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#29 The Department of Truth Vol 4 by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds


Return to my most enjoyable and beloved ongoing comic out there. I am not sure if it was the creators’ original plan to expand it this much and spread the story across so many issues, but I feel very lucky that they did, because I simply cannot get enough of it. Perhaps its success pushed them in this direction, but I honestly don’t care as long as it continues to deliver at the same high narrative level, exploring the secret, terrifying, and deeply dangerous world of intelligence agencies.

It’s clear, and it didn’t take much to notice, that Tynion has a fascination with conspiracy theories. He taps into this endless well of material and somehow crafts stories in the medium that hit their mark perfectly and captivate his readers. I can certainly say that for me, this is absolutely the case.

So, what happens in this fourth volume, titled The Ministry of Lies?

The first thing that came to mind was 1984 and its Ministry of Truth. Here, however, assuming Tynion is making a reference to that, he takes Orwell’s irony and makes it literal. I appreciated this choice because it feels like he is evolving Orwell’s intention, bringing it into today’s world, where lies no longer even need to hide. They are placed right before our eyes, and we are unable to recognize them. In that sense, it works almost as a political commentary.

Moreover, I am not sure if this was his intention, but The Department of Truth and The Ministry of Lies do not seem to have any substantial difference, one protects the truth, the other protects the lie, at least as I understand it. If there is a deeper distinction, I would love for someone to explain it to me someday. To be more specific, what I gather from these two is that truth and lies are not such clear-cut concepts because, in terms of structure, they share many similarities. They rely on belief, which is, in other words, a social construct. Depending on where people are led, or choose to lean, they will believe whether something is true or false. Now, place this reflection within the broader fictional framework of the series, which deals with ideas manifesting into reality if collective belief or the unconscious focuses on them, and you have the core of The Department of Truth.

Of course, that is not the only subject addressed here. Another key theme, presented in distilled form, is the question of morality. In the story’s terms, if you are persuasive enough, then you are right, even if what you say is completely wrong. I think this is a fundamental mechanism of power and domination, alongside the obvious use of fear and force.

Now, regarding the characters:

A major element is the relationship between Cole and Matty, and Black Hat’s approach to the latter, as they have plans to use him for their own purposes. We also learn an important detail about the Red Lady, who is identified with the Whore of Babylon—as Crowley himself claimed, which the comic references—and is directly linked to the assassination of Kennedy.

A lot happens in this fourth volume, and the story keeps moving forward. I have no idea where it’s heading, but given that there’s already a fifth volume and a sixth on the way, it’s clear that Tynion and Simmonds still have plenty to share with us. Here’s hoping we’ll be here to welcome it with open arms.

Until next time — be well, and keep reading.

It’s important!

 

Accompanying Notes: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2BWX0W738c


https://currentreadings25.blogspot.com/2025/07/21-department-of-truth-vol-1-2-3-by.html

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