Although Capcom's two most famous fighting game franchises, Street Fighter and Darkstalkers, have never officially had a dedicated crossover in fighting games before, they did in the comic series Street Fighter vs. Darkstalkers, which was one of the many Capcom related comics published by UDON back in 2017. Featuring the work of by Matt Moylan, Ken Siu-Chong, Corey Lewis, Hanzo Steinbach, Brendon Tapper, Edwin Huang, Espen Grundetjern, the comic chronicles the rise of Darkstalkers villain Jedah Dohma, bringing together the various fighters from both games into Makai -- the Demon Realm -- for one epic battle royal.
The crossover started in several prelude issues before culminating in Jedah Dohma's grand plot. While the crossover never made its way into the games, it did manage to tell an entertaining and exciting story that helped satisfy fans of the Darkstalkers franchise after a long dry-spell.
The Preludes to Street Fighter vs. Darkstalkers
Leading up to Street Fighter vs. Darkstalkers, several prelude issues were released establishing what would ultimately lead the two franchises into clashing. These issues included Street Fighter Legends: Cammy #1 - #4 and Street Fighter Unlimited #11. The prelude starts with Chun-Li investigating a murder where the victim was drained of life-force. As it turns out, the victim was slain by the succubus Morrigan Aensland. The two then fight. While Morrigan thinks she kills Chun-Li, she manages to turn the tables at Morrigan, who ultimately departs before she can be hurt.
From there, various characters from Street Fighter would encounter the Darkstalkers. Donovan Baine tries to subdue Akuma, only to require saving himself -- courtesy of his companion Anita -- when Akuma's demonic strength proves to be too great. Blanka encounters Sasquatch in Brazil, only for the two to become friends just as Rikuo emerges from the sea, launching an invasion on the Earth.
Most important of all, however, is that Gill is resurrected in Makai and is courted by Jedah Dohma to accomplish a goal greater than all others: conquest on an unfathomable scale.
Jedah Dohma's Plot
Dohma, aided both by Gill and Lilith Aensland, starts a dark ritual designed to unify both the Human and Demon World into one realm under Dohma's control. To complete his ritual, Dohma traps several fighters in a pocket dimension between realms. This pocket realm was crafted following Dohma's defeat at the hands of Morrigan's father when Dohma attempted to conquer Makai. Now, it serves as a battleground. Every fight fuels the ritual, giving rise to a giant demonic fetus.
While the comic showcases numerous smaller battles, the primary action focuses on two core parties. Chun-Li, now inside this pocket dimension with the majority of Street Fighter and Darkstalkers' casts of characters, encounters Ken and Sagat, only to later on run into Jon Talbain and Felicia. The quintet end up banding together, later adding Elena and Victor von Gerdenheim to their unit. They end up being confronted first by Lord Raptor and later by Bishamon. Chun-Li eventually encounters the spirit of her old master, Gen, who shows her a path to the top of a mountain where the barrier between worlds is thinnest. Chun-Li uses her mastery of chi to break this dimension and travel to Dohma's lair.
At the same time, Morrigan encounters Lilith, who, as the two are drawn to one another, reveals Dohma's plan. Morrigan seeks out Donovan Baine and Anita, believing they are capable of slaying Dohma with Donvan's weapon, Dhylec. After the Aensland Heirs and Donvan briefly fight, they determine that the only one who can open a portal into the Makai is Akuma. This leads to them all briefly fighting with Akuma, until Morrigan kisses him. This not only drains enough of Akuma's energy to calm him down, but also allows Morrigan to transfer the knowledge of Dohma's plot directly into his mind.
The Final Battle Between The Street Fighters and Darkstalkers
Ultimately, everyone ends up meeting on the same battlefield, with Chun-Li and friends through the portal she broke and Morrigan through the portal Akuma broke. Dohma manages to trick the two incoming parties to fight amongst themselves. Donovan, now in the demon world, goes berserk with Darkstalker power, being a half-vampire. He nearly kills Anita, only for Elena to heal her. This moment unites the two parties against Dohma.
At this point, things go south for Dohma fast. Gill, not totally sacrificed, wakes up and rips Dohma's heart out. Akuma manages to take Dhylec and cut Dohma to pieces. All the people transported to the other world are sent home. Morrigan becomes the ruler of Makai, Ken ends up dueling Ryu, and Gill is resurrected as a normal human after nearly dying.
Ultimately, the comic showcases an incredible battle royale between two of the most iconic fighting game casts of all time. Street Fighter vs. Darkstalkers remains one of the most underrated video game crossover comics ever published, making it even more of a shame that the two franchises never had a dedicated crossover of their own in video games.