Oh, Gravity Falls, it’s good to be back! Bill Cipher, the main antagonist from the hit Disney XD show, Gravity Falls, is back with a vengeance and is ready to tell his side of the story in the instant New York Times Bestseller, The Book of Bill. In a reading experience made for older fans, this dark comedy follows Bill as he tells you how the show’s plot came to be and, of course, his hand in it. With secrets, revelations, and (of course) ciphers galore, this book is certain to leave any fans of the show ready to make a deal! Excited to finally be back in the curious little town of Gravity Falls, Oregon.

Gravity Falls (2012-2016) is a mystery-comedy cartoon directed by Alex Hirch that centers around twin protagonists (Mabel and Dipper Pines) as they stay with their Grunkle (Great Uncle) Stan for the summer. The plot kicks off when Dipper finds a nameless Journal in the woods that contains the findings of an unknown scientist that prove the town is not what it seems- conspiracies, monsters, and mythos hidden in plain sight for those who care enough to try and find them. The show went on to garner an insane amount of notoriety considering it’s short two-season run, engaging a huge fan-base that is still active even now ten years later. This is largely due to the show’s encouragement of theorizing, even going as far as to hide codes in the background. Now viewed as a Cult-Classic, the show was also commercially and critically acclaimed, receiving two Emmys, three Annie Awards, and a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Award. 

The Book of Bill follows fan-favorite dream demon Bill Cipher as he tries to convince the reader to make a deal with him through a book that he can manipulate to his will. The book entails things such as the secrets of the universe, lost Journal Three (the other book made for the shows) pages, Bill’s opinions of silly straws, deals, dreams, Dipper’s search history, and the answer to the question on everyone’s mind: what fate befell Bill Cipher at the end of the series?

Serving as an indirect sequel to Journal 3, this new installment to the franchise is already a smashing success, leaving longtime fans raving about the way that it adds onto the original show’s themes, story, and (of course), lore. Sophomore, Luka Markham, states, “I feel honestly that the Book of Bill is something the story [of the show] needed. It shows us secrets and interesting facts we didn’t know before.”

Furthermore, this book was made to be a more mature addition to the overall narrative, including things they might not have been able to get away with in the original TV-Y7 rating such as: mentions of alcohol, blood, minor swearing, and even death. This subject matter has left many of the older fans excited to finally be seeing a darker side of the series they love but has left many parents shocked that it was published (even if it has a content warning on the front.) When it comes to opinions on the content, junior Aryanna Watson says, “I don’t think the book is THAT dark, but I don’t think kids under 7 should read it because it could get confusing or too dark for younger fans.” Nevertheless, Disney has been facing some pushback on the material, which is leaving animation fans worried that a venture such as this won’t be extended to the studio’s other beloved shows. However, the age demographic for this book is exactly what makes it able to be more experimental with how it gives out information and, evidently, the complexity of it. There are now more secrets to solve, plots to dissect, and codes to crack than there ever has been before, even leading to an entire ARG (Alternate Reality Game) website that coincided with the release of the novel. 

All in all, The Book of Bill was a big hit for both old and new fans alike! With shocking twists, turns, and revelations, this is a weird and wild must-read for anyone who has interacted with this franchise. Just like the show there are many secrets hidden within the book’s depths, so make sure to stay on your guard and to trust no one! And remember: Ivzorgb rh zm roofhrlm, gsv fmrevihv rh z sloltizn, yfb tlow, YBV!