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Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly
Artist: Ashley A Woods
Colorist: Michael Atiyeh
Release date: April 11, 2018
The first thing that strikes me is the excellent cover art by Hannah Fisher, which has been consistently dynamic and true to the Lara Croft character. Throughout the four cover she has illustrated, we see Lara exploring, defending and escaping peril. These covers do a lot to attract the reader but sadly the same could not be said for the comic itself.
I hate saying this because Ashley A Woods has done stellar work for Niobe and Ladycastle, and it gives me no pleasure to tell you that the artwork in Tomb Raider: Survivor’s Crusade is a little… choppy? Rushed? The movement is awkward, the proportions are all over the place- even Micheal Atiyeh’s colors seem a little off, though not consistently. Some of the more grand scenes are beautifully colored. It feels like someone rushed Woods along, never giving her time to let her style breath. Niobe, in particular, proves she can deliver on epic fantasy and gorgeous landscapes. The one consistently great aspect of the art in Tomb Raider: Survivor’s Crusade, is the locations. Over the course of this series, Lara has traveled from Italy, to Thailand and to Egypt (among other places). And they all look amazing.
This series could likely have been rushed, perhaps to get it out in time for the movie. Rushed, along with flat, feels like the adequate terms to describe this comic, and this series, so far. I hope it improves, as I really think the whole team deserves a better chance at getting Lara Croft right. Also, on a small note, can Lara finally move on from avenging her father? I have yet to read the other comics, so maybe she does there, but it would be a nice change up for recent Tomb Raider media.
Despite all this, I would still encourage you to give it a go if you’re a fan of the Tomb Raider comics already. Perhaps the art will not bother you (again- please read Niobe to see a better representation of how talented Ashley Wood is) and maybe you will get more from the story than I do.
Review by: Rosalind Mosis