Place your hand on the page, clear your mind, and repeat the words: “Time to get weird.” If you’ve succeeded, you have officially sealed your fate as a minion of Bill Cipher. And if you turn the page, you’ll begin to witness the strange and supernatural occurrences of Bill Cipher’s mind. If you’re lucky, you might survive.
The world of “Gravity Falls” was a landmark cartoon; both in the animation industry, and in the minds of children. The exhilaration of watching the twin protagonists, Dipper (Jason Ritter) and Mabel (Kristen Schaal), hunt the unknown, save the world, and find meaning in family is the selling point of the series. Yet the show’s foreboding visuals and riddles would consistently point towards one universal threat: Bill Cipher. Specializing in fantastical horror, he is one of Disney’s most iconic and terrifying villains. In the climax of the series—at the end of the second season—the twins outsmart the omnipotent Bill Cipher, snuffing him out of existence and bringing the series to a satisfying end.
But the mysteries didn’t end there. After the official ending, ominous clues and pieces, left by series creator Alex Hirsch, lead fans to believe that Bill Cipher wasn’t dead. Spurred on by this activity in the community, Hirsch was inspired to launch a real-time ARG hunt centered around a giant mossy statue of Bill Cipher. During the last episode of “Gravity Falls”, “Weirdmageddon 4: Somewhere in the Woods,” a few seconds of footage revealed the statue rooted in an unknown forest. And after the finale aired, Hirsch visited multiple conventions—ranging from Russia to Japan to all over the United States—leaving a trail of breadcrumbs to clue fans in on the statue’s location. Yet apart from the Cipher Hunt, and the release of a few books, the “Gravity Falls” community has been radio silent for nearly eight years. That was until December 2023, when Hirsch announced The Book of Bill on social media, which later released in July 2024.
In order to unlock this new realm of literature, I had to overcome the first challenge: Obtaining the book. Upon its release, there was a nation-wide shortage of “The Book of Bill.” Even after calling every retail store and bookstore in South Las Vegas, I was met time and time again with disappointment. Eventually, I was forced to turn to outside states like California and Wyoming, both of which proceeded to sell out in the same week. The only reason I was able to procure a copy was thanks to one of my close friends.
My first impression of this book was oddly normal. For a book that was heavily advertised as the creation of Bill Cipher, the multi-dimensional king of weirdness, there was nothing peculiar about the first few pages. But as I continued to read, I was urged to abandon the book, never write my name on its pages, and ignore any instructions. And of course, I signed my name, placed my hand on the page, and began chanting.
Immediately, the book overwhelms any expectations. The pages showcase outstanding creativity that shatters any limitations or standards. No genre, media, nor gimmick is out of reach. While one page is a silly illustration of colorful straws and cartoonish ciphers, the next would be gory detailing of the horrors that sleep under your bed. Pages include screaming word puzzles paired with existential fill-in-the-blanks, DIY curses and a chapter from “The Great Gatsby,” a list of Bill Cipher’s exes and much more; nothing is impossible within Bill’s journal.
Because of this, it’s unimaginable to fit “The Book of Bill” into any box. Psychological horror, science fiction, romance, self-help; anything and everything is trapped inside brilliantly designed pages. Yet despite the seemingly randomized content within “The Book of Bill,” there are a few stories that remain clear. Them being: Ford’s spiral into insanity, the aftermath of Gravity Falls, and the backstory of Bill Cipher; all long-time mysteries. Because of this, The Book of Bill is best read in the dark, in both senses.
As readers delve further into the cursed pages, the illustrations become a distraction, pleading readers to ignore the major, overlying question: What happened to Bill Cipher? As “Gravity Falls’” greatest mystery, that’s a question I urge readers to find themselves. “The Book of Bill” feels like an answer key to the endless mysteries inside the show’s universe. Even readers with little knowledge of “Gravity Falls” can still enjoy an amazing book with stunning illustrations, laced with clever humor.
The uniqueness of “The Book of Bill” is something that cannot be replicated, and holds an experience that can’t be recreated. I can’t help but recommend this book to everyone, especially those with an interest in mystery and solving ciphers.
