Post by BloodyMonkeyZ on May 23, 2014 16:29:10 GMT -6
IDW has done some interesting crossover stories with the different licensed properties they own. Infestation was really well done LINK TO REVIEW This time around, they are using the X-Files as the lynchpin for a 6 issue story that will cross into the worlds of Ghostbusters, TMNT, Transformers, and the Crow.
Part 1 is all X-Files. The story starts out with the Lone Gunmen getting in touch with Mulder about some files they received from the future. The files take a long time to decrypt (oddly, about an issue each. Go figure.) The first of the files has details about a virus outbreak in an apartment building which happens to be the case Mulder and Scully are working on. They discuss it and decide it best for the Lone Gunmen to follow the trail the "future files" lead them on. The first of which sends them to talk with the Ghostbusters.
The story at this point is rather intriguing. I want to know what is going on. But I can't help but keep thinking that I know I saw the Lone Gunmen die in season 9 of the tv show. So that really confuses me. (Apparently in the season 10 comic series they have rewritten the history of the show and the Lone Gunmen did NOT die.) On top of that though, the art in this issue is horrible. I don't mean that in a subjective way. This artwork is truly bad. I find it amazing that IDW made a conscious choice to have this artist draw the issue.
Part 2 is the Ghostbusters. The Lone Gunmen drive to the Ghostbusters HQ, talk their way in, and quickly meddle their way into freeing a nasty ghosty. Eventually the Ghostbusters show up and they manage to recapture the ghost. But the main story doesn't really progress. It was essentially a wasted trip.
And I was left wondering how the Ghostbusters world coexists with the X-Files. Mulder would have been all over the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man incident. And just in general, they are rather hardcore ghost catchers. Another thing Mulder would be interested in. I didn't buy this being the same world.
Part 3 is TMNT. The Lone Gunmen believe that if they find an alien they can get a blood sample to try and create an antidote to the virus. Seems a bit farfetched, but ok. They are on the hunt for an creature known on the internet as the Manphibian. Which is one of the Turtles. They manage to stumble into meeting them as they encounter vampires that are actually related to one of the original series tv episodes.
I like that they tied it in. But again I am wondering how Mulder never looked into the existence of the Turtles. The storyline though did progress with one of the Turtles allowing them to take a blood sample just in case it might help.
Part 4 is Transformers. Really? Transformers? No way in hell does Mulder NOT know about giant freaking intelligent robots that frequently battle on the streets and in the public eye. The story progresses here, but I found myself no longer caring about any aspect of the story beyond getting to the end of part 6 so I could be done.
Part 5 is The Crow. This is the first one that feels like it could be in the same world. The world of the Crow is subtle yet creepy. And very much a real world environment. The story practically stands alone because they create a revenge scenario with a pair of cops who die at the hands of the bad guys who are behind the virus. Oh yeah, the virus story is still going on. Blah Blah trying to find a cure Blah Blah. . .
Part 6 is the X-Files again. And we are back to art so painful to look at that I now no longer care about the pictures OR the story. It is worth noting here that parts 2-5 had decent art and I actually enjoyed that aspect.
Let's see, they manage to avert the virus becoming a pandemic that kills billions and we discover that the mystery files were actually sent by an alternate world group of Lone Gunmen, Mulder and Scully who succumb to the virus even as they send the all important files that saved "our" world.
There is very little that I can say positive about this series other than that I am glad it is over. Calling it X-Files though was a misnomer. It was a Lone Gunmen series. But I am sure they figured the X-Files title would sell better. My reccomendation though. . . If you are a fan of the X-Files, don't bother reading this. If you work to earn the money you would be spending on it, don't bother reading it. If you are someone who illegally downloads comics in order to read them, w ell you suck and should pay for what you read. The people who work on things like this deserve to be paid if you are going to read it.
But don't forget, I am suggesting you not read it. . .