George |title=Image Comics: The Road to Independence |date=June 2007 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1-893905-71-9 |pages=124}}</ref>

Following the move, Top Cow expanded its line of titles and its pool of talent. [[Chris Claremont]] wrote ''Cyberforce'' issues 9 through 11, published between December 1994 and April 1995. Also in 1995, Top Cow published a ''[[Velocity (character)|Velocity]]'' mini-series written by [[Kurt Busiek]], a ''[[Silver Surfer (comic book)|Weapon Zero]]'' mini-series written by [[Walt Simonson]], and [[Steve Gerber]] took over writing chores on ''Codename: Strykeforce'' starting with issue 10.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Benton |first=John |date=February 1995 |title=Comics from contented cows |journal=Hero Illustrated |volume=1 |issue=20 |pages=56–63}}</ref>

Top Cow published the first issue of ''[[Witchblade]]'', written by [[David Wohl]], [[Brian Haberlin]], and [[Christina Z]], with art by [[Michael Turner (comics)|Michael Turner]], in 1995. The character first appeared in the ''Cyblade/Shi The Battle for Independents'' one-shot, a crossover between a character from ''Cyberforce'' and [[Billy Tucci]]'s creator owned series ''Shi''. ''Witchblade'' was co-created by Silvestri, Wohl, Haberlin, Z, and Turner in part as a response to the success of ''Shi'' other series with strong women lead characters.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Sacks |first=Jason |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: 1990s |date= |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-60549-084-7 |pages=185, 225, 254, 273}}</ref> The series would later spawn a live action television series in 2001 and an animated series in 2006 (See Media adaptations below).

A ''Witchblade'' spin-off series, ''[[The Darkness (character)|The Darkness]]'', followed in 1996, written by [[Garth Ennis]] with art by [[David Finch (comics)|David Finch]]. The new title's sales started strong and only grew stronger, despite the comics market downturn, with its eleventh issue becoming the top selling comic book of 1997.<ref name=":1" /> Top Cow president Matt Hawkins later called ''Witchblade'' and ''The Darkness'' the company's flagship titles and described the period following their debut as Top Cow's "second era."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Diestch |first=T. J. |date=2012-10-31 |title=Silvestri & Hawkins On Two Decades Of Top Cow, Part 2 |url=https://www.cbr.com/silvestri-hawkins-on-two-decades-of-top-cow-part-2/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>

In 1996, Top Cow briefly parted ways with Image during a dispute with Image associate [[Rob Liefeld]]. Liefeld left the company shortly after Top Cow's departure, and Top Cow returned to the partnership.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dean|first1=Michael|title=The Image Story Part Two: The Honeymoon|url=http://archives.tcj.com/3_online/n_image2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406102534/http://archives.tcj.com/3_online/n_image2.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 April 2012|website=The Comics Journal|access-date=9 September 2017|date=25 October 2000}}</ref>

The first issue of Turner's creator owned series ''Fathom'' became the top selling comic book of 1998.<ref name=":1" /> ''Fathom'' later moved to Turner's own publishing company Aspen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aspen, Top Cow Settle Lawsuit |url=https://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/3585/aspen-top-cow-settle-lawsuit |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=icv2.com |language=en}}</ref> [[J. Michael Straczynski]], best known then for his television series ''[[Babylon 5]]'' brought his creator-owned comic book series ''[[Rising Stars (comic)|Rising Stars]]'' to Top Cow in 1999,<ref name=":1" /> followed by ''[[Midnight Nation]]'' in 2000. Hawins called the period during which the company focused on "third-party" projects like ''Rising Stars'' and ''Midnight Nation'' the company's third era.

Top Cow started publishing ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' comics in 1999, following an investment deal with Eidos Games.<ref name=":2" /> The first issue of the series was the top selling comic book of 1999.<ref name=":1" />

===2000s===

Top Cow published ''Wanted'' by Mark Millar and JG Jones in 2003. The first printing of the first issue sold out quickly.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wanted Is |url=https://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/4023/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=icv2.com |language=en}}</ref> The comic was adapted into a [[Wanted (2008 film)|film of the same name]] in 2008.

[[Ron Marz]] began writing ''Witchblade'' with issue 80 in 2004. [[Stjepan Šejić]] joined the series as regular artist with issue 116 in 2008 and Top Cow announced that the pair would be the creative team through issue 150, published in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |author=C. B. R. Staff |date=2008-03-16 |title=WWLA: Top Cow 2008 |url=https://www.cbr.com/wwla-top-cow-2008/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref> Hawkins described Top Cow's refocusing on company-owned characters around this time as the beginning of the company's fourth era.<ref name=":2" />

In 2006, Top Cow made a business agreement with Marvel Comics to publish crossovers such as ''Darkness/Wolverine'' and ''Witchblade/Punisher''.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Justin |last=Jordan |date=2006-06-04 |title=Top Cow Surprises Fans @ WW Philly |url=https://www.cbr.com/top-cow-surprises-fans-ww-philly/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> As part of this agreement, several Top Cow artists also provided art chores on various Marvel series.<ref>{{Citation |title=List of Marvel Cinematic Universe television series |date=2023-01-14 |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Marvel_Cinematic_Universe_television_series&oldid=1133599524 |work=Wikipedia |language=en |access-date=2023-01-17}}</ref> Tyler Kirkham worked on ''[[X-Men: Phoenix - Warsong|Phoenix: Warsong]]'' and ''[[New Avengers/Transformers]]''; [[Michael Choi (comics)|Mike Choi]] worked on ''[[X-23: Target X]]''; and Silvestri himself worked on ''[[X-Men: Messiah Complex]]''. At the 2007 [[San Diego Comic-Con]], an announcement was made by Marvel Comics extending the deal into 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Richard |last=George |date=2007-07-27 |title=SDCC 07: Cup O' Joe Report |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/27/sdcc-07-cup-o-joe-report |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

Top Cow's "[[Pilot Season (comics)|Pilot Season]]" initiative began in 2007. Readers were able to vote on the future of six [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]] pilot comics released throughout the year.<ref>[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=118405 Top Cows Pilot Program - Talking About Pilot Season] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011085633/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=118405 |date=2007-10-11 }}, [[Newsarama]], June 27, 2007</ref>

At the 2007 [[New York Comic Con]] Top Cow announced that they would be one of the first major comics publishers to offer online distribution, through a partnership with [[IGN]]. The initial titles offered included ''[[Tomb Raider (comics)|Tomb Raider]]'', ''The Darkness'', and ''[[Witchblade]]'', at $1.99 per issue.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Heidi |last=MacDonald |date=2007-03-28 |title=IGN launches online digital comics shop |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/ign-launches-online-digital-comics-shop/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=The Beat |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Stephen |last=Schleicher |date=2007-03-28 |title=Download Comics (legally) |url=https://majorspoilers.com/2007/03/28/download-comics-legally/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Major Spoilers |language=en}}</ref> They also announced a deal with Zannel to license their comics as [[mobile comic]]s.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Powers|first1=Kevin|title=BAM! KAPOW! BOOM! Zannel And Top Cow Team Up To Fight Mobile Boredom|url=http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/118978182188519.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012071618/http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/118978182188519.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 October 2007|website=Silver Bullet Comics|access-date=9 September 2017|date=14 September 2007}}</ref>

===2010s===

In an effort to make their titles more accessible to new readers, Top Cow rebooted the continuity of its comic book line in 2012 in an event called "Rebirth." The company's flagship titles, ''The Darkness'' and ''Witchblade'', relaunched with new creative teams as part of the reboot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diestch |first=T. J. |date=2012-07-03 |title=Talking Top Cow's Rebirth With Matt Hawkins |url=https://www.cbr.com/talking-top-cows-rebirth-with-matt-hawkins/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>

Top Cow held its first annual talent hunt in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ching |first=Albert |date=2015-05-26 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Top Cow Talent Hunt 2015 Winners Revealed |url=https://www.cbr.com/exclusive-top-cow-talent-hunt-2015-winners-revealed/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref> The program seeks to recruit artists and writers who have never been published by a major comics publisher before. Past winners and runners-up include [[Isaac Goodhart]], [[Tini Howard]], and [[Stephanie Phillips (writer)|Stephanie Phillips]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2021-12-09 |title=Top Cow’s Talent Search 2022 Is Announced |url=https://tripwiremagazine.co.uk/headlines/top-cows-talent-search-2022-is-announced/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=TRIPWIRE MAGAZINE |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Top Cow published the first collection of Šejić's romance/erotica webcomic ''[[Sunstone (comics)|Sunstone]]'' in 2014. The title's success led Top Cow to publish more erotica, romance, and slice of life comics, including ''Swing,'' written by Matt Hawkins and Jenni Cheung with art by [[Linda Šejić]], and ''Sugar'', written by Hawkins and Cheung with art by [[Yishan Li]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilds |first=Stephen |date=2018-10-05 |title=INTERVIEW: Matt Hawkins Talks Top Cow, The Darkness & Witchblade |url=https://culturedvultures.com/interview-matt-hawkins-talks-top-cow-the-darkness-witchblade/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Cultured Vultures |language=en-US}}</ref>

The original ''Witchblade'' series ended with issue 185 in 2015. The series was relaunched in December 2017, written by Caitlin Kittredge with art by Roberta Ingranata. It was the first time ''Witchblade'' was both written and drawn by women.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staley |first=Brandon |date=2017-09-18 |title=Witchblade Returns with Female Writer, Artist |url=https://www.cbr.com/witchblade-female-creative-team/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref> The series was followed a new ''Cyber Force'' series in March, 2018<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nieves |first=Davey |date=2018-03-29 |title=CYBER FORCE is back with a transhuman revolution. |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-starting-line-cyber-force-is-back-with-a-transhuman-revolution/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=The Beat |language=en-US}}</ref> and the ''Aphrodite V'' series in July 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cardona |first=Ian |date=2018-06-21 |title=Bryan Hill and Jeff Spokes Relaunch Top Cow and Image's Aphrodite V |url=https://www.cbr.com/aphrodite-v-bryan-hill-jeff-spokes-interview/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref> A new ''The Darkness'' series was also announced for 2019, but never published.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kogod |first=Theo |date=2020-11-08 |title=The Darkness: What Happened to Top Cow's Missing Icon? |url=https://www.cbr.com/top-cow-the-darkness-missing-comeback/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>

===2020s===

In 2022, Top Cow Productions reprinted the early issues of ''Cyberforce'' for the first time since 1994 in a 30th anniversary commemorative hardcover edition funded through Kickstarter and exclusively available through the platform.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Avila |first=Mike |date=2021-11-18 |title=Exclusive: Artist Marc Silvestri Looks Back On Cyberforce's 30TH Anniversary |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/cyberforce-30th-anniversary-marc-silvestri-interview |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Syfy |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Rich |last=Johnson |date=2021-12-14 |title=Four Big Hardcovers From Image Comics For 30th Anniversary In 2022 |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/four-big-hardcovers-from-image-comics-for-30th-anniversary-in-2022/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}}</ref> Later in the same year the book was reprinted in a trade paperback with the same contents.

In 2024, the company began publishing a new ''Witchblade'' series written by [[Marguerite Bennett]] and drawn by [[Giuseppe Cafaro]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Heidi |date=2024-04-19 |title=Witchblade is back! |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/witchblade-is-back/ |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=The Beat |language=en-US}}</ref>