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The X-Files: Young Adult #7
Control
Mulder and Scully are in pursuit of a mysterious and powerful man who calls himself ‘Pusher.' Mulder thinks the man is a bizarre homicidal maniac who's able to convince his victims to kill themselves. But when Pusher learns that the FBI is on to him, he engages Mulder in the deadliest of mind games-–gambling with Scully's life.
144 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 4, 2017
“Are we talking kung fu movies, Mulder?” – Agent Scully (p.50)
Control is a young-adult novelization of The X-Files episode titled “Pusher”, the script of which was originally penned by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. FBI Agents Mulder and Scully are asked by a fellow agent to assist in a bizarre case involving a man calling himself "Pusher", who claims to have committed over a dozen murders that were officially labeled suicides. “Pusher” seemingly possesses the psychokinetic ability to bend—or push—people to his will, thereby forcing his victims to harm themselves. The suspect uses his mysterious ability to manipulate Agent Mulder into a dangerous endgame.
A widely praised installment and often slated as the perfect gateway episode to the television series, author Everett Owens (which is a pseudonym for screenwriter/producer Robert J. Thomas) certainly had his work cut out for him in translating this fine hour of television to print format. After reading it for the second time in almost eighteen years, I'm inclined to say that Owens/Thomas did a respectable job in providing readers with a worthwhile pulpy delight. The character of Robert Patrick Modell (a.k.a. “Pusher”), an unremarkable guy with above-average intelligence who finds himself confronted with his own mortality, is deftly depicted in the pages of this book. Readers will be undoubtedly drawn to his tongue-in-cheek arrogance and roguish charm—much in the same reluctant manner as his victims. If that’s not enough, Modell’s origin story has a supervillain-esque quality that would make Doctor Octopus sympathetic.
My only complaint, really, is rooted in the book’s title. I cannot help but wonder why the author or publishers felt compelled to modify the episode title from “Pusher” to Control. I get it, the book’s principle plot involves mind control, but if you ask me the title is hardly compelling and unlikely to attract the attention of readers. However, the book’s front cover makes up for the unremarkable title with a riveting, eye-catching piece—major props to cover artist Cliff Nielsen, who has fashioned some incredible artwork for each installment in this Young Adult series.
Laden with suspense and a tense Russian roulette climax, pulp readers or fans of the series would do well to give this short and highly readable book a shot.
Control is a young-adult novelization of The X-Files episode titled “Pusher”, the script of which was originally penned by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. FBI Agents Mulder and Scully are asked by a fellow agent to assist in a bizarre case involving a man calling himself "Pusher", who claims to have committed over a dozen murders that were officially labeled suicides. “Pusher” seemingly possesses the psychokinetic ability to bend—or push—people to his will, thereby forcing his victims to harm themselves. The suspect uses his mysterious ability to manipulate Agent Mulder into a dangerous endgame.
A widely praised installment and often slated as the perfect gateway episode to the television series, author Everett Owens (which is a pseudonym for screenwriter/producer Robert J. Thomas) certainly had his work cut out for him in translating this fine hour of television to print format. After reading it for the second time in almost eighteen years, I'm inclined to say that Owens/Thomas did a respectable job in providing readers with a worthwhile pulpy delight. The character of Robert Patrick Modell (a.k.a. “Pusher”), an unremarkable guy with above-average intelligence who finds himself confronted with his own mortality, is deftly depicted in the pages of this book. Readers will be undoubtedly drawn to his tongue-in-cheek arrogance and roguish charm—much in the same reluctant manner as his victims. If that’s not enough, Modell’s origin story has a supervillain-esque quality that would make Doctor Octopus sympathetic.
My only complaint, really, is rooted in the book’s title. I cannot help but wonder why the author or publishers felt compelled to modify the episode title from “Pusher” to Control. I get it, the book’s principle plot involves mind control, but if you ask me the title is hardly compelling and unlikely to attract the attention of readers. However, the book’s front cover makes up for the unremarkable title with a riveting, eye-catching piece—major props to cover artist Cliff Nielsen, who has fashioned some incredible artwork for each installment in this Young Adult series.
Laden with suspense and a tense Russian roulette climax, pulp readers or fans of the series would do well to give this short and highly readable book a shot.
December 30, 2025
X-Files fan here so of course I loved it! Who doesn’t love reading the novel version of one of the most classic episodes?
March 11, 2018
7 down, 9 to go. Hopefully I can finish the rest of these books before the school year is over, because then.... I might need to read outside of class!
This was one of my favorite books to read out of all the series. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. A man who calls himself "Pusher" confesses to committing fourteen murders and making them look like suicides. The police detain him, and while they are in transit from the police station to a jail, Pusher somehow influences the driver of the car to crash, and let him go. From here the FBI are contacted and Pusher is put in to a special case file called the X-Files, from here Mulder and Scully take over, and try to find out all they can about Pusher. As the story goes on Mulder starts to feel suspicious that Pusher might have telepathic powers, Pusher is able to control what people see, their actions, and even physically hurt them by just talking to them. Mulder tries his hardest to outsmart and catch Pusher, but Pusher is one step ahead. To avoid spoilers I won't give away any big ending details. But there is a reason as to why Pusher has these powers
Vince Gilligan did a great job with this book. It is a perfect way to continue this series. He kept me guessing what might happen next, and really brought me in to the story. I don't know if there is anything that he did poorly when writing this.
This was one of my favorite books to read out of all the series. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. A man who calls himself "Pusher" confesses to committing fourteen murders and making them look like suicides. The police detain him, and while they are in transit from the police station to a jail, Pusher somehow influences the driver of the car to crash, and let him go. From here the FBI are contacted and Pusher is put in to a special case file called the X-Files, from here Mulder and Scully take over, and try to find out all they can about Pusher. As the story goes on Mulder starts to feel suspicious that Pusher might have telepathic powers, Pusher is able to control what people see, their actions, and even physically hurt them by just talking to them. Mulder tries his hardest to outsmart and catch Pusher, but Pusher is one step ahead. To avoid spoilers I won't give away any big ending details. But there is a reason as to why Pusher has these powers
Vince Gilligan did a great job with this book. It is a perfect way to continue this series. He kept me guessing what might happen next, and really brought me in to the story. I don't know if there is anything that he did poorly when writing this.
July 23, 2022
Не е лошо книжлето, обаче е ужасно кратко. Отнема време да го прочетеш горе-долу колкото да изгледаш самият епизод. Главите са също доста кратки, има много диалози - смислени при това, което прави разказа интересен и четивен.
Мъж, наричащ себе си Пушър се признава зя отговорен за четиринадесет самоубийства, като по този начин привлича вниманието върху себе си на местната полиция и впоследствие на ФБР. Та Пушър притежа способността да внушава и подтиква хората да правят това, което иска включително да се самонараняват. Със странния случай естествено се заемат федералните агенти Мълдър и Скъли, добре познати ни от едноименния сериал. Пушър си търси равностоен противник и е избрал Мълдър, като двамата започват опасна игра на котка и мишка. Финалът ми хареса, имаше какво още да се желае и беше леко холивудизиран, но беше силен като цяло. Неангажиращо четиво подходящо за феновете на сериала.
Мъж, наричащ себе си Пушър се признава зя отговорен за четиринадесет самоубийства, като по този начин привлича вниманието върху себе си на местната полиция и впоследствие на ФБР. Та Пушър притежа способността да внушава и подтиква хората да правят това, което иска включително да се самонараняват. Със странния случай естествено се заемат федералните агенти Мълдър и Скъли, добре познати ни от едноименния сериал. Пушър си търси равностоен противник и е избрал Мълдър, като двамата започват опасна игра на котка и мишка. Финалът ми хареса, имаше какво още да се желае и беше леко холивудизиран, но беше силен като цяло. Неангажиращо четиво подходящо за феновете на сериала.
September 23, 2019
Estos ejemplares son capítulos novelados de la serie Expediente X, escenificando el ambiente que se observe el TV, pero ahora en esta entrega de 125 páginas.
Este capitulo se llama "Control", nos cuanta la historia de un hombre que ya se encuentra en una etapa final de un tumor cerebral, el descubrió que gracias a esta anomalía el podía dominar la mente de cualquier individuo. provocando que estas personas se provocaran un suicidio, aunque en realidad era el "Inductor" quien les provocaba dicha reacciones.
La descripción me gusto bastante porque no alargo mucho el cuento sino que fue a lo puntual, para mi que no soy un asiduo de la serie me atrapo tengo como 3 entregas más de esta serie publicada por Everest.
Este capitulo se llama "Control", nos cuanta la historia de un hombre que ya se encuentra en una etapa final de un tumor cerebral, el descubrió que gracias a esta anomalía el podía dominar la mente de cualquier individuo. provocando que estas personas se provocaran un suicidio, aunque en realidad era el "Inductor" quien les provocaba dicha reacciones.
La descripción me gusto bastante porque no alargo mucho el cuento sino que fue a lo puntual, para mi que no soy un asiduo de la serie me atrapo tengo como 3 entregas más de esta serie publicada por Everest.
September 18, 2023
[3.5] Took me ages to finish this even though it was an easy read. This was my first taste of X-Files and I followed up with watching the episode it's based on "Pusher" (Season 3, Episode 17).
It was almost word for word and I loved seeing my imagination and the screen's differences.
It was a great story and Modell is a super creepy character. I like that he did have some sort of bounce in the way he talks, like he enjoys the power.
Mulder and Scully weren't exactly how I pictured (let alone sounded) but their dynamics make a good and entertaining team.
"And this mysterious phenomenon is why I have a size seven heel mark on my face?"
Side note: These series of books have the creepiest covers. But could never top the X-Files theme song.
It was almost word for word and I loved seeing my imagination and the screen's differences.
It was a great story and Modell is a super creepy character. I like that he did have some sort of bounce in the way he talks, like he enjoys the power.
Mulder and Scully weren't exactly how I pictured (let alone sounded) but their dynamics make a good and entertaining team.
"And this mysterious phenomenon is why I have a size seven heel mark on my face?"
Side note: These series of books have the creepiest covers. But could never top the X-Files theme song.
October 23, 2019
I quite enjoyed this quick read. As I am unable to watch television, this is the only way I can learn about x files. I love stories on mind control and power of the mind.
January 3, 2016
Not at good as the other X-Files book I read, just because it took me longer to get into the story. But man, the ending was so crazy!!!
I found the premise fascinating, though, how the villain would "control" people and get them to do things they did not want to do (i.e. brainwash them for a limited time). That was very freaky.
So if the action had started quicker, I probably would have loved this story. Still I liked it. :)
I found the premise fascinating, though, how the villain would "control" people and get them to do things they did not want to do (i.e. brainwash them for a limited time). That was very freaky.
So if the action had started quicker, I probably would have loved this story. Still I liked it. :)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews