New Tomb Raider game will lead on from comic book plot

Square Enix's Tomb Raider reboot will continue in a 2014 comic book series, which will lead into Lara Croft's next video game.

The comic series, due to start on February 26, 2014, will take place after the conclusion of the first game. "We start just a few weeks after the end of the game," said author Gail Simone to Kotaku, "and this is all in continuity."

"It will be Tomb Raider canon, and lead directly into the sequel. This is what got me excited; we get to be part of Lara Croft history."

Tomb Raider launched in March to sales of 3.4 million copies. Though it was one of 2013's best-selling games, Square Enix said the game had failed to meet the publisher's expectations.

Speaking about how the comic will slot into the new Tomb Raider universe, Simone said she had "always loved the classic, cool Lara Croft, but this feels like her origin story, like we're seeing her before she becomes the icon, and it's very compelling to me."

"The storytelling in [Tomb Raider] hooked me instantly. The biggest difference is, the game told a claustrophobic story in an isolated setting. We are going globetrotting."

Simone has worked in comics for many years, helming Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman, and, most recently, Batgirl. She says she has now become friends with Tomb Raider author Rhianna Pratchett, and has asked her to collaborate with another upcoming comic series.

"What a joy it is to count [Pratchett] as a friend," said Simone. "She is simply an astonishing storyteller...the writing in the Tomb Raider game is so natural and believable and convincing, you really feel Lara's pain and struggle. A lot of that is pure Rhianna."

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I loved her work so much I have asked her to participate with me on a comics mini-series, Legends of Red Sonja. She's been an invaluable and remarkably generous ally in this. And her writing has a message of commitment and integrity to the characters."