Tomb Raider: Sacred Artifacts review

The past comes back to haunt Lara Croft in Tomb Raider: Sacred Artifacts, a collaboration between Dark Horse Comics and Crystal Dynamics. Lara’s been through it since her introduction nearly 30 years ago, facing grisly enemies while trying to secure priceless artifacts and avoiding disasters. When an old enemy resurfaces, she is once again sent on a globetrotting adventure to keep an immense power from falling into the wrong hands. Sacred Artifacts blends together legacy, mystery, and an adventure for self-identity in a story that’s also easy to pick up for newcomers.

It’s been 14 months since Croft Manor went up in flames. Lara sits down for an interview with a local journalist to talk about life since then as well as what plans Lara has for restoring the manor, but when she discovers the Dagger of Xian has gone missing, she’s pulled back into the field. The story, written by Casey Gilly, takes place shortly after the events of Tomb Raider: Underworld and references what happened in Tomb Raider II in a short, 4-part mini-series. In it, Lara grapples not only with her place in the world but also the demons of her past.

My suspicions were immediately piqued; what happened to the dagger, and why has this enemy suddenly reemerged? Lara and her companions embark on a wild adventure, but are often met with seemingly coincidental mishaps. As more and more of these instances stack up, Lara starts putting the pieces of the puzzle together to solve the mystery. And, throughout all of this, Lara is still trying to do damage control for the manor, juggling her public-facing responsibilities while trying to prevent another catastrophe.

Even if you haven't played Tomb Raider II or Tomb Raider: Underworld, Sacred Artifacts is a great point to jump into the story. I wouldn't say it's enough to be a standalone story, but it might inspire you to go back to see what actually happened in the games leading up to it. It's almost like coming back to a show you haven't watched in a while and realizing you've been missing out; it gets you curious. It also makes me want to jump back into other Tomb Raider adventures, like Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raider films and the upcoming television series that will feature Sophie Turner as Lara Croft.

Sacred Artifacts features illustrations from Antonio Di Caprio, including impressive detail in close-ups and action sequences, though less attention is given to people and objects in the distance. The picture is completed with colors from Eren Angiolini, bringing Lara, her foes, and her allies to life in 96 pages. This artwork, combined with Gilly's amazing writing, reminds me of animated shows from my childhood, like the original Teen Titans (the superior TT series). The look and feel is all there, painting that perfect motion picture in my head.  

The first issue was published in January, with issues 2-4 releasing in February, March, and April, respectively. All are available digitally, with a full physical release planned for later this year for $19.99 USD.