IDW; $4.99
The X-Files Origins follows Agents Mulder and Scully when they were just inquisitive, precocious kids. In #1 (of 4) Mulder is still feeling the fresh sting of his sister’s disappearance. Disappointed that he didn’t keep her safe, Mulder obsesses over what happened, recording his thoughts to find clues. As he does this, his buddies at Martha’s Vineyard invite him to join them on an expedition to find a sea monster or aliens. But instead they may have found something unexpected that makes at least one of them even more curious.
Across the country in San Diego, 13 year-old Scully is adjusting to her new home and new city when her Sunday School teacher is found dead in his driveway. Already feeling lonely, Scully is distraught that her friend has died and that the police don’t seem to care. Her methodical mind goes to work on the case and, unfortunately, it looks like someone dangerous may have noticed.
Both stories were by Jody Houser and Matthew Dow Smith. Mulder’s script was by Houser and art by Chris Fenoglio. Scully’s script was by Dow Smith with art by Corin Howell and colors by Monica Kubina.
This was a fun read. It has The X-Files tone – one part mystery, one part procedural, one part fantasy – but the maturity level was simplified to give it that early teenage feeling. That made it feel like a young adult mystery reminiscent of the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew. It was a good start for both stories, which are equally interesting at this point.
-Amanda Sheriff