This year marks the 20th anniversary of Tomb Raider – one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. Although the series has always been held in high regard, it received a shot in the arm with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot which reinvigorated the series to great heights. Naturally, a comic tie-in was soon to follow. This latest series follows up from the most recent game Rise of the Tomb Raider which has recently finally seen release on Playstation 4 in a 20th anniversary edition.
Lara Croft is pursuing a secret lost truth that leads her to a mushroom said to grant immortality and an organization called The Knights of the Spore who would do anything to keep the mushroom’s power for themselves. Lara’s ingenuity and tenacity for survival will be put to the ultimate test as her search leads her closer and closer to the truth.
One of the great things about Dark Horse’s previous Tomb Raider comics is the fact that they build on what has happened in the games and never come across as throwaway. It also helped that they commissioned very talented creators to write the stories including Gail Simone and Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider writer Rhianna Pratchett. With this follow up, Dark Horse have brought in more strong creators in the form of Eisner Award nominee Mariko Tamaki (Skim) and Phillip Sevy.
Lara is consistent with her video game portrayal having grown in confidence after her most recent exploits. And whilst she’s not quite the duel pistol wielding adventurer most people know her as, she shows proficiency in combat against an experienced martial artist and the resourcefulness that has gotten her out of so many perilous situations. Tamaki makes good use of the supporting case with Lara’s close friend Jonah accompanying her through much of this volume and Professor Demur makes for an intriguing character as the reason why he is so interested in the mushrooms becomes clearer. Sevy likewise provides some great art which is consistent with the design and tone of the recent games – particularly excelling in the parts depicting underground exploration and the tombs the series is so well known for. The Knighthood of the Dark Spore also look genuinely terrifying without veering too far into the supernatural in their design.
For any fans looking for an extra Tomb Raider fix if – like me – you’ve just finished Rise of the Tomb Raider, this is a great excuse to dive back into Lara’s world. And anyone looking for a great adventure comic will find more than enough to enjoy.
Tomb Raider: Spore is out now from Dark Horse
9781506700106 – P/B £16.99
Find more Tomb Raider here
Post by Leo