It feels like it’s been a whole couple of days since we last saw a fantastic Vault Comics release a new comic and so, this week, we check out their first issue of their new series the Blue Flame. The comic, by Christopher Cantwell and Adam Gorham, follows the story of a Superhero in two very different adventures. Can Vault’s new series burn bright with readers or will the winds or the market blow it straight out?

Publisher: Vault Comics
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Adam Gorham (Art), Kurt Michael Russell (Colours), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letters)
Price: $3.99/£3.19 on Comixology

The Blue Flame tells the story of Sam Brausam, a Cosmic adventurer who winds up in an unknown region of space and placed on trial by an alien race as the representative of Humanity. The Blue Flame ALSO tells the story of Sam Brausam, a repairman and DIY vigilante in a small Milwaukee town who becomes involved in a tragedy when his vigilante team, the Night Brigade, make a public appearance. But which of these lives is real? Both? Neither? Do they have some connection to each other and, regardless, what must both versions of Sam do to save the world?

Christopher Cantwell has created a truly entertaining story in The Blue Flame, one which feels like a really intriguing mystery. This first issue feels like two distinct comics, with the first half being a Cosmic adventurer akin to Adam Strange, Captain Cosmic and Flash Gordon while the latter half feels more like Booster Gold, Superman or Huck. While these two very different comics come off as confusing given the lack of connection (beyond their name), both are so well written that Cantwell keeps you thoroughly engaged right up until the moment that these two very different characters have the same goal. As a result, this has left me with a myriad of questions to want to follow through on; which Blue Flame is real? Are neither? Are both? Is this a ‘Wrong Earth’ scenario, or two different points in time?

On the art side of things Adam Gorham delivers a stunning visual rendition for this series. In fact, Gorham, along with colourist Kurt Michael Russe, gives the book two distinct looks while using the same style. The opening ‘space explorer’ scenes have a very Jesus Saiz look from the Brave and the Bold, which gives the story a very Golden Age vibe. Meanwhile, both the pencils and colours appear to darken slightly for the ‘Vigilante’ scenes ad the look changes to something similar to Fiona Staples Archie work. As a result, both help give this a Strange Adventures form of distinction without the difference looking jarring.

Vault Comics has another interstellar hit with The Blue Flame if its opening issue is anything to go by. With some gorgeous art that shows off both sides of this character’s world and a great story which will leave readers engrossed in the mystery, Cantwell, Gorham and the team have gotten this Superhero thriller the best possible start, one you’ll definitely want to travel the stars with.