30 Days of Night - The X-Files by Roq

30 Days of Night - The X Files
Writer: Steve Niles & Adam Jones
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Publisher: IDW

Crossovers are dangerous. For every Batman v. Predator we have an Archie v. The Punisher. It's just the nature of the beast. Compelling matchups that work well in the mind sometimes fail miserably on paper. This is one of those that sounds like a perfect fit on paper - two great franchises intermingling in bloody/conspiratorial goodness: 30 Days of Night/The X Files. Sweet, huh?
 
Not so fast, partner.
 
Now I'm not saying this book sucks. It's the first issue and we have to give it time to mature. A chance for the fangs to come out, if you will. Niles is a great writer so I have to assume he has something up his sleeve. The story is typical Niles: Vampires in Alaska killin' folk. Now add Mulder and Scully investigating said slayings and there we go with the X-Files part of it. Pretty much all there is to the first issue. The art, however, is sup-par. Reminded me of the Marvel Comics Presents from back in the day where they'd give an up and comer a chance to work w/ the big boys Let's hope the team of Tom Mandrake and colorist Darlene Royer get it together. The trouble with iconic characters like Fox Mulder and Dana Scully is that we have a picture in our mind of how they look. These people are dear to us and we want them to look like the actors who portrayed them, right? The artists didn't come through, plain and simple. Small gripe, I know but come on; it's a great idea so splurge on great a artist.
 
Now one day I may go back and review this as a TPB and be blown away by the entire work, but for now, let's just say I can't wait for issue number 2 to come out.


2 out of 5.