The Ministry of Truth by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds brings a big milestone. Image Comics/Tiny Onion marks its anniversary with a special extra length #0 issue from the September bestselling series. The issue also presents the story by guest writer Scott Snyder and guest artist Joshu A Hixon about Elvis’s secret history, the first of the three-part backup story.
Read more below:
A new day lights up in the Truth category. Lee Harvey Oswald and his ruthless newcomers are ready to do whatever it takes to make the agency great again. Don’t miss this important turning point in the Eisner nominated series.
In this special issue, King of Brock’n’ Roll will be on stage again. A three-part backup story featuring guest writer Scott Snyder (Absolute Batman) and horror artist extraordinary Joshu A Hixon (Deviation) delves into Elvis Presley’s secret history.
Fans can look for covers of Simmons, Hixon and Tom Muller, as well as die-cut variants by Tyler’s boss.
Beat chatted at Tynion about the milestone.
Deanna Destito: How did you decide on this particular approach to celebrating five years?
James Tynion IV: As important as celebrating this milestone, it is also a key turning point in the ongoing story of the Ministry of Truth. Last year we built for issue 25 and a long-standing revelation about the department’s past. Now we are moving the story into the present in a way that really upsets us.
Although the Ministry of Truth was not a book “teared from the headlines,” we also felt a responsibility to fill the present moment head on without moving away from difficult topics. As he tries to stick to power, we will see Lee Harvey Oswald reflected in the new cast of agents recruited for the department. And the new cast doesn’t work with Cole Turner or any of the other agents that readers have followed for the past five years…
Outside of the story, we knew that Martin and I were kicking off on this issue means that we had to do something special to justify calling this #0, not just the next issue. Inviting our first-time full guest creative team to our backup serial definitely felt like it fits that bill.
Destito: How have you worked with this incredible creative team?
Tynion: Scott Snyder was there at the beginning of my comic book journey, so no one can trust me more to tell the story set in the world of Truth Ministry. Scott is also a superfan of Elvis’ lifelong, bringing a level of passion and care to this story that only he can offer. And with Joshua Hixon (deviation) and Geordy Beller (exquisite corpse) on art, it feels like a little Onion family.
This was the first time Josh and Geordy have collaborated, and their work brought a whole new and unsettling texture to Scott’s script. We are very excited to follow it on the next two issues of the Ministry of Truth before readers begin this three-part Elvis Saga here.
Destito: What can fans of this series expect?
Tynion: Longtime fans of the Ministry of Truth can expect to see Martin still showcase some of his best works. In many ways, question #0 is the dark mirror of issue #1, so you won’t miss the next chapter of the story that begins here. Hunter, Charity, Chucky – they’re all going to leave a big mark on the face of the series in future issues.
Destito: Can new readers jump here? If not, have you read the order suggestions?
Tynion: I struggled to make this issue as accessible as possible. If you’ve never read any of the Ministry of Truth, #0 explains the assumptions of the world, introduces the core cast, and invites you to come back more (hopefully!). That being said, we weave this twisted story from the first page of the first issue. So there’s no better way to catch up than grabbing trade paperbacks in order, dig into the bins in the back, or picking up a complete conspiracy deluxe hardcover collection. The first collection contains the first 17 issues, and the next collection is in the early stages of current production, so keep an eye on it for updates on that.
Destito: Are there any teasers that I can share?
Tynion: Some of the most impressive characters in Truth are also the most unrealistic. Fictional woman wearing an X red dress for eyes. A man with a star-faced underground that is impossible with grotesque crying food. This issue gives readers the first glimpse into the horrifying new embodiment of the modern era, and we are excited that he will plague the series’ pages with future issues.
And it can be said that things will get worse before Cole Turner gets better. If they would. He’ll pay him to have friends in a low place… let’s do that.
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