Mysteries, Cryptography, and the Double Dipper: Impressions on the Special Edition Version of Gravity Falls Journal 3

  One of the cool things that I appreciate about new intellectual properties is the element of world building. When trying to sell a new world to an audience, you have to provide a sense of believability while allowing yourself to stretch the limits of this new creation. Some creators are successful with the balancing act but far more fall short of this goal.

   One show that was successful with world building is the Disney animated show Gravity Falls. I've been tempted to check out the Alex Hirsch show but did not take out the time before receiving the book. I was familiar with the concept and some of the elements of the show but has some hesitation. Knowing that some of my favorite storytellers exalted the show made me want to dive in.

   In Gravity Falls, the main protagonist, Dipper,  uses a journal that contains information about the weird, otherworldly activities in Gravity Falls.  From mystical beings to mischievous gnomes, the journal helps Dipper, his twin sister Mabel, and their great Uncle Stan.  

   When taking the book from the box, it's presented as a package left to you by a stranger after being taken away from a government facility. The book is wrapped in butcher paper and tied with twine. The outside of the paper is labelled with the marking "Item #618".  

After taking off the wrapping, you are greeted with a hardcover book that is covered with a glossy texture to emulate a tattered leather bound book with metal corners. The book also includes a two ribbons. One with a tassel at the end and the other when a magnifying lens to help with reading the smaller details. 

   Individuals who have flipped through the regular release of the book are already familiar with the contents of the book. The biggest difference between the regular release and the special edition is the inclusion of black light ink and some of the three dimensional elements they included for pictures and letters in the book. The black light elements are fun but they can provide some difficulty when trying to make it work. When using a black light, you have to charge the ink by shining the light on the words and image for several sections then turn the light off. The longer you charge the image, the longer it will appear.

  Is this book for you?

  While the show was aimed with older kids and young teens, it can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoyed the thought of lighthearted mysteries about monsters, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night. From the quirky art to the world building mythology created by the back stories, you get a chance to feel out a world that in most shows would feel unrealized. This current printing of the book is no longer available at this time. The special edition of the book is limited to 10,000 copies and to get a copy now is way above retail price. If you are still interested in the book, the regular version of the book is still widely available at your local bookstore.