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 episo...
Aug 27, 2021•3 hr 21 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ch...
Aug 23, 2021•4 hr 31 min•Ep 47•Transcript available on Metacast 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. ...
Aug 12, 2021•3 hr 34 min•Ep 46•Transcript available on Metacast 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....
Aug 05, 2021•3 hr 7 min•Ep 45•Transcript available on Metacast 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.) Our Spons...
Jul 29, 2021•2 hr 5 min•Ep 44•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jul 16, 2021•2 hr 26 min•Ep 43•Transcript available on Metacast 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 includ...
Jul 10, 2021•3 hr 33 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jun 29, 2021•3 hr 42 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jun 18, 2021•4 hr 35 min•Ep 40•Transcript available on Metacast 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. (Conte...
Jun 07, 2021•4 hr 48 min•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast 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 in...
May 27, 2021•2 hr 21 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast 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 g...
May 21, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Ep 37•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
May 17, 2021•4 hr 39 min•Ep 36•Transcript available on Metacast 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, a...
May 06, 2021•3 hr 46 min•Ep 35•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Apr 29, 2021•3 hr 23 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Apr 21, 2021•3 hr 38 min•Ep 33•Transcript available on Metacast 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 incl...
Apr 13, 2021•2 hr 38 min•Ep 32•Transcript available on Metacast 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.) Our Sponsors: * Check out Mood and use my code CEREBRO f...
Apr 08, 2021•2 hr 8 min•Ep 31•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Cris...
Mar 31, 2021•3 hr 8 min•Ep 30•Transcript available on Metacast 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, an...
Mar 26, 2021•3 hr 23 min•Ep 29•Transcript available on Metacast 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/ce...
Mar 19, 2021•3 hr 25 min•Ep 28•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Our Sponsors: * Check out Mood and use my code CEREBR...
Mar 11, 2021•3 hr 12 min•Ep 27•Transcript available on Metacast 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 brainwa...
Mar 03, 2021•2 hr 52 min•Ep 26•Transcript available on Metacast 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 be...
Feb 26, 2021•4 hr 32 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast 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 cha...
Feb 20, 2021•3 hr 50 min•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast 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 child...
Feb 10, 2021•3 hr 32 min•Ep 23•Transcript available on Metacast 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, incl...
Feb 03, 2021•3 hr 56 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast 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.) Our Sponsors: * Check out Mood and use my code CEREBRO for ...
Jan 27, 2021•2 hr 20 min•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast 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, l...
Jan 20, 2021•3 hr 38 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast 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.) Our Sponsors: * Check out Mood and use my code ...
Jan 12, 2021•3 hr 50 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast 
