Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
The Vault #1 of 3
Image Comics
Sarkar & Gastonny
The Vault is a mini-series that dips its feet into many different genres to bring together a story that has something for a wide range of readers. Essentially the first issue establishes the characters and puts forth the big reveal at the end of the issue. The characters feel a little interchangeable at this point but the story has a good enough grab at the end to keep me coming back for more. The artwork provides some stunning visuals that help to move the story along nicely. Overall, this was a good start to the mini.
A couple of scientists are obsessed with finding buried treasure in the Graveyard of the North Atlantic and will basically stop at nothing to get it. Other characters are in for the hunt either by helping to fund the expedition or just because they share the obsession. Eventually the group hits a stumbling block and requires the help of an outsider.
The outsider brings to the table an electronic, underwater, dog to help with the expedition but he comes with his hand out in the process. A lot of the issue seems to be spent on the concern that the main group doesn’t want to cut the outsider in for a full share of the expected loot. I realize this was all to help establish the characters and give them all voices but I felt they all came out of this as greedy and totally transparent. I kind of was expecting at least one of the characters to be in this just for the hunt but everyone appears to be entirely motivated by money which was disappointing.
Once the issue turns to the exploration and the artwork takes over the issue changes. The pencils of the underwater scenes are breathtaking. I can’t imagine someone picking up the issue and leafing through it and not being blown away. In that regard I think the book really shines. This is a rare case where the pages with the smallest amount of dialogue tell a more compelling story.
The issue ends with a terrific cliffhanger that I didn’t see coming at all. This cliffhanger brings the possibility that this book could turn into a mystery series, science fiction series, horror series and just kind of action-thriller which makes picking up the second issue a must.
The Vault is a book that brings to the table a great idea with some amazing artwork. The book trips up because it relies so heavily on character interactions to tell a story about the characters whereas the plot might have been the best vehicle to showcase them. This is a good book and with it only three issues I expect the series to take off in a big way with the next issue. I recommend this book for people that are looking for something in the science fiction or mystery realms.
3.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
