I just finished the trade paperback version of The Department of Truth and am awestruck. This comic series is a deep dive into the mind of every conspiracy theorist. It deals with real issues that can affect anyone in these weird times.
Let's go over the first 5 chapters included in The Department of Truth - The End of the World (TPB) - Vol 1.
Should you Read The Department of Truth?
Let's get a quick review out of the way so I don't spoil anything. If you like creepy yet beautiful artwork combined with a deep dive into conspiracies and why they exist, you should check this out.
The book is well written and I can't wait to read part 6 later today!
Trigger Warning and Spoiler Warning
OK, this book deals with modern news, conspiracies, and events and won't be for everyone. After reading it, I'm still not sure if the authors are "pro" or "anti" conspiracy. They have their own ideas about how and why some conspiracies grow and some don't.
BUT...people who are pro-Trump, anti-vax, Q, flat earth, satan-eating-democrats, or anti-vax, are going to have a hard time making it through this book. Be warned and don't be a snowflake.
If this is you, I strongly consider you still read the book. Go in with an open mind and it can give you a different perspective on every conspiracy since the 60s.
SPOILERS - I always try to write spoiler-free reviews and this will be no exception. I will say things about the plot but keep it limited. So if you want to go in blind, stop reading the review and go read the book. It's only 129 pages and shouldn't take long.
What is The Department of Truth
From the description on the Image Comics Website.
Cole Turner has studied conspiracy theories all his life, but he isn’t prepared for what happens when he discovers that all of them are true, from the JFK assassination to flat Earth theory and reptilian shapeshifters. One organization has been covering them up for generations. What is the deep, dark secret behind the Department of Truth?
Bestselling writer JAMES TYNION IV (Batman, Something is Killing the Children) debuts his first Image ONGOING SERIES alongside breakout artist MARTIN SIMMONDS (Dying is Easy)!
The story arc begins with the first conspiracy spark that ignited everyone's curiosity, JFK's assassination. From there we advance to 2021 in The US. We soon find there are two competing factions warring over the minds of every human on the planet.
The war of ideas in this book is very similar to Alan Moore's ideaspace. The great Alan Moore believed that ideas exist in a place called idea space.
Eventually, someone will find an idea. If this idea is allowed to grow and find more people, it becomes real to those people. No matter how weird or how insane, that idea now exists in the real world. Also, no matter how much evidence you have the idea is false, you will never convince the true believers.
The Department of Truth takes this concept one step further by claiming that if enough people believe a conspiracy, it will start to manifest actual evidence and proof on its own. Thus the conspiracy actually becomes real. It's the Department of Truth's job to stop these false conspiracy theories from becoming real.
F@cking mental right?
I also get plenty of The Invisibles vibe in this book. Grant Morrison did secret-cabals running the universe the best and I still judge any similar fiction on The Invisibles. If you haven't read The Invisibles add it to your reading list now!
Combine the Invisibles, The Matrix, and MIB, and you have the Department of Truth.
Style and Substance in The Department of Truth
The artwork is superb yet haunting. There is insanely gruesome and disturbing imagery in this book. The art style really pulls this together looking at times like the drawings of a madman who has gone too far down the rabbit hole and had a mental break. They really capture the mind of someone deranged and lost a grip of reality.
The undertones of the story will let you question your reality. Whether you are down with every conspiracy or think every conspiracy is f@cking nuts, you'll doubt your opinion after reading this. I feel the author wants you to know it's not always black and white.
The Department of Truth gives credence to the conspiracy that there is a secret cabal trying to cover the truth. It also gives credence to the belief that every conspiracy is dis-information and there to trick you.
The highlight of the story so far is the story of a young woman whose son died in a school shooting. The conspiracy starts with a far-right radio host claiming it was a false flag and it spirals down from there (sound familiar?)
Weeks later you find out how she fell and now believes the shooting was a false flag and her child is alive. You can go on Reddit and hit up /conspiracy right now and find people in there with the exact same mental state. It's a chilling reminder that even the strongest of us can fall for a con.
Are Conspiracies Real?
If you read this far, you probably assume I don't believe in most conspiracy theories. You're right. The ones that are gaining traction are literally insane. I honestly believe most of them are dis-information campaigns that so many people are falling for.
The Department of Truth has a similar stance and is trying to help stop the spread. But by the close of chapter 5, you still can't tell if they really are the good guys. I mean they do work for the government and they are hiding "the truth" and they will stop at nothing to protect Americans. Maybe we should stop them from hiding the truth? So yeah, they sound pretty f@cking bad to me.
My Suggestion?
Put on your tinfoil hat, turn off all 5G in your home, GET VACCINATED, and load your 2A protected gun so you can start reading The Department of Truth!
You can read the first issue of The Department of Truth for free on the Image Comics Website.
The trade paperback is available now on Kindle, ComiXology, and most other digital media services.
Let's Connect
I hope everyone is enjoying these posts. Conspiracy is an extremely hot topic and discussing these topics can always stir up controversy. This book is a work of FICTION and is not supposed to be taken literally.
It's designed to get you to think about both side's opinions. People who fall for conspiracies aren't idiots and people who don't believe them are not sheep. We're people. Hopefully, this review and book can spark some thoughts in your head.
**Anyway, I'd love to connect with everyone on the Hive Network. Don't hesitate to like, comment, and support my posts. **
Currently based in Siem Reap, Cambodia, I'm a solo-traveling, digital nomad. Due to the pandemic, I've been living in Siem Reap for almost 2 years now. While I'm hoping to get back on the road soon, I'm not in a rush.
I'd love to connect with other travelers, digital nomads, gamers, or residents of Cambodia. Don't hesitate to say hi or send me an upvote!
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