Tag: cyclops
4 – American History X-Men
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In which Rachel finally gets to say “WHAT?!,” we examine three variations on the Silver Age, Twin Peaks is reality TV, we can’t believe you hired Hitler, Angel is not Batman, even the most sympathetic Xavier is still pretty creepy, Cyclops has a good day, Marvel Girl is not going to throw a dinosaur for you, Iceman is the Troy Barnes of the X-Men, and we say a fond farewell to the Silver Age.
X-Plained:
- The X-Axis
- X-Men: Children of the Atom
- Hard-sell noir
- How to party like it’s sometime between 1986 and 1991, as filtered through 1999
- The perils of over-referencing
- Why Marvel is in the Tommy Westphall Universe
- The worst guidance counselor ever
- Villain speeches
- X-Men: First Class (but not that one)
- Fun, and several places to find it
- Angst-free X-Men
- Gender politics of superheroism
- X-Men: Season One
- Teenagers
- The solution to the Silver-Age-Jean Grey problem
- Why Iceman matters
- The Silver Age cram book
You can find a visual companion to the episode – and links to recommended reading – on our blog.
You Sent Us Art!
You sent us more art! YOU ARE AWESOME!
From Nick Johnson, care of Andrew Foley, a new Magnetostache that wins a (web-exclusive!) M&R No Prize for also explaining the streamlining of Magneto’s helmet:
And from David Wynne, who’s well on the way to becoming the unofficial illustrator of this podcast, here’s 90s-animated-series Cyclops gearing up for a good day:
Speaking of Cyclops, Alex Pappademas has written a really fantastic defense of the character over at Grantland, which we highly recommend checking out.
This week, we’re going to be wrapping up our Silver Age coverage with a look at some alternate takes on the era–so, as always, if you’ve got questions, drop ’em in the comments below or our tumblr ask-box, or tweet ’em to @RaeBeta with the hashtag #xplainthexmen!
As Mentioned in Episode 3 – Cartoons, Lies, and Video Tape
We didn’t actually mention this, but you should probably watch it anyway:
For more Chris Sims, check out:
Chris’s X-Men episode guides at Comics Alliance
For more on X-Men, X-Men Evolution, and Wolverine and the X-Men, check out:
X-Men (90s series) on Toonzone
Wolverine and the X-Men on Toonzone
3 – Cartoons, Lies, and Video Tape
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Featuring Emergency Backup Co-Host Chris Sims!
In which Rachel and Chris X-plain three cartoons and track a disagreement to its source; Gambit is definitely the worst person you know; Broadcasting Standards and Practices is tired of your death ceremonies; Storm doesn’t have an inside voice; and we finally get around to mentioning that one dude with the claws.
X-Plained:
- Weaponized creepiness
- The evolution (and Evolution) of X-Toons
- Why you hate Cyclops (and Rachel doesn’t)
- Adaptation overload
- Broadcast standards, practices, and laser rifles
- How to order pizza like a weather goddess
- A paramilitary after-school club
- G-Rated Wolverine
- Comics based on cartoons based on comics
- Morph
- The Batman Standard
- The Wolverine and the X-Men trifecta of perfection
- Why the Mojoverse works better on TV
- Dazzler’s secret second job
- Basic jacketry
CORRECTION: In this episode, Rachel mentions that Morph’s first comics appearance is in Exiles. It’s not: he’s in Age of Apocalypse. Mea culpa.
You can find a visual companion to the episode – and links to recommended reading – on our blog.
2 – Sentinels in the Mist
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In which we introduce the villains of the Silver Age: Magneto makes some valid points, Mastermind is a Nice Guy of OkCupid, the Scarlet Witch predicts Cat Breading, the Trasks should really have known better, and the Comics Code Authority is down with pterosaurs.
X-Plained:
- Common characteristics of enduring X-villains
- Mutant identity politics and moral relativism
- Context-agnostic Juggernaut flashbacks
- An unorthodox approach to anthropology
- Cyclops’s greatest diplomatic achievement
- Silver-Age haberdashery
- An innovative modification to vampire mythology
- Cultural assimilation
- The propaganda-and-sweater-vest machine
- Hex bolts
- Supplemental reading
You can find a visual companion to the episode – and links to recommended reading – on our blog.
Lazerwolf Wants Your Questions!
As promised, David sent over a clean scan of his awesome, awesome LAZERWOLF drawing:
Meanwhile, we’re busy getting ready for our scintillating second episode! Got a burning question you’d like to hear Rachel and Miles answer on the podcast? Drop it in the comments below or our tumblr ask-box, or tweet it to @RaeBeta with the hashtag #xplainthexmen!
LAZERWOLF LIVES!
Hot damn! It’s our first official fan art, courtesy of the inimitable David Wynne! (David’s promised a proper scan later (at which point it will become Rachel’s userpic EVERYWHERE FOREVER), but we are too excited not to post this RIGHT NOW, because it is AWESOME.)
As Mentioned In Episode 1 – The Strangest Podcast of Them All
Recommended for new readers:
1 – The Strangest Podcast of Them All
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In which we begin at the beginning: everything clicks with #3, Professor Xavier is a jerk, Magneto is a fearless fashionista, Cyclops gets a name, Jean Grey has a chronic case of the Silver Age, and allegorical diversity is not enough.
X-Plained:
- Mutant genetics and taxonomy
- Practical semantics of “X-Men”
- Charles Xavier’s equally dubious ethics and decorating choices
- Superhero couture of the Atomic Age
- Why Cyclops can’t control his powers
- The miracle of comic-book magnetism
- A problematic analogy
- X-books for beginners
- Snow grenades
- The word “yaybo”
- The mystery of the ubiquitous plaid suit
You can find a visual companion to the episode – and links to recommended reading – on our blog.