Lara Croft Through the Creative Lens of Andy Park

Crystal Dynamics has released an interview with renowned comic book artist and illustrator Andy Park, reflecting on his decades-long connection with Lara Croft, the iconic star of Tomb Raider. Park, whose artwork has been integral to the Tomb Raider series since the late 1990s, shared insights into his favorite covers and his artistic approach to illustrating the legendary adventurer.

Among his most cherished works is the gold-foiled variant of Tomb Raider #1 from 1999, an image also used as a promotional poster at San Diego Comic-Con. Park considers this cover a standout for its dynamic portrayal of Lara’s strength and confidence. His collaboration with industry legends Marc Silvestri, Jon Sibal, and Richard Isanove made it particularly memorable. Another significant piece is the purple-background version of Tomb Raider #1, which marked the comic’s release and became the best-selling comic of the year.

Park also highlighted Tomb Raider #9, featuring Lara battling a crocodile, as one of his favorites. He admires its composition and envisions it as a potential collectible statue—an example of his passion for crafting iconic character moments in pop culture.

Reflecting on his long association with the franchise, Park recalled his work on covers and illustrations for major Tomb Raider anniversaries and video game reboots. Each new project, he said, felt like a homecoming, reinforcing his deep connection to Lara Croft’s legacy.

When illustrating Lara, Park aimed to imbue her with depth and complexity, portraying her as more than just a physical icon. He carefully balanced her strength and confidence with genuine human emotion, ensuring she remained a multidimensional character. His artistic choices, inspired by early Tomb Raider video game covers, often depicted Lara engaging directly with the viewer—ready to take on any challenge.

For Park, his contributions to Tomb Raider remain a defining part of his career, and he takes pride in the lasting impact of his work on the character’s legacy.

Fans can revisit these iconic illustrations with Tomb Raider Colossal Collection Volume 1, a hardcover edition set for release in June 2025. Spanning 888 pages, the collection includes issues #1-24 and #26-34 of the Tomb Raider series published by Top Cow from 1999 to 2003.

For the full interview with Andy Park, visit the official Tomb Raider blog.