Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: Frank Spotnitz & Gabe Rotter & Shannon Eric Denton, Dave Sim
Artist: Stuart Sayger, Andrew Currie
Release Date: 16th April 2014

IDW’s first X-Files Season 10 annual is a flashback episode in more ways than one. Set during Mulder and Scully’s initial period as FBI agents, it’s a classic Monster Of The Week episode, given extra vintage cred due to the fact it’s written by none other than Frank Spotsnitz, longtime exec-producer and scriptwriter on the TV series.

It’s no surprise then that Spotsniz gets the tone bang on here, telling a typically spooky tale that mixes both supernatural and conspiracy elements into one satisfying whole.

After a man is ran down and killed, he somehow manages to call his pregnant wife and warn her that his murderers will be after her next, leading Mulder and Scully into a mystery that also involves a sinister Priest who’s intentions are less than holy. Or are they?

Stuart Sayger’s rough, scratchy art has a nicely atmospheric edge to it, echoing Bill Sienkiewicz’s pencil and ink work, though it must be said, his rendition of David Duchovny is perhaps a bit too stylised, and jars slightly with the more photorealistic representation of Gillian Anderson.

There’s also a short backup tale that sees Cerebus The Aardvark creator Dave Sim’s first ever script on a licensed property and sees Scully’s subconscious deciding between her childhood sweetheart and her life at the FBI. It’s a slight story, but it’s fun enough.

It’s another quality addition to what is shaping up to be a real classic run for IDW.

Rating: 4/5.

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The writer of this piece was: Jules Boyle