Just in time for the franchise’s 30th anniversary comes Tomb Raider: Sacred Artifacts, a new comic series that follows on from the events of the 2008 game Tomb Raider: Underworld. When Croft Manor goes up in flames, it forces Lara to take stock of her life and figure out what is important to her. But a confrontation with a mysterious foe who has gotten their hands on a dangerous and familiar artifact provides some clarity as it launches Lara on a cross-continental journey doing what she does best… raiding tombs and questing for legendary relics.
One of the most iconic video game franchises of all time, Tomb Raider is showing no signs of slowing down as the series celebrates its thirtieth year. Two new games are scheduled in 2027 and 2028 respectively. First off is Tomb Raider: Atlantis – a new remake of the very first Tomb Raider game from 1996. Following this is Tomb Raider: Catalyst – a new game following on from 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld that takes on the ambitious task of unifying the previous Tomb Raider continuities into a singular storyline.
Sacred Artifacts gives fans the early chance to revisit this era of Tomb Raider. After the years focused on a younger less experienced Lara Croft in the Survivor trilogy of games, it will be quite the shift to see the confident adventurer that captured 90s gamers imagination return. But this is a Lara who has been more than a little rattled by the loss of her family home and a close friend, not to mention losing her mother all over again during an encounter with her old enemy Jacqueline Natla. With Lara in a state where she’s questioning whether she is interested in raiding tombs anymore, writer Casey Gilly uses this trauma and doubt to rebuild Lara once again and to remind fans of some her most defining characteristics.
The art from Antonio Di Caprio strikes the perfect balance of suspense and adventure which are essential for any Tomb Raider project. His action scenes capture exactly what fans would hope to see and he brings to these sequences an appropriately creepy atmosphere when tombs are involved. His character work is also on point, with his Lara in particular containing just the right level of refinement and recklessness.
This is an essential piece of lore for the next chapter in the series and a fun Tomb Raider adventure to boot. A perfect chapter for newcomers and dedicated fans!
Tomb Raider: Sacred Artifacts is out 25 August from Dark Horse (9781506746883, p/b, £17.99)
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