Conspiracy: Doppelgänger Story by Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco and Dave Franchini Written by Hans Rodionoff Release Date: 1/09/2019

Zenescope’s Conspiracy series kicked off in late November. In Illuminati, Hans Rodionoff quickly introduced readers to a world that felt realistically tangible and appropriately haunted. Turning the page of Conspiracy felt like a bad trip down the wrong YouTube rabbit hole, filled with the fanatical ravings of government betrayal and the righteous demands of lunatics who raised an alt-right flag as though it might become a war banner. Miranda and Paciarotti casted a vibrant light on the story of a damaged and fragile mind as it was persuaded to act on behalf of these digital dictators. Conspiracy: The Illuminati was engaging, dangerous and hypnotic. In Doppelgänger, Alice lands at the bottom of the rabbit hole, tightens her tinfoil hat, and opens the door to the bizarre and beautiful theories that have kept society up at night.

The plot picks up exactly where Illuminati ended. Rodionoff follows a successful Hollywood actor and socialite whose career has taken a recent upswing. All is not what it seems of course, even as the main character exhibits an iron will and an honest passion. The price of his success is then questioned and measured while readers look on. Soon Hans’ narrative extends its reptilian claws and hooks the attention of the audience with the predatory ease of a grizzly at the riverside. The second plot thread, which deals directly with the consequences of Illuminati, isn’t quite as impressive. The conspiracies become trope-laden and predictable, trading the bizarre frenzy of the first installment for the dull retread of an Asylum film.

J.G. Miranda and Leonardo Paciarotti remain remarkably consistent though. Lines are clear and never distracting. Colors are striking and distinguished, swapping shades of late night blue and neon red for dusk-yellow skies without once overwhelming the palette of the page. There are a few instances where shadows make a background look particularly flat, or they subtract depth from the individuals in the frame. Thankfully these are few and far between. The occasional exaggerated figure or animated expression lends a few doses of light-heartedness to the tale, which helps to keep the grim subject matter from becoming overbearing. No one should need a drink after reading a comic. Rodionoff, Miranda and Paciarotti are a masterful trio and together they have dressed the table of this mad tea party with both magnetic visuals and chilling revelations.

The finale remains to be seen. What sort of lizard-eyed monster might reveal itself as the Queen of Hearts? Doppelgänger does a commendable job of continuing the strange and cynical narrative built in Illuminati. The adventure of a new face proves compelling enough for the few hiccups therein to be forgiven and the art remains poised throughout. Doppelgänger is the marriage of Eyes Wide Shut and the outtakes of Alex Jones. It’s fun and frightening and most of all, it reminds us that sometimes the most bizarre Wonderland is the one that we might live in.

Final Score: 7.5 out of 10 capes

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