“Tomb Raider: Sacred Artifacts 4” Review – The End of a Great Run

From Lara losing a relic in her home to finding the cult in a cave, it’s all been leading to this. In this explosive finale, Lara faces her past while leading into the future. From writer Casey Gilly, “Sacred Artifacts #4” answers all of our burning questions and more!

Writer: Casey Gilly
Artist: Antonio Di Caprio
Colorist: Enrica Angiolini
Letterer: AndWorld Design

The End is The Beginning

As a Tomb Raider fan that’s been reading and reviewing this mini-series from its beginning, I’m deeply saddened to see it end. This is largely due to Casey Gilly’s amazing story and how well-crafted it was. From the character moments to the action and everything in-between, I was hooked. This latest issue was no different.

Right in the opening moments, you’re grabbed by a rather interesting plot twist; one that ties directly into “Tomb Raider 2” and retcons it ever so slightly. With this twist comes what I believe to be some very solid answers to questions that readers have been having. Amidst all of this, none of the new info will let readers down in the slightest, let alone franchise fans. What further backs this up is the pacing, keeping things easy to follow and absorb so we can process this new information.

Something else that I loved in this issue is something I love about the run as a whole: how well Lara was written and understood. She was confident, intelligent, strategic, witty, a bit flirty and totally badass but far from perfect. She felt real and tangible, a stark contrast to the epic adventures she goes on. Speaking of said adventures, the way this story was written was such a great entryway for new fans! It didn’t feel too overwhelming with prior info, while giving just enough to get people interested in finding out more.

Artistry in Motion

As with the previous issues, Di Caprio and Angiolini absolutely killed the art in this issue! For this last and final issue, every shot looked carefully chosen. The penciling and shading were both not only detailed, but exceptional. Di Caprio’s work paired with Angiolini’s command of color really brings a lot to this finale and made everything feel cinematic in nature. This was made all the better by the pairs use of lighting and how it interacted with the environment. Absolutely stellar work!

Final Thoughts – 10/10

As sad as I am to see this series go, I’m beyond ecstatic that I got to experience it as it happened. From the first issue to the last, Gilly and crew take readers on a wild ride, not allowing us to let go. The writing, art and colors worked together to create something truly electric and worth remembering. I’d even go so far as to say that Gilly, Di Caprio and Angiolini cemented themselves in Tomb Raider’s legacy.

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Comments

Did you read all of “Tomb Raider: Sacred Artifacts” or are you planning to pick up the trade paperback in August? Let us know in the comments below!