Department of Truth vol 1 by James Tynion IV

Vol 1: The End of the World, illustrated by Martin Simmonds

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.

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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

Publisher: Image Comics
Publication Date: March 2, 2021
ISBN: 9781534318335 (Paperback)

Tags: Rating: 8/10, Suitability: Adult, Comicbooks, Action Adventure, Paranormal, Image Comics