Strap on your fanny packs, kids. IDW’s The X-Files is about to kick off a new two-issue story featuring some 1980’s shenanigans courtesy of The Syndicate…and everyone’s favorite chain smoker, of course.
The X-Files #10 (IDW Publishing)
Observations
- Dang. They really just referenced Reagan’s infamous Russian bombing joke. Consider me impressed.
- Yikes! White House staff jobs in the 1980’s really sucked when the Syndicate was around.
- Nice to see Mulder gets along so well with FBI security these days.
- Cocaine is a hell of a drug—especially when it’s the helping to fuel a civil war.
- Holy crap! What was that coke cut with?
The Verdict
First off, this issue is a VAST improvement over the last one. I’ll admit, however, that part of my enjoyment was due to all the conspiratorial 80’s references. Ronald Reagan, Oliver North, Iran Contras…it was like I was back in my childhood home playing with Star Wars toys while my parents watched the nightly news.
That being said, all the nostalgic cloak-and-dagger stuff is by far the best part of Joe Harris’ script. Once we get to the supernatural stuff, I have absolutely no idea what to tell you. You expect the paranormal to show up in even the most conventional looking X-Files tale, but this one goes from a tightly spun thriller to a David Lynch-esque fever dream in the matter of three pages. I’m all for a good ghost/apparition story, but I’m not sure how I feel about ghost cocaine.
I have faith Harris can make this work, though. I may have been hard on him during this current run of issues, but he’s usually a sure bet with stories like this that are grounded by a historical hook.
I should also mention that Greg Scott’s art looks really good, particularly when he flashes back to a couple of classic characters on a trek through the war torn Central American wilderness. His rendering of all the issue’s characters is very good, but he draws Ronald Reagan and The Cigarette Smoking man exceptionally well.
If this creative team makes full use of their story’s potential, it could be one of the best X-Files ever—at least for an 80’s kid like me who loves a good conspiracy. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get derailed by the aforementioned mystical white powder.
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