It’s the End of an Era for Absolute Batman’s Scott Snyder’s Indie Series

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Elon Musk recently sparked debate with a social media post suggesting that if people were to literally “eat the rich” – a phrase historically linked to the French Revolution and sometimes attributed to philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (though he died before the revolution) – they would ultimately go hungry.

Musk recently made a statement that reveals how some wealthy individuals seem to think they’re superior to others. He argued that without rich people, there would be no one to support those in need. This idea connects to the flawed economic theory of ‘Trickle-Down Economics,’ which claims that benefiting the wealthy will eventually lead to increased wealth for everyone else.

It’s a simple truth: giving money to wealthy people usually just makes them wealthier. It tends to stay within that group, and they often believe they’re entitled to it. This unsettling idea is central to the horror comic series, White Boat, which is finishing its run this July.

DSTLRY’s return is fantastic news because it means we’ll finally get to see the conclusions of several amazing comic book series that were nearly complete. (And speaking of amazing, the series earned some Eisner Award nominations – the artwork by Elsa Charretier was truly stunning, and the color work by Jordie Bellaire elevated it even further, though the nomination didn’t specifically mention her work on City Beneath Her Feet.)

Scott Snyder and Francesco Francavilla’s White Boat (with lettering by Andworld Design) is a horror series that, at its core, tells the story of wealthy individuals attempting to escape a coming disaster, essentially recreating the story of Noah’s Ark but leaving everyone else behind.

What is White Boat about?

Lee and his twin brother, Ward, grew up spending weekends with their dad on his fishing boat during his trips. One evening, the boys were playfully competing in a video game to see who would get the top bunk. Their dad told them to stop and go to bed. They decided to play “Rock, Paper, Scissors” to settle the bunk situation, and Ward won. However, Lee felt uneasy and asked if Ward would switch with him so he could sleep on top. Ward happily agreed.

That night, Lee was woken up by water flooding into his cabin. His father rushed in, explaining the ship had been struck by a huge, unexpected wave. They both managed to escape, but tragically, Ward was lost at sea, and Lee’s life never recovered. He was deeply affected by losing his twin brother, particularly because Ward had switched bunks with him that night. Lee stayed in the Florida Keys, where they’d grown up, and now earns a living writing about luxury yachts for a magazine that caters to wealthy clients.

He received an invitation to visit the White Boat, an enormous and enigmatic yacht. It turned out to be a centuries-old organization functioning as a modern-day Noah’s Ark, but instead of saving people from a flood, it was dedicated to saving them from death.

Okay, so I’ve been digging into this, and it’s wild! Apparently, they find the people they test on by having these huge sea creatures rescue them from shipwrecks. It explains everything! All those stories about the Kraken destroying ships? Total misunderstanding! The ships were already going down when these creatures showed up to ‘attack,’ they were just rescuing survivors. It’s not destruction, it’s a messed up rescue operation!

Ward was rescued and subjected to experiments, and now, thanks to the abilities he’s gained, he might be the key to overcoming death itself. Because they’ve reached this point, the team decides to involve Ward’s twin brother, Lee.

What does White Boat say about rich people?

One of the highlights of this story, beautifully handled by artist Franscesco Francavilla – a truly gifted storyteller – is the incredible collection of art hidden aboard the White Boat. Over the years, the boat has employed the greatest artists, musicians, and filmmakers, who have created unique works – paintings, songs, and films – that can only be found within its walls.

Francavilla skillfully recreates the lost artwork, a challenging task he handles with grace. His design work throughout the series is truly outstanding, including the creatures resulting from the experiments—even the failed ones, like Ward.

This story feels like a blend of The Island of Doctor Moreau and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, with a touch of Lovecraftian horror. But beneath the adventure, it’s a pointed critique of the wealthy. Author Scott Snyder has explored similar themes – notably with the villainous billionaire Jack Grimm – and that same insightful commentary shines through here.

The wealthy and powerful are keeping all the incredible discoveries – even a potential cure for all diseases – to themselves on the White Boat. But Lee might challenge that. Without giving too much away, the story builds to a shocking and violent conclusion that brilliantly combines horror and social issues, the way they’ve always belonged together.

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2026-05-18 03:22