CEREBRO

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!

Our Sponsors:
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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!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/CEREBRO for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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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!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/CEREBRO for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/CEREBRO for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/CEREBRO for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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! 

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/CEREBRO for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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! 

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/CEREBRO for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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! 

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/CEREBRO for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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! 

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/CEREBRO for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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! 

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code uncommongoods.com/CEREBRO for a great deal: https://www.uncommongoods.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy