by Spencer Irwin

This article contains SPOILERS. If you haven’t read the issue yet, proceed at your own risk!

The truth is a powerful thing, to be sure, but popular media seems to have the idea that the power of the truth can overcome any obstacle — the second the truth comes out armies rebel, court cases are immediately solved, etc. etc. Pierrick Colinet, Elsa Charretier, and Daniele Di Nicuolo seem to have a more complicated view of the truth throughout Infinite Loop: Nothing But The Truth 2, crafting an issue where the truth isn’t actually all that helpful — and, in some cases, is actually part of the problem.

Ano’s plot finds her attempt to lobby for the freedom of human anomalies stymied by a Congress that never took her seriously and never intended to give her a platform. Ano’s solution? Reveal the truth about the anomaly detention camps.

Congress (much like so many real-life politicians we’re familiar with) weren’t just lying, but attempting to change the truth altogether, hiding their inhumane camp beneath a benign illusion and attempting to gaslight Ano throughout the hearing, calling her truthful claims blatant lies. Ano’s reveal feels like one of those big moments I mentioned in my introduction, where the truth changes everything, but we don’t actually get to see the outcome, and I doubt it will be as effective as we’ve been trained to believe.

Actually, I’ll admit that I’m not all that clear on what Ano is attempting to accomplish here. Is the hearing being broadcast to the public? If not, does she really think that any of her fellow congressmen and women don’t already know the truth behind the camps, or that any of them actually care? Or is this simply an act of defiance? Regardless, it’s pretty clear that the power of the truth isn’t going to be enough to help Ano here.

Over in Teddy’s plot, meanwhile, the truth is actively part of the problem. When discussing last month’s issue, Patrick claimed that this particular infinite loop ran on greed. He’s not wrong, but while Doc’s greed is certainly perpetuating and worsening the drug epidemic in Appalachia, the whole problem began in the first place because people wanted an escape. The people of Appalachia saw the truth for what it was and hated it, and sought any way to escape their truth and embrace a reality that’s more inviting, even if it’s not actually real.

For the worst addicts the lie becomes their truth, but even the most level-headed can succumb to its siren call. That’s what happens to poor Ron. Faced with a moment of frustration and sorrow — a moment where the loss of his wife and the unfairness of the world overwhelms him — even Appalachia’s greatest proponent for rehabilitation turns to a fantasy. He just can’t face the truth.

Based on the title alone, it’s clear the the idea of truth is vital to this volume of The Infinite Loop, but it’s also clear that the truth alone can’t solve any of the problems Teddy and Ano face. If they’re going to make the world better, they’ve got to find a way to get deep down to the root of the issues, and I’m incredibly curious to see how they’ll eventually do so.

The conversation doesn’t stop there. What do you wanna talk about from this issue?