(No Spoilers)
Writer: Steve Niles & Adam Jones
Pencils: Tom Mandrake
Colors: Darlene Royer & Gabe Eltaeb
Letters: Ed Dukeshire
Assistant Editor: Kristy Quinn
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Cover: Andrea Sorrentino
Well, as much as I’ve been enjoying this series, I have to say the ending left me wanting a little bit. Niles and Jones did an incredible job of building up the story to this issue but I felt like we fell into a sprint to resolve everything in this issue when I wish we would’ve had at least two more issues to wrap it all up.
I think what happened is there were a lot of good ideas but not enough time to flesh them all out. I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll just say there’s a storyline involving a prophecy that I thought was introduced at the perfect time. It was a great set-up and was the best twist in this story. However, there was a sub-plot with the character of French that I felt distracted from the prophecy plot. French’s story really came into play last issue and I was afraid that they’d wrap it up too quickly and that’s exactly what happened. This short-changed the prophecy story in my opinion which was the better of the two.
Now overall, it’s still a great series. There were still a couple of moments in this issue where I wondered how Mulder and Scully were going to survive against such a dangerous opponent and they had some close calls. But towards the end of the issue it seems that it was all set-up for a sequel. Now, I don’t mind the last page or two setting up a sequel but again, all this set-up really took away from time that could’ve been used on the story. And I really liked this story so I didn’t want to feel short-changed here in the final issue.
Despite its shortcomings here at the end, I still think this is a great read for both X-files and 30 Days of Night fans. I plan to pass these on to a friend who’s an X-files fan and I know he’ll love them! I know the series sold really well and I’m glad it did. Niles and Jones ended up being a great collaborative team and since they made it obvious we can expect a sequel, I anticipate it will be equally as good.
7 out of 10 (Above Average)
I was actually pretty confused by the end. Who was the vamp in the detention cell? It was difficult to know who he was because Mandrake’s facial details were pretty lackluster.
Also, why were Mulder & Scully left unharmed in the greenhouse? (Trying to avoid spoilers by wording this vaguely.)
Also, I read the trade paperback in one sitting. I didn’t pick up on the prophecy you’re describing–almost to the point where I feel like I missed something.
To avoid spoilers, please feel free to email me if you wish to discuss this at all:
wraith_form (at) hotmail (dot) com
I agree with your review, however: the end seemed rushed, and exceptionally anticlimactic.
I’m not worried about posting spoilers. The comic is a year old at this point. The prophecy I’m referring to is the one concerning that vampire baby thing they bring to life. I thought that was a great twist in the story and did not see that coming with the set up in the first few issues.
I have no idea who that vampire in the cell was and I too was left wondering why Mulder and Scully survived the greenhouse incident. But with everything else in this issue, it all seemed like wrap-up and set-up for the sequel.