The X-Files Season 10 Vol. 2 HC

by Sean Tonelli on April 26, 2014

The X-Files Season 10 Vol. 2 HC
Thanks to IDW, The X-Files has been given a second lease on life with no signs of slowing down. After a successful debut last year, and a gorgeous Volume 1 hardcover collection, everyones favourite FBI paranormal investigators are back. The X-Files Season 10 Vol. 2 HC looks to replicate the success of their debut arc with some ‘monster of the week’ follow-ups. 

Picking up after the events of the first trade, Vol. 2 finds Mulder and Scully back at FBI and fitting comfortably into their old roles. This being The X-Files however things are never easy and it doesn’t take long before the two hit the road in search of an old ‘friend’. 

Vol. 2 is comprised of five chapters and are all largely successful in capturing spirit of the show. The first story, entitled Hosts is a two parter and by far the most engaging. In it, we see Mulder and Scully encounter their old friend the flukeman. After the grand arching story of volume one which focused heavily on the mythos of The X-files. This scaled down story is a fun diversion and up there with some of the best ‘monster of the week’ episodes. 

Chapter 3, Being for the Benefit of Mr. X, is a flashback tale that sees Mr. X involved in a very horrific school shooting. This is a tight and well paced chapter and features some great twists. It has been a while since readers have seen the elusive Mr. X and thanks to having no budget restrictions, we get to see him in all his glory. 

Next is Chitter, a very lovecraftian story that see’s Scully go head to head with a serial killer who can hear roaches. Of all the stories, this one is far and away the creepiest. It also plays heavily with the illusion of the supernatural. Are the roaches real or imaginary? That’s for readers to decide. But one thing is for sure, this part really had me jonesing for a Rust Cohle cameo. Now there’s a crossover idea…

The final story, and perhaps the weakest of the five is More Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man. This follow up to the 4th season highlight showcases more of the Cigarette Smoking Man and Mulder’s Father as they go up against an alien threat. The script is hampered by in part by menton3’s chaotic artwork which makes it hard to follow. The art for the prior chapters however are spot-on. Elena Casagrande and Silvia Califano’s work on Hosts being the clear stand-out.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s good to have The X-Files back. The X-Files Season 10 Vol. 2 HC builds upon the nostalgic feeling from the first volume and expands that tenfold.

The X-Files Season 10 Vol. 2 HC
Writer: Joe Harris
Art: Elena Casagrande, Silvia Califano, Michael Walsh, Greg Scott, menton3 with Tony Moy
Colours: Arianna Florean, Valentina Cuomo, Assura M. Florean, Jordie Bellaire, Art Lyon
Letters: Robbie Robbins, Neil Uyetake, Tom B. Long, Gilberto Lazcano
Executive Producer: Chris Carter
Published: IDW
Purchase: http://shop.idwpublishing.com/the-x-files-season-10-vol-2.html

Our Score:

8/10

A Look Inside