Heck, Lara Croft is practically a household name these days, isn’t she? Even my Mom recognizes her. “She’s that character, played by that actress, right?” For sure, Mom. For sure.
All kidding aside, Lara Croft and the video game that originally starred her, 1996’s Tomb Raider, is often cited as an important catalyst for furthering female characters in video games. There’s also the increase of video game participation by women. (I like to think that Samus Aran of Metorid fame was the original inciting force!)
Still, there’s no denying that Lara Croft’s name carries a lot of weight in pop culture. And today, a new comic book, following a new vision for the character drops – and all should be there to witness the beginnings of a new chapter in Tomb Raider history!
Tomb Raider #1
Written by: Gail Simone
Illustrated by: Nicolas Daniel Selma
Published by: Dark Horse Comics
Although this particular Tomb Raider #1 is a brand new series, it’s not the first time Lara Croft has been the feature character in a comic book. Publisher Top Cow Publications produced comics featuring her (either in a special guest appearance or as the star of an ongoing title) from 1997. Beyond the series of various video games, she’s had at least three novels detailing her archaeological-based adventures, a series of animated shorts, an amusement park ride and, of course, two famous films starring Angelina Jolie in the title role.
Last year, video game publisher Square Enix and developer Crystal Dynamics released a reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise, detailing a brand new continuity. Here was Lara Croft, a young and ambitious archaeologist, just now learning her craft. The game received rave reviews from pundits and players alike.
At the 2013 San Diego Comic Con, word was released that Dark Horse Comics would be publishing a direct comic book sequel to the revamped video game. Written by acclaimed comic book scribe Gail Simone, the story told in the pages of the monthly Tomb Raider series will eventually lead into a video game sequel. This is exciting news for both comic book and video game lovers!
Full of action and adventure, far-off and mysterious locales, ancient history and mythology, dastardly villains and malevolent and secretive organizations, Tomb Raider is sure to entertain any pop culture fan of genre fiction.
Repel, climb, zip-line, hang glide, swim or just run your way to your local comic book shop today and pick up Tomb Raider #1. It’s one of the main reasons why we’re all so enamoured by comics and games!
Every Wednesday, JP makes the after-work run to his local downtown comic book shop. Comics arrive on Wednesdays you see and JP, fearful that the latest issue will sell out, rushes out to purchase his copy. This regular, weekly column will highlight a particularly interesting release, written in short order, of course, because JP has to get his – before someone else does!
