Tag Archives: X-Files Year Zero

IDW Publishing Previews: 8/20/14

Judge Dredd #22

Duane Swierczynski (w) • Nelson Daniel (a & c)

“Black Light District, part 1”—The area formerly known as Sector One has been sealed off from the rest of Mega-City One—locking the Dark Judges in, but also keeping most of the Justice Department out! The only man who can cross the border is Judge Dredd, so it’s up to him to single-handedly rescue the Chief Justice and the Council of Five, who are trapped inside and fighting for their survival. Meanwhile, there’s a new Acting Chief Justice, and he’s got a whole lot of “reform” in mind…

You’ve never seen Mega-City One like this before. Step inside before it’s too late…

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

My Little Pony: Friends Forever #8

Katie Cook (w) • Andy Price (a) • Amy Mebberson (c)

It’s road trip time with Applejack and Rarity! When the two friends discover they are headed to the same destination, they naturally decide to ride together. A seemingly easy trip turns disastrous when calamity upon calamity interrupts their journey! Will Applejack and Rarity’s friendship… or sanity… survive the trip?

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Star Slammers: Re-mastered! #6

Walter Simonson (w & a & c)

Continuing the re-colored and re-mastered classic, from the legendary Walter Simonson! The captured Star Slammer, Rojas, has broken free and is loose aboard the Starship Meredith. Let the dance begin.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Super Secret Crisis War!: The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy #1

Kate Leth, Louise Simonson (w) • Troy Little, Derek Charm (a) • Little (c)

A malfunctioning robot crash-lands in Billy and Mandy’s school! Billy wants to keep it, Mandy wants it out, and Grim is just confused. As the robot starts causing havoc, it’s up to our heroes (and Billy) to put an end to the mayhem!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Transformers: Robots in Disguise #32: Dawn of the Autobots

John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a & c)

AUTOBOTS VERSUS EARTH! OPTIMUS PRIME and the AUTOBOTS discover the humans’ secret—and they aren’t pleased with what they learn! Will the DECEPTICON’s alliance tear down the peace—and will the world learn the CYBERTRONIANs are back?

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2014

Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz (w) • Eastman (a & c)

The Turtles are whisked away to another dimension by a stranger—Renet! Forced to fight for their survival in a tournament featuring the greatest warriors in the universe, the brothers will have to master new fighting techniques and forge new alliances. But with the deck stacked against them, their chance of survival is slim!

FC • 48 pages • $7.99

The X-Files: Year Zero #2 (of 5)

Karl Kesel (w) • Vic Malhotra, Greg Scott (a) • Carlos Valenzuela (c)

When a blue-collar worker from New Jersey passes prophetic messages to the FBI from a mysterious “Mr. Zero,” Mulder is convinced it is the same otherworldly entity that contacted the FBI through a suburban housewife in the 1940s. This similarly named “Mr. Xero” pointed the FBI toward many unusual cases, leading to the establishment of “the X-Files”!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Review: The X-Files: Year Zero #1

STK642824IDW continues its reverent treatment of The X-Files mythos with this five-issue limited series, Year Zero, a thrilling origin story that links unexplained mysteries nearly a century apart. After the FBI receives prophetic messages from a blue-collar worker in New Jersey via a mysterious ‘Mr. Zero,’ Agent Mulder is convinced it is the same ‘Mr. Xero’ that contacted a suburban housewife in the 1940s.

Writer Karl Kesel clearly enjoys the duel time periods, especially “the Russian red menace, atomic mutations, and flying saucers” of the 1940s “UFO Noir,” as he so eloquently put. While we don’t see little green men in this first book, he’s set the stage for time-spanning spookiness. An origin story also brings new characters. Kesel maintains Mulder’s dry humor and Scully’s skepticism, but aptly introduces a gritty Agent Bing Ellinson and an ambitious Millie Ohio.

Though I wasn’t a fan of artist Michael Walsh‘s work on Season 10, I have no complaints with the Year Zero illustration tag team Greg Scott and Vic Malhotra. In fact, in a genius division of duties, Scott has the present day storyline and Malhotra took the the 1940s panels which adds a truly unique touch to the issue. Hopefully they can keep that up the length of the series.

Executive produced by creator Chris Carter, this first issue is a great start to a promising series, one which will hopefully answer some of the series’ burning questions. After sweeping this year’s Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards with seven wins, IDW is clearly the publisher to beat.

Story: Karl Kesel Art: Greg Scott, Vic Malhotra
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review