FINAL GIRL explores the slasher flicks of the '70s and '80s...and all the other horror movies I feel like talking about, too. This is life on the EDGE, so beware yon spoilers!

Jul 14, 2010

wednesday comix: X-FILES/30 DAYS OF NIGHT #1

Ah, the time-honored tradition of the comics crossover. What is it about characters co-mingling that readers love so much? Huh? There's something a little fan-fictiony- or, at least, fan-servicey- about them. Mind you, I'm not complaining! I can see why it would be cool to have, say, the Avengers hanging out with the JLA, and I'll admit to a grudging fondness for meet-ups that make little sense (see: Tomb of Dracula & Silver Surfer, X-Men & Burger King (I wish)). But much like the television miniseries, crossovers are always presented as events that cannot be missed.

Such is the buzz surrounding X-Files/30 Days of Night, the latest release from publishers Wildstorm and IDW. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the properties...first of all, really? You're unfamiliar with two extremely popular franchises that cross several mediums? Man, you've got some sort of fulfilling life outside of pop culture...loser nerd!

Whoa, sorry. Don't know why I'm so ornery.

Anyway, 30 Days of Night concerns some eeeevil vampires who descend upon Alaskan towns during the extended arctic nights. The X-Files features FBI Agents Mulder and Scully, who investigate all the weirdo cases: anything that seems irregular falls to them. Mulder declares "Cryptozoology!" while Scully declares "But...real science!" and a good time is had by all.

In the first issue of this 6-issue miniseries, Mulder and Scully head to Wainwright, Alaska to investigate the brutal, seemingly-unexplainable deaths of sixteen truck drivers. Decapitations and ritualistic displays have Scully thinking "serial killers", while they've got Mulder thinking "monsters". As this is 30 Days of Night-land, they're both right for once.

I'm being cheeky but to be honest, 30 Days of Night and The X-Files are made for each other and I really enjoyed this book. Co-writers Steve Niles (who co-created 30 Days) and Adam Jones set up an intriguing story that seems pulled directly from a prime season of The X-Files. The dialogue of the well-known characters rings true, and the case is certainly one the intrepid agents would handle. The art, courtesy of Tom Mandrake, is appropriately atmospheric: snow and darkness are abundant. The panel layouts are occasionally confusing, however, and the action can be difficult to follow. Still, it's a minor hiccup and damn purdy.

So there you go. If the first issue is any indication, the miniseries will play out like a bonus episode of The X-Files featuring Alaska's nastiest vampires, which is...you know...pretty cool. Hey! This crossover really is an event that cannot be missed! Good thing it's on sale right this minute.

12 comments:

Joel Harley said...

Cool. Can't wait to check this one out.

Sam said...

That does sound like a pretty cool crossover, but as with most things that come out these days I'll wait for the trade. I just don't have the room to keep collecting floppies that, once read, will never be read again.

Unknown said...

OH SHIT!!!! I FORGOT ABOUT THIS!!!! I need to pick this up like yesterday! Thanks you for posting this and reminding me!

Melanie's Randomness said...

If I saw this in the comic Book store I'd at least flip through it! I'm a sucker for cross-overs!!

Mikey Sarago said...

I'm ashamed to say I've never read a comic before. Someone gave me an X-Men comic when I was a kid in the early 90's and now it's tucked away somewhere, unread. But I'm a big fan of The X-Files and wouldn't mind checking this one out. Sounds totally effing awesome.

Highly Caffeinated said...

Really looking forward to reading this!

As for 'meet-ups that make little sense', you just can't go past The Punisher Meets Archie

Stacie Ponder said...

Was that REAL?? I thought it was an urban legend!

Verdant Earl said...

Fun fact: co-writer Adam Jones is also the guitarist for Tool.

Stacie Ponder said...

Yup. Many "rock stars" making comics nowadays. Many "actresses" too!

Highly Caffeinated said...

Oh yes, and not too shabby either!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PUNISHER-MEETS-ARCHIE-1-BIZARRE-CROSS-OVER-COMIC-/380249962998?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5888a9f9f6#ht_1977wt_1137

Bobby "the Blue" said...

Awesome concept for a crossover!

Stu said...

Yeah, I'll be waiting for the collected novel as well. I really do love collecting comics but I don't have to budget or the energy these days to actively pursue individual issues.