X-Files: Deviations #1 Review

This week brings us the first in what will (hopefully) be a series of one-shot anthologies exploring alternate versions of The X-Files mythology. This issue tackles a tantalizing scenario where Fox Mulder was abducted decades ago instead of his sister Samantha

Is it good?

The X-Files: Deviations #1 (IDW Publishing)

The Plot

• Freaking hippies. That’s what you get for running in platform shoes.
• This all seems very familiar.
• Like, super duper familiar.
• Not surprisingly, Samantha behaves a lot like Mulder—but with a much better sense of focus.
• No matter who gets taken, that abduction scene still breaks my heart ☹
• I like Samantha Mulder and Dana Scully working together.
• Wait…what?

Is It Good?

I was pretty excited when I heard Amy Chu was writing this. Unfortunately, the great chemistry she builds between Scully and (Samantha) Mulder is bogged down by a painfully generic narrative.

Samantha is different from Mulder, but not enough to warrant much of a story. And then we have the ‘twist’ ending, which is more random than shocking. I guess it could have been a great springboard for a story arc, but as a one-shot, it feels depressingly lame.

One thing that saves this issue from being a complete disaster is the artwork by Elena Casagrande and Silvia Califano. In addition to the beautiful pencils, their paneling on each page is exceptionally well done. There’s also a great two-page spread with Scully/Mulder’s investigation charted over a map of their various stops and pathways.

This is a great creative team that I would love to see do another Deviation issue. This one, however, made me wish for an alternate timeline where the book gets rewritten with a story that lives up to its compelling premise and potential.