Villordsutch reviews the second issue of IDW’s ‘Season 10’ of The X-Files…
“Dana Scully has survived abduction, cancer, motherhood by mysterious means, and surrendering her ‘miracle’ baby. But she’s never encountered anything like these ‘Acolytes’ before, or the mysterious ‘Deacon’ who’s saved her from them. Plus, Mulder follows a lead to Arlington National Cemetery and the final resting place of the Lone Gunmen.“
If you’re of a certain age you’ll remember the best times of The X-Files and the worst times of The X-Files. For example, when Mulder died *spoilers* a new team of Doggett and Scully emerged, then Scully became preggers *spoilers* and Reyes took over, then Mulder returned from the dead *spoilers* and it got confusing. Those were the worst times. Some would argue that we couldn’t deal with change, but to me the writers ran out of steam and struggled to come up with new ideas for these elements with us being far into the X-Files universe. Due to this Season 10 of The X-Files comic should be a great big smelly travesty. Except so far it isn’t
For those that missed the review of #1 of Season 10 then please see here, and also shame on you. We ended the last issue with Scully shot, Skinner being hung and Mulder ermmmm… looking left out. This issue carries on straight after the last and it’s a corker of a comic. We’re taken to a pipeline containing magnetic oil, alien bounty hunters that lock special agents in sheds, a fallen hero’s grave which is a secret entrance for an underground base and a figure hidden in the shadows who is smoking a cigarette, though I have no idea who he could be (as I’m not hip with the kids I’ll say “semi colon and a lower case p”). As yet we have no idea where this story could be going but it has begun to take shape.
Joe Harris is doing a fantastic job of taking the odd bits of the last few seasons and giving them an injection of “what this should have been”. It’s good to see that someone out there cares enough about The X-Files and is creating something brilliant for us all to enjoy. For that Joe Harris I thank you.
Turning to the art as I like to do at these moments again Michael Walsh and Jordie Bellaire are doing a storming job to capture the story a give it shape. There are no detailed perfect human images on these pages, but it looks perfect for me and you’ll have to buy the comic to see why it’s great. It has echoes of The Walking Dead with its simplicity and gives it a great pulp feeling to this detective story. Characters are easily recognizable and the panels look good.
All in all, part two of this five part opener for Season 10 is great and if it carries on like this The X-Files: Season 10 will be a total stormer. My thumbs are up and you are now allowed to go and buy it on my say so. How’s that for subliminal messaging?
Villordsutch is married with kids and pets. He looks like a tubby Viking and enjoys science fiction. Follow him on Twitter.
Originally published July 16, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
