Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Rhianna Pratchett
Artist: Derlis Santacruz
Colourist: Andy Owens
Release date: May 29, 2015
Price: $3.99

Tomb Raider #18 takes a break from the action to address Lara Croft’s emerging PTSD and overt daddy issues. “I know my mind plays tricks on me,” she says to herself. And there’s no sexy Lara here, no tight spaghetti-strap tops and booty shorts. She’s traded them in for a loose hoody sweatshirt. That’s right: Tomb Raider #18 without the er……tomb raiding. And maybe that is no bad thing.

After a harrowing adventure in Mexico, Lara spends much of Tomb Raider #18 walking around commiserating about the past and her strained relationship with roommate Sam. Sam is upset that Lara has saved her yet again, her ego is bruised and she feels abandonment issues since Lara keeps talking about leaving again.

Not surprisingly the Dark Horse Tomb Raider has a Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibe to it, another of the publisher’s properties. “Don’t mock the blanket cave,” Lara tells her friends who come to check on her.

Derlis Samtacruz’s art is also very much in line with the style used in Dark Horse’s Buffy. The faces are expressive, even if the figure work is sometimes a little clunky.

Tomb Raider #18 feels like a group therapy session. Knowing Lara Croft, it’s just the calm before the storm. But, you know, bring on the storm, already! There is only so much emoting a character like Lara Croft should have to go through.

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker