Fear creates prejudice … and from there irrational people.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Hans Rodionoff
Artwork: J.G. Miranda
Colors: Leonardo Paciarotti
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Is the government monitoring you? Are there secret organizations controlling society? Do creatures not of this world live among us? All of this and more is explored in this new thrilling series that delves into some of the most horrifying truths hidden in plain sight
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
In a dark basement in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a nondescript man named Bill begins to watch an incendiary webcast called The Truth hosted by colorful host Tom Morrow. As this ardent provocateur continues his hate filled tirade against immigrants and claims they are taking jobs and in turn becoming the bosses of honest Americans, he then claims it is time to show bleeding heart liberals they are the reason this country is being destroyed. To conclude his ravings, Tom then states he can show people how to rise up and make their voices heard … all if they come to the local bookstore and buy a copy of The Truth – Volume One, where he will be signing tomorrow and talk to anyone who will listen. This rousing speech is all it takes to spark interest in Bill, who decides to make a change in his life by attending this meeting.
As this fervent fan greets his new idol, his admiration for the man cannot be contained, gleefully shaking hands and having his copy personalized by the author. While Bill basks in this immediate glory, Morrow leads the conversation and tells his impassioned friend he knows he is the type of American who will put his ideas into action, and not someone willing to sit back and allow the country turn into a cesspool. After this unbelievable meeting, this new convert goes to a nearby bar to have a drink, only to see on the local news a group calling themselves Soldiers of Truth attacked the same store and injured numerous shoppers inside. Inflamed to see a false story since he was at the same location, Bill begins to cause a ruckus, but is soon asked to leave by the owner. He then spends the following days promoting Morrow’s teachings by handing out flyers, only to run into an old friend from high school, by which he reveals he was let go due a new diversity plan. While Bill rejects any offers of charity, he states everything will be fine and is thinking of paying the office a visit … after all, he still has friends there.
In Summary:
When I first heard of this new series Conspiracy, the premise presented by writer Hans Rodionoff sounded intriguing, especially with the first issue supposedly concerning the Illuminati, but I was soon very much disappointed, if yet hopeful. However, the more I read of this mentally exhausting and nauseating tale, it became apparent this story was geared to spark my same reaction from readers, all due to the current sociopolitical tension and environment caused by the same arguments; although this foundation may also be applied to some shadowy plan the aforementioned organization could have concocted to promote their agenda, it does not make understanding such hatred any easier to comprehend or physically digest without becoming grandly ill. Although the simplicity of such ploys to stir up anger is what makes the issue so psychologically devastating, at the same time, it also makes one wonder if such upheaval is worth the trouble for such a depressing initial issue.
While we are still trying to understand such a perplexing choice for the story’s pretentious subject, this issue does not suffer for using a non-grandiose opening … especially when the leading illustrations result in a nightmarish result. It is admirable for J.G. Miranda to create an impression with his optimistic illustrations and Leonardo Paciarotti’s dazzling usage of luminous colors, but due to the shock they deliver, I will ever have nightmares when shown that stunning reveal, made all the more frightening with your focus now centered upon those curves. However they do not waste the revulsion by immediately spinning off into the visible hatred which is the tension filled foundation for the story, allowing for nuances such as the upside down American flag to signal the distress of the narrative. And while most readers would reject Paciarotti’s glaring choice of white framing for the panels, they serve to heighten pivotal moments, and the use darkness magnifies somber events, as he balances these selections with suitably appropriate internal colors – all leading to a troubling conclusion. And yet it is the moving details which Miranda puts into each character’s face which make us remember the true motivators are the people and their words, allowing for his powerful images to become a conveyance for this troubling story of human hubris and twisted tensions.
Conspiracy may stir interest within the title by inflaming tension to attract readers for such a relevant turning point in history, and yet at the same time, it makes for a revolting narrative to start the series. To amplify delicate subject matter to tell a tale allows for intense gravitas and thus a more shocking ending, but the journey to this conclusion makes one feel both mentally exhausted and physically ill due to the information conveyed. And while the gripping illustrations and dynamic colors do work to control the intensity, they also give substance by granting the reader displeasure for this material, thus sacrificing their talent for a such an unpleasant story.
Grade: C+
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: November 21, 2018
MSRP: $4.99
