Graphic Novel Review: The Department of Truth: The End of the World (2021) written by James Tynion IV

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A good percentage of my YouTube viewing is watching videos debunking conspiracies, mostly the flat earthers,  space deniers, and the moon landing hoaxers. The idea of elaborate conspiracies is fascinating and the conspiracies around Antarctica are a particular favorite of mine.

The Department of Truth: The End of the World takes on conspiracies in a bold way by positing that all the conspiracies are real. The Department of Truth is tasked with managing the conspiracies. Their job is "making sure that conspiracy theories remain theories." The danger is that 

The more people believe in something, the more true that thing becomes, the more reality tips in favor of that belief.

Cole Turner was was a fairly low-level agent charged  mainly with monitoring "funny" memes and discussions among right-wing nationalists and their conspiracy theories. While attending a flat earth conference, he has a shocking experience and subsequently finds himself conscripted into the ultra secret organization, The Department of Truth. He also has PTSD from his involvement in a conspiracy when a child which makes him ripe for work within the Department.

But the Department of Truth has another organization working against them, The Black Hat which is bent on exposing The Department. They claim they are the good guys which sets up an interesting dynamic where the Department's claim to truth is denied us. Cole seems doomed to being pulled in different directions.

 

This book consolidates the first five issues of this title, each of which looks at a different conspiracy. That Tynion steeped himself in the worlds of conspiracies is evident. The psychology of conspiracy theorists is pretty much spot on and how he describes the belief in conspiracies is unsettlingly close to the rhetoric you hear from conspiracy theorists. One issue dissects how you would go about constructing a conspiracy.

I'm not sure how to characterize the art work except that it isn't photo realistic.The panels often only hints at what is being depicted. We also get collages of elements that create a nightmare image.

If you have any interest in conspiracy theories then this is a must read but besides that the story, art work, lettering, and design are excellent making it my favorite graphic novel of the past several years. I can't wait for the next issues.

Keywords: conspiracies, secret organizations, graphic novels