Comic books often use conspiracies as an integral part of their storylines, but what happens when comic books focus on conspiracy theories? Here is a list of the best comic books and graphic novels about or based on conspiracy theories.
15. The X-Files
Did this show ever solve any of the plot points?
The hit Fox television show created a large interest in conspiracy theories especially those surrounding the connection between aliens and the government. For a couple of years, Topps remade the show into a comic book.The comic didn’t add anything to the show. They were basically an episode-by-episode remake, but they did have some early success. A couple of digests came out that offered some originality. These stories focused on Bigfoot, Count of St. Germain, and Chupracabra.
14. The Guardians of the Galaxy
The Guardians of the Galaxy isn’t so much based on a conspiracy theory. The group's founder, Peter Quill, is a human-alien hybrid who ends up being abducted by aliens. Quill and his troupe of intergalactic space cops fight to keep the galaxy safe. Alien abduction gained a foothold in the conspiracy theory community beginning with the story of Betty and Barney Hill. The Hills claimed the abduction took place in 1961. This predated the introduction of Peter Quill by 15 years.
13. Deep State
Never believe anyone who says "The government wouldn't do that."
Deep State follows John Harlow, who works hard to keep all of the government black book operations secret. Along with his partner Branch, Harlow tirelessly keeps the American public in the dark regarding all of the nefarious deeds of the government. While it isn’t based on any particular conspiracy, Deep State highlights many ideas of conspiracy theories in this bizarro world version of the X-Files. Harlow and Branch are the antithesis of Mulder and Sculley as they try to keep the truth in there.
12. The Eternals
The legendary Jack Kirby created The Eternals in 1976 upon his return to Marvel. The Eternals were created a million years ago by genetic experiments ofan alien race known as the Celestials. Since then, they have been tasked with protecting the Earth. Again, this isn’t a direct conspiracy. Kirby took most of his cues for this story from Erich von Daniken’s Chariots of the Gods?. For those unfamiliar with the book, it popularized the ancient aliens conspiracy theory.
11. New Avengers: Illuminati
New Avengers: Illuminati was a limited run series that mirrors the “real” Illuminati. A group of powerful elites (in this case, Iron Man, Professor X, Reed Richards, Black Bolt, Dr. Strange, and Namor) come together to secretly guide the course of humanity. This, obviously, leads to more problems than it helps in the Marvel Universe. Their actions directly led to the Civil War and Hulk War. Hopefully, our “real” Illuminati isn’t leading us on the same crash course with disaster.
10. The Secret Land
World War II, Nazis, and a beautiful woman. Someone forgot to call Indiana Jones.
It is 1945, and Ben believes his fiancée, Katherine, has been killed in action. He continues fighting through the Pacific as World War II is coming to an end. It turns out that the love of his life is working as a spy against the Nazis at their secret Antarctica base. They have a new weapon that is propelling their return. It has long been believed that the Nazis had a secret base in Antarctica, and it is no secret that many top-ranking members of their party escaped to South America after their defeat. The Secret Land expands into fictional territory using a long-held conspiracy theory.
9. The Homeland Directive
Dr. Laura Regan works as a researcher at the National Center of Infectious Diseases. A group of rogue federal agents come to her rescue when she is framed for the murder of her research partner. This leads to a bio-terrorism plot that she needs to help unravel. Originally published in 2011, The Homeland Directive takes on an issue that is far more relevant today than when it first came out. This graphic novel will give you another lens to look at our recent global pandemic.
8. Groom Lake
Karl Bauer’s father was abducted by aliens, and his genetics were altered before he returnedand starteda family. Now, he is missing. Karl feels mysteriously drawn to a secret military base. The infamous Groom Lake. With his altered genetics, he fights to free aliens from the base. Groom Lake touches on Area 51, alien abduction, and altered genetics. It clearly hits on many of the big conspiracy theories. It’s a fun ride into the heart of the government’s coverup of aliens.
7. The Men in Black
Nearly everyone is familiar with the very popular Men in Black franchise starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. Despite the many differences, The Men in Black comic was the basis for these movies. Jay and Kay investigate all paranormal activity (not just aliens) on Earth in a rather dark tale. The comic book is based on the men in black conspiracy theory. Many people who have reported alien encounters or UFOsightings claim to have been visited by peculiar men. These men are always dressed in black suits and seem odd, almost not human.
6. Project MK Ultra: Sex, Drugs, and the CIA
It's sad that you have to go to the government for the good drugs.
The year is 1971 and Seymour Phillips is beginning his career as a journalist. Phillips is young and eager to move up the ranks in a hurry. His drive ends up crashing him into a story that is too big for him to handle. MK-Ultra was a real CIA program that dealt with a variety of issues, but it was heavily focused on mind control. This fictional story is based on true events despite how crazy it seems. The government really did force unwitting people to take copious amounts of drugs in an effort to control their minds.
5. The Warren Commission Report: A Graphic Investigation into the Kennedy Assassination
Magic bullets and grassy knolls still keep me up at night.
After the success of The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation, illustrator Ernie Colon takes a crack at the Warren Commission Report. This is a graphic novel version of the report that claims that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing President Kennedy. Throughout the graphic novel, they try to make sense of the conflicting points presented in a pretty shotty report. Thankfully, they reduced the pages down to 160 pages from the original 888 pages of the actual Warren report.
4. XIII
If I wake up with amnesia and find a ton of cash, I'm not investigating anything.
Our unknown protagonist wakes up on the beach with amnesia. His only clue is a picture of himself (presumably) and a woman. There is also a tattoo on his collarbone of the roman numerals XII. Let the adventure begin. This is a fictional conspiracy (as they all may be), but the story is just too good not to be on this list. As you go down the rabbit hole, there is a complex web that involves the assassination of a president and a group trying to control the world. Also, this was made into a great game for the original XBox if you want to go back and give it a play.
3. The Department of Truth
A Qanon wet dream. It is all true. Alex Jones was right!
This is a great what if. What if every single possible conspiracy theory was true? All of them. Even the most ridiculous. They are all in there. Of course, there is a government organization behind keeping them all wrapped up. The best part, it is headed by Lee Harvey Oswald. Follow the protagonist, Cole Turner, who already believed all the conspiracy theories, as he tries to figure out which side is the right side. He goes through the archives to figure out what to do with the information that he is now privy to.
2. Conspiracy
Conspiracy is a 10-issue run that covers a different conspiracy theory in each issue. They take a deep dive into each topic that leaves you questioning reality. Every issue focuses on a single theory and drives home the belief that something is out to get us. I’m a bit partial because they cover a couple of my favorite theories. The Black Knight Satellite and the Denver Airport are both covered. These are great stories and super strange. If you haven’t looked into either, you should.
1. The Big Book of Conspiracies
Are we sure JFK's brain went missing after that day in Dallas?
Doug Moench is most notably known for his work on Batman. Arguably, his best work was on the Knightfall storyline, which included the first version of a non-Bruce Wayne Batman. This was a big deal back in the 80s, but I’m not sure if anyone cares now. Anyway, as for The Big Book of Conspiracies, it is a collection of the biggest conspiracy theories all put together into a graphic novel. It is such a compelling graphic novel that it won the 1995 Eisner Award for best anthology.
