Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: Joe Harris
Artist: menton3
Release Date: 12th March 2014

One of the most divisive episodes of The X-Files TV series was the fourth series story ‘Musings Of A Cigarette-Smoking Man’, where Mulder’s nemesis (and more) was exposed as a failed Sci-Fi writer, interspersing his possible involvement in historical events and assassinations with his one true ambition – to be published.

Taking that as a jumping-off point, IDW have returned to the idea in the latest issue of their fantastic Season 10 series, with this, titled ‘More Musings Of A Cigarette-Smoking Man’.

We get glimpses of the mystery man’s life, stretching out from the ’50s, through the Bay Of Pigs incident and Vietnam, through to the present day with an encounter with the shadowy figure who has seemingly brought him back from the dead.

In amongst it his affair with Mulder’s mother is touched on, as is his friendship with her husband, his close friend and co-conspirator over the years.

Joe Harris’s script is subtle and nuanced, hinting at a new conspiracy while adding layers of depth to CSM’s murky character, while menton3’s art changes style and atmosphere every few pages with each time period feeling radically different from the last.

So far, X-Files Season 10 has been a textbook example of how to continue a TV property and this is no different. Amazing.

Rating: 4/5.

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The writer of this piece was: Jules Boyle