A real example of this is the reverse lanes in Phoenix. There’s a middle lane on a few streets that is a turn lane most of the time, but a southbound lane during morning commute and a northbound lane during evening commute. People are frightened of them and perceive that these streets are more dangerous.
 
Actual accident statistics don’t bear that out, the streets with reverse lanes are objectively safer than neighboring streets of equal traffic density but no reverse lanes. The likely reason is the scared people on the reverse lane roads drive more safely as a direct result of their fear.

those costumes haunt my nightmares…

Last one had the Eye of Sauron in it.
 
I guess it indicates that the whole world in the comic doesn’t revolve around events of this series, perhaps?

And no explanation for their costumes…