The Theory of Everything Else: A Voyage into the World of the Weird by Dan Schreiber

Comedian and pod caster Dan Schreiber dips his toe into the water of conspiracy theories and strange phenomena. And by strange phenomena, we're talking things so goofy, even Fox Mulder is skeptical of them! Personally, I feel like Schreiber could have covered a lot more whack job ideas that are floating around out there. But I did think that the writer was very detailed about the theories he researched. Plus I liked that he covered a few subjects that even I, a long term and now repentant conspiracy theorist and devotee of the eccentric, outlandish and just plain odd, such as myself, weren't even aware of.

I also wouldn't categorize everything Schreiber features in this book to be a conspiracy theory. It's not entirely that type of book. Some topics are more based on fringe science and hobbies of nut jobs. Some of which just happens to be proven true. Case in point: the study that plants can communicate with each other. A former CIA interrogator supposedly hooked up his house plant to a lie detector and got some very unusual results. Eventually, the guy quits being a spook, starts up a research center to study plant and human behavior and publishes a couple of books on how plants talk to us that become oddball best sellers. Jump ahead to a couple of years ago and researchers reveal that there's indication of a worldwide network that plants use to communicate to other flora about droughts, floods, and other threats to wildlife.

Schreiber works rather blue. He likes to refer to many of the believers of these conspiracies and fringe ideas as bat CRAP crazy. Only the author doesn't use the family friendly word CRAP. The writer also seems a bit too preoccupied with crazy kinks. A bunch of pages are devoted to dolphin genitals, sex with ghosts and other X-rated situations. There's a few characters from the past 200 years who began cults and alternate religions that used their charisma to score with both male and female followers. I'm actually surprised how little the author focuses on some of those characters, especially Aleister Crowley.

Dan Schreiber also hosts a podcast called 'No Such Thing As A Fish' that delves into hoaxes. Fish and birds are amazingly left untouched in this book. Maybe due to some subjects being considering off-limits due to licensing or advertising agreements with the pod cast. If he's not restricted, I'd like to read a follow up of this book, because while he's a bit cheeky, Schreiber does tell some very good stories; both personally and of historic merit. 

Not a book for kids. But it's definitely a book that skirts upon a lot of the very strange theories being brought about by all sides of the political and public spectrum thanks to events like Brexit, the coming of COVID and January 6th election claims. The Theory of Everything Else may not have the answers you are looking for. However, it can definitely get you headed into the right direction for the origins of the world's most endearing and modern plots, dodges and cabals. And if that's not what you are looking for- Schreiber has plenty to say about ghosts, UFOs, time travel and other elements of the supernatural. Only he views such popular fringe and occult matters differently than most.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Department of Truth, Vol. 3: Free Country

I'm so behind in my reviews. Class is back in full session and taking up my extra time. I recently punched out a slew of Marvel Comics Presents reviews to finish that series up. And I'm just tired and really want to focus on things that relax me, like recateloging my collection to a new database.

I read the third volume of Department of Truth sometime in August, I think. Maybe early last month. 'Free Country' documents the after-story of Lee Harvey Oswald that occurs prior the events of November 1963. Here, while in hiding, Oswald digs through ancient texts that may explain why nothing actually happened during the Dark Ages, the truth behind Alistair Crowley and his occult practices in during the second world war and just maybe who really are the Men in Black.

As Oswald ages, he gets a chance to venture out on his own. But this little bit of freedom, especially during Summer of Love and the rise of LSD might just be too much for the possible assassin of JFK. It also might reveal that Oswald is just another fiction dreamed up by the Department of Truth...

After Volume 2, which with its take on the Satanic Panic of the 80s and thoughts about the reality of god and the world itself, this volume was a breath of fresh air. Plus events in Volume 2 were eerily similar to a lot of what has been going on with January 6th and what feels like a looming Civil War (or a just really dirty mid-term election cycle), made me feel weary and kinda dirty. Here with the legend of Lew Harvey Oswald, I felt like I was back on more familiarly safe terms within the realm of conspiracy theories. It was like when I first watched The X-Files all over again.

Another thing I liked about this issue was that the artwork was much different. The regular art of Martin Simmonds (Punks Not Dead) is very impressionistic. Everything looks smudgy and spray painted. Like the reader is getting a secret glimpse at the down and dirty foundation of reality; which is essentially what this series is all about. But I liked the different art styles of guests artists like that of Elsa Charretier (Star Wars: Forces of Destiny) and Tyler Boss (4 Kids Walk Into A Bank). That just added a like bit of variety to things.

This is a series that I hate to love. So much about this book and the covert ways our government is trying to prevent conspiracies from becoming actuality is just so unsettling; if only because there's a smattering of truth in the crux of everything. But I want to know what happens next. Dammit, Batman's James Tynion IV- why'd you have to go and craft such a chilling mystery?!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Department of Truth, Vol 2: The City on a Hill

It's training day for the Dept. of Truth's newest recruit, Cole Turner. His trainer is a real piece of work. First up on the agenda: an airport in Denver and a Bigfoot hunter in the Pacific Northwest. As Turner learns about the process of changing myth into truth and how to repeal conspiracies that seek to alter our reality, he'll face his old demons- literally. 

It's been about 8 months since reading the first volume to this book. I tell you, this is one scary series from James Tynion IV (Something is Killing the Children). It's not because of the demons or historical references to Aleister Crowley and his sex magic occult. It's because of how close to accurate this book hits with public sentiment against/for the COVID-19 vaccine and events of January 11th, Pizzagate and Jeffrey Epstein. 

I feel like I'm to blame for some of this book. In the 90s and 2000s, I was big on conspiracy theories. And in some ways, I guess I still am. Though I'm not wearing tin foil hats or worrying that the FBI is listening in on my phone calls, I still have alternate views on things. Take climate change for instance. I believe that it's real. I just think how it's coming about is less man made carbon level related and more man made sin nature. See, I'm sounding like a nut too.

We all have our conspiracies. How many of you out there think Tupac faked his death or that red M&Ms cause cancer? We live in a world of distrust and misinformation. So really, who can blame us?

James Tynion IV seems to really have done his conspiracy theory research. With a book about two sides fighting to change reality, he does a very good job of presenting multiple points of view on things like the JFK assassination and UFOs. There's a really solid mystery to the Department of Truth. I just hope that Tynion doesn't fall into the trap Chris Carter did with The X-Files and keep dragging the story out ad nauseam. Let there be a definitive ending. Above all, don't take the easy way out by saying things were all a dream like with the end of X-Files season 10 going into the premiere of season 11. 

Worth Consuming and scary as hell!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

The Department of Truth, Vol. 1: The End of the World

Everything you know about conspiracy theories is a lie. That is, until the conspiracies become true!

In this exciting new series from James Tynion IV (Batman) the clandestine Department of Truth must extinguish the sparks of subterfuge before the lies explode, triggering a total rewrite of not only world history but the very laws of physics too.

Everything revolves around FBI special agent Cole Turner. One day while in elementary school, Cole may or may not have seen the devil himself eating a baby. This so-called 'Satanic Panic' was proven to be an urban legend. Right? As Cole' eyes are opened to the inner workings of the Department of Truth, he finds evidence that other school children were forced to watch similar pagan feasts. Only these sacrifices didn't happen during the 80s like when Cole witnesses his. These events are happening today.

The Department of Truth is very much a product of this period in time. With birtherism, the questioned origins of 9/11, Qanon and the demise of Epstein, our nation is divided unlike never before. This isn't like the time of the Civil War where people fought over slavery and states rights. The conflict America faces now is based on cyper-wide misinformation and government distrust. 

This series is a cross between The X-Files and Men In Black and your favorite political thriller thrown in. It could be All The President's Men, JFK, or even a Jack Ryan movie. Then add in the Mandela Effect; a collective remembrance of something that didn't happen- like Nelson Mandela's death in the 1980s, 1999 or was it 2013? 

I love conspiracy theories. Though sadly, I think what is happening today is getting way out of hand. There's so much distrust in our world. And if you believe the wrong thing- you'll end up cancelled. Just like many of the minor characters at the hands of the agents of the Department of Truth. Only, those folks get permanently cancelled. 

Like with any conspiracy filled story, there's a lot of confusion. Mostly because viewers are thrown red herrings to keep things unpredictable. The Department of Truth is a fantastic story that I am wanting to get to the bottom of. I only wish I could say that I was a fan of the art. Dying is Easy's Martin Simmonds is given a whole bunch of art supplies to craft the artwork. Only, Simmonds seems to have decided to use crayons, pens and markers all at the same time. It's not pretty. But then again, that messy art kinda reflects how dirty conspiracies can be.

A mind-bending thriller that hits extremely close to home.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Paul is Dead: When The Beatles Lost Paul

We all know that Paul McCartney died in a fiery car crash and was replaced with the winner of a Beatles look-a-like contest. Or did he? Explore the myth and legend of the death of one of the Fab Four in Image Comics' new graphic novel: Paul is Dead!

Paul is Dead: When The Beatles Lost Paul
Writer: Paolo Baron
Artist: Ernesto Carbonetti
Publisher: Image Comics
Code: FEB200089
SRP: $16.99

Paul is Dead is a trippy narrative about the conspiracy theory that Paul of the Beatles died and was replaced by a doppelganger to prevent mass chaos from fans of the Fab Four. In November 1966, Paul gets in a fight with the other three members of the Beatles. He angrily drives off to his home, runs into a tree and is burnt to a crisp in a fiery death.

Right off the bat, I know that Paolo Baron is an unreliable narrator.  Some put Paul's death on January 7th, 1967. And he was decapitated not immolated by flames. Or maybe he was? The legend of Paul's death has been a thing for over 50 years. And the facts of the story have changed. Or it could be that nobody really can agree on how the Beatle really died.

Just because I call writer Paolo Baron unreliable as a storyteller, that doesn't mean that he is a bad storyteller. I had thought I knew for sure that Paul is really alive. But with the twists and turns Baron puts on this story, including experiencing an acid trip with John Lennon during a key part of tale, has got me questioning that urban legend once more. I usually hate open-ended endings. But this time around it really works.

One neat aspect of Paul is Dead is that for about most of the middle act, John, George and Ringo play detective. According to the myth, the British government covered up the death of Paul to prevent a riot (and possible plague of teenage suicides), as the UK was in the midst of albeit waning Beatlemania. To have the other members playing Holmes and Watson brought a new dynamic to this myth and I loved it. I just wish that Paul is Dead went more in that direction instead of possibly having Paul return from the dead having faked his death for the sake of some personal tranquility. But this all takes place just as John has dropped that acid I mentioned earlier, so for all we know, Lennon dreamed it all!

I was in love with the artwork. Ernesto Carbonetti uses technique of caricature and psychedelics mixed with water-color looking paints to give a drug addled view of the late 60s. Those colors in Cabonetti's palette were so very much from the Summer of Love. Be sure to check out the artist's process further in the sketchbook section at the end of Paul is Dead.

Now here's where I express a little bit of frustration with this book. And it's geared to the publisher and editing team at Image Comics. Comic books and graphic novels these days are not affordable. Not at regular price. This book is 126 pages long. But the first 9 pages are mostly either blank pages or of a rough sketch of Paul's famous bass guitar. The last 4 or 5 pages of this book are the same way. If Image (and other publishers guilty of this sin) would stop adding such unnecessary filler to their books, you could reduce the cover price another buck or so. Instead of cutting talent, Image and company need to cut waste such as this!

Paul is Dead was an uncertain mystery that will leave you guessing until the very end. As well as days after you've finished it. It's a look at a 1960s pop culture conspiracy that has spawned countless theories. Why, there was even a rebuttal from 'Paul' in an episode of The Simpsons, where if you play the credits backwards, the singer claims "Yes, I am very much alive!", to the tune of 'Maybe I'm Amazed.' But we all know that's fake, right?
Paul is Dead: When The Beatles Lost Paul debuts in print and digital formats on June 3rd, 2020!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Strange Days: The Year in Weirdness (#1)

If you think 2020 is weird, well, you're probably right. It's extremely weird what with a pandemic and quarantines and massive loss of live, employment and livelihood. But 1995 was a pretty weird year. 

Published by the editors and writers of the Fortean Times, Strange Days: The Year of Weirdness chronicles the strange and unusual. From UFO sightings to ghosts, doppelgangers to astrological occurrences, animal attacks and strange creatures galore. If something didn't make sense with the normal way of life, it was covered by the Fortean. 

So what is the Fortean Times? Until a year ago, I didn't know anything really about it. And except for a very brief mention of it in a recent episode of Doctor Who, it's probably not a publication known by many. Since 1973, the Fortean Times has covered anomalous phenomenon through the use of the scientific method. Thus, the Fortean is the Fox News of all things bizarre- that is if Fox News was truly fair and balanced. 

I had bought this book at a yard sale early last year. I read some of it and then kinda filed it away. Why did I finish it now all of a sudden? It was all thanks to the pandemic. I finished the book for a couple of reasons. First, I hoped to possibly uncover a clue as to the origins of COVID. Then I wanted to read about read things that were really bizarre. That was to help make today's strange days a little less odd. It actually worked. 

It was refreshing to read a book about the odd, weird, and macabre without taking a side. Often these type of books veer off into either direction of Skepticsville or Conspiracy Theorist's Junction. This book really does just tow the straight and narrow by giving facts from reports and any sort of comment from the scientific community that may have investigated these incidents. 

Now if only the reports of this current crisis was reported the same way.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Big Lie #1

I read this book a few days ago and I still am not sure how I feel about it. 

For one thing, this 9/11 conspiracy theory comic book is something that I am quite surprised was ever made by Image Comics. Most, if not all comic book publishers are considered to be quite liberal. And while some of the 9/11 theories do attack the Bush family for giving the family of Osama bin Laden a sort of free pass as well as the scuttlebutt on whether W's administration knew of the attack or not; generally those who believe in such a cover-up are considered firmly right wingers.

A big fan of the X-Files, my wife found me this 2011 book at a warehouse sale. Gotta love her. She thinks I come up with some weird, wild theories. And yet, she still indulges me.

See, a local comic shop was trying to clear out some inventory for a steal. I think I might have paid a quarter for it. The cover, which bears a very angry Uncle Sam over the smoking ruins of the World Trade Center is quite powerful. The story inside. Eh, not quite so much?

Instead of being a book that covers just the facts, writer/artist Rick Veitch (Swamp Thing) frames his argument for a 9/11 conspiracy around a sci-fi premise that is almost as old as science fiction itself. A time traveler arrives at the World Trade Center on the morning of the attack. Her plan is to convince her husband to leave, thus saving his life. 

The husband works for a movie production company. Being in league with Spielberg and Lucas, the producer and his cohorts are highly skeptical of the woman. When warnings don't seem to motivate anyone to leave, the time traveler starts spouting out facts about that fateful day along with arguments about a conspiracy. 

See, I think the woman went about it all wrong. She should have proved that she was from the future. I know that Rick Veitch wanted to try to convince us the readers of a conspiracy as being behind the 9/11 attacks. But I think he didn't connect via his storytelling method. 

What Veitch should have done was to actually set this up like an X-Files episode. Have a couple of folks in a smoky office going over the facts and all of the discrepancies and such. I don't think have fictional characters to move the narrative forward would have been a bad idea. I just think that using time travel and the amount of ridicule and mockery the traveler goes through cheapens the impact of both the possibility of conspiracy and reality of a national tragedy.

An interesting read about a subject that I didn't know as much as I thought i did. It just wasn't executed very well to make me into a believer.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.