It’s Roundtable Review time again, as we throw an unsuspecting book to the baying hordes of Team BCP and let them share their thoughts on it.
The twist? They only have a maximum of fifty words each to do so.
We kicked things off last week with the first issue of the latest volume in Dynamite’s Vampirella series, and this week we’re taking a look at the first of IDW’s eagerly anticipated “Deviations” one-shots.
In a world where young Fox Mulder was abducted by aliens and never returned, another Mulder takes up the crusade against deception! Meet Samantha Mulder, a believer who won’t stop until she finds out the truth about her brother!
“This delivers on the mini series’ namesake. It is a fun deviation from the X-Files norm, and gives us a well thought out “what if?”. The writing is well done and definitely in keeping with the source material. A good read.” (4/5) – David Gladman
“This one-shot highlights both the good and bad side of the “elseworlds” format. A familiar setup leads to an intriguing conclusion that’s unlikely to ever be fully explored. Solid enough, particularly for X-Files fans, but ultimately an unsatisfying read. The truth is out there, and sadly, it’s rather average.” (2/5) – Craig Neilson-Adams
“It’s the X-Files What-if style, exploring what you get if Fox Mulder is kidnapped instead of his sister Samantha. You get a homogametic Fox Mulder running the X-Files, that’s what. For me the story is more interesting for its take on a young Dana Scully. Overall an average read.” (2.5/5) – John Wallace
“More “elseworlds” tales can never be a bad thing. The premise is pretty simple for this one, and leads to a fairly entertaining story, even if it does have a twilight zone ending. A straightforward approach with a clean art style. For die-hard fans, or if you have extra cash.” (3/5) – Chris Bennett
“A somewhat interesting riff on the ‘what if’ formula, which unfortunately comes off as entirely formulaic. Doesn’t get beyond it’s gender switcheroo premise, and features a rather obvious ‘twist’ ending.” (2/5) – Martin Doyle
“A nice idea in theory that doesn’t work as a one shot. There is nothing here, literally. When playing with a concept like this, at least commit to a 4 or 8 part mini-series. Upon finishing a complete read through my prevailing question was: “What was the point of that?” (1/5) – Andrew McGlinn
“Some pretty decent, if occasionally oddly rendered art – with fantastic colourwork – is offset by a fairly by-the-numbers story that feels ultimately a little inconsequential. It does initially capture your curiosity with the elseworld hook, but by the end feels a little hamstrung thanks to its nature as a one-shot.” (2/5) – Ross Sweeney
“X Files: Deviations is a one-shot with a difference, forsaking the show’s central pairing for an all-female line-up. Scully meet Mulder, Samantha Mulder. It’s a neat concept with endless possibilities, albeit one likely restricting any potential series’ readership to the existing fan base. Intriguing, with fluid artwork, but not for newbies.” (3/5) – Claire Stevenson
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