Lara Croft Volume 1 Comic Book Review
Summary: How do you make a lecture fun? You make sure you are there with Lara Croft!
4
Fungi Croft
Lara Croft is an enduring figure. Exploding onto the polygonal scene decades ago essentially as the female counter part to Indiana Jones (and arguably more physically skilled). Lara Croft Volume 1 mixes a new story and a little bit of Rocky Montagesque training sequence to pull together a story with action a plenty. In a time when strong female role models are even more points of focus than before Lara Croft stands out as an excellent character to aspire to (if you take away her questionable archeological techniques). She is clearly very intelligent, she is very resourceful and can handle herself exceptionally well in pretty much any situation.
Writing
Starting with a moment of action and suspense and then throwing back to a time not that long ago in which Lara devotes time to improving her survival skills before taking us back to the present… Mariko keeps our interest throughout this rollercoaster story. Attending what should be a nice relaxed lecture Lara is soon dragged into a new adventure when the lecturer proves to have information that a mysterious group seem hell bent on obtaining. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Ms Croft sets off to thwart the mystery assailants and to try and uncover the mystery that is presented to her.
Artwork
Shifting effortlessly between the bright colours of city life and the forest to the dark muted earthen tones of caves, Phillip brings Lara to life with his energetic visuals. Along with the story, the visuals really have to help keep the story going here because Lara Croft is such a familiar franchise and action is the key element of any Tomb Raider story. Phillip doesn’t disappoint with a great sense of urgency and danger popping on many of the pages… the shadowy figures marching through the caverns are quite palpable.
Final Thoughts
I think Spore works as a great stand alone story that fits well with the Lara Croft franchises aesthetic. The training scene at the start works very well to not only set up the frequent use of onomatopoeia but also to explain how she can be so effective at working in the near dark against a deadly foe. This comic indicates that Lara Croft works in basically any medium you can throw her into. Games: Check, Movies: Check, Comics: Check. Well worth a look and a good role model for anyone.
Comic Details
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Mariko Tamaki
Artist: Phillip Sevy
Cover Artist: Agustin Alessio
Genre: Action Adventure
Format: FC, 144 pages
Release Date: 26th October 2016
About the Author
Chris O'Connor Father of four, husband of one and all round oddity. Gaming at home since about 1982 with a Sinclair ZX Spectrum. Moving on to the more traditional PC genre in the years that followed with the classic Jump Joe and Alley Cat. CGA, EGA, VGA and beyond PC's have been central to my gaming but I've also enjoyed consoles and hand helds along the way (who remembers the Atari Lynx?). Would have been actor/film maker, jack of many trades master of none.
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