Stay ConnectedCEREBRO is a podcast about Marvel's Merry Mutants, the Uncanny X-Men, hosted by Connor Goldsmith. Each episode highlights one character. Tune in for a deep exploration of the 60-year history of this enduring, revolutionary franchise!
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Copyright: © Connor Goldsmith
In Episode 116 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest comedian Jay Jurden refuse to blend in with Victor Borkowski, the aggravating Anole! Created by Nunzio DeFillipis, Christina Weir, and Keron Grant, Victor is one of the more enduring characters from the Academy X generation. Devised for an 'issue story' about gay teen suicide that was ultimately nixed by Marvel editorial, in the decades since — like many in his age cohort — he has struggled to find a consistent role in the franchise. Things are looking up for the character, however, with his new gig as a regular cast member in NYX, written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly as part of the From the Ashes linewide relaunch.
The CEREBRO character file on Anole begins at 46:33.
(Content Advisory: Victor's story includes homophobia. This episode also discusses a storyline about suicide that was planned but never published.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
Hey there, Zalagang!
Today I'm joined by beloved friend of the pod Spencer Ackerman for a very special bonus episode: a discussion of his new ongoing title Iron Man!
The first arc of this new run picks up from Gerry Duggan's finale, following Tony Stark as he struggles to recover from a catastrophic injury — while also fending off a hostile takeover by the nefarious board of directors Feilong appointed in his absence. It features stunning art by Julius Ohta and a cavalcade of glamorous supervillainesses. I loved it.
This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Iron Man #1, so please read the issue before listening.
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
Hey there, Zalagang!
Today I'm joined by Marvel writer Murewa Ayodele (I Am Iron Man) to discuss his new title Storm, which debuts today as part of the From the Ashes relaunch!
This new solo series follows Ororo Munroe as she attempts to establish herself as a local superheroine in Atlanta, Georgia, while juggling her obligations to both mutantkind and the Avengers. At the same time, she must assert herself responsibly as a global political figure after her time as Regent of Arakko.
This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Storm #1, so please read the issue before listening.
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 115 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning fan favorite guest Sara Century double their fun(?) with Jeanne-Marie Beaubier, the audacious Aurora! Created by John Byrne and Chris Claremont, but primarily developed by Byrne, Aurora is the twin sister of her Alpha Flight teammate Northstar, from whom she was separated at birth. Unfortunately, her abusive upbringing in a cruel orphanage left her with a very soap opera-style split personality — and the endless struggle to integrate cold, prudish Jeanne-Marie and arrogant, irrepressible Aurora into a stable whole has dominated the character's stories over her long, often frustrating publication history.
The CEREBRO character file on Aurora begins at 1:00:47.
(Content Advisory: Jeanne-Marie's story includes child abuse including child sex abuse, sexual violence, domestic violence, attempted suicide, torture, and extreme ableism. This episode features frank discussion of exploitation cinema, including the rape-revenge horror/action subgenre. Aurora has a very distressing history. Please take care.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 114 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning fan favorite guest Spencer Ackerman live the life aquatic with Namor McKenzie, the studly Sub-Mariner! Created by Bill Everett in 1939, Namor is among Marvel's earliest characters, one of only a handful to be carried over from predecessor imprint Timely Comics. Arguably the first antihero in the superhero genre, the Sub-Mariner was reimagined in the Silver Age as a sometime foe of the Fantastic Four, a romantic complication for leading lady Sue Storm. In the 21st century, after many years of stories technically designating him as a mutant, Namor finally spent a stretch of time in the X-Men franchise in work by Matt Fraction and Kieron Gillen.
The result here is a strange, undersea adventure for which Connor is not entirely prepared.
First, though, a little chat about Spencer's new gig as the incoming writer of Iron Man!
The CEREBRO character file on the Sub-Mariner begins at 1:15:06.
(Content Advisory: Namor's story includes racism, colonialism, genocide, and sexual violence.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
Surprise!
After some technical difficulties last year, last weekend for the third annual CEREBRO live show at FlameCon we did manage to pull the audio from the sound board. There are a few little hiccups, but overall I am really happy with the sound quality.
Here is a quick six-minute teaser of the full live episode, which has a runtime of 1:16:26 and is now available on the CEREBRO Patreon at the House of Zaladane tier ($5/month).
This year I was joined by friend of the pod Anthony Oliviera to talk about his new Marvel digital comic Avengers Academy, featuring the mutant character Escapade... and then generally tangent into other things, exactly as one might expect from me and Anthony Oliviera sitting on a stage together. At the halfway mark we pivot to a very fun Q&A segment.
This performance was recorded on August 17th, 2024 at the Sheraton Times Square in Manhattan.
Thanks to Tony for being my guest, to FlameCon for being my absolute favorite regional convention, and to everyone who attended the show. I wish the audience was more audible on the track! You were amazing.
Hey there, Zalagang!
Today I'm joined by Marvel writers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing to discuss their new title NYX, which debuts today as part of the From the Ashes relaunch!
This new volume of NYX follows a cast of young mutants, including Kamala Khan, Sophie of the Stepford Cuckoos, David Alleyne, Victor Borkowski, and Laura Kinney, as they come to terms with the traumatic loss of Krakoa and try to find a new way forward in New York City. It's a lot of fun despite the heavy themes, and I really dug this first issue.
This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for NYX #1, so please read the issue before listening.
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 113 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Kieron Gillen meet their maker with the mutant messiah, Hope Summers! Created as an infant by Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo, then developed extensively by writer Duane Swierczynski, baby Hope was the first mutant somehow born after the Decimation eradicated the future potential of the x-gene, and her prophesied birth made her a target from her first breaths. Quickly orphaned in a massacre and spirited away to the future by her adoptive father Cable, Hope had a number of false starts on her long messianic journey, but finally achieved her cosmic purpose on Krakoa.
This is also the afterparty for Kieron's remarkable second tenure on X-Men, and a salute to the First Krakoan Age.
Kieron's new creator-owned book The Power Fantasyis coming soon from Image Comics, and the final order cutoff date for issue #1 is today, July 15th! Call your local comic shop and ask for it by name.
The CEREBRO character file on Hope begins at 43:19.
(Content Advisory: Hope's story includes genocide, suicide, and the mass murder of infants. You know. Messiah stuff.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 112 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Alex Segura get down to business with Gloria Dolores Muñoz, the ravishing Risque! Created by Jeph Loeb and Luciano Lima in X-Force, Gloria is a half-Cuban half-Seminole mutant mercenary and thief from Miami, Florida, with the power to condense and implode inorganic matter.
When she's assigned to target James "Jimmy" Proudstar, the X-Force member Warpath, Gloria finds herself falling in love with him despite her best efforts. After an unceremonious off-panel death in Grant Morrison's New X-Men a few years later, Risque returned in 2021 as part of Al Ewing and Valerio Schiti's S.W.O.R.D., where she played a major role in Krakoan galactic diplomacy.
The CEREBRO character file on Risque begins at 49:54.
(Content Advisory: Gloria's story includes racism and torture.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 111 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Karen Charm (a.k.a Karen Czap) jump through the timestream with Eva Bell, the tragic Tempus! Created by Brian Michael Bendis, Stuart Immonen, and Chris Bachalo, Eva is one of the signature characters of the Bendis era of X-Men. After some time away from the spotlight, the character found new purpose on Krakoa as part of The Five, the mutant circuit responsible for enabling resurrection.
The CEREBRO character file on Tempus begins at 48:31.
(Content Advisory: Eva's story includes the loss of a child.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 110 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Patrick Sullivan get the scoop with the tenacious Trish Tilby! Created by Louise Simonson and Butch Guice, hard-nosed news anchor Trish debuted in the 80s run of X-Factor as Hank McCoy's love interest. While that relationship didn't survive the turn of the millennium, Trish and her broadcasts have remained a fixture of the broader Marvel universe.
In an unplanned and unexpected coup for this episode's timing, she recently had a memorable turn in the animated series X-Men '97.
The CEREBRO character file on Trish Tilby begins at 1:55:16.
(Content Advisory: Trish and her stories serve to represent the news media's treatment of marginalized people, which is discussed generally in this episode.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 109 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel editor Annalise Bissa hunt the most dangerous game with the arrogant Arcade! Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, spoiled brat Arcade never really grew up, instead becoming a whimsical assassin and creating Murderworld, a grisly amusement park of death.
The CEREBRO character file on Arcade begins at 58:02, after some hopefully soothing conversation about the new From the Ashes X-Men relaunch taking place this summer.
This episode is dedicated to the memory of Steven Attewell, featured in Episode 97 on Sebastian Shaw, who recently died of cancer. Steven was an essential part of the CEREBRO community and wrote in wonderful questions for nearly every single episode, including this one.
(Content Advisory: Arcade's story includes child abuse, domestic violence, and torture.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In the GALAXY-SIZE Episode 108 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Jordan Blok arm up for bird season with the marvelous Mam'selle Hepzibah! Created by Dave Cockrum and Chris Claremont, Hepzibah is the femme fatale of the Starjammers, the Shi'ar galaxy's most notorious space pirates and freedom fighters. An escaped slave who dedicated her life to rebellion against her former oppressors in the Imperium, Hepzibah is also the paramour of Corsair, Christopher Summers — long-lost father to Cyclops, Havok, and another guy it later turns out.
Also, she's a skunk person. She's Cyclops's sexy skunk alien stepmother. This is Connor and Jordan's nine hour skunkstravaganza.
This is Part Two! Start with Part One, or check out Patreon for the complete Extended Skunkery Mix.
(Content Advisory: Hepzibah's story includes racism, slavery, genocide, sexual violence, torture, and a lot of other very heavy stuff.)
In the GALAXY-SIZE Episode 108 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Jordan Blok arm up for bird season with the marvelous Mam'selle Hepzibah! Created by Dave Cockrum and Chris Claremont, Hepzibah is the femme fatale of the Starjammers, the Shi'ar galaxy's most notorious space pirates and freedom fighters. An escaped slave who dedicated her life to rebellion against her former oppressors in the Imperium, Hepzibah is also the paramour of Corsair, Christopher Summers — long-lost father to Cyclops, Havok, and another guy it later turns out.
Also, she's a skunk person. She's Cyclops's sexy skunk alien stepmother. This is Connor and Jordan's nine hour skunkstravaganza.
The CEREBRO character file on Hepzibah begins at 1:36:46.
This is Part One of Two. You can check out Patreon for the complete Extended Skunkery Mix.
(Content Advisory: Hepzibah's story includes racism, slavery, genocide, sexual violence, torture, and a lot of other very heavy stuff.)
In Episode 107 of CEREBRO, Connor and Kat Driscoll offer up their tithes to the capricious Candra! Created by Howard Mackie and Lee Weeks, Candra of the Floating Spires is one of the Externals, part of a secret coterie of immortal mutants who have shaped world politics for hundreds of years. As the Benefactress of the Thieves' and Assassins' Guilds of New Orleans, Candra has been a notable foe to Gambit and Storm in particular.
She's fun! She lives in a jewel.
The CEREBRO character file on Candra begins at 1:52:05.
(Content Advisory: Candra's story includes child abuse, and features the general bad vibes one might expect of a centuries-old French imperialist.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
Happy New Year, Zalagang!
Today, for a special interview, Director Rand Hoppe and President Tom Kraft of the Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center join the show to talk about their new crowdfunding project at Zoop: a hardcover collection of Jack Kirby and Wally Wood's full-color Sunday strips for Sky Masters of the Space Force (with writer Dave Wood).
A syndicated newspaper strip that launched in 1958, shortly after Sputnik 1 launched the space race in earnest, Sky Masters imagines the near future of the American space program.
Regular CEREBRO programming will resume soon. In the meanwhile, you can support the podcast on Patreon!
In Episode 106 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Alex Abad-Santos just want to be popular with Laurie Collins, the wilting Wallflower! Created by Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir, and Keron Grant as one of the new students in the 2003 relaunch of New Mutants, which evolved into New X-Men: Academy X, Laurie is a shy and reserved teenage girl terrified of social contact because her mutant pheromones make her feel like a predator. An interesting arc takes shape as she develops more control over her powers, but sadly she's swiftly killed off when the writing team changes in 2005.
But now, thanks to Krakoa, she's back!
The CEREBRO character file on Wallflower begins at 49:15.
(Content Advisory: Laurie's story hinges on the premise of sexual violence through mind control. This episode also discusses at length the student-teacher romance plot at the core of New Mutants vol. 2.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 105 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Anthony Oliveira become huge and unstoppable with Cain Marko, the jealous Juggernaut! Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Cain is the elder stepbrother of Charles Xavier, empowered by an ancient occult artifact and bent on destruction. One of the most famous X-Men villains, over time Cain became a fairly reliable ally, particularly under the character's signature writer Fabian Nicieza. He won the fan vote for this year's X-Men roster before the tragedy at the Hellfire Gala that launched Fall of X.
Cain is often teamed up with Black Tom Cassidy, whom many readers — and some writers, including Nicieza — have interpreted as his romantic partner, but to date this remains subtextual.
This episode is very long, very silly, a little spicy, and features a weirdly lengthy tangent about Broadway legend Julie Taymor.
The CEREBRO character file on Juggernaut begins at 3:22:45. (¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
(Content Advisory: Cain's story includes child abuse, including potential implications of sexual abuse.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 104 of CEREBRO, Connor and Oh Gosh, Oh Golly, Oh Wow! co-host Dr. Anna Peppard (Supersex: Sexuality, Fantasy, and the Superhero) walk the Winding Way with Amanda Sefton, the devil-may-care Daytripper! Created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum in 1976 as a love interest for Nightcrawler, flight attendant Amanda was later revealed in a retcon to be a disguised figure from Kurt's past: his first love Jimaine, daughter and disciple of his foster mother, the powerful Romani sorceress Margali Szardos.
Despite a lot of interest from Claremont, some time as a member of Excalibur in the 90s, and a moment in the spotlight as the second Magik following the death of Illyana Rasputina, winsome witch Amanda has never managed to stick around as a consistent starring player.
Here is the longest conversation anyone has probably ever had about this character, in which Anna and Connor argue she should be a big deal.
The CEREBRO character file on Daytripper begins at 2:48:53. (I know. I know.)
(Content Advisory: Amanda's story includes racism and antiziganism, abusive parenting, torture, and a complex romantic relationship between foster siblings — which we get some people are just gonna find too weird!)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
Hey there, Zalagang!
Today, for a special interview, Vice President and Creative Executive at Marvel Ryan Penagos joins the show to talk about the new fitness app Marvel Move, a collaboration between Marvel and Zombies, Run! developers Six To Start.
Ryan was a major creative coordinator for this immersive game, which features an X-Men scenario, "Age of Orchis", written by friend of the pod Tini Howard.
Regular episodes of CEREBRO will return soon!
I'm in the middle of editing Amanda Sefton feat. Anna Peppard. It's a lengthy edit, because we went for... a while... but so far I'm very happy with it. Stay tuned!
In the meanwhile: you can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
Hey there, Zalagang!
You've likely noticed, but a combo of scheduling issues and personal life stuff has led to a brief production delay.
The next regular episode of CEREBRO will be Amanda Sefton feat. Dr. Anna Peppard! It should be in your ears about two weeks from now. Trish Tilby feat. Patrick Sullivan will follow later in the month.
In the meantime, there will be new bonus content releasing on Patreon — and I'm publicly releasing this past April's CEREBRO Appendix bonus episode on Gosamyr feat. Jordan Blok! It's a fun sample of the joy awaiting you for just $5 dollars a month in the House of Z.
Thanks for your patience! More soon.
An odd and brief addition to the classic New Mutants, the glamorous Gosamyr spins a wanton web of chaos. She's a very sexy baby, and this is a very silly episode.
(Content Advisory: Gosamyr's story includes slavery, xenophobia, sexual violence, and allegorical reference to child sex abuse.)
The CEREBRO Appendix is a bonus episode series spotlighting characters who do not have a full Zaladane of 12 appearances, or who never get the personal focus that would merit a full episode of CEREBRO.
Hey there, Zalagang!
Today, returning guest Steve Foxe and I dig into his new title Dark X-Men, which debuted last week as part of the Fall of X event!
This episode contains SPOILERS for Dark X-Men #1, so please read the issue before listening.
This summer con season has been crazy, and I knew I wanted to have some bonus content to hold you all over between regular installments of the pod. I hope you enjoyed the episode with Gerry, and will enjoy this one with Steve — I'd love to incorporate more interviews like this into the world of CEREBRO as the show goes on.
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
Hi everyone! This morning, in a publicly-released CEREBRO Secret File, X-Men and Invincible Iron Man writer Gerry Duggan joins Connor for a postmortem on the cataclysmic events of this year's Hellfire Gala.
This episode contains SPOILERS for the giant-size one-shot released today, as well as for the epilogue in Invincible Iron Man #8, so please read both issues before listening.
(Content Advisory: A lot of upsetting stuff happens in this comic.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 103 of CEREBRO, Connor and Graymalkin Lanehost Chad Anderson get lost in the woods with Calvin Rankin, the mercurial Mimic! Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as an antagonist, arrogant power copier Cal briefly joined the X-Men in the 60s under writer Roy Thomas, but ultimately couldn't mesh with his classmates. Over the decades he's struggled to find a consistent role in the franchise, but his popularity was boosted a great deal by writer Judd Winick when the alternate Mimic of Earth-12 starred in the popular 2001 ongoing Exiles. In the years since, a few attempts have been made to bring Earth-616's Mimic to similar prominence, but none of them have really stuck.
The CEREBRO character file on Mimic begins at 1:17:42.
(Content Advisory: Cal's story includes suicidal ideation, ableism, and substance abuse.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 102 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Jordan Blok pay homage to Nekra, Priestess of Hate! Created by Steve Gerber and Ross Andru as a nemesis for jungle heroine Shanna the She-Devil, mutant radical Nekra Sinclair instead became a recurring threat to the broader Marvel Universe. After moving to the X-Men franchise during Matt Fraction's 21st century tenure, she has found new prominence (and new dignity) in the Krakoa Era as one of the protagonists of Victor LaValle and Leonard Kirk's Sabretooth and its sequel Sabretooth and the Exiles.
The CEREBRO character file on Nekra begins at 1:53:10.
(Content Advisory: This episode discusses some very racist stories. Nekra's story also includes sexual violence, brainwashing, and slavery.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 101 of CEREBRO, the SEASON 4 PREMIERE, Connor and Head of X emeritus Jonathan Hickman extend a cautious hand to En Sabah Nur, the atrocious Apocalypse! Created by Louise Simonson, Walt Simonson, and Butch Guice as the central antagonist of 1986's X-Factor, the ancient immortal Apocalypse spent millennia worshiped by many names, secretly cultivating the mutant race.
After decades of publication in which the heroes fought his seemingly inevitable ascent to power — particularly when he took on the role of franchise big bad in the 90s — the Krakoan Age changed everything, with the character revolutionized by Hickman and his collaborator Tini Howard.
The CEREBRO character file on Apocalypse begins at 54:56.
(Content Advisory: Apocalypse's story includes slavery, genocide, suicide, torture, brainwashing, and involuntary body modification.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In the DOMINION-SIZE Episode 100 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Sara Century paint the town red with Madelyne Pryor, the glorious Goblin Queen! Created by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith, Maddie was introduced in 1983 as a new love interest for Scott Summers following the death of Jean Grey in 1980's The Dark Phoenix Saga. Intended by Claremont to facilitate Scott's happy ending and retirement from the X-Men, Maddie went in a dramatically different direction after editorial demanded Scott and Jean be reunited in 1986's X-Factor.
Despite the titles (which are a nod to Inferno), this is Part 5 of 5.
In the DOMINION-SIZE Episode 100 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Sara Century paint the town red with Madelyne Pryor, the glorious Goblin Queen! Created by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith, Maddie was introduced in 1983 as a new love interest for Scott Summers following the death of Jean Grey in 1980's The Dark Phoenix Saga. Intended by Claremont to facilitate Scott's happy ending and retirement from the X-Men, Maddie went in a dramatically different direction after editorial demanded Scott and Jean be reunited in 1986's X-Factor.
Despite the titles (which are a nod to Inferno), this is Part 4 of 5.
In the DOMINION-SIZE Episode 100 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Sara Century paint the town red with Madelyne Pryor, the glorious Goblin Queen! Created by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith, Maddie was introduced in 1983 as a new love interest for Scott Summers following the death of Jean Grey in 1980's The Dark Phoenix Saga. Intended by Claremont to facilitate Scott's happy ending and retirement from the X-Men, Maddie went in a dramatically different direction after editorial demanded Scott and Jean be reunited in 1986's X-Factor.
Despite the titles (which are a nod to Inferno), this is Part 3 of 5.
In the DOMINION-SIZE Episode 100 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Sara Century paint the town red with Madelyne Pryor, the glorious Goblin Queen! Created by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith, Maddie was introduced in 1983 as a new love interest for Scott Summers following the death of Jean Grey in 1980's The Dark Phoenix Saga. Intended by Claremont to facilitate Scott's happy ending and retirement from the X-Men, Maddie went in a dramatically different direction after editorial demanded Scott and Jean be reunited in 1986's X-Factor.
Despite the titles (which are a nod to Inferno), this is Part 2 of 5.
In the DOMINION-SIZE Episode 100 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Sara Century paint the town red with Madelyne Pryor, the glorious Goblin Queen! Created by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith, Maddie was introduced in 1983 as a new love interest for Scott Summers following the death of Jean Grey in 1980's The Dark Phoenix Saga. Intended by Claremont to facilitate Scott's happy ending and retirement from the X-Men, Maddie went in a dramatically different direction after editorial demanded Scott and Jean be reunited in 1986's X-Factor.
A talented and iron-willed pilot bearing an eerie resemblance to the late Jean, Maddie proves herself as a dynamic individual in her own right and becomes Cyclops's first wife, the mother of his son Nathan Christopher — only to be abandoned once Jean returns. Attacked by the Marauders, who steal her baby and leave her for dead, she becomes a loyal ally to Storm's team of X-Men, even sacrificing her life alongside them in Fall of the Mutants to become the Outback Era team's tech-savvy Girl Friday. Sadly, still wounded by Scott's betrayal, she proves susceptible to demonic influence and becomes the twisted Goblin Queen, avatar of Limbo, whose quest to reclaim her child sends all New York spiraling into a fiery Inferno.
After her triumphant return in the Krakoan era in Hellions by Zeb Wells and Stephen Segovia, Maddie is set to star in Dark X-Men by Steve Foxe and Jonas Scharf, part of the upcoming event Fall of X.
The CEREBRO character file on Madelyne Pryor begins at 2:28:58.
(Content Advisory: Maddie's story includes torture, attempted infanticide, self-harm, suicide, and weird vibes with an alternate universe nephew. This episode discusses storylines featuring racism, slavery, and sexual violence.)
In Episode 99 of CEREBRO, Connor and living legend Chuck Austen (She-Ra, Steven Universe, The Draco) practice their bedside manner with the audacious Annie Ghazikhanian! The signature point-of-view character of the Austen run on Uncanny X-Men, Nurse Annie is prejudiced against mutants due to past trauma, but becomes the school nurse at Xavier's to help her mutant son Carter... and to follow her patient, Alex Summers, with whom she's unexpectedly fallen in love.
The CEREBRO character file on Nurse Annie begins at 50:03.
(Content Advisory: Annie's story includes domestic violence and an inadvisable nurse-patient romance. This episode also candidly discusses the Armenian genocide and the immediate aftermath of 9/11.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
Hi everyone!
Some scheduling issues with the recording of Episode 99 will be delaying it a little while longer, so I wanted to provide a little extra content this week while I get that sorted.
First published on June 16th, 2022, this is the first episode of the CEREBRO Claremont Marathon, a readalong series I do on the Patreon. I read each issue aloud with my best funny voices and provide commentary when I think something is of interest.
This episode is a prelude: 1975's Giant-Size X-Men #1, which technically isn't a Claremont story, but features some of his plot input and begins the sixteen-year run! This issue was written by Len Wein, drawn by Dave Cockrum, colored by Glynis Wein (née Oliver), and lettered by John Costanza.
If you like what you hear, please check out the rest of this series at for $5/month at patreon.com/cerebrocast! We're into the initial Phoenix Saga now.
I do feel the need to preemptively apologize to German listeners; I have been practicing my Nightcrawler voice a lot since this first recording and I am told it is much improved!!
To celebrate the launch of Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #1 today, Tini Howard stops by CEREBRO for a page-by-page breakdown of this entire 30-page oversized issue! This is the dazzling debut of a new series AIPT says is "set to be the best part of your pull list every single month."
Please make sure you pick up Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #1 this week, and preorder #2 at your local comic shop! New books get extended based on early enthusiasm; the power is yours.
This episode has SPOILERS for the whole issue, so you probably want to read it first.
NOTE: Tini and I talk about attending a signing today at Arsenal Comics & Games in Ventura, California. Sadly this week's Marvel shipment to the shop got delayed, so the signing will be next Wednesday, March 1st. Come join us next week if you're in the area!
In Episode 98 of CEREBRO, Connor and Dr. Holly Raymond (Professor of English at Temple University) have their strings pulled by Jamie Braddock, the mercurial Monarch! Created by Chris Claremont and Herb Trimpe, Jamie is the famous racecar driver brother of aristocratic superhero twins Brian and Betsy. Originally a helpful supporting character in Captain Britain, Jamie shifted over time into an insane, reality-warping supervillain in Excalibur. After several failed attempts at rehabilitation over the years, the character became more prominent than ever before in the Krakoa era as the first mutant King of Avalon.
The CEREBRO character file on Monarch begins at 1:47:44.
(Content Advisory: Jamie's story includes human trafficking, sexual violence, slavery, classism, racism, ableism, torture, brainwashing, and involuntary body modification.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 97 of CEREBRO, Connor and Dr. Steven Attewell, (Adjunct Professor of Public Policy at CUNY, writer of Race for the Iron Throne) get down to business with the unscrupulous Sebastian Shaw! Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, billionaire industrialist Shaw is best known as the Black King of the Hellfire Club, a political player who for many years concealed his own mutant status while manipulating the mutant struggle for profit. He now serves as part of the Quiet Council on Krakoa, working in tandem with the heroes he fought for so many years.
The CEREBRO character file on the Black King begins at 1:37:33.
(Content Advisory: Sebastian's story includes domestic violence, sexual violence, extreme misogyny, classism, and brainwashing.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 96 of CEREBRO, Connor and DC/Marvel writer Josh Trujillo (Blue Beetle: Graduation Day, Wiccan and Hulkling) get creative with the formidable Forge! Created by Chris Claremont and John Romita, Jr., Cheyenne shaman Forge rejected his people to use his mutant power of invention in the service of the American government. After devising a power nullifier, Forge became one of Storm's most prominent love interests — and, at times, her enemy. He's currently a regular cast member in Gerry Duggan's X-Men.
The CEREBRO character file on Forge begins at 1:42:17.
(Content Advisory: Forge's story includes racism and severe mental illness.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 95 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel writer/artist Jason Loo ring in the New Year with the jocular Jubilation Lee! Created by Chris Claremont and Marc Silvestri, teenage orphan Jubilee used her firework powers to become Wolverine's sidekick, a member of the X-Men, and then the anchor of the book Generation X. Wildly popular with younger readers in the 90s, the character has struggled to maintain her place in the franchise since her heyday, but her iconic status has prevented her from disappearing.
The CEREBRO character file on Jubilee begins at 1:23:30.
(Content Advisory: Jubilee's story includes racism, torture, and brainwashing.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 94 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Nola Pfau test their luck with the lovable Longshot! Created by Ann Nocenti and Art Adams, Longshot is an amnesiac rebel slave from the Mojoverse, an alternate dimension derived from twisted interpretations of American film and television. After his solo miniseries concluded, he was brought to Uncanny X-Men, where he became Dazzler's love interest and a key player in the Outback Era.
The CEREBRO character file on Longshot begins at 1:01:03.
(Content Advisory: Longshot's story includes slavery, brainwashing, and torture.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 93 of CEREBRO, Connor and TTRPG writer/MENA scholar Khaldoun Khelil ascend to the astral plane with Amahl Farouk, the Shadow King! Introduced as the ultimate evil telepath, the Shadow King was steadily developed into the grand antagonist of the franchise until Chris Claremont's abrupt departure in 1991. After a few decades of haphazard publication, the character recently found unexpected new life in Vita Ayala and Rod Reis's run on New Mutants.
The CEREBRO character file on the Shadow King begins at 37:38.
(Content Advisory: Amahl's story includes racism, brainwashing, slavery, attempted suicide, and lots of other unpleasant things!)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 92 of CEREBRO, Connor, journalist Eoin Higgins, and Connor's laryngitis toast to Thomas Cassidy, the bombastic Black Tom! The black sheep of Clan Cassidy and devoted partner of the Juggernaut, Tom has been a constant thorn in the side of his cousin Banshee. After decades as an antagonist, he has found new heroic purpose on Krakoa in Ben Percy's X-Force.
The CEREBRO character file on Black Tom begins at 1:09:09.
(Content Advisory: Tom's story includes implied homophobia, ableism, and ethnic prejudice. This episode discusses the Irish Troubles.)
Thanks to Backblaze for sponsoring the pod this month.
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 91 of CEREBRO, Connor and aerospace engineer Kaetun Khlynne spotlight two related characters: Eden Fesi, the magnificent Manifold, and his mysterious mentor — the cleverman known only as Gateway!
Aboriginal teleporter Gateway was an essential part of the 80s Outback Era during Chris Claremont's X-Men run, but his opaque nature meant he was always relegated to the role of supporting character. Jonathan Hickman and Stefano Caselli's creation Manifold carries on Gateway's legacy while being a more active and narratively central character, currently appearing in Caselli and Al Ewing's X-Men Red.
The CEREBRO character file on Manifold & Gateway begins at 1:27:12.
(Content Advisory: Eden and Gateway's stories include racism, colonialism, slavery, brainwashing, and genocide. This episode candidly discusses, from a survivor's perspective, the real world genocides in Australia and Rwanda.)
You can aid in the ongoing struggle of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders by donating to ANTaR or one of the other charities described here. Kaetun also personally recommends this homeland preservation effort throughout Africa.
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 90 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Jordan Blok mourn for Melody Jacobs, the theatrical Threnody! Created by Fabian Nicieza and Richard Bennett, tragic Thren's mutation attunes her to death around the world, driving her dangerously insane. After a memorable arc in early 90s X-Men, she became Nate Grey's love interest in the ongoing series X-Man — until her cruel power dragged her into the darkness.
The CEREBRO character file on Threnody begins at 1:56:35.
(Content Advisory: Thren's story includes racism, ableism, body horror, traumatic pregnancy, and the murder of an infant.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 89 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel writer Leah Williams (X-Factor, X-Men: The Trial of Magneto, X-Terminators) toast to Tabitha Smith, the bodacious Boom-Boom! Created by Jim Shooter and Al Milgrom, explosive street kid Tabby quickly became a mainstay of the X-Men franchise, most notably with a long run on X-Force in the 90s.
The CEREBRO character file on Boom-Boom begins at 1:32:45.
(Content Advisory: Tabitha's story includes child abuse, domestic violence, survival sex work, suicidal ideation, threats of sexual violence, and substance abuse.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
In Episode 88 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Spencer Ackerman (Reign of Terror, Waller vs. Wildstorm) combine their powers to roast Andrea and Andreas von Strucker, the foul Fenris! Created by Chris Claremont and John Romita, Jr., the remarkably evil Fenris twins are Nazi siblings who fuck each other. This one's dark!
The CEREBRO character file on Fenris begins at 1:13:38.
(Content Advisory: Andrea and Andreas are despicable, incestuous, violent racists. Do you have something you need to be warned about? It is probably discussed in this episode. Please be warned. Love you!)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
Grateful to SkillShare for sponsoring the podcast this month. Visit skillshare.com/CEREBRO today to get your first month FREE!
In Episode 87 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Luke Ruddick approach lightspeed with Pietro Maximoff, the questionable Quicksilver! Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Pietro and his twin sister Wanda were founding members of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants but went on to become Avengers, rarely appearing in X-Men titles despite the discovery they were Magneto's long-lost biological children. In the 90s Pietro returned to the world of the X-Men as a member of the government X-Factor team, and continued to appear on-and-off in X-Factor titles until a 2015 retcon establishing Pietro and Wanda weren't Magneto's children after all.
The CEREBRO character file on Quicksilver begins at 47:36.
(Content Advisory: Pietro's story includes racism and antiziganism, the Holocaust/Porajmos, eugenics, brainwashing, child abuse, and substance abuse.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
Grateful to SkillShare for sponsoring the podcast this month. Visit skillshare.com/CEREBRO today to get your first month FREE!
In Episode 86 of CEREBRO, Connor and Sam Guido roar into battle with the courageous Kylun, Hero of the People! Created by Alan Davis, little Colin McKay was a mutant child on the run when he was transported to the mystical world of Ee'rath. After growing into the warrior Kylun, he returned home and joined Excalibur. Most recently, he was a regular cast member in Tini Howard and Bob Quinn's Knights of X.
The CEREBRO character file on Kylun begins at 1:06:05.
(Content Advisory: Colin's story is... honestly pretty wholesome, actually.)
You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!
Grateful to SkillShare for sponsoring the podcast this month. Visit skillshare.com/CEREBRO today to get your first month FREE!
In Episode 85 of CEREBRO, Connor and tabletop game developer Margot Mutter STEAL THIS PLANET with the lively Lila Cheney! Created by Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod, punk rock superstar Lila was introduced as the unlikely love interest for Cannonball of the New Mutants, but became a reliable friend to the X-Men... when she isn't moonlighting as the galaxy's premier interstellar thief!
The CEREBRO character file on Lila Cheney begins at 1:11:08.
(Content Advisory: Lila's story includes slavery.)
Grateful to SkillShare for sponsoring the podcast this month. Visit skillshare.com/CEREBRO today to get your first month FREE!
In Episode 84 of CEREBRO, Connor and cartoonist Darryl Ayo sharpen their claws with Maria Callasantos, the feisty Feral! Created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza as one of the founding members of X-Force, Maria is an antagonist within the team, the problem child who has friction with her teammates. Nicieza quickly wrote the character out by making her a villain, and she's been something of a footnote ever since.
The CEREBRO character file on Feral begins at 1:16:12.
(Content Advisory: Maria's story includes child sex abuse, other sexual violence, domestic violence, child death, animal death, and substance abuse.)
Thanks for your patience in the month of August as I prepared and performed the first CEREBRO live show! Audio from that should be up on the Patreon soon, and we are back on a regular schedule now.
Grateful to SkillShare for sponsoring the podcast this month. Visit skillshare.com/CEREBRO today to get your first month FREE!
In Episode 83 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Anthony Oliveira (Young Avengers: Paradox Lost) camp it up with St. John Allerdyce, the poetic Pyro! Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne as an implied gay character, in the 90s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants henchman St. John became the tragic face of the Legacy Virus. Resurrected in the Age of Krakoa, he most recently featured as a regular in Gerry Duggan's run on Marauders.
The CEREBRO character file on Pyro begins at 1:08:20.
(Content Advisory: St. John's story includes terminal illness and attempted suicide. This episode features extensive discussion of the AIDS crisis.)
Thanks to ComiXology for sponsoring the pod! You can sign up for a free trial here.
In Episode 82 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Alex Abad-Santos try to fix Amara Aquilla, the mediocre Magma! The most aggressively mid of the classic New Mutants, Selene's flop granddaughter has a great, iconic design... and that's about it. We promise the episode is funny.
The CEREBRO character file on Magma begins at 1:15:53.
(Content Advisory: Amara's story includes racism, slavery, and brainwashing.)
Thanks to ComiXology for sponsoring the pod! You can sign up for a free trial here.
In Episode 81 of CEREBRO, Connor and fantasy scholar Rebecca Gault howl at the moon with Rahne Sinclair, the wailing Wolfsbane! Introduced as the ingénue of the classic New Mutants, repressed religious Rahne would go on to become one of the X-Men franchise's absolute messiest characters.
The CEREBRO character file on Wolfsbane begins at 1:14:18.
(Content Advisory: Rahne's story includes child abuse, brainwashing, slavery, involuntary body modification, an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and a student, suicide, cannibalism, mystical pregnancy, homophobia, the loss of a child, and allegorical transphobic violence.)
Thanks to ComiXology for sponsoring the pod! You can sign up for a free trial here.
In Episode 80 of CEREBRO, Connor and science writer Jordan Blok spin with Spiral, Mistress of the Wildways! Best known as Betsy Braddock's nemesis and Longshot's biggest hater, the wicked time-dancing sorceress was eventually revealed via retcon to be the tortured future self of a decidedly sympathetic character: Longshot's first love, the plucky human stuntwoman Ricochet Rita.
The CEREBRO character file on Spiral begins at 1:07:20.
(Content Advisory: Rita's story includes violence against animals, torture, brainwashing, pregnancy loss by another character, and lots of involuntary body modification.)
Thanks to ComiXology for sponsoring the pod! You can sign up for a free trial here.
In Episode 79 of CEREBRO, Connor and contemporary comics legend Al Ewing (X-Men Red, S.W.O.R.D., Immortal Hulk) survey the schemes of Abigail Brand! The mysterious director of S.W.O.R.D., charged with protecting Earth from extraterrestrial threats, half-alien and half-mutant Brand has always been a prickly ally to the X-Men at best. Now she has secretly betrayed mutantkind entirely, becoming one of the leaders of Orchis.
The CEREBRO character file on Brand begins at 1:31:00.
(Content Advisory: Abigail's story includes war crimes, torture, and war crimes involving torture.)
Thanks to ComiXology for sponsoring the pod! You can sign up for a free trial here.
In Episode 78 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Steph Williams (Nubia and the Amazons) scrub in for surgery with Dr. Cecilia Reyes! Created by Scott Lobdell and Carlos Pacheco, Cecilia is a young Afro-Puerto Rican resident hiding her mutant power, with no interest in being a superhero. After a brief tenure with the X-Men she's mostly been relegated to a supporting role, but recently has become the primary medical expert on Krakoa.
The CEREBRO character file on Dr. Reyes begins at 1:12:50.
(Content Advisory: Cecilia's story includes genocide and medical atrocities in a death camp, because the 2002 Weapon X series simply cannot help itself. We also discuss the suicide of another character.)
Thanks to ComiXology for sponsoring the pod! You can sign up for a free trial here.
Happy Pride, Zalagang!
As a special treat for the season, I'm publicly releasing last year's most popular CEREBRO Secret File — a deep dive with CEREBRO's Official Lesbian Correspondent Sara Century on Marvel's first lesbian hero, Dr. Vicki Montesi of the Darkhold Redeemers. Hope you love!
Created by writer Chris Cooper and introduced in 1992 as the protagonist of Darkhold: Pages from the Book of Sins, Vicki leads a group informally known as the Darkhold Redeemers, part of the early 90s Marvel Magic franchise called The Midnight Sons. She's an Italian doctor apparently born into the Montesi family, a mysterious and ancient lineage of holy protectors tied to the Vatican... but her true nature threatens to end all reality.
Features tangents about Witches (starring Jennifer Kale, Topaz, and Satana Hellstrom), Mary Jane Watson, and whatever else came up mid-conversation.
(Content Advisory: Vicki's story includes homophobia, ableism, and involuntary pregnancy. Darkhold is a horror book and has lots of upsetting stuff in it in general.)
This episode was originally published at patreon.com/cerebrocast on August 23, 2021.
In Episode 77 of CEREBRO, All Elite Wrestling star and former Women's World Champion pro wrestler Nyla Rose joins returning guest Steve Orlando (Marauders) to rejoice in the resurrection of John Proudstar, the thorny Thunderbird! Memorialized by his teammates and his younger brother Warpath, fallen X-Man Thunderbird became more iconic to the franchise dead than alive. Now, in the age of Krakoa, Nyla and Steve have co-written a story where John defines himself as a person rather than a symbol.
The CEREBRO character file on Thunderbird begins at 28:03.
(Content Advisory: John's story includes racism and possible suicide.)
This episode has spoilers for Giant-Size Thunderbird #1 and X-Men Red #1! You are forewarned.
Thanks to ComiXology for sponsoring the pod! You can sign up for a free trial here.
In Episode 76 of CEREBRO, the SEASON 3 PREMIERE, Connor and contemporary comics legend Kieron Gillen map the machinations of Nathaniel Essex, Mr. Sinister! Created by Chris Claremont and Marc Silvestri, but reimagined almost entirely in the 21st century by Gillen, this amoral geneticist became one of the most iconic X-Men villains.
The CEREBRO character file on Mr. Sinister begins at 53:27.
(Content Advisory: Nathaniel's story includes eugenics, racism, child abuse, brainwashing, child loss, stillbirth, the Holocaust, and lots of other really terrible stuff.)
This episode has spoilers for Immortal X-Men #2 and Duggan's X-Men #11! You are forewarned.
Here's a link to the Immortal X-Men playlist Kieron made, which we discuss in the episode: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1slXJJdxhqg2CxDKQHepog
To celebrate the launch of Knights of X this coming Wednesday, I've decided to share this Patreon bonus episode with the world! This was originally published on April 1st for the House of Zaladane tier ($5/month) at patreon.com/cerebrocast
In this CEREBRO Secret File, Tini Howard chats with me about the end of Excalibur, the upcoming sequel Knights of X, her current run on Catwoman, and much much more.
Please make sure you pick up Knights of X #1 this week, and preorder #2 at your local comic shop! We are in an unprecedented printing crisis and preorder numbers matter more than ever right now. I love this book and I think you will too.
In Episode 75 of CEREBRO, the SEASON 2 FINALE, Connor and Marvel writer Zeb Wells are sung to sleep by Eleanor Murch, the nefarious Nanny! Created by Louise and Walt Simonson, Nanny and her special Lost Boy, Peter the Orphan-Maker, have been peculiar thorns in the X-Men's side for decades. Now, after Zeb's critically-acclaimed series Hellions, they have become unlikely fan favorites.
The CEREBRO character file on Nanny and the Orphan-Maker begins at 51:16.
(Content Advisory: Nanny and Peter's story includes child abuse, emotional abuse in general, brainwashing, and non-consensual body modification.)
CEREBRO Season 3 will premiere in May! Thank you as always for listening.
In Episode 74 of CEREBRO, Connor and writer/musician Thom Dunn scream to the skies with Sean Cassidy, the belting Banshee! First appearing in the 60s as an unwilling supervillain, Irish spy Sean was recruited to the iconic Giant-Size X-Men team in 1975, fell in love with Moira MacTaggert, and eventually became mentor to Generation X.
The CEREBRO character file on Banshee begins at 1:09:30.
(Content Advisory: Sean's story includes alcohol abuse. This episode also discusses the Irish Troubles.)
In Episode 73 of CEREBRO, Connor and cosplayer Caroline Bird (CarolineCosplay) choose mercy with Kwannon, the stoic Psylocke! Once trapped in Betsy Braddock's body, top assassin Kwannon joined the X-Men as Revanche before her tragic death from the Legacy Virus. Decades later she has returned from the grave, herself once more, and become a major player on Krakoa.
The CEREBRO character file on Kwannon begins at 36:04.
(Content Advisory: Kwannon's story includes child abuse, brainwashing, torture, the loss of a child, non-consensual body modification, and sexual violence toward another character.)
In Episode 72 of CEREBRO, Connor and writer Charles Pulliam-Moore merge their minds with Sophie, Phoebe, Irma, Celeste, and Esme: the startling Stepford Cuckoos! Created by Grant Morrison, the crème de la crème of Emma Frost's telepathy class is a psychic gestalt of five identical girls with a terrible secret.
The CEREBRO character file on the Five-In-One begins at 1:40:12.
(Content Advisory: The Cuckoos' story includes brainwashing, violation of reproductive autonomy, grooming by a teacher, substance abuse, genocide, and suicide. Reference is made to child sex abuse of another character.)
In Episode 71 of CEREBRO, Connor and two-time Eisner Award-winning editor Kat Overland (Women Write About Comics) get all wrapped up with Jono Starsmore, the churlish Chamber! Introduced as part of Generation X, British goth Jono has spent a lot of time sulking because his mutant power made his face explode. Understandable, honestly!
The CEREBRO character file on Chamber begins at 31:30.
(Content Advisory: Jono's story includes child abuse, ableism, and suicidal ideation.)
In Episode 70 of CEREBRO, Connor and celebrated author Victor LaValle catalogue the crimes of Victor Creed, the sickening Sabretooth! As Wolverine's longest-running arch-nemesis, serial killer Sabretooth has been a major part of the X-Men franchise. But with no place for him in the new mutant society of Krakoa, he's been absent from the current era... until now, in LaValle's critically-acclaimed new Sabretooth miniseries.
The CEREBRO character file on Sabretooth begins at 52:01.
(Content Advisory: Victor's story includes sexual violence, child abuse, domestic violence, genocide, racism, violence against sex workers, torture, brainwashing, and other potentially distressing topics.)
In Episode 69 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Josh Cornillon slither about with Miranda Leevald, the serpentine Stacy X! Created by Joe Casey and Tom Raney, Stacy employs her pheromonal power over the endocrine system in her career as a sex worker at the X-Ranch, a mutant brothel in Nevada. Rescued by the X-Men from a vicious attack, she becomes a prominent member of the Uncanny X-Men field team during Casey's brief tenure on the title, before exiting abruptly under the following writer, Chuck Austen. After decades of shabby treatment since, the character has found new purpose on Krakoa.
The CEREBRO character file on Stacy X begins at 1:19:32.
(Content Advisory: Stacy's story includes sexual violence including implied child sex abuse, domestic violence, survival sex work, torture, and transphobia directed at another character.)
In Episode 68 of CEREBRO, Connor and game developer Justin Park recount the rise of Shiro Yoshida, the scathing Sunfire! Empowered by the horrors of Hiroshima, Shiro became Japan's controversial national hero. While he was briefly one of the earliest members of the X-Men, his devotion to his country above all else has historically held him back from becoming a major mutant character. In the age of Krakoa, rethinking his politics, Sunfire stars as one of the X-Men in Gerry Duggan and Pepe Larraz's celebrated new run on the flagship title.
The CEREBRO character file on Sunfire begins at 1:04:00.
(Content Advisory: Shiro's story includes genocide, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, medical experimentation, brainwashing, and involuntary body modification. This episode also discusses real world war crimes and atrocities.)
In Episode 67 of CEREBRO, Connor and two-time Eisner Award-winning editor Nola Pfau (EIC of Women Writing About Comics) assess the auguries with Irene Adler, the divinatory Destiny! A wise mutant oracle, the precognitive Destiny was Mystique's lover and partner in crime until her tragic death in 1989. She has finally returned, triumphant (for now!) over her enemy Moira X, in the pages of Jonathan Hickman's Inferno, and is set to play a major role in the new era Destiny of X.
(And yes, she is the character from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.)
The CEREBRO character file on Destiny begins at 53:09.
(Content Advisory: Irene's story includes homophobia, ableism, eugenics, and genocide. This episode also discusses the Holocaust.)
In Episode 66 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Spencer Ackerman (Reign of Terror) sharpen their knives with the cunning Callisto! Leader of the Morlocks, a society of non-passing mutants living in poverty in the maintenance tunnels beneath Manhattan, Callisto debuts as an eager rival to Storm. In time she becomes one of the X-Men's staunchest allies, and in the Krakoan Age, she serves as White Knight of the Hellfire Trading Company.
The CEREBRO character file on Callisto begins at 1:06:30.
(Content Advisory: Callisto's story includes genocide, the murder of children, sexual violence, attempted suicide, brainwashing, and non-consensual body modification.)
In Episode 65 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Zoe Tunnell (Blade Maidens) deploy their foot claws with Laura Kinney, the All-New Wolverine! Introduced as X-23, a female clone of Wolverine (it's complicated), Laura debuted in the popular cartoon X-Men: Evolution before becoming a vital part of the comics universe. After Logan's death (he got better!), she adopted his codename and now serves on the flagship X-Men team.
The CEREBRO character file on X-23/Wolverine begins at 57:08.
(Content Advisory: Laura's story includes child abuse including child sex abuse, underage sex trafficking, self-harm, suicidal ideation and attempted suicide, brainwashing, torture, involuntary body modification, and a lot of other pretty grim stuff.)
In Episode 64 of CEREBRO, Connor and X-Office writer Ben Percy (X-Force, Wolverine) synthesize carbonadium with Arkady Rossovich, the ruthless Omega Red! Plus: X Lives and X Deaths of Wolverine! Beast versus Sage! The crimes of Colossus! All this and more as Ben discusses his work in the Age of Krakoa.
The CEREBRO character file on Omega Red begins at 52:43.
(Content Advisory: Arkady's story includes torture, brainwashing, and the serial killing of children, with implied child sex abuse.)
In Episode 63 of CEREBRO — a slightly belated X-Mas spectacular — Connor and Battle of the Atom co-host Zack Jenkins illuminate Nate Grey, the eccentric X-Man! The rough equivalent of Cable in the dystopian Age of Apocalypse reality, Nate survived that event and somehow led a solo title for 75 issues. Good for him! More recently, he served as a major antagonist in the franchise-wide events X-Men: Disassembled and Age of X-Man.
The CEREBRO character file on X-Man begins at 45:31.
(Content Advisory: Nate's story includes incest, torture, genocide, and brainwashing. This episode discusses a plot involving the death of an infant.)
In Episode 62 of CEREBRO, Connor and X of Words host Ash Alleyne expand their minds with David Alleyne (no relation), the perceptive Prodigy! One of the rare Academy X students to transcend his cohort, David was the most prominent depowered character after the Decimation, especially after a memorable turn in Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie's Young Avengers. More recently he starred in Leah Williams and David Baldeón's X-Factor, where he employed his restored mutant power in the service of the mutant nation Krakoa.
The CEREBRO character file on Prodigy begins at 56:59.
(Content Advisory: David's story includes racism and sexual violence. This episode discusses real world violence against Black queer men.)
In Episode 61 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Anthony Oliveira hark the Acolytes' herald angel, the elusive Exodus! A striking new villain of the 90s, 12th century crusader Bennet du Paris was changed forever by an encounter with the immortal mutant Apocalypse. Revived in modern times, he became Magneto's most zealous disciple. Now he sits on the Quiet Council of Krakoa, set to star in the new series Immortal X-Men.
The CEREBRO character file on Exodus begins at 1:11:38.
(Content Advisory: Bennet's story includes racism, violence against children, and the literal Crusades.)
In Episode 60 of CEREBRO, Connor and artist Patrick Sullivan debate policy with mutantkind's ultimate frenemy, Dr. Valerie Cooper! Introduced in the Claremont era as an antagonist, government bureaucrat Val developed over time into the X-Men's most powerful human ally... most of the time.
The CEREBRO character file on Val Cooper begins at 1:38:58.
(Content Advisory: Val's story includes a miscarriage.)
In Episode 59 of CEREBRO, a special Thanksgiving celebration, Connor and his dad James Goldsmith soar above the Savage Land with the sinister Sauron! One of the rare Silver Age X-Men villains to stick around, Karl Lykos was originally presented as a tragic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type figure, but evolved over time into a reliable comic relief antagonist — a role in which he has thrived.
The CEREBRO character file on Sauron begins at 1:01:58.
(Content Advisory: Karl's story includes classism, a pretty egregious fridging, and predatory behavior in general.)
In Episode 58 of CEREBRO, Connor and Harvard Professor of English Stephanie Burt twist into new shapes with the whimsical Warlock! An iconic element of the Claremont/Sienkiewicz New Mutants, techno-organic alien Warlock became the ultimate fish out of water, learning humanity through his bond with Doug Ramsey, his selfsoulfriend.
The CEREBRO character file on Warlock begins at 1:03:16.
(Content Advisory: Warlock's story includes parent-child violence. This episode discusses the AIDS Crisis, homophobia, and ableism.)
In Episode 57 of CEREBRO, Connor and Middle East researcher Dr. Khaliden Nas celebrate Sooraya Qadir, the devoted Dust! Introduced in Grant Morrison's New X-Men, Afghan refugee Sooraya became a fan favorite, a breakout of the Academy X student class, and recently played a memorable role in Si Spurrier and Bob Quinn's Way of X.
The CEREBRO character file on Dust begins at 1:02:43.
(Content Advisory: Sooraya's story includes racism, Islamophobia, and attempted sex trafficking. This episode also discusses the aftermath of 9/11 and the 21st century wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.)
In Episode 56 of CEREBRO, concluding the three-part HALLOWE'EN SPOOKTACULAR, Connor and Marvel's Leah Williams (X-Factor, X-Men: The Trial of Magneto) seize the throne of Limbo with Illyana Rasputina, the magnificent Magik! Introduced as Colossus's kid sister, Illyana became a star of the original New Mutants in the 80s when she fell into a Hell dimension and survived to conquer it. After spending a number of years killed off, she is now one of the X-Men franchise's most recognizable stars.
The CEREBRO character file on Magik begins at 57:01.
(Content Advisory: Illyana's story includes child abuse including child sex abuse, sexual violence, involuntary body modification, suicide, and the death of a child from illness.)
In Episode 55 of CEREBRO, the second in a three-part HALLOWE'EN SPOOKTACULAR, Connor and returning guest Alex Abad-Santos serve up their souls to the seductive Selene! The platonic ideal of a Chris Claremont villain, the immortal Selene was born before human civilization, and is the oldest mutant known to have survived to the present day. Formerly the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club, she now eagerly applies her vampiric might and dark sorcery to her role as a board member at X-Corp.
The CEREBRO character file on Selene begins at 1:13:41.
(Content Advisory: Selene's story includes sexual violence, torture, and brainwashing.)
In Episode 54 of CEREBRO, the first in a three-part HALLOWE'EN SPOOKTACULAR, Connor and artist Valentine M. Smith shriek it out with Theresa Rourke Cassidy, the spirited Siryn! The long-lost daughter of X-Man Banshee, Terry was raised by his wicked cousin Black Tom. After some time as a supporting character in the Claremont period, she became a star of X-Force and later X-Factor Investigations until she ascended as the new host of the Irish death goddess The Morrígan.
The CEREBRO character file on Siryn begins at 1:33:18.
(Content Advisory: Terry's story includes alcoholism, suicide, the Irish Troubles, and the loss of a child. This episode discusses miscarriage and stillbirth.)
In Episode 53 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel writer Terry Blas (Reptil) stretch themselves with Angelo Espinosa, the cynical Skin! A regular cast member in the 90s title Generation X, moody Los Angeles teen Angelo fled the world of street crime to become one of the students at the Massachusetts Academy. The least-developed of the core Gen X team, he was unceremoniously killed off after that book's cancellation in the Chuck Austen run on Uncanny X-Men, and has only returned recently in the Age of Krakoa.
The CEREBRO character file on Skin begins at 43:07.
(Content Advisory: Skin's story includes body dysmorphia and racism.)
In the PHALANX-SIZE Episode 52 of CEREBRO, Connor and Sara Century make a case for Candy Southern! One of the X-Men franchise's most tragic characters, Candy was introduced in 1967 as a love interest for Warren Worthington III. She was a reliable supporting character for decades, eventually becoming a hero in her own right as the leader of the Defenders before her brutal murder at the hands of Cameron Hodge.
The CEREBRO character file on Candy Southern begins at 1:31:03.
(Content Advisory: Candy's story includes torture, self-harm, and suicide after a fashion. This episode also features frank overall discussion of misogynist violence in superhero comics.)
As the Inferno burns, CEREBRO returns! In Episode 51, the SEASON TWO PREMIERE, Connor and critic Vishal Gullapalli fight for the future with Nathan Christopher Summers, the commanding Cable! Created by Rob Liefeld and Louise Simonson and introduced as a proactive new leader for the New Mutants (later X-Force), Cable was later revealed via retcon to be Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor's time-displaced son, raised in a dystopian future. A marquee character of the 90s, he has become a breakout star of the X-Men franchise.
The CEREBRO character file on Cable begins at 49:20.
(Content Advisory: Nathan's story includes child abuse, suicide, torture, brainwashing, genocide, and the loss of a child.)
In Episode 50 of CEREBRO, the SEASON 1 FINALE, Connor and returning guest Spencer Ackerman survey the schemes of Charles Xavier, the persuasive Professor X! Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the X-Men's wise teacher and mentor slowly became a much darker and more foreboding character, a father figure gone wrong.
The CEREBRO character file on Professor X begins at 50:12.
(Content Advisory: Charles's story includes ableism, child abuse, stillbirth, genocide including the Holocaust, brainwashing, and an inappropriate romantic relationship between a doctor and a patient.)
In Episode 49 of CEREBRO, Connor and former Marvel editor Chris Robinson play the hand they're dealt with the gregarious Gambit! Introduced as Chris Claremont's last addition to the X-Men in his sixteen-year run, Remy would become an iconic part of the X-Men franchise as a breakout star of the 90s, the focus of several solo titles. In recent years his star has somewhat dimmed, with most of his stories revolving around his relationship with longtime love interest Rogue.
The CEREBRO character file on Gambit begins at 23:13.
(Content Advisory: Remy's story includes genocide, brainwashing, and the Black Womb storyline, which involves miscarriages and infanticide.)
In Episode 48 of CEREBRO, Connor and critic and cartoonist Karen Charm get more than skin deep with Paige Guthrie, the heroic Husk! Younger sister to classic character Cannonball, Paige was a protagonist of the 90s book Generation X. Later stories would write the character into some odd positions, and she's struggled to find a stable place in the franchise since.
The CEREBRO character file on Husk begins at 59:42.
(Content Advisory: Paige's story includes classism and ableism. This episode also discusses self-harm, gender dysphoria, disordered eating, and fatphobia.)
In Episode 47 of CEREBRO, Connor and critic Elana Levin fall to pieces with Jamie Madrox, the Multiple Man! A longtime X-Men supporting character, Madrox rose to prominence in the 21st century as the protagonist of the long-running X-Factor, written by Peter David. After a number of astoundingly complicated stories, he is now part of Krakoa's X-Corp.
The CEREBRO character file on Multiple Man begins at 1:14:11.
(Content Advisory: Jamie's story includes suicide, genocide, the loss of a child, and, uh... grooming? I'm honestly not sure what to call the Layla Miller thing, but she's a kid when they meet and then she grows up via time travel. It's a lot. It's bad vibes. You've been warned! This episode also discusses an incident of antiziganist racism.)
In Episode 46 of CEREBRO, Connor and writer Kendra James rise from the grave with Everett Thomas, the supportive Synch! Marked for leadership early in the run of the 90s title Generation X, likable power-copier Everett was tragically killed in the final arc of the book. 18 years later, he was resurrected in the Age of Krakoa by writer Jonathan Hickman, and now stars in Gerry Duggan and Pepe Larraz's relaunch of the X-Men flagship title.
The CEREBRO character file on Synch begins at 1:01:20.
(Content Advisory: Everett's story includes brainwashing. This episode also discusses racism, racial profiling, and police violence against Black men.)
In Episode 45 of CEREBRO, Connor and writer Zoe Tunnell are nigh-invulnerable when they're castin' with Sam Guthrie, the caring Cannonball! An original New Mutant, Kentucky coal country kid Sam went on to lead X-Force before graduating to the big leagues. After some time as an official member of the X-Men, he eventually joined the Avengers under writer Jonathan Hickman.
The CEREBRO character file on Cannonball begins at 49:29.
(Content Advisory: Sam's story includes sexual violence.)
In Episode 44 of CEREBRO, Connor and writer Alex Segura soak up the sun with Roberto da Costa, the sensational Sunspot! An original New Mutant, biracial Brazilian babe Beto inherited his father's fortune and continued into X-Force in the 90s. After a stint as Lord Imperial of the Hellfire Club, he eventually joined the Avengers under writer Jonathan Hickman.
The CEREBRO character file on Sunspot begins at 53:42.
(Content Advisory: Beto's story includes racism and brainwashing.)
In Episode 43 of CEREBRO, Connor and writer Steph Williams hype up Roxy Washington, the brilliant Bling! While she's a somewhat minor character, lesbian teen Roxy has a unique role in her generation. Plus: Steph's newly-announced DC Comics book NUBIA AND THE AMAZONS! Plus her thoughts on Monica Rambeau, Storm, and whatever else occurred to us to chat about.
The CEREBRO character file on Bling! begins at 56:26.
(Content Advisory: Roxy's story includes homophobic violence. This episode discusses racism and homophobia. When we talk about The Trial of Magneto, I mention the recent murder of a Romani man named Stanislav Tomáš by Czech police. To help the Tomáš family, you can visit their official fundraiser: https://www.betterplace.me/gerechtigkeit-fuer-stanislav-tomas63)
In Episode 42 of CEREBRO, Connor and his friend Luke Ruddick (Danger Rooms and Dragons) swing a bevy of blades with Gaveedra Seven, the sensational Shatterstar! A breakout star of the 90s run of X-Force, interdimensional alien/mutant gladiator 'Star is an escaped slave devoted to the liberation of his people. He has become one of Marvel's most prominent bisexual characters.
The CEREBRO character file on Shatterstar begins at 1:06:16.
(Content Advisory: Gaveedra Seven's story includes slavery, brainwashing, self-harm and homophobia. This episode discusses childhood abuse and negative stereotypes of bisexual people.)
In Episode 41 of CEREBRO, Connor and his friend Louis dig the good vibrations of the seismic stunner Rictor! Introduced in the classic run of X-Factor by Louise and Walt Simonson, Julio Richter became a 90s breakout in X-Force before starring in Peter David's X-Factor Investigations. After a lengthy period as one of the biggest characters to suffer from the Decimation, he was eventually repowered. He now stars in Excalibur by Tini Howard and Marcus To, where he has become the face of mutant magic.
The CEREBRO character file on Rictor begins at 1:07:06.
(Content Advisory: Julio's story includes suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, torture, and brainwashing.)
In Episode 40 of CEREBRO, Connor and writer and editor Steve Foxe (Spider-Ham, Cheater Code, Razorblades, The Department of Truth) fly into the fairy kingdom of Alfheim with Jean-Paul Beaubier, the nimble Northstar! The first confirmed gay superhero at Marvel Comics, Jean-Paul originated as a member of Alpha Flight, but became an X-Men mainstay under writer Chuck Austen. His 2012 same-sex wedding made headlines, but in the time since, this shining star has struggled to find his light. He is the co-lead of X-Factor volume 4 by Leah Williams and David Baldeón.
The CEREBRO character file on Northstar begins at 1:42:46.
(Content Advisory: Jean-Paul's story includes homophobia, ableism against his sister, a suicide attempt by another character, mind control, and brainwashing. His backstory is tied to the violent Quebecois separatist movement of the 1970s.)
In Episode 39 of CEREBRO, Connor and writer and critic Sara Century (Bitches on Comics) are possessed by the power of Xi'an Coy Manh*, the courageous Karma! The first confirmed lesbian character in the X-Men franchise, Xi'an was the original leader of the New Mutants, but has never received as much care and attention on the page as her classmates. She is a protagonist of the new run of New Mutants by Vita Ayala and Rod Reis.
The CEREBRO character file on Karma begins at 1:56:11.
(Content Advisory: Xi'an's story includes rape, disordered eating, fatphobia, ableism, homophobia, suicidal ideation and attempted suicide, brainwashing, human trafficking, slavery, and limb amputation. Her origin is closely tied to the real world Vietnamese boat refugee crisis.)
* NOTE: At the time this episode was recorded and published, Karma’s civilian name had been rendered since her first appearance as “Xi’an Coy Manh”, which is not proper Vietnamese. In 2023, writer/artist Trung Le Nguyen adjusted Karma’s name in the story “Karma in Love”, and established “Xi’an” as a mispronunciation. This episode discusses the controversy around Xuân’s name, but refers to her as Xi’an throughout. I have opted to retitle the episode to acknowledge this exciting change in the time since.
In Episode 38 of CEREBRO, Connor and celebrated writer Mike Carey (X-Men Legacy, Lucifer, The Unwritten, The Girl With All The Gifts) praise the power of Joanna Cargill, a.k.a. Frenzy! A longtime enemy of the X-Men, Cargill decided to change her ways during Carey's beloved time writing the franchise, and is now a fan favorite antihero. PLUS: Tempo! The Children of the Vault! Lady Mastermind!
The CEREBRO character file on Frenzy begins at 1:16:08.
(Content Advisory: Joanna's story includes child abuse, eugenics, ableism, brainwashing, and genocide.)
In Episode 37 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel writer Steve Orlando get bad to the bone with the Morlock Sarah Rushman*, better known as Marrow! A breakout character of the late 90s, the rebellious and grisly Marrow's rising star quickly flamed out, but she's endured as a fan favorite.
The CEREBRO character file on Marrow begins at 26:58.
(Content Advisory: Sarah's story includes genocide, child abuse, sexual violence, torture, a non-consensual pregnancy termination, brainwashing, and general body horror.)
* NOTE: At the time this episode was recorded and published, Marrow's civilian surname "Rushman" had only been presented as an alias. As it's now being presented as her legal surname, and this episode had pretty bad SEO as just "Sarah", I've elected to rename it!
In the PLANET-SIZE Episode 36 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel's Tini Howard praise the perfection of Monet St. Croix! The unlikely breakout of the Generation X class, marvelous mean girl Monet transcended her intended story function to become a leading lady, star of the new book X-Corp. Writer Kendra James also joins Connor to talk about Monet's historical importance as a unique character in the X-Men franchise.
The CEREBRO character file on Monet, Nicole, Claudette, and Penance begins at 1:26:35.
The interview with Kendra James begins at 2:09:04.
The interview with Tini Howard resumes at 3:02:49.
(Content Advisory: Monet's story includes torture, mind control, suicidal ideation, a suicide attempt by another character, Islamophobia, ableism, spooky bone marrow vampire stuff, and general body horror.)
In Episode 35 of CEREBRO, Connor and MODOK on Hulu co-creator Jordan Blum let down their barriers with Sally Blevins, the slippery Skids! Introduced in Louise Simonson's classic run on X-Factor, teen runaway Skids wants nothing more than a home and a family, but — overshadowed by other characters in her age group — she rarely catches a break.
The CEREBRO character file on Skids begins at 1:15:17.
(Content Advisory: Sally's story includes child abuse, domestic violence ending in murder, and brainwashing. This episode also discusses a story where an infant is murdered.)
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In Episode 34 of CEREBRO, Connor and artist Josh Cornillon keep it tidy with Megan Gwynn, the polarizing Pixie! The secret half-faerie daughter of the villain Mastermind (no, really!), after exposure to black magic Pixie became the primary student character of the Decimation period. She now stars alongside her mentor Nightcrawler in Way Of X by Si Spurrier and Bob Quinn.
The CEREBRO character file on Pixie begins at 1:27:08.
(Content Advisory: Megan's story includes hate crimes and substance abuse. The plot of Way Of X involves suicide.)
In Episode 33 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Alex Abad-Santos shatter the illusions of Regan Wyngarde and her sister Martinique, the ludicrous Ladies Mastermind! Born from an editorial mistake, Regan would rise to prominence in Mike Carey's celebrated run — but wherever these manipulative siblings go, trouble follows.
The CEREBRO character file on Lady Mastermind and the other Lady Mastermind begins at 1:07:00.
(Content Advisory: Regan and Martinique's story includes brainwashing, torture, implied rape and abuse of other characters, and a very creepy dad.)
The episode cover features art of Regan and Martinique by Stuart Immonen, Greg Land, and Tim Sale.
In Episode 32 of CEREBRO, Connor and legendary Marvel writer and editor Ann Nocenti chase a ratings spike with her creation Mojo, ruler of the Wildways! Created for the 1985 miniseries Longshot, Mojo became one of the X-Men's strangest recurring foes: the alien despot of a world built on television. As biting meta-commentary on fandom itself, he has become an engine for social satire in X-Men comics.
The CEREBRO character file on Mojo begins at 48:43.
(Content Advisory: Mojo's story includes slavery, brainwashing, torture, suicide, and metaphors for addiction.)
The episode cover features art of Mojo by Art Adams.
In Episode 31 of CEREBRO, Connor and Angélique Roché (Marvels' Voices, Women of Marvel) adapt to their surroundings with Armando Muñoz, the ever-evolving Darwin! Created in the controversial retcon story Deadly Genesis, Darwin has nonetheless endured as a fan favorite.
The CEREBRO character file on Darwin begins at 1:11:50.
(Content Advisory: Armando's story includes child abuse, attempted suicide, and medical experimentation.)
In Episode 30 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Anthony Oliveira swish about with STRYFE, the CHAOS-BRINGER! A delightfully fruity megalomaniac in a cape, Stryfe is an iconic X-Villain of the 90s.
The CEREBRO character file on Stryfe begins at 1:12:13.
(Content Advisory: Stryfe's story includes child abuse, brainwashing, genocide, a suggestion of rape, and incestuous and Oedipal themes. This episode also addresses the Legacy Virus, Stryfe's creation, as an allegory for the AIDS Crisis.)
In Episode 29 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Sara Century don their finest spiked leather with Rachel Summers, the second Phoenix! As Scott Summers and Jean Grey's time-displaced daughter from the dystopian timeline called the Days of Future Past, Rachel offers the X-Men a terrifying glimpse of the worst-case scenario for mutants.
The CEREBRO character file on Rachel Summers begins at 1:07:33.
(Content Advisory: Rachel's story includes genocide, brainwashing, torture, slavery, and child abuse with sexual implications.)
In Episode 28 of CEREBRO, Connor and writer Evan Narcisse dance the night away with Alison Blaire, the Disco Dazzler! Born from Marvel's failed first attempt at taking Hollywood by storm, Ali has struggled to find her spotlight in the years since.
The CEREBRO character file on Dazzler begins at 1:06:40.
(Content Advisory: Ali's story includes domestic violence, spousal abuse, drug addiction, miscarriage, and suicidal ideation.)
You can now support CEREBRO on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cerebrocast!
In Episode 27 of CEREBRO, Connor and ComicsXF critic Zach Rabiroff tackle the ten lives of Moira X! Dr. Moira MacTaggert was believed a human martyr for mutant rights — but the revelation of her true nature has shaken the foundations of the franchise.
The CEREBRO character file on Moira MacTaggert begins at 1:19:40.
(Content Advisory: Moira's story includes spousal abuse and rape.)
The episode cover features art of Moira X by Pepe Larraz.
In Episode 26 of CEREBRO, Connor and 90s X-Men scribe Fabian Nicieza get their blood burning with Adam X, the X-Treme! A curiosity of the X-Men franchise, Adam Neramani was intended to be the long-lost brother of Cyclops and Havok, but wound up lost in comics limbo after Nicieza's departure. Now, 25 years later, that story will be told in the pages of the anthology series X-Men Legends.
The CEREBRO character file on Adam X begins at 54:41.
(Content Advisory: Adam's story includes brainwashing. This episode discusses plot points involving rape and enslavement.)
In Episode 25 of CEREBRO, Connor and Harvard Professor of English Stephanie Burt sail the high seas with Captain Kate Pryde, Red Queen of the Hellfire Trading Company! Best known as Shadowcat or Kitty, Pryde is the protagonist of much of the classic Claremont run, and has endured as a fan favorite. As the first explicitly Jewish superhero at Marvel Comics, she has often been the lens through which the minority metaphor of the X-Men was most refracted.
The CEREBRO character file on Kitty Pryde begins at 1:01:48.
(Content Advisory: Kitty's story includes grooming of a minor, suicide, torture, antisemitism, rape of another character, a weird alien pregnancy plot, and genocides including the Holocaust.)
In Episode 24 of CEREBRO, Connor and bookseller Allison Senecal try to explain why you should like Havok! Alex Summers, Cyclops's volatile younger brother, has never quite managed to escape his elder's long shadow. Conflicted and insecure, he's a troubled man with an uncertain future.
The CEREBRO character file on Havok begins at 29:12.
(Content Advisory: Alex's story includes brainwashing, slavery, and parents grieving the loss of a child. This episode also discusses another character's suicidal ideation.)
In Episode 23 of CEREBRO, Connor and filmmaker Patrick Willems face the inner darkness, the anti-self: the mummudrai! Created by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, Cassandra Nova — Professor Xavier's diabolical twin sister — is one of the few post-Claremont X-Villains to truly stand the test of time.
The CEREBRO character file on Cassandra Nova begins at 1:07:06.
(Content Advisory: Cassandra's story includes genocide, miscarriage, stillbirth, brainwashing, suicide, and the murder of children. This episode also refers to the Holocaust, 9/11, and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.)
The episode cover includes art of Cassandra Nova, Ernst, and No-Girl by Frank Quitely, Marc Silvestri, Carmen Carnero, and Phil Jimenez.
Subscribe to Patrick Willems on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF1fG3gT44nGTPU2sVLoFWg
Here's our video from 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVb1utdCNy0
And the X-TENDED CUT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIAKWrPWYcc
Here's our video from 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5lQw1X60eE
And the X-TENDED CUT of that one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWQomA2QtDs
In Episode 22 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel's X-Office Associate Editor Annalise Bissa hack into the history of Doug Ramsey, a.k.a. Cypher! Killed off in 1988 and not brought back til 2009, the omnilingual mutant is now an integral part of the franchise.
The CEREBRO character file on Cypher begins at 1:26:07.
(Content Advisory: Doug's story includes traumatic mind control. This episode also discusses characters with stories involving unequal power dynamics in romantic relationships, including relationships in which one party is underage, as well as the topic of child sexual abuse.)
In Episode 21 of CEREBRO, Connor and comedian Tim Platt (Rude Tales of Magic) salute a classic 60s X-Men villain: Mortimer Toynbee, the sniveling Toad! Their analysis of the misfit superhenchman... somehow becomes an expansive dialogue on masculinity. Who knew!
The CEREBRO character file on the Toad begins at 46:27.
(Content Advisory: Mortimer's story includes abuse, a suicide attempt, sexually predatory behavior, and alcoholism.)
In Episode 20 of CEREBRO, Connor and Eisner Award-winning comics critic Corinne McCreery imagine a brighter future for Lorna Dane, the Mistress of Magnetism! Since her debut in 1968, Polaris has won many fans but also struggled to find her place in the franchise, even after she was revealed to be Magneto's long-lost daughter.
The CEREBRO character file on Polaris begins at 44:02.
(Content Advisory: Lorna's story includes struggles with bipolar disorder, disordered eating, mind control, long-term possession, genocide, and a suicide attempt.)
In Episode 19 of CEREBRO, Connor and artist Valentine M. Smith analyze the X-Men's living computer, Sage! Introduced in 1980 as Tessa, a mysterious Hellfire Club attaché, a major retcon in 2001 revealed her to be one of Xavier's original students, kept apart from the X-Men and deployed as a spy.
The CEREBRO character file on Sage begins at 1:12:36.
(Content Advisory: Tessa's story includes sexual violence, sex trafficking, and torture.)
In Episode 18 of CEREBRO, Connor and author A.R. Moxon celebrate the mystical metamorph, Meggan! Introduced in 1983 as a supporting character in Captain Britain, the part-fae mutant Meggan (lately also called Gloriana) was a founding member of Excalibur and has always been a uniquely vibrant character in the X-Men mythos.
The CEREBRO character file on Meggan begins at 1:03:28.
(Content Advisory: Meggan's story includes antiziganism, unequal power dynamics in a romantic relationship, a romantic partner's alcoholism, and the rape of another character.)
The episode cover features art of Meggan by Alan Davis, Casey Jones, Mike Collins, and Marcus To.
In Episode 17 of CEREBRO, Connor and fantasy author Cass Morris (FROM UNSEEN FIRE, GIVE WAY TO NIGHT) have their psyches absorbed by the raucous Rogue! Introduced as a supervillain in 1981, the woman known only as Anna Marie has become one of the most popular members of the X-Men.
The CEREBRO character file on Rogue begins at 48:25.
(Content Advisory: Rogue's story involves sexual assault.)
In Episode 16 of CEREBRO, a HANUKKAH SPECTACULAR, Connor and returning guest Spencer Ackerman become masters of magnetism! Introduced in 1963 as the X-Men's archenemy, Erik Magnus Lehnsherr — best known as Magneto — became the most famously Jewish character in comics. Reimagined by writer Chris Claremont as a tragic hero with a haunting backstory, he has ranged from the X-Men's greatest foe to their most vital ally.
The CEREBRO character file on Magneto begins at 52:35.
(Content Advisory: Erik's story revolves around genocide. This episode includes frank discussion of the Holocaust, antisemitism, and Israel-Palestine.)
The episode cover features art of Magneto by Jack Kirby, John Romita, Jr., Phil Jimenez, and Pepe Larraz.
In Episode 15 of CEREBRO, Connor and comics critic Sara Century become fire and life incarnate! The only woman on the 1963 X-Men team created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Jean Grey began publication as the danger-prone Marvel Girl. Under writer Chris Claremont she was reimagined as Phoenix, the most powerful superhero — and threat to the universe! — at Marvel.
The CEREBRO character file on Jean Grey begins at 49:12.
(Content Advisory: Jean's story includes brainwashing, rape, genocide, slavery, and suicide.)
The episode cover features art of Jean Grey by Jack Kirby, Werner Roth, Dave Cockrum, John Byrne, Walt Simonson, Jim Lee, Phil Jimenez, and Russell Dauterman.
In Episode 14 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel writer Tini Howard bow before Her Royal Whyness, Opal Luna Saturnyne, Omniversal Majestrix! Introduced in the relaunch of Captain Britain in 1981 as an interdimensional bureaucrat, Saturnyne and her counterparts on other worlds were integral to the classic run of Excalibur. She is now more prominent than ever before, and was the centerpiece of the recent franchise-wide event X of Swords.
The CEREBRO character file on Saturnyne begins at 1:08:30.
(Content Advisory: The story of Opal Luna Saturnyne, Courtney Ross, and Opul Lun Sat-Yr-9 includes genocide, sexual violence, gaslighting, brainwashing, and the grooming of a teenager.)
The episode cover features art of Saturnyne by Alan Davis and Pepe Larraz.
In Episode 13 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel writer Gerry Duggan investigate the mystery man called Logan! Brusque and brutal, Wolverine debuted as a minor antagonist in 1974, but over the years became the most popular member of the X-Men, and one of the overall flagship characters at Marvel Comics.
The CEREBRO character file on Wolverine begins at 41:21.
(Content Advisory: Logan's story includes rape, suicide, child abuse, animal murder, brainwashing, non-consensual body modification, and torture.)
The episode cover features art of Wolverine by Dave Cockrum, John Byrne, and Barry Windsor-Smith.
In Episode 12 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel's X-Men Senior Editor Jordan D. White raise their swords to Brian Braddock! For many years the omniversal hero Captain Britain, he has now ceded that title to his twin sister Betsy and become Captain Avalon, his family's sworn protector.
The CEREBRO character file on Brian Braddock begins at 1:02:15
(Content Advisory: Brian's story includes alcoholism, brainwashing, and sexual violence.)
The episode cover features art of Brian Braddock by Herb Trimpe, Alan Davis, Mico Suayan, and R.B. Silva.
In Episode 11 of CEREBRO, Connor and Pulitzer Prize-winning national security reporter Spencer Ackerman highlight the hubris of Hank McCoy, the bouncing, brilliant Beast! One of the original X-Men from 1963, Hank has never felt at ease with his mutation, and longs to assimilate. In recent years, his arrogance has led him down an ever-darker path.
The CEREBRO character file on Beast begins at 27:37.
(Content Advisory: Hank's story includes body dysmorphia, the suicide of another character, war crimes, and genocide. This episode also features frank discussion of American and Israeli foreign policy.)
The episode cover features art of Beast by Jack Kirby, Kerry Gammill, Frank Quitely, and Janeth Bazaldua.
In the GIANT-SIZE Episode 10 of CEREBRO, Connor and artist Patrick Sullivan fête the many-faced mercenary Mystique! Raven Darkhölme first appeared in 1978 as Ms. Marvel's arch-nemesis, but after that book's cancellation became one of the most iconic X-Men villains.
The CEREBRO character file on Mystique begins at 41:28.
(Content Advisory: Raven's story includes violence against children, parental abandonment, emotional abuse, severe mental illness, and torture.)
The episode cover features art of Mystique by John Byrne, Marc Silvestri, Steve Epting, Sean Phillips, Gus Vazquez, and R.B. Silva.
In the GIANT-SIZE Episode 9 of CEREBRO, Connor and comedian Jay Jurden soar with the Angel! (Or the Archangel, depending.) Since his 1963 debut, Warren Worthington III has endured in the popular imagination through constant transformation.
The CEREBRO character file on Angel begins at 1:01:32.
(Content Advisory: Warren's story includes suicide, torture, gaslighting, brainwashing, and non-consensual body modification.)
The episode cover features art of Angel and Archangel by Jack Kirby, John Byrne, and Jim Lee.
In the GIANT-SIZE Episode 8 of CEREBRO, Connor kibitzes about Iceman with academic and Marvel writer Anthony Oliveira (War of the Realms: War Scrolls, Empyre: Emperor Hulkling)! One of the original X-Men from 1963, Bobby Drake is the only classic Stan Lee/Jack Kirby creation to be later established as a gay character.
The CEREBRO character file on Iceman begins at 58:55.
(Content Advisory: Bobby's story includes homophobia and racism from other characters. This episode also discusses outing and intra-LGBT tensions.)
The episode cover features art of Iceman by Jack Kirby, Walt Simonson, Whilce Portacio, and Matteo Lolli.
In Episode 7 of CEREBRO, Connor and Darcie Little Badger (one of the writers of the upcoming Marvel's Voices: Indigenous Voices anthology) tackle the many transformations of Dani Moonstar! One of the original New Mutants, Moonstar (usually called Mirage) has been on a wild and often winged ride since her debut in 1982.
The CEREBRO character file on Mirage begins at 18:27.
(Content Advisory: Dani's story includes racism, animal murder, the rape of another character, and an inappropriate sexual student-teacher relationship between two other characters. This episode also discusses genocide and colonialism.)
The episode cover features art of Mirage by Bob McLeod, Art Adams, Bret Blevins, Tony Daniel, Jim Cheung, Staz Johnson, and Rod Reis.
In CEREBRO's first CROSSOVER EVENT, Connor and Jay Edidin of Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men (also writer of the recent X-Men: Marvels Snapshots) have an eye-opening chat about Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops! A polarizing character, "Slim" has provoked strong opinions since 1963.
The CEREBRO character file on Cyclops begins at 30:04.
(Content Advisory: Scott's story includes child abuse at an orphanage, eugenics, suicide of other characters, and references to enslavement and implied rape of other characters. This episode also discusses disability politics.)
The episode cover features art of Cyclops by Jack Kirby, Dave Cockrum, Walt Simonson, Jim Lee, Frank Quitely, Chris Bachalo, and Leinil Francis Yu.
Some links to work mentioned by Jay on this week's episode:
The Essential Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men
Episode 287: Welcome to the Age of Apocalypse, designed as a jumping-on point for newbies to Jay & Miles.
Ruby Quartz Panic Room, a fanzine about Cyclops and neurodivergence.
In Episode 5 of CEREBRO, Connor and iconic fashion archivist Rashida Renée Ward celebrate Ororo Munroe, Beautiful Windrider, the Weather Witch, Goddess of the STORM! One of the most popular and celebrated X-Men, Storm changed the landscape of comic books forever when she debuted in 1975.
The CEREBRO character file on Storm begins at 33:27.
(Content Advisory: Ororo's story includes wartime atrocities and suicidal ideation. This episode also discusses racism, colorism, slavery, and the recent death of actor Chadwick Boseman.)
The episode cover features art of Storm by Dave Cockrum, Paul Smith, Jim Lee, Salvador Larocca, Alan Davis, Ron Garney, and Lucas Werneck.
In Episode 4 of CEREBRO, Connor and Ignatz Award-winning comics artist and editor Mattie Lubchansky are undeniably horny for Piotr Rasputin, the man of steel Colossus! A kind Soviet farmboy with an artist's heart, Piotr has been a major X-Men character since his debut in 1975.
The CEREBRO character file on Colossus begins at 25:25.
(Content Advisory: Piotr's story includes suicide. This episode also discusses the AIDS Crisis.)
The episode cover features art of Colossus by Dave Cockrum, Marc Silvestri, and one of the three pencilers of Excalibur vol. 1 #71.
In the GIANT-SIZE Episode 3 of CEREBRO, Connor and culture writer Alex Abad-Santos swear their fealty to Emma Frost, the White Queen! An ice-cold femme fatale, Emma debuted in 1980 as a vicious villainess, but developed into a core member of the X-Men.
The CEREBRO character file on Emma Frost begins at 35:36.
(Content advisory: Emma's story includes involuntary institutionalization, sexual abuse, homophobic 'conversion therapy', substance abuse, survival sex work, animal murder, and genocide.)
The episode cover features art of the White Queen by John Byrne, Chris Bachalo, Phil Jimenez, Terry Dodson, and Russell Dauterman.
In Episode 2 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel writer Daniel Kibblesmith (Loki, Lockjaw) celebrate the fuzzy blue elf: Kurt Wagner, best known as Nightcrawler! Since his 1975 debut, the debonair swashbuckler has been one of the most recognizable and beloved X-Men.
The CEREBRO character file on Nightcrawler begins at 13:41.
(Content advisory: Kurt's main love interest is his adoptive/foster sister, if that skeeves! This episode also discusses antiziganism and the Holocaust.)
The episode cover features art of Nightcrawler by Ed McGuinness.
In the inaugural episode of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel writer Tini Howard talk Betsy Braddock: once Psylocke, now Captain Britain! Tune in for a deep dive on Betsy's wild 44-year publication history, and some exploration of Tini's work on Excalibur and the upcoming franchise-wide event X of Swords.
The CEREBRO character file on Betsy Braddock begins at 15:44.
(Content advisory: Betsy's story includes sexual violence, brainwashing, slavery, and non-consensual body modification. This episode also features some discussion of racism and eating disorders.)
The episode cover features art of Betsy Braddock by Alan Davis, Marc Silvestri, Jim Lee, Kris Anka, Terry Dodson, and Marcus To.
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