No sooner have I practically begged that publishers take an active role in creating well-crafted books packed with concept and production artwork of famous beloved characters than word comes that an art book focusing on Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider franchise is nearing its February release date.  Featuring art, sketches, and storyboards from each and every Tomb Raider game up through 2008's Underworld, the two-volume set is to see a very limited printing and sell for $110 each.  Here comes The Art of Tomb Raider.

The Art of Tomb Raider is the first book to present every significant piece of Tomb Raider art from all the games and adventures of Lara Croft. This gallery of art is presented in a two volume, 568 page book. Volume 1 chronicles Tomb Raider through Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness. Volume 2 chronicles Tomb Raider: Legend through Tomb Raider: Underworld. The two volume set is house in a slipcase.  See the first ever sketches of Lara Croft by Toby Gard, unreleased concept art, storyboards and promotional art and fascinating insights into the evolution of design and visualization of all the Tomb Raider games.

There's even a super limited $500 edition that contains original autographed Lara Croft artwork suitable for framing (the Lettered Edition).  This is exactly the kind of thing that I want to see more companies create, although ideally for a lower price.  It's a shame that I'm not more of a Tomb Raider fan because I just can't justify spending $110 on this, but I'm still glad that it's being produced.

(via Joystiq)