X Is For Comics: An X-Men Podcast

Nico & TK are back! They’re talking about the end of the second volume of both Wolverine & Cable – two significant runs from the 90s that changed everything for the X-Men and Marvel. Wolverine volume 2 launched in the late 80s and ran into the early 2000s, saw the death of Lady Mariko, the loss of Wolverine’s adamantium, and so much more – and it ends on a whimper with stories that feel unconnected to everything going on in the X-Verse. Much the same, Cable’s first volume was landmark for Marvel and changed the face of the X-Men forever – and ends with multiple writers jumping ship. Both titles would relaunch within months – with Wolverine (Vol 3) by Greg Rucka & Soldier X – the former effectively rebooting for Mark Millar’s run barely a year later and the latter ending to make way for Cable/Deadpool. The duo take a big look at the effect of the movies on these titles, the changing comic market of 2002, the current hit Green Lantern series “Lanterns,” and the unthinkably sexy Chuck Moss of Alpha Flight. Read along with the end of two legendary series Wolverine #177 - 189 & Cable #101 - 107 – it’s all this and more on an all-new X Is For Comics!

Nico & Kevo finally get to discuss one of the most significant comics in Marvel history – ALIAS! The duo breakdown the origins of the title and Jessica Jones by Bendis & Gaydos, how the Marvel Universe intersects with the title, the nature of MAX as an imprint, and so much more. From the first arc centering around a mystery featuring Captain America to the second’s focus on Rick Jones, appearances from Carol Danvers & Clay Quartermain, and even the crew at the Bugle (JJJ, Robbie, & Ben Urich), Jessica Jones changes the MU (& MCU) forever. Read along with Alias #1 - 10 – it’s all this and more on an all-new X Is For Comics!

Nico & TK return to the title they love best – New X-Men! Imperial changed the X-Men forever through a dramatic and unforgettable showdown with the Shi’ar, the heroic acts of Xorn, the biggest Jean Grey power-up in years, and the defeat of Cassandra Nova. Yet, for all of these intense moments of superhero drama, the most significant moments were the interpersonal emotional honesty the characters expressed. The X-Men grew up more in this one arc than some entire runs. Plus the debut of Fantomex, the death of Darkstar, and the famous Jean Grey spoons scene – this is a can’t miss. Read along with New X-Men #122 - 131 – it’s all this and more on an all-new X Is For Comics!

Nico is back with another deep dive! Join the series host as he examines the complete X-Men Unlimited experience – from its earliest days (#1 - 13) to the mid era (#14 - 30) to the uneven end (#31 - 50). From there, Nico takes a look a huge collection of stories: #39's all Storm issue featuring a Yukio story by Claremont and appearances from Magneto; #40's all villains issue with Sabretooth, Juggernaut, Mastermind, & Toad; #41's problematic story by Vertigo legend Jamie Delano; the all telepath special #42 featuring Emma Frost, Jean Grey, & Charles Xavier; a Lockheed story from #43; an all-Logan special in #46; #47 with a special Psylocke story and a fun Cyclops romp; #48 featuring Shanna the She-Devi; and the series finale taking Logan on a Japanese adventure. Read along with X-Men Unlimited #39 - 50 plus a look back at the entire series – it’s all this and more on an all-new X Is For Comics!

Uncanny jumping on point! It’s an ALL NEW ERA for X Is For Comics – or is it an OLDER era? Series cocreator JONAH returns to the series he helped start with the title he began with – UNCANNY X-MEN! Together, series host Nico & Jonah take a look at one of the most controversial runs in X-Men history –  The Chuck Austen run! The two talk Angel, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Iceman, Stacy-X, Paige, Annie & Carter, and of course Juggernaut & Sammy! It’s a fresh start with XI4C’s best! Read along with Uncanny X-Men #410 - 416– it’s all this and more on an all-new X Is For Comics!

Nico & TK continue the longest X-Treme X-Men arc with a look at the conclusion, fall out, and the new team dynamic! After the battle with Khan and Shaitan, the X-Treme team is once again against Vargas, Psylocke’s murderer! Rogue does what must be done – and then the team falls apart! But thanks to appearances from Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, and Beast, the team manages to pull it together, along with longtime Claremont characters in X-Treme X-Men X-Pose. Then, discover Kitty Pryde’s life at school and her stages of grief in X-Men Unlimited & Mekanix!Read along with X-Treme X-Men #16 - 19, X-Treme X-Men X-Pose #1 - 2, X-Men Unlimited #36 & 38, and Mekanix #1 - 6, plus a recap of X-Treme X-Men #10 - 15 – it’s all this and more on an all-new X Is For Comics!

Nico & TK move onto the BIGGEST ARC of X-Treme X-Men, and nothing will ever be the same! The conversation begins with a mutual realization of respect for Claremont and his efforts to be part of the X-Universe after his return. From there, the team discusses Slipstream, Lifeguard, Khan, Shaitan, and so much more in one of the more interdimensional and enormous arcs Claremont has ever written. From the developments for Storm to the passions of Rogue, this is one not to be missed! Read along with X-Treme X-Men #10 - 15, plus nods to X-Treme X-Men #16 - 19, X-Treme X-Men X-Pose #1 - 2, X-Men Unlimited #36 & 38, and Mekanix #1 - 6 – it’s all this and more on an all-new X Is For Comics!

Nico’s here to fill in the blanks! After a bit of housecleaning – and some exciting announcements like the regular return of Kevo (who did our X-Men ‘97 coverage) and series co-creator Jonah – it’s time to talk solo stories! Nico hits a ton of X-Men Unlimited stories featuring Sunfire (X-Men Unlimited 34); Jean Vs Sabretooth, Rogue & Logan in a barfight, & a meta X-Men movie (Unlimited 35); Magneto defeating human traffickers & Beast falling in love with a cat (Unlimited 36); and a multiverse of X-Men vs Illyana (Unlimited 37). Then join for the Chicago mutant cell The Morlocks, the noir police drama of X-Factor (vol 2), and the world-wide one shots of Muties! Read along with X-Men Unlimited #134 - 137, Morlocks #1 - 4, Muties (vol 1) #1 - 6, and X-Factor (vol 2) #1 - 4 – it’s all this and more on an all-new X Is For Comics!

Nico & Kevo are back to talk about the biggest movie of the year – SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY! In a film loaded with reflections and references to the previous installments, one thing stands out the most – the introduction of Jean Grey! The guys break down what they loved about the movie (pretty much everything) and what they didn’t love (Jean Grey gets a little…rough) and provide an OLD SCHOOL HTML review and reaction!  Watch along with Spider-Man: Brand New Day – don’t miss it all on a new HTML / X Is For Show!

Nico & Kevo are here to finish out the X-Men ‘97 Season Two journey! They talk Rogue, Gambit, Xavier, X-Force, X-Factor, Jean, Scott, Logan, that last second reveal, the original plans for the season, and of course Nightcrawler! And yet, there’s STILL MORE TO TALK ABOUT – where is Onslaught? Where is Kitty Pryde? THEN – it’s time to talk about THE MCU & THE MUTANTS! D23 Announcements gave us casting for Xavier, Storm, Rogue, Cyclops, Mister Sinister, Emma Frost, & confirmed more for Jean Grey – and the guys have a lot to talk about! Watch along with X-Men ‘97 Season Two Episode 9 & the D23 MCU Mutants Panel – it’s all this and more on an all-new X Is For Comics!