While Fox's recent revival miniseries showed what the stars of "The X-Files" are up to in the present, a new IDW Publishing miniseries will throw it back to Fox Mulder and Dana Scully's younger days. "The X-Files: Origins" is a four-issue miniseries slated to debut in August, and CBR has the exclusive first details.

"The X-Files: Origins" will be co-written by Jody Houser (of Valiant Entertainment's hit series "Faith") and Matthew Dow Smith, the artist of IDW's main "X-Files" series. The book will be drawn by Chris Fenoglio and Corin Howell, and in an IDW first, it'll be available on digital platforms before print release.

"We felt the digital-first approach would be the best way to reach this younger audience which doesn't necessarily go to comic shops every week," series editor Denton J. Tipton said in a statement to CBR. "And with a weekly schedule followed immediately by a print version, our partners in the direct market don't miss out either and should see an influx of new younger readers."

Compared to some digital-first comics, "X-Files: Origins" will have a relatively narrow digital-to-print window. It'll be released in weekly online installments, with the print version arriving in the same week as the last digital chapter included in each issue; with the exception of issue #1 since August is a five-Wednesday month.

"X-Files: Origins" will focus on Mulder and Scully as a teenagers, having separate adventures. Scully will investigate the murder of her teacher, and Mulder will research the unexplained on Martha's Vineyard.

"I've always loved stories of that mystical childhood summer adventure with friends, from 'The Goonies' to 'The Baby-Sitters Club Super Specials,'" Houser said. "Getting to blend that with the tragedy of Fox's loss and the conspiracy his family is embroiled in makes for a very fun book."

"There were always hints and mentions about Mulder and Scully's childhoods on the show, and there were specific events that happened to them in their early teens that challenged the way they both thought the world worked," Smith added. "In 'The X-Files: Origins,' we're going to explore how those events changed them and led them to the X-Files."

"The X-Files: Origins" is also the name of a pair of previously announced series of Young Adult novels published by Macmillan, to be written by Kami Garcia (Mulder's story) and comics vet Jonathan Maberry (Scully's story).

"The stories will be connected but enjoyable on their own and by readers of all ages," Tipton said. "Both Fox and ['X-Files' franchise creator] Chris Carter have been very supportive of the program, and the enthusiasm for it also shows in the passion of the creators."

Full solicitation text for "The X-Files: Origins" #1 follows, along with both of Fenoglio and Howell's covers for the debut issues. Check back with CBR early Wednesday for IDW's full August 2016 solicitations.

The X-Files: Origins #1 (of 4)-SPOTLIGHT

Jody Houser & Matthew Dow Smith (w) • Chris Fenoglio, Corin Howell (a & c)

Before the FBI, before the X-Files, they were just two teenagers in search of the truth. On Martha's Vineyard, a young Fox Mulder investigates something strange happening on the island, while in San Diego, 13-year-old Dana Scully looks into the shocking murder of her teacher. Two kids, two mysteries, one conspiracy that threatens the future of humanity.

FC • 40 pages • $4.99



Bullet points:

· Mulder and Scully star in separate tales depicting their teen years!

· See what made them into the characters we've come to love!

· Especially crafted for young adult readers!

· Mystery novel variant covers by Cat Staggs (Orphan Black)!