Huh. I just came across this page and have not read any of the rest of the comic (though I will now).
But the description here somewhat reminds me of what’s currently going on in “Action Comics” & “Superman”. Supes had previously revealed to the world that he and Clark Kent were the same person. Lex Luthor then did some techno/psychic mojo to the world (“Project Blackout”) that made everyone forget, save for a few shielded individuals (the Supes family, Luthor, other superheroes who have mental defenses themselves or put in place by Martian Manhunter). But more than that, if anyone who forgot should ever find out the truth, it will kill them. Perry White himself was not shielded and he had a stroke when he found out. (He’s in the hospital now & Lois is the new Editor-In-Chief)
Anyway, the concept of just knowing something itself being potentially deadly has always fascinated me, being someone who likes to learn things. I guess it’s a type of the “forbidden knowledge” trope or “go mad from the revelation” trope.