ENDEAVOUR #1 (DSTLRY)

On the high seas, there is always a sense of danger. For Lieutenant James Cook, his voyage in 1768 was one with promise. Unfortunately promise faded quickly.

Fast forward to today and a recreation of the mysterious ship is unfolding. Wealthy passengers can sail through history in comfort. Much like the original trip, the hope of discover turns quickly with the tides.

ENDEAVOUR #1 by Stephanie Phillips, Marc Laming, Lee Loughridge and Tom Napolitano sets off on its’ maiden voyage into comic shops.

Let’s jump on board and see where this story goes.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Leave it to Phillips to interweave a horror story through compelling family dynamics. It’s why she is one of the best to ever write comics. The beginning teases the ill fated original voyage. There is no doubt of the dark themes at play here. Once the story jumps to the present, the deceitful nature manifests itself in other forms.

This begins with Captain Alexander Vellotti. The writing shows him as a shrewd businessman. Even with n impending storm, Vellotti is more concerned with his income over safety. Once the spotlight shifts to the passengers, the emotional investments start taking hold. Readers get introduced to the voyagers through Victoria Wright’s eyes. Using this style of narration walks the personal relations of family into their encounter. Victoria and her brother Royce instantly become stand-out characters due to this method.

Once a chance meeting at sea unfolds, the story goes very dark. It reflects the original voyages horrific feel. Once modernized, readers are hit with emotional blows due to the fantastic build. It pushes events into an unlikely and terrifying close. Once the moment sinks in, everything is thrown in flux. It leaves readers haunted by the true terror at hand. Impressive first chapter.

Laming and Loughridge paint the disturbing horror to new levels in this chapter. The brooding evil in the beginning pages sets the pace for the following pages. Mixing in the more lighter moments in the present only adds to the larger hits later. Vellotti’s moody looks tip the cap of the shadiness of his character. The full page photos of the passengers clue readers into the heartbreaks forthcoming.

The imagery of the past pulls no punches. Seeing the wrapped dead bodies under water makes a statement. It is quite the opposite of the joyous launch. Seeing the Captain celebrating with his patrons hides what lies ahead. The art also hits on the flashback moments with the Wrights as well as Val and Roy’s ever-growing family bond. This all gets washed away when the discovery at sea is made.

Readers watch as the horrors start taking hold. The panels speed up how fast the terror is spreading on the ship. There is nothing safe form where the art goes. Laming sneaks in a heartbreak flashback before jumping to a more devastating present. This all builds to a show-stopping final panel. It closes up events with a tense look at a future uncertain. A solid landing for a very smooth sailing tale.

OVERALL GRADE: 10

The dangers at sea are only just the beginning as death sets sail. Phillips masterfully blends in family dynamics into ever changing horror. Laming & Loughridge bring out the darkness behind the hopeful voyage with incredible art. This is a story that takes hold and doesn’t let readers go off-course. Settle in for what is sure to be an unforgettable voyage into terror.

Let me know your thoughts on Endeavour #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!