The X-Files: Season 11 Review: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson Mulder/Scully's X-Mas Special!

IDW Publishing releases a special tie-in issue with The X-Files: Season 11 X-Mas Special 2015. FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) discover the true meaning of the holidays by writer Joe Harris and artist Matthew Dow Smith. 

As we previously mentioned, Mulder continues to run away from the law, dodging authorities wherever they may be hiding, as a wanted fugitive. After being cleared from all charges, the government continues to keep a close eye on Scully, especially by the all-powerful Gibson Praise. With Gibson controlling the investigative duo like puppets, how long will it take before everyone becomes under his possession?

The X-Mas Special issue serves two purposes: to combine the mythology about the alien conspiracy and standalone arc. The opening pages feel like a missing episode as the Lone Gunmen are back in the forefront. Comedic in tone, the Lone Gunmen find themselves on a mission gone ridiculously wrong. In the suspenseful subplot, Scully has to find Gibson and Mulder before the alien rebels get to them first. 

For the Lone Gunmen, writer Joe Harris just nails the witty banter between Richard Langly (Dean Haglund), Melvin Frohike (Tom Braidwood), and John Fitzgerald Byers (Bruce Harwood). Harris' characterization of the geek squad is quite faithful to the show. The comic relief breaks the serious tone of the narrative and gives the reader a nice breather.  

Artist Matthew Dow Smith switches back and forth between the drama and comedy. Smith allows the witty dialogue to take charge and focuses on simple stances for comedic effect. Scully has a laugh-lout-loud moment on the phone with the Lone Gunmen. Then Smith believes an action-packed sequence as Mulder and Gibson have to work together against an alien rebel. 

RATING: MUST BUY

With The X-Files Revival so close to its January 2016 premiere, readers should definitely pick up The X-Files: Season 11 #5.