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Tomb Raider #0-18
Tomb Raider, Volume 1
This deluxe hardcover collects issues #1-#18 of the 2014 Dark Horse Tomb Raider series, and the never-before-collected prequel story Tomb Raider: The Beginning.
Lara Croft is trying to piece her ordinary life back together after her ordeal in the Lost Kingdom of Yamatai. The other survivors of the Endurance are experiencing horrific visions as they try to put what happened behind them. Follow Lara's story after the 2013 Tomb Raider game as she embarks on a new globetrotting adventure, discovering a dangerous organization that's threatening her friends. Can she figure out what's going on in time to save a life?
Lara Croft is trying to piece her ordinary life back together after her ordeal in the Lost Kingdom of Yamatai. The other survivors of the Endurance are experiencing horrific visions as they try to put what happened behind them. Follow Lara's story after the 2013 Tomb Raider game as she embarks on a new globetrotting adventure, discovering a dangerous organization that's threatening her friends. Can she figure out what's going on in time to save a life?
487 pages, Hardcover
First published March 13, 2018
12 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Gail Simone
1,067 books1,233 followersGail Simone is a comic book writer well-known for her work on Birds of Prey (DC), Wonder Woman (DC), and Deadpool (Marvel), among others, and has also written humorous and critical commentary on comics and the comics industry such as the original "Women in Refrigerators" website and a regular column called "You'll All Be Sorry".
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 15, 2022
Fills in the gaps between Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider. Laura and the survivors of the endurance ship wreck get back together once Trinity reenters the picture. Pretty good actually for a video game comic.
May 10, 2019
Lara Croft kenne ich von meinem ersten Computerspiel und unsere Beziehung ist schwierig. Die verschiedenen Settings der Level fand ich ansprechend, aber leider bin ich überhaupt kein Spiele-Typ und konnte keines ihrer Abenteuer durchspielen. Bislang hatte ich auch noch kein Tomb Raider=Comic gelesen und keine der Verfilmungen mit Angelina Jolie gesehen. Irgendwie zu viel Geballer, zu viel Oberweite - oder?
An diese schöne und großformatige Hardcover-Ausgabe in ich geraten, weil Gail Simone Co=Autorin ist, habe aber bald festgestellt, dass vor allem Rhianna Pratchett mich mit ihrem so sympathischen wie spannenden Erzählen fesselt - so sehr, dass ich tatsächlich den kompletten Band innerhalb eines Tages durchgelesen habe. Die Zeichnungen sind für meinen Geschmack sehr gelungen und wunderschön koloriert. In den Stories, die in exotischer Umgebung angesiedelt sind, begegnet uns eine Lara Croft, deren Charakter ausgeprägter als ihre Oberweite ist; sie ist abenteuerlustig, aber nicht abgedreht und unkaputtbar. Eine große Rolle spielt Teamgeist und Freundschaft, und dass Lara sich nun mal als Heldin hervortun muss, wird von ihrer Freundin Sam kritisch hinterfragt.
Wer Spaß an spannenden Abenteuergeschichten mit einer ordentlichen Portion Mystik hat und sich auf eine etwas komplexere Erzählstruktur einlassen mag, dem wird dieses Buch wahrscheinlich Freude machen. Es schadet nichts, wenn man die Story des letzten Computer-Games nicht kennt, denn die Handlung funktioniert auch dann noch, vielleicht sogar besser, denn das, was auf der Insel geschah, bevor die Handlung dieses Buches einsetzt, wird in kurzen Schlaglichtern ansatzweise und nach und nach bekannt und steigert so die Spannung sogar.
Im Fazit war ich enorm überrascht, wie wahnsinnig viel Spaß mir diese Abenteuer gemacht haben. Ich hoffe, dass Rhianna Pratchett weitere Stories um Lara Croft schreiben wird.
July 25, 2022
A tie-in which tries to fill in the gaps between Tomb Raider (2013) and Rise of the Tomb Raider. Whilst it does a good job at the flashbacks with the crew, it doesn't quite feel as coherent when it's actively trying to progress the story. Many of the new character additions feel bland and one note, with their arcs being quickly wrapped up as they won't be appearing in the next game and need an excuse to not be there. Due to the fact that it's a bridge between two games, the stakes do feel rather low if you know how Rise of the Tomb Raider plays out; you'll know who is important, who will survive, etc. Jumbled at times, it's got moments of interest without being overly amazing, and is a good read for those who are really into Tomb Raider lore.
September 21, 2019
By Goodreads' standards, two stars is "It was OK." I tend to look at two stars as a worse implication than those words carry, and will typically bump "OK" up to three stars. I found this to be OK, but have just enough iffiness about this Tomb Raider comic that I'm happy to think of it more as a 2.5 stars rounded down.
I only picked this up because I was playing the 2013 Tomb Raider game (I finished the game earlier this week and it was phenomenal). I, obviously, hoped it would be good, but I would have been much more surprised if it was. What I got was the most likely outcome: Passably mediocre.
The first thing to know about this comic series is, it expects you to have played the relevant Tomb Raider game. If you haven't, this is going to be pretty confusing. The first issue, a "prequel," is an extra story leading into the game. In fact, I believe the entire issue can be read from the game's menu. The game starts just fine as-is, but the prequel issue does help solidify what relationships and goals are at the outset. After that issue, everything else in the comic (aside from some flashbacks) happens after the game. So playing the game is an expectation and requirement.
Oh sure, the flashbacks do try to give some of the crucial backstory that takes place in the game, although this shouldn't be confused as trying to make the story understandable for non-players. Seems like the main perk to them is readers whose memory of the game is fuzzy.
The post-prelude comic starts a few weeks after Lara Croft returns from the island she and her crewmates were wrecked on. She's still in a certain amount of shock from what happened--grieving the lost, as well as feeling a bit like a fish out of water. But the island isn't done with her yet, as some zealots with some more resurrection in mind decide that kidnapping Sam (again) is the best way forward. So, back to the island. Back to the grind.
For better or worse, there are three (or, depending on how you slice it, four) distinct story arcs in this omnibus (which runs over 450 pages!). Luckily the weakest one (kidnapping Sam again!) is the first. It's also the one that ties closest with the video game, as the whole plot unfolds like a mini deja vu. Especially since the fun of being on the island the first go-round is playing. This feels like a weak echo, made worse for being a non-interactive format.
Luckily, the other stories stand much stronger. They never quite lose their connection to the events of the video game (to their detriment), but at least they can operate as mostly-independent stories. They're allowed to flex the comic medium a bit better than the first story could. And while each has an element of action, it doesn't inherently feel like I should be playing the story rather than reading it.
But the real problem is that these Tomb Raider stories are mostly shallow. There are moments here that speak deeply to Lara Croft and who she is as a person, and these are the series' best moments. We start to see the comic question whether Croft has reached a point that she enjoys killing people. We see her need to control every situation she's in, to the detriment of her relationships. These are really good, wonderful things for the comic to explore. Unfortunately, it's too little, too late.
And it makes sense. This is really just a bridge between the first game and its 2015 sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider. Nothing more, nothing less. It's very much for fans only. No newbies allowed. Luckily, as a fan of the game, I enjoyed this. But it was light enjoyment--an enjoyment offset by serious flaws.
I only picked this up because I was playing the 2013 Tomb Raider game (I finished the game earlier this week and it was phenomenal). I, obviously, hoped it would be good, but I would have been much more surprised if it was. What I got was the most likely outcome: Passably mediocre.
The first thing to know about this comic series is, it expects you to have played the relevant Tomb Raider game. If you haven't, this is going to be pretty confusing. The first issue, a "prequel," is an extra story leading into the game. In fact, I believe the entire issue can be read from the game's menu. The game starts just fine as-is, but the prequel issue does help solidify what relationships and goals are at the outset. After that issue, everything else in the comic (aside from some flashbacks) happens after the game. So playing the game is an expectation and requirement.
Oh sure, the flashbacks do try to give some of the crucial backstory that takes place in the game, although this shouldn't be confused as trying to make the story understandable for non-players. Seems like the main perk to them is readers whose memory of the game is fuzzy.
The post-prelude comic starts a few weeks after Lara Croft returns from the island she and her crewmates were wrecked on. She's still in a certain amount of shock from what happened--grieving the lost, as well as feeling a bit like a fish out of water. But the island isn't done with her yet, as some zealots with some more resurrection in mind decide that kidnapping Sam (again) is the best way forward. So, back to the island. Back to the grind.
For better or worse, there are three (or, depending on how you slice it, four) distinct story arcs in this omnibus (which runs over 450 pages!). Luckily the weakest one (kidnapping Sam again!) is the first. It's also the one that ties closest with the video game, as the whole plot unfolds like a mini deja vu. Especially since the fun of being on the island the first go-round is playing. This feels like a weak echo, made worse for being a non-interactive format.
Luckily, the other stories stand much stronger. They never quite lose their connection to the events of the video game (to their detriment), but at least they can operate as mostly-independent stories. They're allowed to flex the comic medium a bit better than the first story could. And while each has an element of action, it doesn't inherently feel like I should be playing the story rather than reading it.
But the real problem is that these Tomb Raider stories are mostly shallow. There are moments here that speak deeply to Lara Croft and who she is as a person, and these are the series' best moments. We start to see the comic question whether Croft has reached a point that she enjoys killing people. We see her need to control every situation she's in, to the detriment of her relationships. These are really good, wonderful things for the comic to explore. Unfortunately, it's too little, too late.
And it makes sense. This is really just a bridge between the first game and its 2015 sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider. Nothing more, nothing less. It's very much for fans only. No newbies allowed. Luckily, as a fan of the game, I enjoyed this. But it was light enjoyment--an enjoyment offset by serious flaws.
June 25, 2020
Definitely not as bad as some video game tie-in comics I've read. They got a writer with actual credentials. I reserve the right to change my opinion of this comic until I've played the second game. Until then, I don't know how well it actually ties in. But on it's own, it's not bad. There is some frustratingly stupid stuff like It's hard to know if it's because the games have to take precedent (and we don't want to spoil the 2nd game) or it's just bad writing. But seeing Lara struggle with everything she's done to survive is refreshing in a media where super likeable and easy-going protagonists mow down hundreds of faceless baddies and come out of it with their mental health 100% a-okay. (I'm looking at you Nathan Drake)
February 3, 2021
One thing I'll say first: It would be pointless to read this if you didn't play (or enjoy) the first game in the Tomb Raider reboot trilogy. Not that I imagine many non-TR gamers reading this. But the point needs to be made. I'm breaking it down into the various arcs that the book also breaks it down into.
The Beginning: I really enjoyed this. We got to see the backstories behind a lot of the side characters from the 2013 game. Things I didn't know even after playing the game, collecting all the documents, and reading them. It was nice to see all their old familiar faces, especially Roth's. It was also nice to see how the Endurance crew got to make that voyage happen to begin with. Unfortunately - and this is the point - we see a lot more of Whitman's ugliness; he's really a despicable human being, but his story will still interesting nevertheless. We didn't get to see much Lara either, and Jonah played such a small role. But I still enjoyed it. ☆☆☆☆
Volumes 1-6: Unfortunately, things get a little weaker here. I want to preface this first by saying that I had fun with this arc. But I do have some complaints. There are times where Lara's inner dialogue, while completely necessary to move the story along and reflect back on the game, felt a little...stale. I didn't feel like I was getting much of Lara. I know Lara is not particularly emotive to start with, but nevertheless, it felt a bit stunted. The story also felt repetitive. I know it's a tie in, but having them sail back to Yamatai, where Lara's lost her friends all over again and Sam's the damsel in distress once more felt a little too similar to the game, even though it completely made sense why they did this for the sake of the story, especially as you get to the end of the fourth arc. But part of the fun with Yamatai was also exploring it, and of course, in book form, this wasn't really possible. So the setting felt oddly lacking despite it being so familiar. But it was great seeing references to the game and the prequel. I loved seeing Lara's transition from regular city life to defense mode when she went back to Yamatai, and how the author managed to still capture Lara's fierce loyalty to her friends. As the story progressed, we saw more of the Lara we're accustomed to, as well as a few sides of her we don't ordinarily get to see. After all, one doesn't come back from Yamatai the same person they were when they first went. A bit of Lara's and Sam's trauma is reflected back at us at times, especially in the beginning, which helped it feel real. I only wish we saw a bit more of the hardened side of Lara as well. It's the weakest of the stories collected here. ☆☆☆.5
Volumes 7-9: Right off the bat, I preferred the art style in this segment compared with the last two. This is the Lara I'm accustomed to, even from the reboot games. I'm very much reminded of the Lara we saw in Rise and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. A hardened, badass warrior. This story also begins to bridge the events between the 2013 game and Rise (hint: Trinity comes into play). The writing also felt more fitting. And it partly takes place in the abandoned amusement park in Pripyat?? Yes please. For anyone who knows me, I am an abandoned amusement park enthusiast so seeing this made my heart SOAR. I knew it right off the bat, so I had to allow myself a moment to nerd out about that. This arc is fast-paced, action packed, and reminiscent of a good old TR adventure. ☆☆☆☆☆
Volumes 10-12: Now we're back to the art style we saw in volumes 1-6. Not bad, but not a preference still. This story is a bit of a continuation of the last (specifically issue 10, so it felt a bit weird to stop the previous arc at 9 and change the art style again). But it also takes place domestically, in London. Jonah wants Lara to be in his play (who knew he was a theater buff?). Even though she agreed, she's hopeless at acting. We still see a bit of action and some more Trinity stuff that doesn't quite fully make sense yet. But it was interesting to see Lara amidst London life, and to see her dressed up in a costume from Pride and Prejudice. Its not very fitting, but even in a dress, Lara can kick was. It's also very interesting seeing her fear regarding being onstage, considering Lara doesn't show much fear in the face of her enemies during this arc. Ultimately, Lara can't always be off adventuring in foreign lands, so this was an amusing little reprieve from the usual TR action. ☆☆☆☆
Volumes 13-18: This last arc was probably my second favorite of the whole thing. We've returned to the art style I prefer. The writing was well done and the adventure kept me intrigued. It still ties into the 2013 game a bit, because Lara believes she is out to save Grim, one of her fallen crew members from the Endurance whom she thought dead, all the way in Mexico. It almost feels like classic Lara in a way, what with her outfit and all. We got to see more of Lara's friends, and some connections between Lara, Ana, and Trinity again. But what struck me most about this one is how, although we see Lara as a badass here, we also see just how deep her trauma from Yamatai is and how it effects her in her everyday life. And not just for Lara, but for Sam too. I won't spoil anything, but seeing how that ended...it wasn't a direction I expected it to go, but I loved it. Even though it hurt. ☆☆☆☆☆
Final thoughts: It started out a bit weak and redundant, but it quickly became more interesting as the book went on. I'd recommend it to any TR fan, but I think the casual fans might not enjoy it quite as much as some of the more hard-core ones.
The Beginning: I really enjoyed this. We got to see the backstories behind a lot of the side characters from the 2013 game. Things I didn't know even after playing the game, collecting all the documents, and reading them. It was nice to see all their old familiar faces, especially Roth's. It was also nice to see how the Endurance crew got to make that voyage happen to begin with. Unfortunately - and this is the point - we see a lot more of Whitman's ugliness; he's really a despicable human being, but his story will still interesting nevertheless. We didn't get to see much Lara either, and Jonah played such a small role. But I still enjoyed it. ☆☆☆☆
Volumes 1-6: Unfortunately, things get a little weaker here. I want to preface this first by saying that I had fun with this arc. But I do have some complaints. There are times where Lara's inner dialogue, while completely necessary to move the story along and reflect back on the game, felt a little...stale. I didn't feel like I was getting much of Lara. I know Lara is not particularly emotive to start with, but nevertheless, it felt a bit stunted. The story also felt repetitive. I know it's a tie in, but having them sail back to Yamatai, where Lara's lost her friends all over again and Sam's the damsel in distress once more felt a little too similar to the game, even though it completely made sense why they did this for the sake of the story, especially as you get to the end of the fourth arc. But part of the fun with Yamatai was also exploring it, and of course, in book form, this wasn't really possible. So the setting felt oddly lacking despite it being so familiar. But it was great seeing references to the game and the prequel. I loved seeing Lara's transition from regular city life to defense mode when she went back to Yamatai, and how the author managed to still capture Lara's fierce loyalty to her friends. As the story progressed, we saw more of the Lara we're accustomed to, as well as a few sides of her we don't ordinarily get to see. After all, one doesn't come back from Yamatai the same person they were when they first went. A bit of Lara's and Sam's trauma is reflected back at us at times, especially in the beginning, which helped it feel real. I only wish we saw a bit more of the hardened side of Lara as well. It's the weakest of the stories collected here. ☆☆☆.5
Volumes 7-9: Right off the bat, I preferred the art style in this segment compared with the last two. This is the Lara I'm accustomed to, even from the reboot games. I'm very much reminded of the Lara we saw in Rise and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. A hardened, badass warrior. This story also begins to bridge the events between the 2013 game and Rise (hint: Trinity comes into play). The writing also felt more fitting. And it partly takes place in the abandoned amusement park in Pripyat?? Yes please. For anyone who knows me, I am an abandoned amusement park enthusiast so seeing this made my heart SOAR. I knew it right off the bat, so I had to allow myself a moment to nerd out about that. This arc is fast-paced, action packed, and reminiscent of a good old TR adventure. ☆☆☆☆☆
Volumes 10-12: Now we're back to the art style we saw in volumes 1-6. Not bad, but not a preference still. This story is a bit of a continuation of the last (specifically issue 10, so it felt a bit weird to stop the previous arc at 9 and change the art style again). But it also takes place domestically, in London. Jonah wants Lara to be in his play (who knew he was a theater buff?). Even though she agreed, she's hopeless at acting. We still see a bit of action and some more Trinity stuff that doesn't quite fully make sense yet. But it was interesting to see Lara amidst London life, and to see her dressed up in a costume from Pride and Prejudice. Its not very fitting, but even in a dress, Lara can kick was. It's also very interesting seeing her fear regarding being onstage, considering Lara doesn't show much fear in the face of her enemies during this arc. Ultimately, Lara can't always be off adventuring in foreign lands, so this was an amusing little reprieve from the usual TR action. ☆☆☆☆
Volumes 13-18: This last arc was probably my second favorite of the whole thing. We've returned to the art style I prefer. The writing was well done and the adventure kept me intrigued. It still ties into the 2013 game a bit, because Lara believes she is out to save Grim, one of her fallen crew members from the Endurance whom she thought dead, all the way in Mexico. It almost feels like classic Lara in a way, what with her outfit and all. We got to see more of Lara's friends, and some connections between Lara, Ana, and Trinity again. But what struck me most about this one is how, although we see Lara as a badass here, we also see just how deep her trauma from Yamatai is and how it effects her in her everyday life. And not just for Lara, but for Sam too. I won't spoil anything, but seeing how that ended...it wasn't a direction I expected it to go, but I loved it. Even though it hurt. ☆☆☆☆☆
Final thoughts: It started out a bit weak and redundant, but it quickly became more interesting as the book went on. I'd recommend it to any TR fan, but I think the casual fans might not enjoy it quite as much as some of the more hard-core ones.
June 19, 2018
Okay so my inner nerd in me was beyond stoked to have this fancy collectors piece! The book is beautifully put together. Huge! Love the hardcover and the artwork! I’ve grown up playing tomb raider so I’ve been with Croft all of my life starting from when she was just blocks. I love the old Lara! But I also love the new Lara! The new games have been phenomenal and it was so nice to actually have some insight on what happened after Yamatai. The artwork was beautiful 💗 I only have one complaint some of the comics they really didn’t nail her look quite right. Other than that..
I WANT MORE! 💗💗💗
I WANT MORE! 💗💗💗
January 1, 2020
Hands down the best graphic novel I have ever read. It inspired me creatively and kept me enthralled all the way to the end. I’m going to preorder the next one so I can be one of the first to read it!
Great for the feminist in your life who wants to inspire herself to be a badass. Or for anyone who likes awesome graphic novels.
Great for the feminist in your life who wants to inspire herself to be a badass. Or for anyone who likes awesome graphic novels.
March 7, 2020
That was good!! I really want to keep reading the next ones, cuz CLIFFHANGERRRRR!!!
I have never played the video games, so I can’t speak to that, but I looooove the movies, and I felt like Lara Croft’s characterization was sooooo different in the graphic novels. At the beginning of the novels, she felt like a side character and that is not the Lara Croft I know. The movie Lara Croft was soooo confident and almost superhuman in her abilities and mindfulness. But the graphic novel Lara Croft was definitely not that. It took a while for her to be even kind of like that. By the end though, she was acting more like the main character and not some random extra.
There were like 10 million characters and I couldn’t remember them at all. Towards the end, someone comes back and I could not remember how we knew them, since they were in like the first issue. They don’t do a super great job at getting you to connect with most of the characters. But then again, there are so many time jumps that you kind of got confused about everything anyway.
The illustrations were great. I loved them.
I was overall really happy with this volume of graphic novels. I liked the plot(s) and I ended up really liking Lara Croft towards the end.
I have never played the video games, so I can’t speak to that, but I looooove the movies, and I felt like Lara Croft’s characterization was sooooo different in the graphic novels. At the beginning of the novels, she felt like a side character and that is not the Lara Croft I know. The movie Lara Croft was soooo confident and almost superhuman in her abilities and mindfulness. But the graphic novel Lara Croft was definitely not that. It took a while for her to be even kind of like that. By the end though, she was acting more like the main character and not some random extra.
There were like 10 million characters and I couldn’t remember them at all. Towards the end, someone comes back and I could not remember how we knew them, since they were in like the first issue. They don’t do a super great job at getting you to connect with most of the characters. But then again, there are so many time jumps that you kind of got confused about everything anyway.
The illustrations were great. I loved them.
I was overall really happy with this volume of graphic novels. I liked the plot(s) and I ended up really liking Lara Croft towards the end.
November 11, 2020
Video game comics are a tough one to get right. As video games are so personal (and gameplay doesn’t translate well) having a main character that’s iconic definitely helps boost an adaptation. Set after Tomb Raider 2013 Gail Simone works to continue the more human side to Lara and the surrounding cast of the game.
It’s a mixed bag. It’s interesting to approach Lara’s mental state after the ordeal but the story never goes deep enough and tends to be a hit heavy handed. The situation with Sam is a prime example of this wherein she goes ‘evil’ (as it were) in a way that lacks any subtlety.
There’s a distinct lack of action on display too. Rarely is Lara seen with her now iconic bow and she’s rarely put in to situations that call for her action. I’ve no issue with more of a character story but it wouldn’t have hurt to had more balance. The newer games are very action heavy and it was sorely missed here.
The art is simple but does the job. These comics are distinctly different to the older Top Cow run (though they had their own charm) and I appreciate that they are canonical and do bridge the gap between games.
It’s a mixed bag. It’s interesting to approach Lara’s mental state after the ordeal but the story never goes deep enough and tends to be a hit heavy handed. The situation with Sam is a prime example of this wherein she goes ‘evil’ (as it were) in a way that lacks any subtlety.
There’s a distinct lack of action on display too. Rarely is Lara seen with her now iconic bow and she’s rarely put in to situations that call for her action. I’ve no issue with more of a character story but it wouldn’t have hurt to had more balance. The newer games are very action heavy and it was sorely missed here.
The art is simple but does the job. These comics are distinctly different to the older Top Cow run (though they had their own charm) and I appreciate that they are canonical and do bridge the gap between games.
July 2, 2018
A really good read. The comics deal with the gap between TR 1 and 2 and get much further into Lara's mental state than the games can, but still manage to deliver some great story lines. There's enough action to keep you happy, but also a lot of character development. The comics also introduce Trinity. While I liked the story line, I did feel something important as Trinity i.e. the bad guys, should have been introduced in the game itself, not in a comic most of the players won't have read.
The art style was few subtle changes between issues as they used different artists, which threw me a little as they are almost, but not quite the same. As someone not used to reading multi-artist compendiums, it was a bit odd, but is the nature of the beast. I also felt like Lara didn't really look like Lara in most of the comics. If it hadn't been for the pony tail and white tank top, I probably wouldn't have known who she was supposed to be.
If you liked the game and want to see more from Lara then I recommend picking this up.
The art style was few subtle changes between issues as they used different artists, which threw me a little as they are almost, but not quite the same. As someone not used to reading multi-artist compendiums, it was a bit odd, but is the nature of the beast. I also felt like Lara didn't really look like Lara in most of the comics. If it hadn't been for the pony tail and white tank top, I probably wouldn't have known who she was supposed to be.
If you liked the game and want to see more from Lara then I recommend picking this up.
September 12, 2021
É uma leitura para passar o tempo, sem grande substância. Não tem momentos de grande acção e as histórias, muitas vezes, parecem andar sempre à volta do mesmo. Não há qualquer conclusão de jeito no final, o que é uma decepção. As última histórias, apesar de partirem de um tema já bastante batido, apresentam uma ideia sobre a personagem Sam que poderia ser interessante explorar mais e ver como resolver a situação. No entanto, é tudo feito de forma muito superficial e acaba por ficar em "stand-by". É uma pena pois mostrava potencial. Creio que o livro beneficiava de ter menos histórias, mas que fossem mais longas. Da forma como está torna-se tudo muito superficial. A arte, em si, é agradável, se bem que o aspecto da Lara não é sempre uniforme ao longo do livro.
Ainda que o livro tenha alguns episódios interessantes, não é memorável e roça o absurdo, às vezes. Serve para passar o tempo, mas não é nada de especial.
Ainda que o livro tenha alguns episódios interessantes, não é memorável e roça o absurdo, às vezes. Serve para passar o tempo, mas não é nada de especial.
March 9, 2018
Tomb Raider (Library Edition) is a compilation of several volumes of Lara Croft's 2014 story series. This tale left off from the end 2013 Tomb Raider game story and explores Lara Croft's journey to Yamatai, the loss of few of her friends while en route and the fallout that follows thereafter.
WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
Fans of the Tomb Raider franchise would enjoy this. Newcomers with no knowledge of the series would have fun too as they need no prior knowledge of the Tomb Raider lore to make sense of the story.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
Not only is the art gorgeous, but the story is engaging. Almost every aspect of Lara Croft psyche is fleshed-out and we see how she changes in attitude and thinking with each passing incident. The locations were true to life and dialogue is natural.
Many thanks to Dark Horse Comics for review copy.
WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
Fans of the Tomb Raider franchise would enjoy this. Newcomers with no knowledge of the series would have fun too as they need no prior knowledge of the Tomb Raider lore to make sense of the story.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
Not only is the art gorgeous, but the story is engaging. Almost every aspect of Lara Croft psyche is fleshed-out and we see how she changes in attitude and thinking with each passing incident. The locations were true to life and dialogue is natural.
Many thanks to Dark Horse Comics for review copy.
May 18, 2021
I enjoyed chunks of this graphic novel, but not everything. You will have to at least have played 2013's Tomb Raider to understand lots of it (especially the prequel issue). I enjoyed that we saw a lot more of the survivors of the Endurance, since I was disappointed that Rise of the Tomb Raider only included Jonah and never mentioned Sam, at the very least, Lara's best friend. All in all, I would have liked for the issues to have been marked since it all seems like one big story with multiple plots that have little to nothing to do with each other. And it felt like in some of the issues, the story was rushed and resolved very quickly.
Not a bad read, but sometimes confusing, fast-paced, and underwhelming (at times). I will read the next one, which has a different author, but I don't really have high hopes for that one either.
Not a bad read, but sometimes confusing, fast-paced, and underwhelming (at times). I will read the next one, which has a different author, but I don't really have high hopes for that one either.
November 8, 2020
I always loved Tomb Raider (my favourite game series of all time) and I decided to give the comics a go.
This filled the gap between Tomb Raider (2013) and Rise of the Tomb Raider, honestly it only really is good in 2 arcs within the book the rest feels like filler or feels just off.
Certain moments feel like they tried to force a stereotypical brit character into Lara which I found odd but that was just me.
The ending really saved the book I will definitely read the next book (I already saw reviews say the 2nd is better than the first one)
This filled the gap between Tomb Raider (2013) and Rise of the Tomb Raider, honestly it only really is good in 2 arcs within the book the rest feels like filler or feels just off.
Certain moments feel like they tried to force a stereotypical brit character into Lara which I found odd but that was just me.
The ending really saved the book I will definitely read the next book (I already saw reviews say the 2nd is better than the first one)
March 29, 2021
Collection of the comics based off the 2013 Tomb Raider game. Following on with Lara, Sam and Jonah after Yamatai. The comics do a decent job of exploring some of the trauma Lara is left with after the violence on Yamatai and brings in a storyline following Sam and the shred of Himiko that did make it into her. Obviously there is also adventure and tombs to raid. I was a little disappointed that this storyline doesn’t follow through in the games. All in all if you love the game you’ll enjoy the comics.
February 11, 2021
This is a good bridge between Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider, following the characters through the aftermath of Yamatai and the introduction of Trinity.
It didn't add a lot to the mythos, but it was interesting to see Lara try to return to her "normal" life and find herself burdened by her hypervigilance and PTSD. It was an added dimension to the character that I wouldn't mind seeing even more of.
It didn't add a lot to the mythos, but it was interesting to see Lara try to return to her "normal" life and find herself burdened by her hypervigilance and PTSD. It was an added dimension to the character that I wouldn't mind seeing even more of.
September 27, 2022
Really enjoyed this especially the parts where we see how ptsd/trauma and grief still take thier toll on Lara's mental state and how she motivates herself to push past them. My only gripes: The writing every so often suddenly became a little childish and the combat also at times felt a little dumbed down but other than that really great thrilling action and really cool very human character development. Very enjoyable book.
September 22, 2024
Fills in the gaps between Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider. Pretty sure Lara headbutts someone in every issue.
It’s fine. Ropes in all of the original cast and introduces some new characters like Kaz to serve as replacements. Lara’s internal monologue can be a bit ridiculous sometimes and there’s a clear push and pull between trying to depict her as a traumatised twenty-something and a badass that sometimes makes her sound like a serial killer. But it’s functional.
It’s fine. Ropes in all of the original cast and introduces some new characters like Kaz to serve as replacements. Lara’s internal monologue can be a bit ridiculous sometimes and there’s a clear push and pull between trying to depict her as a traumatised twenty-something and a badass that sometimes makes her sound like a serial killer. But it’s functional.
February 15, 2020
I heard about the Tomb Raider video games but I never played them myself, so I approached the graphic novel as a beginner. The drawings were nice, especially the ones from the gallery but sadly the story became boring after a while and I stopped reading it. Also I couldn't like properly any of the characters, including Lara.
April 18, 2020
Very good! Filled in the gaps between the first and second game very well! Would not recommend to those who haven't played the first game but would recommend to people who have. (games mentioned: Tomb Raider 2013, Rise of the Tomb Raider)
December 6, 2021
this is a mess, save yourselves and just play the games
Read
July 3, 2022Great stories...
Tells some beginning history of Lara. It has good art and well paced believable background before she got her fathers money...
Looking forward to more...
Tells some beginning history of Lara. It has good art and well paced believable background before she got her fathers money...
Looking forward to more...
November 1, 2023
Mediocre storytelling with annoying characters added in the mix. Who cares for anyone else who is not Lara Croft in a Tomb Raider story? I certainly do not.
August 13, 2024
Great tie-in story for the newer Tomb Raider games.
April 28, 2019
i do like these library collections...and TombRaider 1 ...graphics are good , story line is good...myth etc.
Nothign to dislike ...makes u wanna play the game.
....
finially finished the graphic novel...good composition, will read the second voluem collection
Nothign to dislike ...makes u wanna play the game.
....
finially finished the graphic novel...good composition, will read the second voluem collection
December 27, 2024
Tomb Raider Volume 1, which I read in Dark Horse Comics' wonderful "Library Edition" large hardcover format, is an uneven ride meant to bridge the gap between the 2013 game and its sequel -- Rise of the Tomb Raider. The series spans 3 main arcs, each with its own arrangement of creative team, and unfortunately it just feels like not enough was done to keep everything consistent between them.
The collection starts with Tomb Raider: The Beginning (Issue #0), a prelude comic that game out before the 2013 game. It's a good introduction to the characters from that game and how they ended up on a voyage to the island of Yamatai. I replayed the beginning of the game shortly after reading the issue, and I had forgotten just how much it just throws you right into the action. The comic really helped round out the cast and set up the adventure in a meaningful way (probably helped by the fact that the writer, Rhianna Pratchett, wrote the game as well.) Tomb Raider: The Beginning score: 4/5 stars.
The rest of the series is split into 3 6-issue arcs, beginning with Season of the Witch written by Gail Simone. Along with The Beginning, this arc has some of the strongest art in the series. Unfortunately, that's about all it has going for it. The writing feels tonally very different from the game series, embracing the supernatural side of things in a way that's far more casual than the way they were treated in the 2013 game. I almost couldn't get past a random 1,000 year flood that just sort of happened and then all went away. And it felt cheap to go back to Yamatai so soon after the events of the game as well -- like it was for shock or marketing value rather than what made sense for the story. Oh, and Lara literally sees a ghost. 2/5 stars.
Simone and Pratchett collaborate on the next 6 issues, Secrets and Lies. The writing is a little better, as Lara goes in search of people in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and encounters shadowy organization Trinity (which she seems to have forgotten learning about in the Ten Thousand Immortals novel that takes place between the 2013 game and the comic series). The tone is closer to that of the 2013 game while not riding on its coattails like the first arc did, with the back two issues taking place in London and feeling much stronger than even the Chernobyl ones. 3/5 stars.
The final arc, Queen of Serpents, features distractingly poor art combined with the best story in the series. Pratchett is free of Gail Simone and free to write something that seems to fit right in with the games, exploring Lara's relationship with her friends and mental state after seeing wild things on Yamatai and committing lots of violence. We also get to learn more about her dad as she takes a trip to Mexico in search of a lost friend. And the arc ends with an epilogue issue back in London that seems to set Lara up for the events of Rise of the Tomb Raider. 4/5 stars.
Overall, Tomb Raider Volume 1 is very hit-or-miss. Rhianna Pratchett clearly knows and excels writing these characters, while Gail Simone never seemed to quite get the tone right. The art fluctuates wildly as well, almost inversely proportional to the quality of the story. And all throughout, there seems to be a quota of 1 full-page splash per issue. That massively cheapens the effect and most of them aren't even used well to begin with. If they felt like they were a little short on content, they could have just made each issue shorter! And while lots of tie-in comics often feature generic concept art or production stills, the covers for most issues in this series were so blatantly unrelated to what happened in them (Lara on a camel in the desert for an issue set in London) that I would feel very misled if I picked them up based on the covers.
If you're a big Tomb Raider fan, I think this collection would probably be worth it. But it's not without a heaping helping of flaws.
The collection starts with Tomb Raider: The Beginning (Issue #0), a prelude comic that game out before the 2013 game. It's a good introduction to the characters from that game and how they ended up on a voyage to the island of Yamatai. I replayed the beginning of the game shortly after reading the issue, and I had forgotten just how much it just throws you right into the action. The comic really helped round out the cast and set up the adventure in a meaningful way (probably helped by the fact that the writer, Rhianna Pratchett, wrote the game as well.) Tomb Raider: The Beginning score: 4/5 stars.
The rest of the series is split into 3 6-issue arcs, beginning with Season of the Witch written by Gail Simone. Along with The Beginning, this arc has some of the strongest art in the series. Unfortunately, that's about all it has going for it. The writing feels tonally very different from the game series, embracing the supernatural side of things in a way that's far more casual than the way they were treated in the 2013 game. I almost couldn't get past a random 1,000 year flood that just sort of happened and then all went away. And it felt cheap to go back to Yamatai so soon after the events of the game as well -- like it was for shock or marketing value rather than what made sense for the story. Oh, and Lara literally sees a ghost. 2/5 stars.
Simone and Pratchett collaborate on the next 6 issues, Secrets and Lies. The writing is a little better, as Lara goes in search of people in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and encounters shadowy organization Trinity (which she seems to have forgotten learning about in the Ten Thousand Immortals novel that takes place between the 2013 game and the comic series). The tone is closer to that of the 2013 game while not riding on its coattails like the first arc did, with the back two issues taking place in London and feeling much stronger than even the Chernobyl ones. 3/5 stars.
The final arc, Queen of Serpents, features distractingly poor art combined with the best story in the series. Pratchett is free of Gail Simone and free to write something that seems to fit right in with the games, exploring Lara's relationship with her friends and mental state after seeing wild things on Yamatai and committing lots of violence. We also get to learn more about her dad as she takes a trip to Mexico in search of a lost friend. And the arc ends with an epilogue issue back in London that seems to set Lara up for the events of Rise of the Tomb Raider. 4/5 stars.
Overall, Tomb Raider Volume 1 is very hit-or-miss. Rhianna Pratchett clearly knows and excels writing these characters, while Gail Simone never seemed to quite get the tone right. The art fluctuates wildly as well, almost inversely proportional to the quality of the story. And all throughout, there seems to be a quota of 1 full-page splash per issue. That massively cheapens the effect and most of them aren't even used well to begin with. If they felt like they were a little short on content, they could have just made each issue shorter! And while lots of tie-in comics often feature generic concept art or production stills, the covers for most issues in this series were so blatantly unrelated to what happened in them (Lara on a camel in the desert for an issue set in London) that I would feel very misled if I picked them up based on the covers.
If you're a big Tomb Raider fan, I think this collection would probably be worth it. But it's not without a heaping helping of flaws.
October 30, 2023
After reading the original Top Cow comics and resenting how much it overly catered to the male gaze, this first omnibus of the Dark Horse comics thankfully abstains from exploiting Lara in that outdated way. The stories told through the colourful pages are decent but not overly memorable, however they tie in nicely with the video games and create a coherent overarching story to satisfy fans of the series.
Unfortunately, I found some continuity of the art lacklustre as character’s faces often appear botched and inconsistent from page to page but overall, this was an visually entertaining read that I was able to frequently pick up and absorb myself in.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Unfortunately, I found some continuity of the art lacklustre as character’s faces often appear botched and inconsistent from page to page but overall, this was an visually entertaining read that I was able to frequently pick up and absorb myself in.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Want to read
January 9, 2018Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
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