This illustrated encyclopedia surveys the history and development of code-making and code-breaking in all areas of culture and society from hieroglyphs and runes to DNA, the Zodiac Killer, graffiti, and beyond.

A collection of four all-new strange stories from the sleepy town of Gravity Falls in one original graphic novel. Written by Alex Hirsch. Illustrated by Asaf Hanuka, Dana Terrace, Ian Worrel, Jacob Chabot, Jim Campbell, Joe Pitt, Kyle Smeallie, Meredith Gran, Mike Holmes, Priscilla Tang, Serina Hernandez, Stephanie Ramirez, and Valerie Halla.

Explains how to use secret codes, including Morse, Caesar's, Sandwich, Rosicrucian, and others, as well as how to send hidden messages using invisible ink, how to take fingerprints, and other tricks and techniques.

Explains how different ciphers work, why they were invented, and how they were cracked, covering codes ranging from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and World War II's Enigma machines to the samurai code of honor.

Dozens of codes and hidden messages are presented as riddles, poems and other fun-filled expressions.

Protect your diary from snooping siblings. Share your secrets with a BFF. Guard your texts from unwanted eyes. Create the lingua franca for your own fantastical secret world! Expert language creator David J. Peterson (inventor of languages for Game of Thrones, the Marvel Universe, and more) guides you as you create own secret languages, codes, ciphers, and hidden messages. From simple cyphers to entirely new alphabets, Create Your Own Secret Language will help you master the skills of secret communication, whether it’s written, drawn, or spoken. By the time your finished reading, you’ll be able to share messages memora vosak laz vos otihoe vosecchi! (“that no one will be able to understand!") Illustrations by Ryan Goldsberry