Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Featured

    The X Files Hoot Goes There? #1 Review

    Robert MammoneBy Robert MammoneJuly 19, 20185 Mins Read

    Joe Lansdale teams up with his son Keith in this opening episode of a new run of The X Files comics, helping celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary.  Joe Lansdale, whose Hap and Leonard series recently finished an acclaimed run on television, takes Mulder and Scully to East Texas, home of the Owl Witch, and populated by the oddest collection of characters you’ll see outside a freak show.

    X Files Hoot Goes There #1The X Files Hoot Goes There? #1

    Writer: Joe and Keith Lansdale
    Artist: Silvia Califano
    Letterer: Shawn Lee
    Colorist: Valentina Pinto
    Editor: Denton J Tipton
    Publisher: IDW Publishing
    Price: $3.99
    Release Date: July 18, 2018

    Previously in The X Files:  25 years of outlandish conspiracies, pursuing aliens, implants, Fluke Men and avoiding the second-hand smoke of the Cigarette Smoking Man bring Mulder and Scully to East Texas, chasing reports of a giant owl snatching locals into the sky.  Can our terrific twosome unravel the mystery of the Hoot Owl and bring justice to the people of Muddy River, Texas?

    THE TRUTHINESS IS IN HERE

    I recently purchased a copy of The X Files anthology, Secret Agendas.  Apart from two excellent stories, the rest of the book was packed with terrible ideas, bad characterization and even worse writing.  As punishment for spending my hard-earned money on such a turkey, I forced myself to read to the bitter end, leaving me leery of X Files adaptations outside the show’s home on television.

    So what to make then of The X Files Hoot Goes There? #1?  Joe Lansdale has made his name with gothic detective fiction such as the Hap and Leonard series, as well as the gonzo The Drive-In and The Drive-In 2, where the audience of a drive-in is despatched to another dimension and have to fight each other to survive in a new, weird environment.

    So sending Mulder and Scully to the badlands of East Texas is well within his wheelhouse.  Lansdale populates The X Files Hoot Goes There? #1 with perfectly formed characters whose idiosyncrasies should leave the reader chuckling with amusement.  Shark obsessed Sacky, Deputy Doglet, the donut selling Sheriff (who sells his trademark Grab our Balls donut t-shirt features prominently in the issue) and Calhoun, owner of Calhoun’s Emporium and apparent were-squirrel.  All have a unique voice and play a part in the narrative.

    The X Files neatly separates into two story strands.  The first, and most (in)famous, is the alien conspiracy, which over the course of the series ascended its own fundament until it vanished from sight and coherence somewhere in the seventh season.  The other side of the series is, of course, the Monster of the Week, where some of the most famous episodes and characters – liver eating Tooms, the Fluke Man – reside and remain seared into the collective consciousness of viewers from the 1990s.

    The X Files Hoot Goes There? #1 definitely fits into the latter division.  An apparent giant owl is snatching the inhabitants of Muddy River away from their homes and families, and agents Mulder and Scully investigate.  In many ways, despite the issue featuring the modern versions of Mulder and Scully, the story itself could easily find a place within the series as it was in the mid-90s.  Given the calibre of the writing team, this is something of a missed opportunity to take this type of story in a different direction.

    RATED X FOR COMEDY

    The X Files was also well known for its injection of comedy into episodes that otherwise would’ve been grim exercises.  Both Lansdale’s get the cadences and snark of both Mulder and Scully exactly right.  Again, it’s a bit strange that the characters don’t seem to have developed too far from their earlier versions, but perhaps that is the rights owner’s requirements.  Either way, there is wry amusement to be had in the banter between the two leads, and also the situation and characters as a whole.

    I can’t say I was a huge fan of the art.  Duchovny and Anderson’s features are well rendered, but there’s a certain roundness to the art that I found a little off-putting.  That said, it is well done, and the mood of the night scenes is very effectively handled as Sacky and Mulder run through a darkened forest in search of the Owl Witch

    BOTTOM LINE – X MISSES THE SPOT, SLIGHTLY

    This is a fun, well-written book, which doesn’t quite fit within what I like about The X Files.  But the series was always about experimentation and pushing the storytelling envelope.  The X Files Hoot Goes There? #1 strengths lie in the writing and characterization.  Those who enjoyed the revival will enjoy seeing these updated characters in new adventures now the television series appears too, at last, have finally finished.  In its 25th anniversary year, The X Files comics are a strong enough venue to embrace the show’s humour, and darkness, in abundance.

    [taq_review]


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    IDW Publishing Joe Lansdale Keith Lansdale Review Silvia Califano x files
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleDC Entertainment announces next wave of young adult and middle grade graphic novels for DC Ink and DC Zoom
    Next Article Oni Press explores polyamory… in Spaaaaaaace!
    Robert Mammone

    Romantic. Raconteur. Kangaroo rustler. Sadly, Rob is none of these. Rob has been a follower of genre since at least the mid-1970s. Book collector, Doctor Who fan, semi-retired podcaster, comic book shop counter jockey, writer (once!) in Doctor Who Magazine and with pretensions to writing fantasy and horror, Rob is the sort of fellow you can happily embrace while wondering why you're doing it. More of his maudlin thoughts can be found at his ill-tended blog https://robertmammone.wordpress.com/

    Related Posts

    Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 Review

    Read More

    Wayne’s Comics Podcast #698: Interview with Tyler Kirkham

    Read More

    Retro Review: Menace #11 (May 1954)

    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    7.3
    June 22, 2025

    Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 Review

    6.7
    June 22, 2025

    Retro Review: Menace #11 (May 1954)

    8.0
    June 20, 2025

    Jeff the Land Shark #1 Review

    4.0
    June 20, 2025

    Toxie Team-Up #1 Review

    8.3
    June 17, 2025

    Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Derrigable on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • ZackaryTobias on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • Nathan on Wayne’s Comics Podcast #696: Interview with Creators from Concrete Arcanum
    • Austin Cowboy on FIRST LOOK: Conan the Barbarian #21
    • Frank on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT