by Anna Josephson and Jeff Michler
Anna: And we’re back, with X-Files: Year Zero, #2! Tell me, Jeff, what did you think?
Jeff: We have all the essential elements of a great X-Files episode in the comic. Mystery, suspense, some unexplained phenomena, a few logical inconsistencies, and a bit of wit.
A: Agreed. And I like how the story is progressing; it’s got pace. Plus, I love when issues end on a cliff hanger. I love having something concrete, a real resolution, to look forward to in the next issue.
J: Yes, cliffhangers are fun and this issue ended with a great panel. It directs the story in a way very different from where I thought it was going after issue #1 and it also leaves the fates of our characters up in the air.
A: Although no reader really believes that any of our four main characters are in danger. The simple fact that there are three more issues coming means that our heroes will at least survive the next issue.
J: Do you find that lessens the suspense? Knowing that, at least at this point, there is nothing really at stake for our main four?
A: Given that I watched The X-Files for the first time a decade after it aired meant that I never believe Mulder or Scully is in any real danger: I know that things all work out, generally, for them in the end. But that’s not a problem for me, in the way it might be for others. I don’t mind spoilers.
J: In general I don’t mind them either. I dated a girl once who was in the middle of reading Anna Karenina. I referenced ***SPOILER*** that Anna Arkadyevna throws herself under a train at the end. I figured this was common cultural knowledge. But apparently she didn’t know that about the story. And she never bothered to finish the book! Unless the story really relies on a shock ending, I believe that good stories can’t be spoiled by knowing how they end.
A: I think it’s just ridiculous to abandon Anna on her journey just because you know the destination. I spent this morning trying to figure out what the alternative movie ending is to Gone Girl – so clearly, I don’t mind a spoiler. Do you think that the show used cliffhangers, or is that something that is specific to this comic?
J: I don’t think the show used many cliffhangers at commercial breaks or at the end of episodes. Rather, it used what I would describe as thoughtful pauses. Cliffhangers are a crutch that poor writers use.
A: But, you’d agree that cliffhangers are an integral part of serial stories. Thomas Hardy and Charles Dickens used them to great effect in their serialized novels.
J: True. But despite that, I still tend to think of cliffhangers as manufactured drama. Just think of those later seasons of Lost. There was a crisis every 15 minutes and a commercial waiting to break in. Maybe The X-Files as a show avoided cliffhangers because it did not rely on serial storytelling to the same extent as narrative dramas currently on TV. Or, and this is what I believe, it was just a really well written show.
A: Fair enough. The Food Network always leaves you with a cliffhanger, too – never knowing who is going to get Chopped! But, to move away from hangers – what do you think of the drawing style? I don’t know a great deal about art, but the nondescript faces (with the exception of Mulder) strike me as a little lazy.
J: I disagree. I think Mat Lopes has done a great job on the colors. The dark greens and blue of the Mulder and Scully elements matches the color scheme of the original series well. Yet, when we flip the page to the Ellinson and Ohio story the panels are quickly drawn and brightly colored like the pulp comic strips of the era. I think that is intentional on the part of Greg Scott and Vic Malhotra. In fact, there is one panel with Ellinson in it that makes him look just like Dick Tracy.
A: And my naivety about comics and their history comes through yet again! But I’m going to disguise it and instead claim: I just don’t like it. My preference is for a stronger hand and an innovative style. That’s why I enjoyed Emma Rios’ work on Pretty Deadly so much. Compared to that, the art here just seems very offhanded.
J: How do you feel about the balance of story between the contemporary narrative and 1940s story?
A: I want to spend more time with Mulder and Scully! Since we’ve already spent so much time with them, I feel I share in the rapport they have with each other, even though the comic hasn’t necessarily generated it. But with Millie (ugh!) and Bing, I don’t have that yet. So, even though I think the narrative time is fairly balanced, I find myself wanting more Mulder and Scully.
J: I always want more of the dynamic duo too! But, I’m new to Ohio (ugh!) and Ellinson and so I appreciate the time we get to spend with them and would appreciate even more. I expected the series to be bookended with Mulder and Scully with the vast majority of the story time spent in the 1940s. So, I’m a little surprised that we spend so much time in the contemporary setting.
A: After all, it is Year Zero – so we’re here to see where it all began. Maybe in future issues we’ll expect some more Ohio and Ellinson.
J: Well, regardless of where they spend their time, after an ending like that – we’re sure to be back!
Anna and Jeff will return next month to continue their conversation about comics, culture and all things X-Files with the next installment of the 5-part series: The X-Files Year Zero
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