ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!? The very first thing I see when I open my advanced copy of Tomb Raider #5 is “Four years ago…” After all the Ballyhoo (great word, great band, check em’ out) I made about how we were FINALLY going back to the Island of Yamatai in the past two reviews I wanted to actually, you know, be on Yamatai. Instead we open with a flashback and I nearly threw my tablet against the wall. The flashback is sweet, I have to admit; it chronicles the friendship of Lara and her best friend Sam, showing Lara as a stuffy British lass content with her studying quietly whereas Sam is an outgoing American with a penitent for dancing and snack cakes. We’re shown how important they are to one another, but is it vital to the story? I’m not sure it is.
Finally, on page six we pick up where issue #4 left off. Lara Croft is looking totally badass and ready for war against the Solarii, but swerve! These aren’t technically Solarii bad guys. We finally get an explanation of what they’re out to accomplish and while the idea is intriguing it’s extremely unlikely it’ll be pulled off; it’d require the death of our titular character.
The issue ends with a cliffhanger, as this book is certainly one to do; we also have a new character that conveniently saves the day and puts Lara in a rough spot. It’s obvious that Gail Simone is setting him up to make us think he just might be a bad guy secretly working for the Solarii-Lites. How will that play out? I’m guessing Lara will trust him and she’ll be betrayed, but I’m hoping to be pleasantly surprised.
There’s till no improvement on the backgrounds, although it was really nice to see some familiar sights from the game. Lara and the characters look great and are portrayed realistically, and Gail Simone is doing a great job with Lara, but her dialogue she’s giving the villain plays off a bit basic. We’re finally on Yamatai and things are happening, so I’m once again excited to get my hands on the next issue!
Writer: Gail Simone
Penciller: Nicolás Daniel Selma
Inker: Juan Gedeon
Colorist: Michael Atiyeh
Cover Artist: Brian Horton
