Covers!

Happy Holidays!

The final covers are complete and ready to go.  We are happy to have original cover designs by the folks at Crystal Dynamics. First a 3d look at the complete collection created by Tomb Raider aficionado Brandon Klassen.    Many thanks to him for this virtual look.

 Below is a look at the evolution of the cover.
First are the concepts followed by the final, full-spread sleeve.

Above 2 images: Slip Case Cover Concept and Final.

Above 2 images: Volume I Concept and Final Cover (Core Design Years)

Above 2 images: Volume II Concept and Final Cover (Crystal Dynamics Years)

Updates and New Pages

Here's a quick update on the book's progress and a few new pages.

The final file is at the printer and a few minor adjustments are being made to correct color, contrast, etc. Everything looks fantastic and it is wonderful to see things wrapping up nicely. Here's the bad news. Unfortunately our print run has fallen during the Chinese New Year, so delivery will be delayed until February. I wanted to have it in my hands for Christmas too. Humbug!

Until then, here are a few pages from Volume II which covers the Crystal Dynamics Years.

Enjoy!

Above: Introduction to Volume II by Darrel Gallagher.

Above: Kraken Room Concepts & Niflheim Door Puzzle Room Concept.

Above: Lost Valley Storyboards and Concept Sketch.

Above: Viking Thrall Concept Sketches and Color Design.

Pre-Order Deposits Now Closed

A lot has been happening, but here are the more salient points. Pre-orders are now closed. Don't worry, books are still available, but now you've got to pay the full Pre-Order Price of $110US. The price will increase to $125US once we go to print which should be at the end of the month. So if you haven't ordered, we urge you now.

The Dreams and Visions Press Web site has been reworked and has some sample pages of the Tomb Raider Book. A bit higher res than this blog will allow. Have a look around, there might be something else that might tickle your fancy.

In addition, we finally printed out the entire book, all 550+ pages, and also received a sample slip-case from the printer. I must admit, even after years of working on this project, holding the full color pages in your hands for the first time is an unbelievable feeling. It really looks and feels amazing. I can't wait to see the final product. It will be a great Christmas present.

Exclusive Lettered Edition Update - Only 5 copies of the limited edition are left. Price is still undetermined but will range from $400US to $800US. The Lettered Edition (26 copies, A to Z) will include two original sketches from Tomb Raider Artists - one each from Angel of Darkness artist James Kenny and Legend, Anniversary, and Underworld artist Daniel Cabuco. These are original, signed sketches. They are not prints, or copies. You will be the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind, signed piece of Tomb Raider art. To order one of these, please go to the Dreams and Visions Website and purchase one of the standard editions, then send us an email to get on the Lettered Edition List. Remember, there are only 5 remaining.

Pre-Orders Open!

Please see below for FAQ's.

We are happy to announce that pre-orders on the Art of Tomb Raider are now available. Pre-orders can be found on the Dreams and Visions Press website.

Go to www.dreamsandvisionspress.com and click on the Tomb Raider link. Follow the instructions to pay with credit card or PayPal. Deposits are $55US.

If you have any questions or problems, please let us know immediately.

Pre-orders are taken on a first come first serve basis. So don't delay. Announcements to the general web community will be delayed after the blog subscribers and email list have a chance to take advantage of the early offer.

Please let us know if you are interested in the "Exclusive" edition.

Deposits will apply to either version.

Thanks for your patience!

Here's an early Doppelganger concept. More updates coming soon.

Answers to FAQ's

$110 is the pre-order cost of the Standard Edition. The book will contain two volumes (Core Years and Crystal Years). These two volumes will be in a slipcase and are considered to be one book.

The $55 deposit can be applied to either the Standard Edition or the Exclusive Edition.

Exclusive Edition particulars are still being determined. Cost and Details are not yet available. If you'd like the Exclusive Edition, let us know and we will put you on that list. You can always downgrade with no penalty. Please anticipate a cost of $400-$800 for the Exclusive Edition.

The $55 deposit will apply for either edition.

You should receive notice from PayPal that your $55 has been received. If you have received notice, you are guaranteed a Standard Edition. We will close pre-orders once the number reaches 2000 orders. Then we will begin a waiting list.

Shipping will be between $30 and $70 depending on your location.

Final payment will be requested once we have a shipping date from our printer. We anticipate an October/November 2009 delivery. Subject to change.

Page Count Grows!

Here's a quick update and some new page concepts.

And let me preface this by saying that "All is subject to change!"

We are very close to opening pre-orders.  Woohoo!   Our web master is working on automating that function, so we appreciate your patience.  Start saving your gold pieces.    Look for an email in the next couple weeks or check back here. 

Page Count continues to grow with storyboards, pencil sketches and new art still coming in.   We are over 550 now.   Rather than make art small or worse, cut imagery, we gave in and are leaning toward a two volume set coupled nicely in a slip case.   We're planning on the Core Years being the first volume and the Crystal Years being the second. The good news is that it shouldn't affect price too much.  We are still looking at the same anticipated price point as the Ralph McQuarrie Book.

We are also entertaining doing only two versions, instead of three.   Standard Edition and 100 (or so) Limited Signed copies with an original pencil sketch. 

  

Again, "All subject to change!"

   

Storyboards!!!!!

Just received storyboards from the fine folks at Crystal Dynamics. Here's a look at the sketches from the three games Crystal produced. Great variety of detail in the respective versions.  Here they are in chronological order.     

Above - From Legend.    

Lara chased by motorcycle mercenaries as she hoists herself to safety on a runaway train.

Above -  From Anniversary.   

Cheers to anyone who can identify the above scene and appropriate baddies.

Above - From Underworld.    

Lara playing Dance Revolution in a local Thai arcade.

Just making sure someone reads this stuff.

WonderCon - San Francisco - 2009

Dreams and Visions Press attended WonderCon this past weekend in San Francisco.  Attendance to the convention was extremely high; the best I've seen in years.   In addition to selling the Art of Ralph McQuarrie books (Japanese and English editions) we offered an exclusive look at the upcoming Tomb Raider art book.

Located right in Crystal Dynamics back yard, San Francisco granted us the opportunity to meet several artists & programmers who stopped by the booth to say hello and take a look.  It was great to meet the folks behind the game.  Of course, every time this happened, I was not actually in the booth to partake in the formal introductions.  But I was told they were very excited.

Response to the preliminary pages was very positive from attendees as well.  Although, some were disappointed that the book wasn't actually available to purchase on the spot.   We are as eager to publish the book as you are to hold it in your little hands.

A few of the pages can be seen above and a glimpse of the book's cover de jour.   While it is lovely, it is almost definitely NOT the final.   

Thanks to all those who stopped by and said hello.  And to those new friends who just found out about the book.   Happy Conventioning!

Happy Birthday Lara!

As you know, Valentine's Day also just happens to be Lara Croft's birthday.    So, as we celebrate both, here's a little treat from Dreams and Visions Press.   These pages are a preliminary look at the next draft of the book.  As always, we must include the disclaimer that what you see here may not look exactly like the finished product.  We're still editing, adjusting, and admiring.

The above concept images are from Angel of Darkness.

I find James Kenny's interpretation and update of Lara very appealing.

Lara and some of the early concept character drawings for Legend.

Above Left - Concept images for Pierre from Anniversary.

Above Right - Concept images for the Doppelgänger, one of my favorite parts of the game.

Above - Concept drawings for some of the Arctic environments from Underworld.

Fan Collections

Thanks to all who have expressed interest in the book and the desire to add it to your collection. A few of you have sent over jpg's of these impressive collections. And I look on in envy at the many things that I do not have.    We hope someday to be a part of your arsenal with the art book.

susiboy from Korea sent us a link to a very interesting collection of alternate versions of the console games.  It's very interesting to see the different releases for the various markets around the world.

A more comprehensive look at susiboy's collection can be found here.       

Let us know what unique items you have!   Send us a jpg or post a comment.  

Happy New Year

Happy Holidays!

It's been some time since our last post and I know that you are eager to hear some updates.  Now that the holidays are over & we've finished playing the new game, we can resume our work on the book. We are still struggling with page count.  We are hoping to get it down to around 400 pages.  There is so much brilliant work to display and we have every intention of including all of the available art.     It's just a matter of prioritizing size and dimension of the artwork.

As you can see from the quality of Underworld, the environments are exquisite. Above is an early concept of the Mediterranean stage. Cheers to all the artists who brought the levels to life.   As a scuba diver, I particularly liked the underwater sequences.   The most realistic to date.   

We'd love to hear your favorite parts of the new game.  Feel free to post comments!