After the fantastic success of Killtopia last year, writer Dave Cook as returned to his fantasy adventure series, Vessels for a third issue. Set in a society renown for being able to travelling through their dreams they must face down a force which could link them to a world not unlike our own. Can Vessels continue its dream run of a third straight success, or will this issue turn out to be more of a nightmare?

Publisher: Card Shark Comics
Writer: Dave Cook
Artist: Edward Bentley (art), Dennie Lehmann (Colours), Micah Myers (Letters), Gary Kelly (‘Before Vessels’ art), Lesley Atlansky (‘Before Vessels’ Colours)
Price: TBC from Card Shark Comics Store

The third issue of Vessels continues the story of Wake, the transcendent being of legend who is destined to destroy the God-Eye once and for all. Following on from her almost victorious bout with her God-like nemesis in prior issues, Wake and her companion, G’Dala continue their journey to locate the source of the God-Eye in order to destroy it once and and for all. However, as their quest leads them to lands which have gathered an ever increasing variety of other-worldly relics, enemies and rivals from both ahead of their journey and back home begin to plot their defeat and destruction.

Like with his first two issues, Dave Cook continues to offer up an engaging and epic story. The concept of a quest in the vein to ‘Fellowship of the Ring’ (but on a smaller scale) appears to get off the ground in this issue as Wake and G’Dala properly begin their travels, encountering more ‘modern world’ items which have arrived on Cairthala thanks to the God-Eye. This ‘trip’ helps in better fleshing out both Wake and G’Dala’s personalities, making them appear much more confident and capable than they first appears in the series start.

That said, this issue does leave the reader with more questions than answers, especially if this is their first foray into the world. What is the reason behind all of the God-Eye artifacts arriving? What is the motivation behind Marillon’s actions? What is D’Saahl’s role in the story? Vessels appears to be accumulating more and more questions but not answering any, which feels a little frustrating and confusing. Despite this, however, Cook continues to create a fascinating world and compelling story which keeps readers drawn in.

As for the art, Edward Bentley’s style brings this world to live brilliantly with gorgeous visuals which evokes a feel of Mike Deodato Jr’s work. Every panel from beginning to end is rich, loud and vibrant thanks to Bentleys work coupled with Dennie Lehmann’s stellar colouring, making it all very easy on the eye and helping keep readers enthralled. Meanwhile, the backup story ‘Before Vessels’ while feeling like a character introducing one-shot in terms of story, has a very Victorian aesthetic in its art thanks to artist Gary Kelly and Colourist Leslie Atlansky, allowing it to terrifically embody the vibe the story’s location emits of an upper class party from that period.

With this third issue of the series, Dave Cook seems to be going from strength to strength with Vessels. An addictive and epic tale told utilising beautiful art. If the questions the series has built up can start being answered, this series could be on course as being a particularly strong. (Let’s just hope issue #4 isn’t too long in the making!)