Lara returns to London after saving Alex's sister, Kaz, in Pripyat (radiation zone near Chernobyl) last issue. The issue opens with Mr. Cruz, who has somehow managed to get to a hospital, talking to another Trinity member called Mr. Ramile. Ramile has been ordered to clean up Cruz's mess. To which Cruz simply asks that he make Lara suffer. What's Lara doing now that she's killed a dozen more men and been shot at by a helicopter? If you said rehearsing for a play, you'd be right. She's Lara F***ing Croft and she can murderize (or at least self-defencerize) a bunch of people and then go back to normal trivial life. They do show in a later encounter that she is actually starting to enjoy the violent lifestyle which is cool.
So she's rehearsing for a play which she was dragged into by Jonah because that’s how he wants his life-debt repaid (Jonah is my favorite character (next to the Jaffa cakes that don't appear this issue)). Lara unfortunately isn't as good at acting as her fellow actresses (actors? Thespians?) would like and the lead threatens to quit. Lara chases her down, at Jonah's behest, then tries to smooth things over. They go for a few drinks with Sam and Kaz, who has had her hair cut and coloured (at Sam’s insistence). I love how this one panel gives you so much information on what has transpired since the last issue.
After Lara and Andrea (the lead from the play) leave the bar they are accosted by two big thugs that try to mug them. I say try because Lara kicks the crap out of them and has a good time doing it, which terrifies Andrea so much that she quits and runs away. Lara returns to Jonah who, although dismayed, has so much faith in her that he casts her as the lead.
Meanwhile Ramile, who has been following Lara the whole time, kills the two thugs that were planning their revenge. He calls Lara his angel and that she will continue when he cannot. continue what? I have no idea but I can't wait to find out. The issue ends with a very angry Cruz (because Ramile told him that he won't kill Lara) discharging himself from hospital, presumably to track down and kill both Lara and Ramile.
This is an awesome issue minus the missing Jaffa cakes of course. As you can see a lot happens. Rhianna Pratchett and Gail Simone are weaving a great story. They do a lot to make the characters feel real. This is a great continuation of the game and it seems to be finding its own foothold, I'm excited to see where they take it and if it will lead into the next game.
Score: 3/5
Writer: Rhianna Pratchett and Gail Simone Pencils: Nicolás Daniel Selma Inks: Juan Gedeon Colors: Michael Atiyeh Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.50 Release Date: 12/24/14 Format: Ongoing, Print/Digital