X-Files, Volume 1: Graphic Novel Collection from Checker Book Publishing

Before I start this review of this X-Files graphic novel, I have to say something that might offend a lot of my readers. First of all, I am not a follower of the original show, and I believe I have only seen one episode and one movie.

However, from reading this X-Files collection by Checker Book Publishing, it is easy to see how X-Files swept the nation. After all, I think all of us know that "the truth is out there", and that there are those in power who want to keep the truth from us, whether it is the government, aliens, or both.

The Checker Book Publishing collection ends with a story I chose to read first, since I had little knowledge of the 9-year series. This story was an "issue 0" that was an adaptation of the original Pilot episode. To be honest, I never really felt a need for comic book adaptations. After all, why get a comic book of something that you could just as easily watch? However, since I have never watched the original pilot, I can honestly say that I really want to now. If anyone knows where to find any episodes online that I could watch for free, let me know.

The collection also included an adaptation of an episode called "Squeeze", which featured a serial killer who could stretch his bad self. Again, an episode I will have to see to believe.

As for the original, non-episode adatped stories, there was a one issue story called "One Player Only" that was about a killer who may or not be possessed by a computer. I found this one was cool in principle, but badly done in execution. I read it twice, and had forgotten that I had read it a first time. Part of it was that I couldn't figure out how it was supposed to end. You shouldn't finish a story and say "huh," but something like "cool".

Another original story was called "Falling", and it involved a group of paranoid children along with a disease outbreak. Another original story was a two-parter involving an anti-government, Neo-Nazi cult and some aliens. Only X-Files could successfully mix two odd things and make them kind of work.

Oh, yes, then there was this story involving the sudden appearance of John Lawerance, one of the pilots who disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle.

All in all, the X-Files graphic novel collection is like the show, or any other television show. It has some really great high points, and very low points. I believe that the story-arc and the good episodes kept the dedicated viewers watching, but this comic can be read by anyone.