X-Files: Season 11 Volume 1

The X-Files: Season 11 (Collected Editions)

by Joe Harris, Matthew Dow Smith (Illustrations)

For years, FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully toiled in the X-Files Unit, a one-office division of the Bureau dealing with cases deemed unsolvable and related to unexplained phenomena. Eventually, both agents left the FBI and began a new life together in peaceful anonymity. However, recent events prompted them to return to the Bureau and the X-Files. Since then, Mulder has seen his work with the FBI discredited and has found himself a fugitive from the U.S. government all thanks to the mechanizations of a former ally, Gibson Praise, who now wields powers far beyond even what Mulder can imagine. Meanwhile, Scully remains at the FBI under the watchful eye of Gibson, as she works to prevent the government from falling further into his clutches and to clear her partner s name."

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction, Comics Manga, Paranormal

120 pages, Hardcover

First published March 22, 2016

About the author

JOE HARRIS is the co-creator and writer of original comics and graphic novels such as the Image Comics rock ‘n’ roll thrill ride, Rockstars, and the environmental sci-fi epics, Great Pacific and Snowfall; along with the supernatural thrillers, Ghost Projekt and Spontaneous, and the children’s fantasy, Wars In Toyland, for Oni Press. In 2013, Joe began a long stint writing the officially-licensed continuation of the paranormal investigations of Agents Mulder and Scully in The X-Files comics at IDW to the enjoyment of fans around the world. The X-Files: Cold Cases—the best-selling audio dramatization of Joe’s comics scripts featuring the voices of David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson and the entire original X-Files cast—and the follow-up, The X-Files: Stolen Lives were released by Audible beginning in 2017.

As a young creator at Marvel Comics, Joe launched the cult-classic Spider-Man spinoff, Slingers and the Bishop: The Last X-Man series. He has written for just about all major comics publishers including DC Comics, Marvel, Image, IDW, Dark Horse, Valiant, BOOM! and others.

A horror screenwriter and filmmaker, Harris conceived and co-wrote Darkness Falls for Sony Pictures—after his short film, Tooth Fairy was acquired by Revolution Studios and he was hired to develop it into a feature—along with the politically farcical slasher movie, The Tripper for FOX. In 2018, he co-wrote the live-action web series, Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe for Valiant Entertainment.

His latest project is Surviving Nuclear Attack, a paranoid sci-fi thriller, set to launch in 2019 as part of John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction from Storm King Comics.

Reviews

[Magdalena · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this volume since I'm a longtime X-File fan. But honestly, both art and story just didn't work for me and I had a hard time finish reading the volume and it was just 100 pages. How hard can it be to write a decent story and find a really good illustrator?

The art made it hard to read. I didn't even recognize Mulder at first who was in disguise, it took some time for me to realize that it was really him.

Lose the mustache Mulder!



I mean I recognize the Lone Gunmen, but the art is really appalling.

And, together with the confusing storyline did it just made the reading experience quite bad. I was interested in reading this volume because Gibson Praise would be in it. But I haven't a clue about what the hell the Peacock family (see episode Home) had to the with the story. And, I wasn't that keen on reading something about that horrid inbreeding family. Well, I would have been perhaps if it had made any sense why they were in the story at all. I thought they, at first, wanted a new man (Mulder) to father some babies (shudder), but now I'm not sure about that. And, I'm not sure what Gibson Praise wanted either. The whole story was too darn confusing to be enjoyable.

Will I read more? Probably not. I rather see the tv-series and wait for the new season.

I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!

[Chad · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very confused by this book and I've watched the entire run of X-Files. The book starts off in the middle of the story and never explains how we got there. Even though this is volume 1, I feel like I've missed at least several issues of the book.

Typically I like Matthew Dow Smith's art but the characters didn't look enough like their real world counterparts to be able to pick them out. They all looked generic and the same so I was always confused about who was supposed to be talking.. The coloring was dark and muddy and further contributed to the confusion of what was happening on each page.

Being an X-Files fan I was very disappointed by this book.

Given an advance copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent story. I didn't finish reading all of season 10 so I don't know if I missed the lead-in into this story arc. However, even though it's pretty complicated, I'm a big X-Files fan so I found my way into the plot pretty quickly. Lots of stuff going on with a complex plot involving an old nemesis, Gibson Praise, from season five, but the best part is a mini story arc that brings back one of the villains from an episode during season four that I've always thought was one of the freakiest ever. That really thrilled me. So, not a bad story. On the other hand, I thought the art was awful. The characters were barely recognizable and it was just ugly.

[Caron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted to my blog: https://diminishingthoughts.wordpress...

I received this book from the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I read Season 10 before starting this so that I could have some knowledge about what was going on. Season 10 takes place roughly after the X-Files movie and so the story continues from there. In Season 10, Mulder is accused of betrayal and of course everyone thinks Scully knows what’s up. In this story, we pick up almost immediately where we left off and we work our way through the 2 months following Mulder’s disappearance.

Mulder is a fugitive of the law and everyone has their eyes and ears set out for him. Scully can barely live her life because they think she’s in cahoots with him. Gibson Praise, once thought to be an ally seems to be their worst fear come to life. The control he has over things and people is scarily fascinating.

The writing in this comic was amazing and Joe Harris did an amazing job on this. This, as it was originally a TV show (now rebooted) and given it’s popularity was a tough thing to compete with. There’s so much that could’ve gone wrong, in my opinion, and I think Joe nailed it. He kept everyone in character and I could hear the voices in my head as I was reading. Mulder’s sarcasm and Scully’s eye rolling was what brought everything together. I felt as if the show never stopped. There was no break, we just continued as if nothing happened. That was the beauty of it all.

The writing was superb, so once again, A plus to Joe Harris and the artwork! So vivid, so clear. I thought I’d be sick of reading so many issues of one series in a week but it never got tiring. Great work!

Actual Rating: 3.5

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

'X-Files: Season 11, Volume 1' by Joe Harris with art by Matthew Dow Smith is the comic book continuation of the series which started with a season 10.

When this volume open, Mulder is a fugitive from the FBI sporting a garish mustache. Scully is still with the Bureau, but is under the thumb of Gibson Praise who has strange powers. While Scully investigates the links to a company called Cantus, Mulder finds himself stumbling into a strange family from the original series. The two cases may just be linked, but first Mulder has to untangle himself from a group of people who want a strange version of revenge on him. And what does Gideon Praise want out of all of this?

The writing is good. The story is a bit confusing as is the art at times. Confusing stories work ok in an X-Files story so that can be a bit overlooked. I can even overlook the art in places, but there were a couple times it was hard to tell who a character was. I liked it, but there have been other X-Files graphic novels I've liked more.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, IDW Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Jim · Rating 1 out of 5]

It starts out a bit confusing - trying to get your footing and figure out what's going on.

The art was really dark. And a bit hard to follow. I know that was just the artist's style, but it didn't help the story.

And then, what - they're working with a shapeshifting mind-controlling telepathic wolf? Oh. Maybe he can control animals, and he's not a shapeshifter.

Maybe I didn't watch the show enough. But did Mulder talk like this: "Where are these drilling folks you speak of?"

And what the frack was up with that Peacock family?? Geez! All sorts of grossness.

Why in the hell would you start a series with these kinds of storylines? Aren't you trying to get new readers??

And then it just ends in the middle of the story.

Yeah I don't think I'll be picking up the next issue.

Thanks to NetGalley, Diamond Distributors, and IDW Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

After everything came together so perfectly at the end of Season 10, I was a little disappointed with this volume. The overarching storyline is interesting but wasn't really given enough time to itself, instead there seemed to be an attempt to merge the monster-of-the-week stories into the greater mythology. That sometimes worked well on the show, sometimes not so much. In this case, stories like "Home Again" felt a bit too much like fan service, unlike seeing the Flukeman in Season 10, this time it felt kind of forced and didn't evoke that same terror everyone got from watching "Home" the first time. It was more like "Oh yeah, these guys."

Overall it was enjoyable but as a stand alone volume I found it to be a little lackluster and suspect that I'll enjoy it more when I re-read it as a part of the entire Season 11 collection.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a fan of The X-Files, I really want to be enjoying this series of graphic novels more than I am, but it is very hit and miss. The first of two volumes in the season 11 series is definitely more of a miss. Written by Joe Harris and with consistent art by Matthew Dow Smith, this particular graphic novel features three stories spread across five chapters - "Cantus" (which is in reference to a mysterious organization at play in this new story arc), "Home Again" (titled as such because it brings back the infamous Peacock family from the episode "Home" from season 4), and "My Name Is Gibson" (obviously in reference to this story arc's main antagonist, Gibson Praise). (The televised tenth season of the series also features an episode titled "Home Again" but has nothing to do with the Peacock family.) The plot feels so convoluted and is very difficult to follow, and the mythology is rather boring. While I do appreciate the fact that the "Home Again" story blends a previously stand-alone episode with mythology, it does so in a loosely constructed way that (at least so far) doesn't make much sense, and Harris doesn't seem to have a purpose or an endgame in mind. I am hoping that the second volume (seventh and final overall) is much better and brings about a somewhat satisfying ending to this alternate story. (I call it alternate because these graphic novels were written and published before there were actual tenth and eleventh seasons on television, and the television series ignores the continuity of these graphic novels. I therefore think of these graphic novels as an alternate reality, a different way that things could have gone down.)

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This continuation was entertaining, but it's been a while since I read season 10 so I felt a little lost. The main thing we see is the return of the Peacock Family, from probably the most controversial episode of the series ever. (They didn't even show the episode at first in syndication due to the content, which is based on incest.) There's also a Professor X like character controlling things behind the scenes, who also seems to be hiding from someone or something, probably aliens.

The art was different but I liked it. The story was somewhat confusing but not so much to ruin things. If you're an X-Files fan you should probably read this, but be sure to read Season 10 first.

[Letande D'Argon · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst thing about this one is that it feels forced. Most of the time it's just a throwback to the fourth season of the original show. Episode called "Home" to be precise. The good thing is - it actually got rid of one of the many loose ends of the TV show. The bad thing is... I never considered "Home" to be a good story (feels more like a cheap nod to a splatter films), while, let's just admit it, the story in this comic was supposed to end in the previous "season". "Season 11" feels like they just wanted to sell a bit more comics and therefore decided to delay the finale a bit.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review is for both volumes of season 11 read consecutively:

After thoroughly disliking season 10, the thought 'it can only get better' crossed my mind. That hope was quickly dashed. A vague enemy with undefined powers and multiple McGuffins lead to a tale that could not be saved, not even with the pandering inclusion of the Peacock family (dreadfully transformed as they are) from the early part of the broadcast series.

Hope springs eternal, or more relevantly 'I want to believe', so maybe the next iteration will be better?

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an odd combination of X-Files cases to string together, but it works out as an interesting read.

[Kristine Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I am an old school X-Files fan. I faithfully watched the TV series years ago, and that's where I left it. Didn't see the movie, didn't watch the new episodes just out -- and maybe that's why I really liked this graphic novel. I thought the illustrations were well-done, and most of the time, I could really tell what was going on. I didn't initially recognize Mulder (he was in disguise, after all), and I wasn't sure if the initial redheaded woman was Scully, but once they were ID'd, I was good. Other familiar characters were easier to recognize, and I enjoyed seeing them show-up. I could practically hear the commercial break music at the end of each story.

The stories were well-written, but some of them were a little confusing, and there was a bit of time jumping so events weren't chronological. I think had I read the prior installment (or didn't have a 20 year gap since watching the show), I would have had an easier time.

As with any X-Files episode, there are a lot of things going on but enough hints that readers should be able to know what to file away for later. I was very surprised when the volume ended, and I think I will likely start reading these as they come out.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eBook copy of this book in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give. This review was originally posted on Hall Ways Blog http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...

[Lanae · Rating 2 out of 5]

First I should say that I am a X-Files fan, but nowhere near a fangirl kind of fan. I watched it back in the day. I watched the current season. I skipped the movie. I am sure I missed a lot of episodes but I know the main players I don’t think this was geared for people like me.

The story jumps right in which is fine - they want you to buy and read all of the previous books. I get that. But as a volume 1, I also feel like you should be able to pick it up and get a new story even if it helps to know the past.

The story feels a bit disjointed. Only some of that is because you’re jumping from location to location.

It ends in such a way that you really have to read the next volume (something I am never fond of) to feel like you’ve gotten a complete story.

Some of the art was really decent, some not so much. I recognized the Lone Gun Men before I recognized Mulder. That tends to be the way with comics based on live actions shows. Some characters end up looking awesome while others are just not quite right.

I am sure this book is for someone, but sadly, it wasn’t for me.

* Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost in order to review it. I offered no guarantee of a positive review, though I only request books I think I'll like because why read a book you think you’ll hate?

[Eric England · Rating 3 out of 5]

X-Files: Season 11, Volume 1 by Joe Harris and Matthew Dow Smith is an intriguing continuation of the X-Files saga. This volume begins with Fox Mulder on the run because he has been framed by an adult Gibson Praise, a powerful human-alien hybrid seen in the original run of the TV show. Agent Dana Scully continues her work in the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The volume effectively blends the "conspiracy" and "monster of the week" episodes of the original TV show. Harris makes the monster of the week a vital part of the conspiracy thus diluting the difference between the two episodic brands. Harris' script captures the tone of the show and the voices of the characters. Matthew Dow Smith's moody art not only evokes the original show, it also brings to mind Charles Adlard's excellent pencils in the 1990s X-Files comic series published by Topps Comics. My only criticism is the fact that the story relies so much on nostalgia for the TV series. The conspiracy and the monster of the week are both rooted in old episodes. One of the true joys of the show was the raw invention present in each episode (particularly in the earlier seasons when the show was at its zenith). The recent TV revival did bring new ideas to the table and I wanted a little more of that in the comic. Still, the creative team does a fine job. I would recommend this graphic novel.

[Shelby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy through netgalley.
I love the X-files but this graphic novel not so much..
It definitely had that x-files feel to it but to be completely honest the episode with the peacock family was probably my least favorite episode of the whole series and I honestly thought that it was disgusting. Every time I re-watch the show I always skip that episode. Watching it once was enough. And the reason I mention that is because they show up in this graphic novel. And I don't see how their role even mattered or why it was even needed at all. It was as if they were just filling the pages just for content.
The art wasn't very good either. It looked light rough sketched that never got refined and touched up like they should have been. Also at times this felt hard to follow because the transitions were non existent and the story was jumping all over the place and not really clarifying when it jumped back to present day.
The only good thing about this is the story line with Gibson what that could lead to.
I can't say I'd recommend this. If you're a fan give it a try just beware of its many flaws. It felt rushed. They should have spent more time on this.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

X-Files: Season 11, Volume 1 is the latest volume of comics that follow Agents Mulder and Scully after the events of the original show have ended. It doesn't stick strictly to canon, particularly in the case of who Gibson Praise is as a young adult and Scully returning to the FBI, however it does have the same feel as a typical X-Files story, with that strange and wonderful mix of mystery, suspense and humor. I did not read any of the previous volumes of Season 10 before reading this, so I may have been a little out of the loop on the overall storyline, but it was still an enjoyable read.

The artwork is a little dark and shadowy, but the story is dark itself, so it makes sense for that stylistic choice. I also found it interesting that most of the volume ended up revisiting one of the most controversial X-Files episodes ever made: Home (season 4). I thought that it was a little weird to try and fit this story into the overall arc of Gibson and his relationship with the agents. It kept my interest and I would think many X-Files finds would find something that they like about it.

*Received a review copy from NetGalley

[Paul Franco · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really hope I don’t have to explain the premise. . .
Though I’ve of course seen the 9 seasons of the TV show, plus the movies, there’s apparently one season of comics I’ve missed, which as I read this figured to be important, because things were far more confusing than they needed to be.
Really awkward exposition, one person telling everyone things they obviously already know to inform the reader; sloppy. I didn’t recognize Mulder with the mustache, which I guess I wasn’t supposed to, but worse, I couldn’t tell if the redhead was Scully; turned out she wasn’t.
Hey, Lone Gunmen!
At the end of one of the individual comics Mulder is falling off a tower, but since this is a collection you don’t have to wait for the next edition to come out. Go to the next page and find out. . . nothing. The story continues with no explanation as to how Mulder survived the fall. Even Scully asks him and gets no answer. That crap alone deserves a lowered grade.
The last story goes back to the main villain’s—not Cancer Man—story, but because I barely remember the character from the series eighth season, I couldn’t get into it. The whole thing was simply too confusing for its own good.

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read any of the X-Files comics before this, so I was already a little confused with the beginning of this story. However, the jumps in scenery made it worse, and it wasn't until maybe 1/3 of the way through the book that I finally started understanding what was going on.

I liked the story of the Peacocks and I'm glad I didn't give up on this graphic novel before I got there. I felt like their story made it worth a read, in addition to the mysterious man named Gibson who seems to be manipulating Mulder.

The artwork left much to be desired--it was hard for me to distinguish between characters, which probably contributed to how confused I was at the beginning.

Honestly, I might read volume 2 if I stumble upon it, but I won't be looking for it.

I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited when I saw this volume up for grabs , so of course I grabbed it . Some of the old characters are back and wreaking havoc all over the place . Scully is trying to keep the government falling into the clutches of an evil man . As she works to clear Mulders name.

This book falls back to the old ways of the X Files the characters are well written and complex . The illustrations are good and easy to follow. The plot was ok and sometimes you got confused but that is THE X FILES way of doing things . We see Mulder and Scully fight all kinds in this series and I so can't wait for the next volume out there . So for all X FILES fans out there check the characters are awesome and the graphics are great , not too dark . They are an easy read that will keep you entertained. Check them out if you are a x files fan . You won't be disappointed

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

X-Files: Season 11 Volume 1
by Joe Harris
If this is any indication of how X files will restart, i am game. I have watched the entire series in original broad cast, and in the dvd's. I love the characters and the adventures of the story. This book takes the fan in me back to the stories that i love. How they two FBI agents are able to solve one of the most ambiguous cases that was left unresolved in the original series. Just being able to reconnect to personalities and characters that you need to see what happened to them. If this is not how the series begins that is okay to cause the premise still holds on its own as canon to the series.

[Theediscerning · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemingly carrying on straight from where the 'Season 10' comics left off, with too much that is unfamiliar from the TV series, and too much that is a little daft, even by the heights and depths that that itself reached. The palette and look is still dim and dingy, so much so that character design suffers and whole scenes of dialogue are nearly unattributable. And in asking many questions about why it revisits one of the old X-Files and brings it into the main arc from stand-alone status, it doesn't actually prove it itself knows the reason why. A little muddled, a little average and in no way self-contained, this is probably better off left to the completist.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For reference, I have not completed the entire series nor have I read any of the previous graphic novels. That being said, it was easy enough to jump in that I was able to enjoy this volume. Don't get me wrong, there were somethings I was curious about, but it in no way lessened my enjoyment. The story was compelling with excellent characters (secondary characters, not only the beloved Scully and Mulder). Additionally, the art was beautiful while feeling a bit like a stylized interpretation of the show. I'd love to see what happens in the next volume!

[Bar Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's not cannon, not parallel to the television series.

I'm a big X-Files fan, I even review the show on my channel, so I wanted to love this. I did not love this.

The artwork is terrible, it's supposed to be very noir, dark shadows but it's too dark to see, Mulder doesn't even look like himself, and I found the text-to-art ratio too heavy on the text.

The plot is like a bad x-files episode, it ends on a cliffhanger and I have no wishes to continue on with this series.

I have nothing good to say about this, 1 star.
I got this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

X-Files: Season 11 Volume 1 by Joe Harris is a graphic novel for teens and adults. The characters are the same, Mulder and Scully, and are true to what the reader expects from our favorite X-files heroes. The graphics are excellent, easy to see, not too dark like some graphic novels, and the book has lots of color. I did have trouble following the story in parts of it. The plot was good. I was given this book for a honest review from NetGalley and it in no way effects my rating or review content.

[Ystyn Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the new series of "X-Files" comics reminds me of the glory era of the show back when I was in high school and there was a concurrent comic series that I religiously collected and devoured then too. Sure, these stories are off the wall confusing but this gives me a great excuse for a re-read. And as these stories have been advertised as canon, it's going to be interesting to see how much of the mythology appears in next month's TV series

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Season 11 is back! Its a little slow to start with though, I've kind of had enough with the Gibson story as it's starting to get a bit dry, however it shows signs of subsiding and hopefully the real x files will continue.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Great characterisation and dialogue, but the story was difficult to follow at times. (It might've been easier to follow if I'd previously read season 10?)

[Angy Potter - Collector of Book Boyfriends]

The X Files was my life 20 years ago and for over 10 years I only talked, saw and lived the X files, and the renewal brought all that to me again. I was so excited to read this comic, but sadly I couldn't handle the illustrations. They weren't good enough for me so I could finish it.
DNF 25%

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not amazing. Superfluous reintroduction of bad guy characters from one s4 ep that we are now supposed to sympathize with a little. And I still don't understand how they fit into the broader mythology of the comic. The art is nice.