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The X-Files Comics: A Reading Guide to Mulder and Scully’s Comic Book Adventures

Not many live-action TV shows have expanded their stories into comic books. Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Firefly are the most successful examples, of course. Science fiction is a genre that lends itself perfectly to the medium. So it’s no surprise that The X-Files, the biggest sci-fi sensation on TV during the 1990s, expanded into the world of comics. 

Since the first issue was published in 1995 by Topps Comics, multiple comics have starred the famous FBI agents Mulder and Scully. Some are based on actual episodes of the show created by Chris Carter, while others are original stories that run alongside or continue the series after its cancellation. And now that there are talks about reviving the X-Files comics at Marvel, let’s take a look back at the long history of the franchise in print.

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Reading Jason Comics: A Guide to Explore the Norwegian Cartoonist’s World

John Arne Sæterøy, known professionally as Jason, is a Norwegian cartoonist born in Molde in 1965. He began publishing comics in magazines during the 1980s but gained wider recognition in 1995 with his first graphic novel, Pocket Full of Rain (Lomma full av regn). Two years later, he launched his own comic book, Mjau Mjau, before shifting his focus exclusively to graphic novels in 2002.

Influenced notably by Hergé, Jason’s work is defined by clear line drawing, minimal text, and the frequent use of anthropomorphic characters. He often uses a four-panel grid (or nine) and favors a muted color palette, but a good part of his oeuvre is in black & white. His visual style remains consistent across his body of work, making his oeuvre coherent and immediately distinguishable from that of other cartoonists.

However, he doesn’t stick to one genre when it comes to the stories he tells. He can write crime and science fiction tales, historical pastiche, romance, and monster stories, often blending historical fiction with pulp tropes. He references Buster Keaton, explores Hemingway’s life with a twist, and talks about his long hikes in Europe. But he always focuses on human problems, exploring solitude, unspoken desire, or the absurdity of routine, often with a touch of melancholy, a dry humor, and an emotional edge.

Since 2001, Jason’s comics have been published internationally, with English editions appearing through Fantagraphics Books. His books are often released earlier in France, where he has lived since 2007 (currently in Montpellier). His work has received multiple awards, including the Eisner Award, the Inkpot Award, the Brage Prize, and the Sproing Award.

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Marvel’s Secret Wars Explained: The Events That Changed Comics

Fans had been dreaming about it for years, but it was ultimately the call for a toy line that would finally give life to the biggest team-up Marvel Comics could put together in 1984. Secret Wars was a commercial opportunity and became an industry-altering event that forever changed comics. No matter what people think about Jim Shooter’s tenure as Marvel editor-in-chief, this is his legacy.

Secret Wars (1984): The Original Battleworld

It was 1984, and toy manufacturer Kenner was about to launch its DC Comics-inspired line of action figures, Super Powers. At Mattel Toys, it was necessary not to let the comic book market go to the competition. That’s what led to a collaboration with Marvel Comics. Jim Shooter was all in and proposed to produce a story to promote the new line of Marvel action figures, “Cosmic Champions.” The title would eventually change, but the idea would stay the same: to provide a showcase of marketable superheroes and supervillains.

Following focus group tests, the twelve-issue limited series became “Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars.” The story starts with an omnipotent being called the Beyonder abducting dozens of characters to a patchwork planet named Battleworld. There, he announced, “I am from beyond! Slay your enemies and all that you desire shall be yours! Nothing you dream of is impossible for me to accomplish!” What follows is constant action, alliances, twists, and lasting developments that impacted the Marvel Universe.

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Peacemaker Reading Guide: Exploring Christopher Smith’s DC Comics Quest For Peace

“A man who loves peace so much that he is willing to fight for it!” That’s the original tagline from 1966 Fightin’ 5 #40. Published by Charlton Comics and created by writer Joe Gill and artist Pat Boyette, Peacemaker is Christopher Smith, a pacifist American diplomat, who is wearing red and white tights and a strange helmet to fight against super-criminals and other warlords. At least, he did it during the 5 issues his self-titled series lasted. He was just a bland hero of another era, but one that DC Comics acquired alongside The Question, Blue Beetle, and Captain Atom.

Peacemaker Kills For Peace in The DC Universe

It was the 1980s, and Peacemaker was one of the characters that was going to be reintroduced, making their debut in the new Alan Moore-Dave Gibbons series, Watchmen! But things got too dark, and DC Comics decided not to follow this road. Instead of Peacemaker, we got the Comedian, a character who made a bigger mark on the history of the comics industry than Christopher Smith’s vigilante alter-ego. At least, until James Gunn put him in his movie The Suicide Squad. Played by John Cena, the character is now the star of his own TV Show.

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John Henry Irons, Steel Reading Order, Superman’s Ally

In the aftermath of The Death of Superman storyline, the DC Comics Universe was without a Man of Steel, but not for long, as soon appeared one man who became Steel, John Henry Irons (a reference to the African American folk hero John Henry).

First appearing in The Adventures of Superman #500 (1993), Irons was created by writer Louise Simonson and artist Jon Bogdanove as part of the Reign of the Supermen storyline, which followed the death of Superman at the hands of Doomsday. With Superman temporarily gone, four potential successors to Superman appeared to try to replace him as defender of Metropolis. Steel was one of them.

A brilliant engineer and weapons designer, Doctor John Henry Irons had once created powerful weaponry for a defense contractor, AmerTek, only to watch it fall into the wrong hands. Haunted by guilt, he abandoned his former life, faking his death and moving to Metropolis, where he was saved during a construction accident by Superman himself. Inspired by this event and Superman’s words (“live a life worth saving”), Irons finds a way to redeem himself, and, after Superman’s death, he takes up the mantle. He wanted not to replace Superman, but to honor him. To do this, Irons built a high-tech suit of armor and wielded a mighty hammer as the armored hero Steel.

When Superman eventually comes back, he accepts Steel as an ally. Since then, John Henry Irons kept fighting the good fight and was eventually joined by his niece, Natasha Irons, who would eventually become a hero in her own right. A brilliant teenager assisting her uncle, Natasha got her own armor of steel, and her relationship with John evolved as he became a true father figure for his niece. Being Steel became a family affair.

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Marvel Runaways Reading Order

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First published by Marvel Comics in July 2003, The Runaways is a comic book series created by writer Brian K. Vaughan (Saga) and artist Adrian Alphona. It launched as part of Marvel’s “Tsunami” imprint, an initiative designed to attract readers who were fans of manga and other youth-oriented genres. Although the Tsunami line was discontinued after a brief period and despite modest initial single-issue sales, The Runaways found new readers with the help of the trade paperback collections, which led Marvel to revive the title in 2005 after an initial cancellation.

This starts as the story of six teenagers from Los Angeles: Nico Minoru, Chase Stein, Karolina Dean, Gertrude Yorkes, Molly Hayes, and Alex Wilder. They have little in common beyond the annual gatherings of their wealthy parents. When they accidentally discover that their parents are part of a secret criminal cabal known as the Pride, an organization that has covertly controlled much of the city’s underworld, their lives are upended. Shocked by the revelation, the teens band together and flee from their homes, determined to put an end to their parents’ criminal activities while struggling to survive on their own.

Over time, the group members each develop distinct roles and abilities that aid them in their fight against the Pride and other adversaries. Nico Minoru wields a powerful magical artifact called the Staff of One; Chase Stein utilizes advanced technology stolen from his parents; Karolina Dean learns she is an alien with the ability to manipulate solar energy; Gertrude Yorkes bonds telepathically with a genetically engineered dinosaur; Molly Hayes manifests superhuman strength and invulnerability; and Alex Wilder emerges as a strategic leader, though his loyalty becomes a pivotal point in the early narrative.

Following Vaughan and Alphona’s departure after 30 additional issues, The Runaways was continued by other creative teams, including notable writers such as Joss Whedon and Terry Moore. The Runaways inspired a 3-season (2017-19) live-action adaptation for the streaming service Hulu.

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Etrigan The Demon Reading Order

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Created by Jack Kirby for DC Comics, Etrigan the Demon made his debut in 1972. The character was first teased in the last issue of The Forever People (issue #10), announcing the launch of the new series simply titled “The Demon.”

Inspired by a character from Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant comics, Etrigan is a demon from Hell whom Merlin originally summoned to help him seek and protect the Eternity Book. The Wizard bound him to Jason Blood, one of his loyal knights. This fusion condemned Jason to immortality and a constant inner struggle with the demonic entity he now shared a body with. Blood worked with Harry Matthews, Glenda Mark, and Randy Singh to face powerful foes, including Morgaine Le Fey and her followers.

Jack Kirby only wrote and drew the original 16-issue series, but The Demon came back a few years later, in 1977, first in his second team-up with Batman in Brave and the Bold #137 ( the first one was in B&B #109 by Bob Haney and Jim Aparo, the only Demon story not by Kirby at the time, in 1973). After all, Jason Blood was based in Gotham City, so he had to meet the Caped Crusader from time to time. DC Comics continued to bring Etrigan back in Batman Family, Detective Comics, Wonder Woman, and DC Comics Presents, before appearing notably in The Saga of Swamp Thing.

That’s when a change appeared in The Demon’s characterization. In SOTST #26 (1984) by Alan Moore, Stephen R. Bissette, and John Totleben, Etrigan started to speak exclusively in rhyming verse, which quickly became a defining trait of the character. Other renowned writers and cartoonists continued to bring The Demon back after that, like Matt Wagner, Jim Starlin and Mike Mignola, John Byrne, and more. The character was recurring inside the DC Universe with his story being developed from one book to the other, but he never became a major one. Still, he is a memorable and captivating figure.

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X-Men: From The Ashes Reading Order (Part. 8)

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Welcome back to the world of the X-Men with part 8 of our ultimate reading guide. Once the “Krakoan Age” came to an end, Marvel Comics launched a new era called “From The Ashes.” A complete relaunch of the X-Line of comics starting summer 2024.

This was teased in X-Men (vol. 6) #35 (legacy Uncanny X-Men #700), announcing a return to something similar to the old status quo with mutants rejoining the rest of the world and facing hatred and fear. 

The new era of X-Men kicks off with three flagship titles. First, in X-Men (vol. 7) by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman, Cyclops, Beast, Magneto, Psylocke, Kid Omega, Temper (formerly Oya), Magik, and Juggernaut come together to face emerging threats, fighting not just for survival, but for the future and guiding philosophy of mutantkind. Then, in Uncanny X-Men (vol. 6) by Gail Simone and David Marquez, outlaws once more, Rogue, Gambit, Nightcrawler, Jubilee, and Wolverine are now based in the heart of the Big Easy, and they continue to defend a world that fears and hates them. Then, in Exceptional X-Men by Eve L. Ewing and Carmen Carnero, Kate Pryde returned to her hometown of Chicago in the aftermath of the war with Orchis, hoping to leave the world of mutant affairs behind. But when she encounters three young mutants—Bronze, Axo, and Melee—in desperate need of training and guidance, she finds herself reluctantly drawn back in. And to make matters more complicated, Emma Frost wholeheartedly agrees.

Those X-Men comic book series are soon joined by NYX (vol. 2), Phoenix, Storm (vol. 5), Wolverine (vol. 8), X-Factor (vol. 5), X-Force (vol. 7), and some limited series and, soon, the first crossovers. 

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Clayface Explained: The Many Faces of Batman’s muddiest Rogue

It may not be surprising that a character made of clay has been reshaped multiple times. In the world of DC Comics (and superhero comics in general), legacy characters are now pretty common, but few have passed the baton–or the moniker–as much as Clayface. Known for being one of Batman’s Rogues Gallery members, this adversary is undoubtedly not a simple villain but “multiple.”

From actor Basil Karlo to firefighter Johnny Williams, the Clayface name is rooted in horror and tragedy, with each version bringing something different and reshaping the character’s relationship with the Caped Crusader.

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Norman Osborn: The Evolution of Spider-Man’s Nemesis, from Green Goblin to Reformed Man

In the world of superhero comics, so many villains are just coming back, barely evolving as the decades pass. Still, some took on prominent roles and were forced to grow with the times as their continuing existence became so tightly connected to one of the superheroes that they couldn’t stop fighting. They may not be legion, but Norman Osborn is certainly one of them.

As one of Marvel Comics’ most complex and enduring antagonists, he is known primarily as the original Green Goblin. A personal nemesis to Spider-Man, Osborn’s career of villainy has led to some of the most impactful moments in Peter Parker’s life, but also in the Marvel Universe as a whole. 

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