Wild Blue Yonder #1

Take to the skies in this thrilling new action-adventure sci-fi tale. In the near future, mankind has destroyed the Earth, and the only refuge from radioactive pollution can be found in the skies. Unfortunately dwindling supplies and bloodthirsty air-pirates make life all the harder. Will the crew of the Dawn escape the merciless Judge and survive another week?

I love stories about fighter pilots duking it out in the sky. Then there’s stories like these with settings where planes are cobbled together in an alternative history. Crimson Skies is something similar that comes to mind. Those are worlds I find interesting and entertaining.

The comic starts off relatively slow, but entertaining. After a quick introduction to some of the main characters, what goes from slow blasts into full throttle and we don’t look back. There’s something brilliant in that execution.

At first I thought the comic was good. The characters and world seemed interesting enough, and then we’re thrown into the action with excitement that had me hooked. I loved the dog fights and interesting air battle we’re thrown into the middle of. It was fun, exciting and the quick change of pace made it all the more fun because it was unexpected.

The first issue introduces us into the varied characters, the cool world and some of the story. Wild Blue Yonder had buzz going in to its release and it lives up to every bit of it. Can’t wait for the second issue.

Story: Mike Raicht, Austin Harrison Art: Zach Howard
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

The X-Files Season 10 #1

For years they investigated the paranormal, pursued the “monsters of the week,” and sought the truth behind extraterrestrial activity, along with the grand conspiracy surrounding it rooted deep within their own government. But when Agents Mulder and Scully reunite for a new, ongoing series that ushers The X-Files into a new era of technological paranoia, multinational concerns and otherworldly threats, it’ll take more than a desire “to believe” to make it out alive. The X-Files: Season 10 also sees creator Chris Carter return to the fold as Executive Producer!

I was a die-hard X-Files fan back in the day. I’d watch the show weekly, often heading to friends houses to enjoy each new episode. At it’s best, it was one of the best sci-fi/mystery series ever on television. I suffered through its decline, the movies, the ho-hum ending, but I remember it as a solid series, one I’d watch now regularly if it were on re-runs.

So, I went in to this first issue with hope. Where could it go from the series ending?

The first issue is pretty decent. Really it has a lot on its hands, as it needs to follow up on how the series ended and continue on with Mulder and Scully’s story. It’s hard to judge this first issue, as the X-Files really needs to be rated episode by episode, so it’s weird judging one issue as opposed to a full arc (to me its like reviewing 15 minutes of an episode).

The comic is good. I felt like time hasn’t passed and got right back in to two familiar characters, not realizing how much I missed their adventures. The set up is interesting and seems somewhat new. But it’s one chunk of the story and I think the arc, thus the trade, will be better than any individual issue.

With our modern era and all the things going on, there’s no better time for the X-Files to return. With so much real world conspiracy going on every day, it’s only fitting that two of the best investigators of it are back in action.

Story: Joe Harris Art: Michael Walsh
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review