X Is For Comics: An X-Men Podcast

Alpha Flight (sorta) first appeared way back in X-Men #109 and would go on to appear throughout the Marvel Universe over the years, a testament to the success of the era of X-Men that gave rise to them and their stellar character designs. But even the creators agree these early stories not only lacked the depth of storytelling the later years of the characters would come to be defined by, but also the characters themselves are "hollow." Join Alpha Team Nico, Jonah, and Mikey as they explore the hard, pre-series years of Alpha before next episode's debut of the ongoing title! Read along with Incredible Hulk Annual #8, Machine Man #18, Marvel 2-In-1 #83-84.

Comics may be slowing down, but that doesn't mean the We Are Krakoa team is doing the same. The team is splitting the last week of releases and taking a look at the series released so far! First up: Hickman and Davis's Giant-Sized Nightcrawler, which should have been called Giant-Sized Illyana Oh Plus Doug And Don't Forget Nightcrawler! Then, taking a look at Nightcrawler's former-home Excalibur's new lineup, and how the story has come together so far! Dylan, Kyle, Regina, Jonah, and Nico return to Greymalkin and Otherworld in an all-new We Are Krakoa! Read along with Giant-Sized X-Men: Nightcrawler and Excalibur #1-9!

Diamond Distributors may not distribute comics? The team reacts with a discussion of digital vs. physical, possible avenues of release, and what books just NEED the tactile experience! Then, the Social Council of Krakoa looks at the pages of Outlawed, which featured a tremendous and diverse cast, but felt like a rehash of Civil War that in no clear way tied into Empyre, before turning to the X-Books. Excalibur and X-Force left the team divided, whether it was over callbacks to older character canon, pacing within the titles now, or a need for answers, but one thing is for sure: Jonah, Regina, Kyle, Dylan, and Nico have a lot to say about this week's comics on an all-new We Are Krakoa! Read along with Outlawed #1, X-Force #9, and Excalibur #9.

In Uncanny X-Men, nothing ever lasts for long. Logan’s happiness with Mariko ends when their engagement falls apart, Scott Summers leaves his past behind and marries an exact copy of Jean Grey (because that’s not creepy at all), and one-time enemy Rogue becomes the X-Men’s newest charge! As always, Nico, Jonah, and Dylan bring you the X-Men as only they can: uncut, unfiltered, and unapologetically them on an all-new, all-different Uncanny X is for Podcast! Read along with Uncanny X-Men #172-175.

It's tough to judge a team by its final story or by its first, but here, The X is for Podcast '80s Mutant Mania team does both: the team begins The Defenders (essentially) with its final adventure (issues #122-125), while simultaneous witnessing the birth of the new team, The New Defenders (issues #125-130). Filled with an unbelievable number of X-Characters for something not X-Men, including the Beast, Iceman, Angel, the New Mutants, Professor Power and his Xavier vendetta, and more! Join Nico, Dylan, and Jonah as they examine the transfer from one team of Defenders to another in an all new '80s Mutant Mania! Read along with The Defenders #122-124 & The New Defenders #125-130.

The Dawn of X marches closer to X of Swords! First up: The New Movie New Mutants are delayed! Again! But this time, it's not Disney/Fox's fault! Then, to the newest books! The earliest issues of the current run of New Mutants have spilled out into the pages of New Mutants and X-Men! Ed Brisson's B-Team heads into battle against a reality warping mutant before the rest of the cast makes their way to X-Men, to join Broo! Jean Grey! Vuuuuulcan? All leading to Nico and Regina's best day: THE RETURN OF CABLE! All this and more, including Jonah, Kyle, and Dylan on an all new X is for Podcast! Read along with New Mutants #9, X-Men #8, and Cable #1.

In 1982, two comic powerhouses at the top of their respective games came together to tell a story that would take a successful character from popular-within-comic-circles to one of the most ubiquitous characters in the history of fictional heroes. The X is for Podcast guys deep dive into not just this legendary miniseries, but the Wolverine character as a whole. Nico and Jonah, a couple of sniktofiles (or sniktophiles; really, it depends on the artist) start armed for bear with Dylan, a longtime Logan-critic. However, this is no regular miniseries. In the final part of our deep dive into the myth of Logan, the X is for Podcast guys read with excitement and discuss Yukio's thirst for vengeance, Shingen's lust for control, and Logan's drive for honor. Read along with Wolverine (1982) #3-4.

While the X-Books continue to march at their own pace, March is Women's History Month, and Sunday was International's Women's Day, so X is for Podcast celebrates by recounting their favorite X-Women ever: Rogue, Storm, Kate, Emma, Jean... and that's just the kick-off! The team finishes playing catch-up in this Giant-Sized month: the team cheers the New Mutants' b-team featuring Boom Boom, Magma, and Armor; they wonder about the future of X-Force while it focuses so closely on Domino; they make a sharp turn to Excalibur and the complexities of the queer narrative; and, finally, the team cleans up with Marauders, the team's book of the week. Join Regina, Dylan, Kyle, Jonah, and Nico, plus help from House of X's contributors, as they explore the ever-changing world of Krakoa on an all-new X is for Podcast! Read along with New Mutants #8, X-Force #8, Excalibur #8, and Marauders #9.

In 1982, two comic powerhouses at the top of their respective games came together to tell a story that would take a successful character from popular-within-comic-circles to one of the most ubiquitous characters in the history of fictional heroes. The X is for Podcast guys deep dive into not just this legendary miniseries, but the Wolverine character as a whole. Nico and Jonah, a couple of sniktofiles (or sniktophiles; really, it depends on the artist) start armed for bear with Dylan, a longtime Logan-critic. However, this is no regular miniseries. In the second of three parts, as Logan succumbs to the numb in his life that Yukio provides, he fails to recognize the poison inside him. The struggle to find the good man buried inside the drunken warrior inspires the X is for Podcast guys to see the character in new ways. Read along with Wolverine (1982) #2-3.

The X-Books were rocked by five major releases this week, but none were as important as the two flagship titles by Jonathan Hickman. Whether it was the giant-size tribute to Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly's New X-Men 121 or the unforgettable crucible of this new Lifedeath, this week changed the X-Men... including the faith of one of the X-Men. The team sits down to discuss the news about X of Swords before taking on the topic of Nightcrawler's faith in an emotional segment from each of the regular contributors. The team then delves into the rest of the books, such as Logan and Scott's implicit bisexuality and how amazing Storm looks as a cat. The team even makes a stop in the less than well received X-Men/Fantastic Four crossover. Plus, all March long, keep an ear out for members of the House of X appearing on the show as part of our giant-size celebration. Check out an all-new We Are Krakoa with hosts Jonah, Kyle, Dylan, Regina, and Nico! Read along with X-Men 7, Giant-Size X-Men: Jean Grey and Emma Frost, and X-Men/Fantastic Four 2.