By Xavier Carwell
The A.R.C., which satirically models much of what’s wrong with our world today. The book follows a group of unlikely survivors as they fight against a deadly virus triggered by lying.
The A.R.C.‘s diagnosis is discomfiting for its accuracy. A pandemic of lying really is killing us, all of us, accelerated by the force multipliers of ubiquitous social media and AI. The A.R.C. offers no safe spaces for left, right, or center, gleefully wielding satirical humor like a scalpel and a chainsaw to demolish artful pretensions and blatant lies with equal savagery. Many real-world people make appearances, only to be undone by their own mendacity.
In times where the truth may not always be as important as a good story, authors Tim Disney and JC Lacek have written an epic narrative satirizing the culture of casual duplicity that permeates society today. The A.R.C is a disarmingly sincere narrative with a diverse cast of characters that readers either already know or will have developed an attachment to by the final pages of the story.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Tim Disney and discussing his thoughts on how the current value placed on human wellbeing in society affects how we treat each other, his mindset and perspective when creating the graphic novel, and how the ubiquitous of technology factors into our societal landscape.
Here is our interview:
The A.R.C is a refreshing yet poignant critique on life in a world where honesty (and therefore dishonesty) is one of the last few inalienable rights afforded to us. A resounding theme of the graphic novel is that it’s a personal decision to deem when and where honesty fits.
It’s a personal decision to live with the vulnerability that comes with honesty or to face the consequences of dishonesty.
The A.R.C releases on 21 July 2026. Published by Gungnir Books, this introspective tale is available for pre-purchase on the Gungnir Books website as well as most other major retailers.
Tim is an artist and entrepreneur who has produced, written, or directed multiple award winning feature films which have appeared at Sundance, Telluride, SXSW and other festivals. He served as Chairman and CEO of Virtual World Entertainment, an early pioneer of VR-based entertainment systems, which was sold to Microsoft.
Tim is an active investor in media and technology, and serves on multiple corporate boards. In the not-for-profit sector he is the founder of The Adamma Foundation, co-founder of World Connect. He is also a member of Patriotic Millionaires, founded by his sister Abigail Disney, a collection of wealthy Americans that leverages its influence and unique voice to advance a vibrant and equitable economy, built on the foundation of a fair tax system, a livable wage floor, and equal access to political power. The A.R.C. reflects those values, in a satirical and entertaining tone.
JC Lacek is a comic writer and playwright whose professional works include the critically acclaimed Scout Comics’ Jazz Legend, as well as The Polish Ambassador to Space, Abomination on Bolt Mountain, Andy Griffith Must Die, FRACK!!, and A West Virginia Story. The A.R.C. marks JC’s and Vincent Dubourg’s third graphic novel collaboration.
Vincent Jolas Dubourg is a French artist who specializes in storyboarding, video games, and comics. His work includes Napoleon Bonaparte (two volumes), Aporkalypse, and Scions. He is currently working on his own comics, Sundae Times and Les Pieds Dans La Riviere, available via his website, vincent-jolas-dubourg.com.
