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Review: “X-Files Season 10” # 9

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This month’s “X-Files Season 10” a standalone adventure that will make your skin crawl. Harris’ script is sparse on actual details but gives the mystery of something larger than Mulder could ever fathom. Adding to the atmosphere of this haunting chapter is effective use of sound effects that brings “Chitter” to life. While Greg Scott’s art makes for one of the darkest and most horrific chapters of the book to date.


WRITTEN BY: Joe Harris
ART BY: Greg Scott
PUBLISHER: IDW
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: February 12, 2014

CHT CHT CHT CHT.

Let that sound sink in. Let it crawl all over your skin, and into your ears. It’s almost on every page of this issue, and the repetition manages to create an unsettling atmosphere unlike any issue that has come before. Harris revels in his concept this month. Using an insect like threat to unnerve and unsettle the reader and in turn Mulder and Scully in a case that is as strange as it is frightening.

Harris wastes no time throwing Mulder and Scully head first into the den of a supposed mad man. Small skittering creatures that have burrowed into his subconscious and won’t let him go. They torment this man. Which causes Mulder to believe he has caught a mysterious killer. This man has a tormented devotion to a higher power. A higher power that seems to desire one thing: Scully.

Things are incredibly unnerving and the plot builds to a typical X-Files crescendo in pretty short order. It’s a shame, because a plot like this could have really used a little more time to burrow under the reader’s skin. Instead things are ratcheted up to a conclusion that happens far to quickly to provide any sense of closure.

Scott’s art this month is a perfect compliment for the story. His dark panels paint the characters in shrouds of darkness. Creating a really eerie atmosphere that works tremendously with Harris’ script. The little details here, like the panels of single cockroaches or insect devouring death scenes create a real draw here. Paneling is pretty standard fare and doesn’t do much in the way of taking chances.

The voiceover narration gives the threat a little more weight and backstory in an otherwise quick issue. Sadly though it’s not enough to make all the ends meet. However, this month’s singular adventure is easily the most downright chilling tale the book has seen thus far.

Everything else that works about this series is still working. Namely the character voices are spot on. Harris really understands the dynamic between Mulder and Scully and the humor of the X-Files comes through in droves. This issue is a lot of fun, and might just chill you to your core. It just comes to an end far too quickly for its own good.

Rating 3.5/5 Skulls.

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‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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