To capitalise on the new miniseries of the sci-fi hit, Titan Comics have meticulously put together original X-Files Magazine articles and published them altogether in this new book; The X-Files: The Official Collection Volume One.
Focusing on the agents, the bureau and the Syndicate, the book consists mainly of interviews, behind-the-scenes titbits and in-depth features. It has a plethora of different subjects, ranging from interviews with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, to the history of the FBI (including real accounts from former agents).
Thankfully, Titan Comics haven’t just haphazardly thrown a whole bunch of articles together for a quick buck. Here they have carefully managed to pick out some of the standout features originally published in the magazine, and presented them on glossy paper, gloriously showing off the photos of the cast and show.
The interviews in the book are decently sized, and there’s almost enough range for avid fans of The X-Files. The book doesn’t showcase only the main characters, but it has entire pages devoted to lesser-known individuals in the series, such as Agent Dogget’s second-in-command, Agent Crane (who appeared in just 5 episodes).
Some readers may believe there are a few glaring omissions with the interviews though. There’s no sign of the Lone Gunmen throughout the book, which almost seems unforgivable considering their importance with the agents, and the same can be said for Mr X and Deep Throat. All had their fair share of exposure during the series, so it just feels a little odd that they’re not referenced.
There’s a much stronger focus towards characters that appear later on, but readers will at least be able to sneer at Krycek throughout the selection of pages. Also, there’s a great section devoted to one of the most important characters of the show – The Smoking Man. All in all, those features will still appease enthusiasts.
Towards the end of the volume, more articles reflect back on the series as a whole. Mulder and Scully’s relationship is touched upon in a neatly put together piece, along with the top 20 moments of the series and a rundown of every single episode.
Thankfully, The X-Files: The Official Collection Volume One is a welcome addition to the long list of X-Files books. Fans will be more than happy with the overall content, as it’s a carefully crafted publication. The second volume, focusing on the monsters and aliens, is set to be a great companion piece.
THE X-FILES: THE OFFICIAL COLLECTION VOLUME ONE / AUTHOR & PUBLISHER: TITAN / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
