The Department Of Truth #39 — James Tynion IV & Martin Simmonds Turn Up the Pressure
Lee's Department of Truth is squeezed between the White Hat and Black Hat. With a new story arc and Ben Templesmith's hidden Martin Barker history, this issue is a masterclass in paranoia and artistic grit.
There is a specific kind of exhaustion that comes with trying to keep the truth alive in a world designed to bury it. In The Department Of Truth #39, that exhaustion isn't just a mood—it's a mechanic. James Tynion IV has always been great at mapping the labyrinthine bureaucracy of the supernatural, but this new arc feels heavier, more claustrophobic. Lee is no longer just fighting monsters in the shadows; he is fighting the crushing weight of the institution itself.
The pressure is coming from two distinct directions, and neither is sympathetic. On one side, there’s Cole Turner’s White Hat, and on the other, Martin Barker’s Black Hat. It’s a classic pincer movement, but Tynion frames it with a fresh lethality. Lee is buckling under this dual assault, and the script makes you feel every second of that strain. It’s not just about who has more guns; it’s about who has more leverage, and right now, the Department is running out of both.
But if you’re picking up this issue for Martin Simmonds, you’re getting a visual treat that borders on the terrifying. Simmonds’ art is gritty, textured, and relentlessly detailed, capturing the wear and tear on Lee and the world around him. He grounds the conspiracy in a tangible reality that makes the horror feel invasive and personal. You don’t just read the story; you feel the grime.
Then there’s the bonus material that serves as the perfect counterpoint to the main plot. Ben Templesmith returns with a series of backup stories that finally pull back the curtain on Martin Barker’s hidden history. Templesmith’s style is distinct, wild, and uncompromising, offering a glimpse into the origins of one of the series' most enigmatic figures. It’s a fantastic companion piece that adds layers to the main narrative without giving away the central mystery.
The Department Of Truth is a show that rewards patience, but it also delivers immediate payoff. This issue sits at a critical juncture where the past (Templesmith’s Barker backstory) collides with the present (Simmonds’ Lee crisis). If you want to see how deep the rabbit hole goes, this is the moment to jump. These copies are moving quickly, so if you want to be part of the conversation when the dust settles, it’s worth securing yours now.