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The X-Files #15 Review

Comic Books

The X-Files #15 Review

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Shadowy forces make their move to take over the government of the United States along with the rest of the world.

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The X-Files #15 Review
The X-Files #15
Writer: Joe Harris
Artist: Matthew Dow Smith
Publisher: IDW Publishing


First Read Reactions

  • Aliens with flaming eyes are still arguably a better option than Trump.
  • Either Firas is trying to destroy the world because of daddy issues or he just REALLY enjoys corn.
  • This can’t be the first time Mulder has heard random voices.
  • The bonus points I just gave for an ‘Old Ones’ reference are immediately negated by how telegraphed this “twist” is.
  • Huh?

The Verdict

Ugh.

Okay, positives first: The art looks great (especially with regards to the lighting). And we get some Lovecraft references. Other than that, however, this issue is a severe disappointment.

I won’t spoil the massive betrayal we see, but I think it’s something we’ve all been expecting for a very long time now. It felt like more of a relief than a twist to finally have it out in the open.

Also, the one thing this book does consistently well—Mulder and Scully’s interactions—are some of the weakest I’ve ever seen. I get that their relationship is strained, but I highly doubt that Scully would be so dismissive of Mulder for what are completely founded and obvious reservations.

Add in yet another nonsensical cliffhanger, and IDW’s latest X-Files arc isn’t giving me much hope that it’s going to ever reach the heights it did a few years ago.

The X-Files #15 Review
The X-Files #15
Is it good?
A "twist" anyone could see coming along with surprisingly weak character work make this one of the series' weakest issues.
The art looks great (especially with regards to the lighting).
Lovecraftian elements (always an easy way to my heart).
Good or bad, the one this book has ALWAYS excelled at is the interaction between Mulder and Scully...until this issue.
The twist is so obvious it feels like more of a relief to finally have it out in the open.
3
Meh

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