Villordsutch reviews the first issue of IDW’s ‘Season 10’ of The X-Files…
“For years they investigated the paranormal, pursued the ‘monsters of the week,’ and sought the truth behind extraterrestrial activity, along with the grand conspiracy surrounding it rooted deep within their own government. But when Agents Mulder and Scully reunite for a new, ongoing series that ushers The X-Files into a new era of technological paranoia, multinational concerns and otherworldly threats, it’ll take more than a desire ‘to believe’ to make it out alive. The X-Files: Season 10 also sees creator Chris Carter return to the fold as Executive Producer!”
Now this in an odd comic as, on my initial read, it didn’t overly impress me. I wasn’t keen on the look of it, nor was I overly chuffed with the story. I went away and an hour later I picked up my Nexus 7 and re-read it. Lord knows why I did – perhaps alien persuasion or microchip inserted in my brain, who knows? After my second sit down with this issue I was left with a feeling of ‘show me more’; this wasn’t an excited feeling, more of a curious itch.
I think my main confusion is where does this lie in the X-Files universe? The TV show finished over 11 years ago (how old do you feel now!?) and we had a second movie back in 2008, which was just okay and is part of the X-Files canon. This comic seems to either ignore The X-Files: I Want to Believe, or is leading up to it. I’ve taken it as the latter, though it is difficult to push the second film from my bread box whilst I read it.
Written by Joe Harris (Great Pacific, Bishop: The Last X-Man) with story credits also being given to Chris Carter, we open with a blooded Dr. Blake being chased down an alleyway by cloaked figures. She is desperately trying to call the FBI. As the figures close in, we discover Dr. Blake is Scully. We are then taken to earlier that same day as Scully is taking a blood sample from a child in Spotsylvania Medical Centre. Skipping ahead we meet with Mulder and Skinner. It seems the FBI has given Mulder and Scully a new life together under a different name. The day quickly goes wrong as Skinner makes a call to Mulder later in the evening and on the pullback we see Skinner surrounded by the same cloaked figures that were chasing Scully earlier.
Now there may seem like a lot of story there for a recap, but that alone only covers the first few pages. Perhaps my only spoiler is the Dr. Blake / Scully scenario, but you’d work that out in panel three. This is a rather fine introduction to what could be a fantastic opening arc to Season 10 of The X-Files.
The art and colouring is respectively undertaken by Michael Walsh (Comeback, Murder Book) and Jordie Bellaire (The Manhattan Projects, Winter Soldier). On the first read through the look didn’t impress me – I’m no artist myself, but I know what I like – but on the second go I felt better about it, feeling the overall artwork and story meshed well together. It grew on me quickly.
I’m extremely glad that my brain itched enough to make the second read through. You should all go and buy it, read it then read it again. You’ll thank me later, and I’ll know because I’ll see the smiles on your faces due to the Xbox Kinect Video feeds I have to monitor for GCHQ.
Villordsutch is married with kids and pets. He looks like a tubby Viking and enjoys science fiction. Follow him on Twitter.
Originally published June 18, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
