saramarie08's review against another edition
4.0
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Cole is an FBI agent who investigates conspiracy theories, and his undercover work has brought him to an exclusive party with tons of Flat Earth Society members. He’s whisked away on a private jet to the End of the Earth, which actually is an ice wall like the conspiracy theories state. Before Cole can investigate further, an elite team rushes in and “saves” him, bringing him back to the Department of Truth, where Cole learns that the power of belief can actually shape the world and its history. It's the Department's job to stomp out these dangerous theories and try their best to keep the Truth as truth.
This is a pretty dark story with a fair amount of violence and bloodshed. However, it has an interesting take on conspiracy theories and how they inform the narratives that have been happening all around us. The scariest thing about this book is that much of it seems plausible - not that the Earth is actually becoming flat, but the part about lies seeping into normal discourse and becoming reality. Much of the conversation that happens on social media nowadays is more of a back-and-forth between folks with two or more different beliefs, beliefs that they understand to be truth, rather than opinion, and that concept is taken to the Nth degree in Department of Truth.
Simmond's art is very etherial and uses a lot of watercolor and inexact detail. It was a little challenging to get into, but by the middle of this volume, the art starts to match and compliment some of the crazy and etherial nature of what is happening in the story.
Image rates this comic as Mature, and this is appropriate. There is a lot of violence, frequent drug use (lots of smoking cigarettes), and lots of cussing. The content might interest a world-savvy older teen, but most of what is happening is only going to appeal to an adult who has some knowledge and understanding of world events.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Adult
Cole is an FBI agent who investigates conspiracy theories, and his undercover work has brought him to an exclusive party with tons of Flat Earth Society members. He’s whisked away on a private jet to the End of the Earth, which actually is an ice wall like the conspiracy theories state. Before Cole can investigate further, an elite team rushes in and “saves” him, bringing him back to the Department of Truth, where Cole learns that the power of belief can actually shape the world and its history. It's the Department's job to stomp out these dangerous theories and try their best to keep the Truth as truth.
This is a pretty dark story with a fair amount of violence and bloodshed. However, it has an interesting take on conspiracy theories and how they inform the narratives that have been happening all around us. The scariest thing about this book is that much of it seems plausible - not that the Earth is actually becoming flat, but the part about lies seeping into normal discourse and becoming reality. Much of the conversation that happens on social media nowadays is more of a back-and-forth between folks with two or more different beliefs, beliefs that they understand to be truth, rather than opinion, and that concept is taken to the Nth degree in Department of Truth.
Simmond's art is very etherial and uses a lot of watercolor and inexact detail. It was a little challenging to get into, but by the middle of this volume, the art starts to match and compliment some of the crazy and etherial nature of what is happening in the story.
Image rates this comic as Mature, and this is appropriate. There is a lot of violence, frequent drug use (lots of smoking cigarettes), and lots of cussing. The content might interest a world-savvy older teen, but most of what is happening is only going to appeal to an adult who has some knowledge and understanding of world events.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Adult
slider9499's review against another edition
2.0
Cool artwork, but the story wasn't anything like I was expecting
spiffysarahruby's review against another edition
5.0
Dang! It took a bit for my brain to catch up with the chaotic artwork but I eventually got used to it. I LOVE this twisted story and can't wait for Vol. 2.
anita_mv's review
3.0
Había leído cosas muy buenas de esta novela gráfica y esas expectativas no han estado a la altura.
La historia es interesante, me gusta el concepto de El departamento de la verdad, algo bastante real con las fake news, las teorías conspiranoicas, pero quizá tendré que esperar a los siguientes volúmenes para dar una mejora opinión.
La historia es interesante, me gusta el concepto de El departamento de la verdad, algo bastante real con las fake news, las teorías conspiranoicas, pero quizá tendré que esperar a los siguientes volúmenes para dar una mejora opinión.
ana_mv's review
3.0
Había leído cosas muy buenas de esta novela gráfica y esas expectativas no han estado a la altura.
La historia es interesante, me gusta el concepto de El departamento de la verdad, algo bastante real con las fake news, las teorías conspiranoicas, pero quizá tendré que esperar a los siguientes volúmenes para dar una mejora opinión.
La historia es interesante, me gusta el concepto de El departamento de la verdad, algo bastante real con las fake news, las teorías conspiranoicas, pero quizá tendré que esperar a los siguientes volúmenes para dar una mejora opinión.
mistresstaserblade's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mermaidsherbet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Blood, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Child death, Cursing, Gaslighting, Murder, Racism, Stalking, Xenophobia, and Vomit
jonwesleyhuff's review against another edition
5.0
I was excited when the X-Files returned for new seasons, because there seemed to be so much potential in exploring our strange times through its lens. No matter how successful one might find those new seasons, I think it’d be hard to argue that it got the chance to really explore the full potential of our world. The dizzying conspiracy theories and the erosion of the very concept of truth.
That’s where this book comes in. Feeling like a spiritual successor to The X-Files while also being very much its own thing. The central premise is fascinating, and the writer wastes no time exploring the possibilities of it and how it would effect people. Once you feel like you have a feel for the landscape it twists. There are times the timeliness of this book can almost make for uncomfortable reading. But the moody, evocative art and story are irresistible and kept me plunging forward.
That’s where this book comes in. Feeling like a spiritual successor to The X-Files while also being very much its own thing. The central premise is fascinating, and the writer wastes no time exploring the possibilities of it and how it would effect people. Once you feel like you have a feel for the landscape it twists. There are times the timeliness of this book can almost make for uncomfortable reading. But the moody, evocative art and story are irresistible and kept me plunging forward.
jbmorgan86's review against another edition
3.0
Imagine if the earth was flat, the moon landing was faked, the CIA killed JFK, aliens are in Area 51, the Satanic panic of the 80s was real, 9/11 was inside job, Pizzagate was real, and everything QAnon said was true . . . That’s the narrative world of this graphic novel. Only, these conspiracy theories are true simply because enough people believe they are true and the theories manifest themselves into reality.
Confused yet?
Oh yeah, and there are two organizations responsible for controlling the reality of these theories: The Department of Truth (lead by an elderly Lee Harvey Oswald) and the shadowy Black Hat. The two of these organizations are somehow competing against each other, but it’s not clear how.
The reader experiences this bizarre horror/science fiction world through the eyes of Cole, a teacher of conspiracy theories who is being pursued by both organizations.
All of this makes for an intriguing concept, but it seemed poorly executed. I was confused throughout the whole thing. The book raised more questions than answers (maybe those will be answered in subsequent publications?). There’s not much narrative but there is a ton of expiation. The art is as creepy and confusing as the writing.
Confused yet?
Oh yeah, and there are two organizations responsible for controlling the reality of these theories: The Department of Truth (lead by an elderly Lee Harvey Oswald) and the shadowy Black Hat. The two of these organizations are somehow competing against each other, but it’s not clear how.
The reader experiences this bizarre horror/science fiction world through the eyes of Cole, a teacher of conspiracy theories who is being pursued by both organizations.
All of this makes for an intriguing concept, but it seemed poorly executed. I was confused throughout the whole thing. The book raised more questions than answers (maybe those will be answered in subsequent publications?). There’s not much narrative but there is a ton of expiation. The art is as creepy and confusing as the writing.