Vault Comics 2017
Written by Ricardo Mo
Illustrated by Alberto Muriel
Coloured by Stelladia
Lettered by HdE
As another group of otherworldly visitors stakes its claim on the small town of Tolerance, the Shuttle 34 survivors decide it’s time to move on. They’ll need the help of their colossal counterparts to get out alive…but with neighbors, friends, and family all turning on each other, can anyone really be trusted?
I think this has emerged as one of my favourite series & stories of the year. Yes it has elements that I find familiar but Ricardo has managed to make it distinctly his own by taking to places I would have never guessed it would go. Personally I would have been thrilled with the idea of these folks crossing over into a different reality where they are the size of action figures and having to find a way to survive and get back home. Ricardo however was not content with that and brings us something so spectacularly more!
There’s also this great simplicity to the interior artwork that kind of sneaks up on you and takes you by surprise. The way these people are rendered is fantastic, they’ve got their own little quirks which make them individuals and come alive in ways that are unique to that character. The use of page layouts through their angles and perspective are extremely well utilised. Backgrounds are on the simple side but it’s okay for the most part, yes I’d personally like to see more in use to flesh out the scene but it doesn’t hurt the story to not have them.
I feel like this series is really just hitting it’s stride. There’s a depth to the story I wasn’t expecting to see and now that it seems to have become so much more involved i’m in spot where this could go any number of places. I kind of like the idea that the survivors of Shuttle 34 have almost become something akin to freedom fighters in a world full of giants and it’s not even their own freedom they are fighting for. There's something so unexpected about the journey that it has this electric excitement about it that we just don't see enough of from a series creators.
The character development and characterisation here is some of the most strong and interesting stuff I’m seeing out there right now. Ricardo manages to take this decent sized cast and make them all unique and identifiable in their own right and to me that’s an impressive feat seeing as how we’re only four issues in. Then to balance that out with the situations they find themselves in and the action/adventure which comes from it is delightful.
So as this issue comes to a close there are a few things that are shown which should make anyone excited about what the future could bring. From these folks with their only local friends to the surprise last page we’re seeing how these worlds are inexplicably linked and the idea that they are expands what is possible. I thought this had the whole science fiction, Twilight Zone, old television show feel about it but it really has become so much more.
Guys and gals do me a favour, go to your local shoppes and order the four issue series. If not then at least order the trade let’s show Vault and these creators some love and ensure that strong quality storytelling like this doesn’t fall by the wayside!