With Cryptocracy, Van Jensen and Pete Woods set out to prove that writer Jonathan Hickman doesn't have a monopoly on science fiction comics revolving around vast, intricate conspiracies and complex charts breaking down said conspiracies. This new series definitely scratches a similar itch as books like East of West, though like many first issues it makes the mistake of focusing too much on world-building and not enough on characterization. The conceit in Cryptocracy is that the world is and has long been ruled by a network of shadow governments, with society being divided into nine different "Circles" depending on status and proximity to power.