White Boat #1: What Lies in the Depths
Creative Team
writer: SCOTT SNYDER
artist/colorist: FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
letterer: ANDWORLD DESIGNS
publisher: DSTLRY
Reviewed by Seth Adrian Romo
White Boat #1 dives head first into mystery and madness with its tight script, bold art and colors, and thrilling story.
This series debut introduces readers to Lee Derry, a flawed protagonist navigating life after losing his family. Now a writer for a boating magazine, Lee’s fascination with a yacht reserved for the ultra-wealthy may be the death of him.
The meticulousness of the writing and illustration make this comic book a marvel to experience. From every word on the page, to lines and colors, the intentional design quickly becomes evident to readers.
Beginning with the script from Scott Snyder, the plot, pacing, and dialogue are sharp and waste no time guiding readers deeper into the mystery Lee experiences throughout the issue. Debut issues of comic books have the daunting task of introducing protagonists readers will want to accompany, and Snyder has crafted a well-balanced lead with Lee.
The issue begins with Lee and his brother Ward aboard a boat with their dad, only for the vessel to capsize taking Lee’s brother with it. There’s limited explanation, however, readers will realize this occurrence may not be random. It’s evident Lee carries this weight as he notes his best efforts to enjoy the simplicity of life after the childhood memory concludes. It’s a clever use of scripting as its dual purpose of introducing Lee’s story and keeping it fresh mirrors what Lee must have in the back of his mind all the time.
Intention is the name of the game with this debut and Francesco Francavilla’s art and colors are as gripping as the narrative and this recipe works with such finesse.
Starting with the illustrations and panel designs, the art is well-done with crisp lines and details in the characters and surroundings, however, the panel layouts are what will be most notable. The panels are often close to Lee giving the sense that readers are with him as he goes about his journey. When the angle shifts to wider shots, it gives the gravitas of what Lee is seeing and readers will feel as though they are sharing the moment.
Additionally, the color palettes makes the art pop while also having their own designs. There’s rich blues showing the tranquility of Lee with his brother and father before tragedy strikes, and it’s met with sharp red-ish orange once the family is broken. Subsequently, this blue-hue is often associated with Lee—serving as another reminder of his past and connection to the water.
Final Verdict
White Boat pulls readers in like a dangerous current and keeps hold of them with its engrossing narrative and art. Scott Snyder and Francesco Francavilla work in tandem with finesse for a debut that gets better with each read. It’s a testament to what a perfect premiere should be.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 10.0 |
| Story/Plot | 10.0 |
| Art/Line Work | 10.0 |
| Colors | 10.0 |
| Final Score | 10/10 |