PUBLISHED ON
Tuesday December 1, 1992
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2024-09-05 23:00:30
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TYPE
Comics
SUMMARY
Not to be Opened Until X-Mas is a comic book issue published by Topps Comics, part of the company’s series of comic books. This particular issue is themed around Christmas and blends elements of holiday cheer with darker, more supernatural tones typical of Topps’ style.
In this story, the plot revolves around a mysterious and ominous gift box that is not to be opened until Christmas. As the characters interact with the box, they experience strange and unsettling events. The narrative combines suspense and horror, creating a chilling atmosphere against the backdrop of the holiday season.
The comic book is known for its eerie twist on traditional Christmas themes, integrating supernatural and horror elements into the festive setting. The art style and storyline are designed to evoke a sense of intrigue and suspense, making it a unique holiday read for fans of darker, more unconventional Christmas stories.
STORY
The X-Files Topps Comics #1: Not to be Opened Until X-Mas is a comic book adaptation based on the popular TV series "The X-Files." This issue, written by Stefan Petrucha with art by Charles Adlard, was released in January 1995 as part of the Topps Comics series that ran parallel to the show's success.
The comic begins with a Christmas setting in the small town of Skyland, North Carolina, in December 1994. The story opens with a young boy named Stevie Cole, excitedly opening his Christmas gifts. Among the presents, Stevie finds a peculiar doll, which he was not expecting. He pulls a string on the doll, and it eerily repeats the phrase, "I want to play with you." Later that night, Stevie is found dead, his body frozen solid, with the doll mysteriously missing.
The scene shifts to FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in Washington, D.C. Mulder, fascinated by the unusual death, believes the case involves paranormal activity and convinces Scully to investigate the matter in North Carolina.
Upon their arrival in Skyland, Mulder and Scully meet with the local sheriff, who informs them of several other strange deaths involving children over the years. All the victims were found in similar conditions—frozen and with no signs of struggle or foul play. The agents begin to piece together that the deaths occur around Christmas and seem to be connected to the mysterious doll.
Mulder and Scully interview Stevie's parents, who are distraught and baffled by their son's death. The investigation leads the agents to a local toy store where Stevie's doll was purchased. The store owner, an elderly man named Jacob Reinman, is oddly reticent but eventually admits that the doll was part of a shipment he received many years ago. The shipment was supposed to have been destroyed due to a defect, but the dolls somehow ended up in his store.
Mulder becomes increasingly convinced that the doll is possessed or cursed, leading him to theorize that it may be the work of a malevolent spirit. Scully, ever the skeptic, suggests a more rational explanation—perhaps the deaths are the result of some kind of environmental factor or a rare medical condition.
The case takes a darker turn when Mulder discovers an old newspaper clipping about a toymaker named Hans Vesseling who lived in the area during the early 20th century. Vesseling was known for creating lifelike dolls and had a reputation for being a recluse. The article mentions that Vesseling's wife and child died under mysterious circumstances, leading to speculation that he had cursed the dolls out of grief and anger.
Determined to find the truth, Mulder and Scully visit the long-abandoned Vesseling estate. Inside, they find evidence of Vesseling's obsession with his creations, including sketches and prototypes of the dolls. They also find a hidden room filled with dozens of the same type of doll that killed Stevie. Mulder theorizes that Vesseling might have transferred his anguish and malevolence into the dolls, making them conduits for his wrath.
The investigation reaches its climax when Mulder and Scully discover that the last remaining Vesseling doll has been purchased by another family in the town. They rush to the family's house, hoping to prevent another tragedy. Inside, they find the child playing with the doll, but before they can intervene, the room's temperature plummets, and frost begins to form on the windows. Mulder desperately tries to grab the doll, but it seems to resist, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light.
In a moment of desperation, Scully manages to destroy the doll by setting it on fire, breaking whatever malevolent connection it had to Vesseling. The room returns to normal, and the child is saved, though deeply traumatized by the experience.
The comic concludes with Mulder and Scully leaving Skyland, reflecting on the case. Mulder remains convinced that they encountered a genuine paranormal phenomenon, while Scully, though shaken, continues to seek a rational explanation. The final panel shows the ashes of the destroyed doll, with a small, unburned piece of fabric that ominously whispers, "I want to play with you."
### **Themes and Analysis**
"Not to be Opened Until X-Mas" encapsulates the classic "X-Files" blend of horror, the supernatural, and the dynamic between skepticism and belief. The comic explores the idea of cursed objects, a common theme in horror fiction, and delves into the psychological impact of grief and loss, particularly through the character of Hans Vesseling. The story plays on the fear of the unknown and the unsettling idea that something as innocent as a child's toy could harbor malevolent forces.
The relationship between Mulder and Scully is also central to the narrative, with Mulder’s willingness to believe in the paranormal clashing with Scully’s scientific skepticism. This dynamic drives the tension in the story, as both characters grapple with the inexplicable events they encounter.
This issue sets the tone for the Topps Comics series, which continued to expand on the "X-Files" universe with original stories that complemented the TV show’s themes and mythology.
TRIVIA
- The title on the cover is "Do Not Open Until X-Mas", whilst the title inside the comic is "Not to be Opened Until X-Mas".
- The selling price was $2.50 in the US and $3.40 in Canada.
- Writer: Stefan Petrucha
- Artist: Charles Adlard
- Letterer: John Workman
- Colorist: George Freeman
- Separations: Digital Chameleon
- Editor: Jim Salicrup
- Cover artist: Miran Kim
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HISTORY
2024-09-05 23:00:30 -
Pike:
Updated the story.
2024-09-05 22:55:25 -
Pike:
Added some trivia.
2024-09-05 22:53:47 -
Pike:
Added the credits.
2024-08-30 16:32:57 -
Pike:
Added the story.
