The Vault #3 cover image

The Vault, the three-issue comic book miniseries from Image Comics concludes.  Written by Sam Sarkar and drawn by Garrie Gastonny, the series focuses on a small team of treasure hunters struggling to excavate a dangerous treasure pit before a massive storm arrives.  Nothing can prepare these people for what they are about to unleash.

The story focuses on archeologists and treasure hunters, Dr. Gabrielle Parker and Dr. Michael Page.  Unlocking the secrets of the treasure pit at Sable Island, known as the “Graveyard of the North Atlantic,” is the culmination of a decade of their hard work.  After Gabrielle discovers a hidden vault connected to the main treasure shaft, the team finds a large stone sarcophagus surrounded by a layer of corrosive liquid.

It’s The Vault # 3, and it’s alive!  The survivors leave the island, but something has followed them aboard their rescue vessel.  Now, Parker and Page, the protagonists, must also become the heroes.

THE LOWDOWN:  Think of this as Raiders of the Lost Ark meets The Abyss meets The Mummy (1999) meets one of my favorite B-movies, Virus (which is based upon a Dark Horse Comics miniseries).  Writer/creator Sam Sarkar focuses on the setup in the first issue; the characters, their motivations, and secrets in the second issue; and on the denouement (and what an exciting one it is) in this third issue.  This is a study in creating the brief, efficient, and bluntly effective thriller.

Garrie Gastonny is a good artist; his compositions are strong and his storytelling is clear and engaging.  However, the important thing in The Vault is atmosphere, and, with colorist Sakti Yuwono, Gastonny depicts a modern world full of science adventurers and mercenaries breaking down before the unknown of our largely dark ancient pasts.  The atmosphere and mood make this a winner.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for adventure and suspense thrillers will want The Vault.

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