Review – The X-Files: Season 10 #8 (IDW Publishing)

Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: Joe Harris
Artist: Michael Walsh
Release Date: 8th January 2014

Embedded back in the Bureau, Mulder and Scully find themselves embroiled in a mystery dating back over 25 years and involving faces familiar to fans of the TV show.

Beginning with a flashback to 1987, we see Mulder’s old informant Mister X investigating – and covering up – some shady government shenanigans which have led to a spate of school shootings. Previously erased from official records, details of this case begin to resurface as Mulder and Scully try to reintegrate into the FBI.

With its evocative opening, coloured only in greys and reds, this book gets off to a strong start. The colour red is a strong recurring visual motif, beginning in the introductory 80s set sequence and carrying on throughout the issue. The art by Michael Walsh is consistently strong and manages to capture the essence of famous characters without slavishly imitating their features.

Joe Harris’ script similarly manages to be faithful to established X Files continuity without being bogged down in the mythology like later seasons of the television show. There are nods and winks to confirmed X-Philes but these seldom feel crowbarred in. While this story definitely fits into the overarching government conspiracy plot rather than the ‘monster of the week’ model it never becomes impenetrable.

As a continuation of a beloved television show this comic ticks a lot of boxes. Devotees of the show get to see key moments in the early lives of popular characters such as Deep Throat and Mister X, while newcomers get to see Mulder and Scully find their feet within the FBI. Not quite Xcellent (sorry) but still very good.