(No Spoilers)
Writer: Steve Niles & Adam Jones
Pencils: Tom Mandrake
Colors: Darlene Royer
Letters: Ed Dukeshire
Assistant Editor: Kristy Quinn
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Cover: Andrea Sorrentino
The nightmare for Agents Mulder and Scully continues as the threat increases substantially in this issue. Niles and Jones have gone from making this feel like an X-files episode to feeling more like an X-files movie.
The layouts and the pacing take on more of a widescreen feel in this issue. Mandrake’s art seems to be getting better and I like some of the huge establishing shots he illustrates. Plus, like I’ve mentioned before, we don’t have a particular vampire character we’re following so Mandrake takes the vampires we do see and seems to give us only teases of them. Whether it’s in shadows or close-up shots, he truly gives them a beast-like quality. This is a departure from the way Niles has presented them in the past which was a mixture of the human and animalistic traits. But again, I think it’s the lack of a main vampire character (so far) that drives this notion.
The characterization is still spot on as Mulder continues to insert humor even in the most dire situation while Scully is ever the skeptic as the unexplainable happens around her. They also get into a pretty intense action scene towards the end. It’s not something I’m used to seeing with them but the unexpectedness of it added to the suspense.
The story is still moving along nicely. We didn’t learn as much as I would’ve liked this issue but we traded that for a great action scene. I think what made it more suspenseful is that I’ve been wondering how Mulder and Scully will survive against such a dangerous foe. I got a taste of that here.
The series is continuing to be a great read each month. I’m confident that the remaining issues will be just as enjoyable. Niles proves time and time again that he knows how to write a good comic. Now with Adam Jones providing some insight, it appears the two work really well together. A solid read each month and one that is worth checking out if you still haven’t.
8 out of 10 (On its way to greatness!)