CEREBRO
CEREBRO is a podcast about Marvel's Merry Mutants, the Uncanny X-Men, hosted by Connor Goldsmith. Each episode highlights one character. Tune in for a deep exploration of the 58-year history of this enduring, revolutionary franchise.
Episodes
CEREBRO Live: Did You Hear About Mimi Green? (FlameCon 2026)
Hi everyone! Part 2 of the Emplate episode will be coming your way soon, now that my convention schedule is slowing down for a bit.In the meantime, though, I hope you'll enjoy this recording of the live panel my artist collaborator Josh Cornillon and I did at this year's FlameCon on 8/15/26, moderated by friend of the pod Anthony Oliveira! We talk all things Did You Hear About Mimi Green?
Episode 126: Marius St. Croix (feat. Anthony Oliveira & Khaliden Nas) — Part One: Les Fleurs du Mal
In Episode 126 of CEREBRO, the SEASON FIVE PREMIERE, Connor and returning guests Anthony Oliveira (Avengers Academy) and Khaliden Nas (Referential) drink deep of mutant marrow with Marius St. Croix, the execrable Emplate! Created by Scott Lobdell and Chris Bachalo for the 90s series Generation X, Emplate is a grotesque mutant vampire who uses the mouths in the palms of his hands to drain living th
Episode 125: Angelica Jones (feat. Josh Cornillon & Holly Raymond) — Part Two: Marvel Diva Down
In Episode 125 of CEREBRO, the SEASON FOUR FINALE, Connor and returning guests Josh Cornillon (Did You Hear About Mimi Green? — preorder now!) and Dr. Holly Raymond of Temple University microwave themselves stupid with Angelica Jones, the functional Firestar! Created by NBC executives for the 1981 Saturday morning cartoon Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Firestar spent the next 40-odd years des
Episode 125: Angelica Jones (feat. Josh Cornillon & Holly Raymond) — Part One: A Firestar is Born
In Episode 125 of CEREBRO, the SEASON FOUR FINALE, Connor and returning guests Josh Cornillon (Did You Hear About Mimi Green? — preorder now!) and Dr. Holly Raymond of Temple University microwave themselves stupid with Angelica Jones, the functional Firestar! Created by NBC executives for the 1981 Saturday morning cartoon Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Firestar spent the next 40-odd years des
Interlude: Cyclops vol. 4 (feat. Alex Paknadel)
Hey there, Zalagang! Today we've got something I haven't done in a while: a conversation about a brand new comic. I'm joined by Marvel writer Alex Paknadel to discuss his new Cyclops miniseries. This is ostensibly an interview about the first issue — and we do get there, I promise! As is often the case with CEREBRO, though, we ended up having a lot of fun and going for a few hours in a
Episode 124: Amelia Voght (feat. Patrick Sullivan) — Part Two: Play Misty for Me
In Episode 124 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Patrick Sullivan swirl into space with the variable Amelia Voght! Created by Scott Lobdell and John Romita, Jr., Voght is one of the more memorable characters introduced to the X-Men franchise in the years immediately following Chris Claremont's departure.She's a member of the Acolytes, a sect of religious zealots who worship Magneto as
Episode 124: Amelia Voght (feat. Patrick Sullivan) — Part One: Hello, Nurse!
In Episode 124 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Patrick Sullivan swirl into space with the variable Amelia Voght! Created by Scott Lobdell and John Romita, Jr., Voght is one of the more memorable characters introduced to the X-Men franchise in the years immediately following Chris Claremont's departure. She's a member of the Acolytes, a sect of religious zealots who worship Magneto a
Episode 123: Quentin Quire (feat. Scott Platton) — Part Two: You Were Never My Age
In Episode 123 of CEREBRO, Connor and lawyer Scott Platton (a.k.a. cosplayer and podcaster Scott Free) disrespect their elders with Quentin Quire, the cavalier Kid Omega! Created by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, Quentin is one of the most iconic figures from Morrison's then-polarizing and now-legendary run on New X-Men — Charles Xavier's young protégé, an omega-level telepath who becom
Episode 123: Quentin Quire (feat. Scott Platton) — Part One: The Rats & The Children
In Episode 123 of CEREBRO, Connor and lawyer Scott Platton (a.k.a. cosplayer and podcaster Scott Free) disrespect their elders with Quentin Quire, the cavalier Kid Omega! Created by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, Quentin is one of the most iconic figures from Morrison's then-polarizing and now-legendary run on New X-Men — Charles Xavier's young protégé, an omega-level telepath who becom
Episode 122: Gatecrasher & Technet (feat. Jadzia Axelrod)
In Episode 122 of CEREBRO, Connor and DC writer Jadzia Axelrod (Hawkgirl, Galaxy) traverse the multiverse with the gregarious Gatecrasher and her temperamental Technet! Created by Jamie Delano and Alan Davis, this interdimensional, time-traveling cadre of bounty hunters are best known as foes — and sometime friends — of Captain Britain and Excalibur. They are an iteration on a similar earlier team
Episode 121: Mariko Yashida (feat. Justin Park) — Part Two: Honor, Duty, and Whatnot
In Episode 121 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Justin Park consult the ancestors with Mariko Yashida, the stoic Scarlet Samurai! Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, inspired by the character Mariko Toda from James Clavell's 1975 historical novel Shōgun, Mariko is the daughter of an ancient Japanese noble house who becomes the great love of Logan, aka Wolverine. Over the course of
Episode 121: Mariko Yashida (feat. Justin Park) — Part One: Wolverine no Baka
In Episode 121 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Justin Park consult the ancestors with Mariko Yashida, the stoic Scarlet Samurai! Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, inspired by the character Mariko Toda from James Clavell's 1975 historical novel Shōgun, Mariko is the daughter of an ancient Japanese noble house who becomes the great love of Logan, aka Wolverine. Over the course of
Interlude: Giant-Size X-Men 2025 (feat. Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly)
Hey there, Zalagang!Today I'm joined by returning guests Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing to discuss their new miniseries Giant-Size X-Men, a 50th anniversary celebration of the iconic 1975 Len Wein and Dave Cockrum classic.Spinning out of their recently-concluded title NYX, this series of one-shots follows Kamala Khan on a wild time-bending ride through X-Men history. After some NYX debriefin
Episode 120: Pete Wisdom (feat. Dan Grote)
In Episode 120 of CEREBRO, Connor and ComicsXF publisher Dan Grote light one up with the willful Pete Wisdom! Created by Warren Ellis and Ken Lashley, the cantankerous, chain-smoking Wisdom — a British secret agent and mutant assassin — was introduced as the unlikely new love interest for Kitty Pryde, whose time in Excalibur had seen her grow from the X-Men's teen sidekick into an independent
Episode 119: Idie Okonkwo (feat. Murewa Ayodele)
In Episode 119 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel writer Murewa Ayodele (Storm, I Am Iron Man) heat things up with the inimitable Idie Okonkwo! Created by Matt Fraction, Kieron Gillen, and Whilce Portacio for the series Generation Hope, Idie — best known by the codename Oya — was one of the first post-Decimation mutants to manifest following the messianic arrival of Hope Summers. A devout Catholic teen
Episode 118: Lilandra Neramani (feat. Josh Trujillo)
In Episode 118 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel/DC writer Josh Trujillo (What If? Gambit, Blue Beetle, Wiccan and Hulkling) play a game of thrones with the liberal Lilandra Neramani, Majestrix Shi'ar! Created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum as the primary love interest for Charles Xavier, alien princess (and sometime empress) Lilandra became a major player in intergalactic politics and a freq
Episode 117: Yuriko Oyama (feat. Jordan Blok) — Part Two: Heavy Metal & Reflective
In Episode 117 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Jordan Blok go under the knife with Yuriko Oyama, the diabolical Lady Deathstrike! Created by Denny O'Neill and William Johnson as a brief love interest for Daredevil, the character was heavily reimagined by later writers as the ultimate woman of war, a key nemesis of the X-Man Wolverine and leader of the vicious cyborgs called the Reave
Episode 117: Yuriko Oyama (feat. Jordan Blok) — Part One: A Lady Deathstrike Christmas
In Episode 117 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Jordan Blok go under the knife with Yuriko Oyama, the diabolical Lady Deathstrike! Created by Denny O'Neil and William Johnson as a brief love interest for Daredevil, the character was heavily reimagined by other writers (particularly Chris Claremont) as the ultimate woman of war, a key nemesis of the X-Man Wolverine and leader of the vi
CEREBRO Appendix: Astra (feat. Holly Raymond)
Hey there, Zalagang!Some scheduling issues have delayed the next episode of CEREBRO, but it should be in your ears for the holidays. Since it's been a minute — and a mysterious shadow early in the current run of Jed McKay's X-Men certainly looked like this beautiful weirdo — I've decided to release a CEREBRO Appendix episode publicly.This episode was originally released as a Patreon ex
Episode 116: Victor Borkowski (feat. Jay Jurden)
In Episode 116 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest comedian Jay Jurden refuse to blend in with Victor Borkowski, the aggravating Anole! Created by Nunzio DeFillipis, Christina Weir, and Keron Grant, Victor is one of the more enduring characters from the Academy X generation. Devised for an 'issue story' about gay teen suicide that was ultimately nixed by Marvel editorial, in the decades
Interlude: Iron Man vol. 6 (feat. Spencer Ackerman)
Hey there, Zalagang!Today I'm joined by beloved friend of the pod Spencer Ackerman for a very special bonus episode: a discussion of his new ongoing title Iron Man!The first arc of this new run picks up from Gerry Duggan's finale, following Tony Stark as he struggles to recover from a catastrophic injury — while also fending off a hostile takeover by the nefarious board of directors Feilon
Interlude: Storm vol. 5 (feat. Murewa Ayodele)
Hey there, Zalagang!Today I'm joined by Marvel writer Murewa Ayodele (I Am Iron Man) to discuss his new title Storm, which debuts today as part of the From the Ashes relaunch!This new solo series follows Ororo Munroe as she attempts to establish herself as a local superheroine in Atlanta, Georgia, while juggling her obligations to both mutantkind and the Avengers. At the same time, she must as
Episode 115: Jeanne-Marie Beaubier (feat. Sara Century)
In Episode 115 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning fan favorite guest Sara Century double their fun(?) with Jeanne-Marie Beaubier, the audacious Aurora! Created by John Byrne and Chris Claremont, but primarily developed by Byrne, Aurora is the twin sister of her Alpha Flight teammate Northstar, from whom she was separated at birth. Unfortunately, her abusive upbringing in a cruel orphanage left her w
Episode 114: Namor McKenzie (feat. Spencer Ackerman)
In Episode 114 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning fan favorite guest Spencer Ackerman live the life aquatic with Namor McKenzie, the studly Sub-Mariner! Created by Bill Everett in 1939, Namor is among Marvel's earliest characters, one of only a handful to be carried over from predecessor imprint Timely Comics. Arguably the first antihero in the superhero genre, the Sub-Mariner was reimagined in
Teaser: CEREBRO Live! at FlameCon 2024 (feat. Anthony Oliveira)
Surprise!After some technical difficulties last year, last weekend for the third annual CEREBRO live show at FlameCon we did manage to pull the audio from the sound board. There are a few little hiccups, but overall I am really happy with the sound quality.Here is a quick six-minute teaser of the full live episode, which has a runtime of 1:16:26 and is now available on the CEREBRO Patreon at the H
Interlude: NYX vol. 2 (feat. Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly)
Hey there, Zalagang!Today I'm joined by Marvel writers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing to discuss their new title NYX, which debuts today as part of the From the Ashes relaunch!This new volume of NYX follows a cast of young mutants, including Kamala Khan, Sophie of the Stepford Cuckoos, David Alleyne, Victor Borkowski, and Laura Kinney, as they come to terms with the traumatic loss of Krakoa
Episode 113: Hope Summers (feat. Kieron Gillen)
In Episode 113 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Kieron Gillen meet their maker with the mutant messiah, Hope Summers! Created as an infant by Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo, then developed extensively by writer Duane Swierczynski, baby Hope was the first mutant somehow born after the Decimation eradicated the future potential of the x-gene, and her prophesied birth made her a target from her f
Episode 112: Gloria Dolores Muñoz (feat. Alex Segura)
In Episode 112 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Alex Segura get down to business with Gloria Dolores Muñoz, the ravishing Risque! Created by Jeph Loeb and Luciano Lima in X-Force, Gloria is a half-Cuban half-Seminole mutant mercenary and thief from Miami, Florida, with the power to condense and implode inorganic matter. When she's assigned to target James "Jimmy" Proudstar, the X
Episode 111: Eva Bell (feat. Karen Charm)
In Episode 111 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Karen Charm (a.k.a Karen Czap) jump through the timestream with Eva Bell, the tragic Tempus! Created by Brian Michael Bendis, Stuart Immonen, and Chris Bachalo, Eva is one of the signature characters of the Bendis era of X-Men. After some time away from the spotlight, the character found new purpose on Krakoa as part of The Five, the mutant cir
Episode 110: Trish Tilby (feat. Patrick Sullivan)
In Episode 110 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Patrick Sullivan get the scoop with the tenacious Trish Tilby! Created by Louise Simonson and Butch Guice, hard-nosed news anchor Trish debuted in the 80s run of X-Factor as Hank McCoy's love interest. While that relationship didn't survive the turn of the millennium, Trish and her broadcasts have remained a fixture of the broader Marve
Episode 109: Arcade (feat. Annalise Bissa)
In Episode 109 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel editor Annalise Bissa hunt the most dangerous game with the arrogant Arcade! Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, spoiled brat Arcade never really grew up, instead becoming a whimsical assassin and creating Murderworld, a grisly amusement park of death.The CEREBRO character file on Arcade begins at 58:02, after some hopefully soothing conversation
Episode 108: Hepzibah (feat. Jordan Blok) — Part Two: Skunk, Interrupted
In the GALAXY-SIZE Episode 108 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Jordan Blok arm up for bird season with the marvelous Mam'selle Hepzibah! Created by Dave Cockrum and Chris Claremont, Hepzibah is the femme fatale of the Starjammers, the Shi'ar galaxy's most notorious space pirates and freedom fighters. An escaped slave who dedicated her life to rebellion against her former oppr
Episode 108: Hepzibah (feat. Jordan Blok) — Part One: Stepmutha Has Arrived
In the GALAXY-SIZE Episode 108 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Jordan Blok arm up for bird season with the marvelous Mam'selle Hepzibah! Created by Dave Cockrum and Chris Claremont, Hepzibah is the femme fatale of the Starjammers, the Shi'ar galaxy's most notorious space pirates and freedom fighters. An escaped slave who dedicated her life to rebellion against her former oppr
Episode 107: Candra (feat. Kat Driscoll)
In Episode 107 of CEREBRO, Connor and Kat Driscoll offer up their tithes to the capricious Candra! Created by Howard Mackie and Lee Weeks, Candra of the Floating Spires is one of the Externals, part of a secret coterie of immortal mutants who have shaped world politics for hundreds of years. As the Benefactress of the Thieves' and Assassins' Guilds of New Orleans, Candra has been a notable
Interlude: Sky Masters of the Space Force (feat. The Jack Kirby Museum)
Happy New Year, Zalagang!Today, for a special interview, Director Rand Hoppe and President Tom Kraft of the Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center join the show to talk about their new crowdfunding project at Zoop: a hardcover collection of Jack Kirby and Wally Wood's full-color Sunday strips for Sky Masters of the Space Force (with writer Dave Wood).A syndicated newspaper strip that launched
Episode 106: Laurie Collins (feat. Alex Abad-Santos)
In Episode 106 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Alex Abad-Santos just want to be popular with Laurie Collins, the wilting Wallflower! Created by Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir, and Keron Grant as one of the new students in the 2003 relaunch of New Mutants, which evolved into New X-Men: Academy X, Laurie is a shy and reserved teenage girl terrified of social contact because her mutant pher
Episode 105: Cain Marko (feat. Anthony Oliveira)
In Episode 105 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Anthony Oliveira become huge and unstoppable with Cain Marko, the jealous Juggernaut! Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Cain is the elder stepbrother of Charles Xavier, empowered by an ancient occult artifact and bent on destruction. One of the most famous X-Men villains, over time Cain became a fairly reliable ally, particularly under the ch
Episode 104: Amanda Sefton (feat. Anna Peppard)
In Episode 104 of CEREBRO, Connor and Oh Gosh, Oh Golly, Oh Wow! co-host Dr. Anna Peppard (Supersex: Sexuality, Fantasy, and the Superhero) walk the Winding Way with Amanda Sefton, the devil-may-care Daytripper! Created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum in 1976 as a love interest for Nightcrawler, flight attendant Amanda was later revealed in a retcon to be a disguised figure from Kurt's pas
Interlude: Marvel Move (feat. Ryan Penagos)
Hey there, Zalagang!Today, for a special interview, Vice President and Creative Executive at Marvel Ryan Penagos joins the show to talk about the new fitness app Marvel Move, a collaboration between Marvel and Zombies, Run! developers Six To Start.Ryan was a major creative coordinator for this immersive game, which features an X-Men scenario, "Age of Orchis", written by friend of the pod T
CEREBRO Appendix: Gosamyr (feat. Jordan Blok)
Hey there, Zalagang!You've likely noticed, but a combo of scheduling issues and personal life stuff has led to a brief production delay.The next regular episode of CEREBRO will be Amanda Sefton feat. Dr. Anna Peppard! It should be in your ears about two weeks from now. Trish Tilby feat. Patrick Sullivan will follow later in the month.In the meantime, there will be new bonus content releasing o
Interlude: Dark X-Men vol. 2 (feat. Steve Foxe)
Hey there, Zalagang!Today, returning guest Steve Foxe and I dig into his new title Dark X-Men, which debuted last week as part of the Fall of X event!This episode contains SPOILERS for Dark X-Men #1, so please read the issue before listening.This summer con season has been crazy, and I knew I wanted to have some bonus content to hold you all over between regular installments of the pod. I hope you
Interlude: Hellfire Gala 2023 (feat. Gerry Duggan)
Hi everyone! This morning, in a publicly-released CEREBRO Secret File, X-Men and Invincible Iron Man writer Gerry Duggan joins Connor for a postmortem on the cataclysmic events of this year's Hellfire Gala.This episode contains SPOILERS for the giant-size one-shot released today, as well as for the epilogue in Invincible Iron Man #8, so please read both issues before listening.(Content Advisor
Episode 103: Calvin Rankin (feat. Chad Anderson)
In Episode 103 of CEREBRO, Connor and Graymalkin Lane host Chad Anderson get lost in the woods with Calvin Rankin, the mercurial Mimic! Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as an antagonist, arrogant power copier Cal briefly joined the X-Men in the 60s under writer Roy Thomas, but ultimately couldn't mesh with his classmates. Over the decades he's struggled to find a consistent role in the f
Episode 102: Nekra Sinclair (feat. Jordan Blok)
In Episode 102 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Jordan Blok pay homage to Nekra, Priestess of Hate! Created by Steve Gerber and Ross Andru as a nemesis for jungle heroine Shanna the She-Devil, mutant radical Nekra Sinclair instead became a recurring threat to the broader Marvel Universe. After moving to the X-Men franchise during Matt Fraction's 21st century tenure, she has found new
Episode 101: En Sabah Nur (feat. Jonathan Hickman)
In Episode 101 of CEREBRO, the SEASON 4 PREMIERE, Connor and Head of X emeritus Jonathan Hickman extend a cautious hand to En Sabah Nur, the atrocious Apocalypse! Created by Louise Simonson, Walt Simonson, and Butch Guice as the central antagonist of 1986's X-Factor, the ancient immortal Apocalypse spent millennia worshiped by many names, secretly cultivating the mutant race.After decades of p
Episode 100: Madelyne Pryor (feat. Sara Century) — Part the Fourth: Ashes!
In the DOMINION-SIZE Episode 100 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Sara Century paint the town red with Madelyne Pryor, the glorious Goblin Queen! Created by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith, Maddie was introduced in 1983 as a new love interest for Scott Summers following the death of Jean Grey in 1980's The Dark Phoenix Saga. Intended by Claremont to facilitate Scott's happy ending
Episode 100: Madelyne Pryor (feat. Sara Century) — Part the Third: Burn!
In the DOMINION-SIZE Episode 100 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Sara Century paint the town red with Madelyne Pryor, the glorious Goblin Queen! Created by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith, Maddie was introduced in 1983 as a new love interest for Scott Summers following the death of Jean Grey in 1980's The Dark Phoenix Saga. Intended by Claremont to facilitate Scott's happy ending
Episode 100: Madelyne Pryor (feat. Sara Century) — Part the Second: Fan the Flames!
In the DOMINION-SIZE Episode 100 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Sara Century paint the town red with Madelyne Pryor, the glorious Goblin Queen! Created by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith, Maddie was introduced in 1983 as a new love interest for Scott Summers following the death of Jean Grey in 1980's The Dark Phoenix Saga. Intended by Claremont to facilitate Scott's happy ending
Episode 100: Madelyne Pryor (feat. Sara Century) — Part the First: Strike the Match!
In the DOMINION-SIZE Episode 100 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Sara Century paint the town red with Madelyne Pryor, the glorious Goblin Queen! Created by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith, Maddie was introduced in 1983 as a new love interest for Scott Summers following the death of Jean Grey in 1980's The Dark Phoenix Saga. Intended by Claremont to facilitate Scott's happy ending
Episode 100: Madelyne Pryor (feat. Sara Century) — Prologue: Vanities
In the DOMINION-SIZE Episode 100 of CEREBRO, Connor and fan favorite guest Sara Century paint the town red with Madelyne Pryor, the glorious Goblin Queen! Created by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith, Maddie was introduced in 1983 as a new love interest for Scott Summers following the death of Jean Grey in 1980's The Dark Phoenix Saga. Intended by Claremont to facilitate Scott's happy ending
Episode 099: Annie Ghazikhanian (feat. Chuck Austen)
In Episode 99 of CEREBRO, Connor and living legend Chuck Austen (She-Ra, Steven Universe, The Draco) practice their bedside manner with the audacious Annie Ghazikhanian! The signature point-of-view character of the Austen run on Uncanny X-Men, Nurse Annie is prejudiced against mutants due to past trauma, but becomes the school nurse at Xavier's to help her mutant son Carter... and to follow he
Bonus Episode: CEREBRO Claremont Marathon - Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975)
Hi everyone!Some scheduling issues with the recording of Episode 99 will be delaying it a little while longer, so I wanted to provide a little extra content this week while I get that sorted.First published on June 16th, 2022, this is the first episode of the CEREBRO Claremont Marathon, a readalong series I do on the Patreon. I read each issue aloud with my best funny voices and provide commentary
Interlude: Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain (feat. Tini Howard)
To celebrate the launch of Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #1 today, Tini Howard stops by CEREBRO for a page-by-page breakdown of this entire 30-page oversized issue! This is the dazzling debut of a new series AIPT says is "set to be the best part of your pull list every single month."Please make sure you pick up Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #1 this week, and preorder #2 at your local c
Episode 098: Jamie Braddock (feat. Holly Raymond)
In Episode 98 of CEREBRO, Connor and Dr. Holly Raymond (Professor of English at Temple University) have their strings pulled by Jamie Braddock, the mercurial Monarch! Created by Chris Claremont and Herb Trimpe, Jamie is the famous racecar driver brother of aristocratic superhero twins Brian and Betsy. Originally a helpful supporting character in Captain Britain, Jamie shifted over time into an ins
Episode 097: Sebastian Shaw (feat. Steven Attewell)
In Episode 97 of CEREBRO, Connor and Dr. Steven Attewell (Adjunct Professor of Public Policy at CUNY, writer of Race for the Iron Throne) get down to business with the unscrupulous Sebastian Shaw! Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, billionaire industrialist Shaw is best known as the Black King of the Hellfire Club, a political player who for many years concealed his own mutant status while
Episode 096: Forge (feat. Josh Trujillo)
In Episode 96 of CEREBRO, Connor and DC/Marvel writer Josh Trujillo (Blue Beetle: Graduation Day, Wiccan and Hulkling) get creative with the formidable Forge! Created by Chris Claremont and John Romita, Jr., Cheyenne shaman Forge rejected his people to use his mutant power of invention in the service of the American government. After devising a power nullifier, Forge became one of Storm's most
Episode 095: Jubilation Lee (feat. Jason Loo)
In Episode 95 of CEREBRO, Connor and Marvel writer/artist Jason Loo ring in the New Year with the jocular Jubilation Lee! Created by Chris Claremont and Marc Silvestri, teenage orphan Jubilee used her firework powers to become Wolverine's sidekick, a member of the X-Men, and then the anchor of the book Generation X. Wildly popular with younger readers in the 90s, the character has struggled to
Episode 094: Longshot (feat. Nola Pfau)
In Episode 94 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Nola Pfau test their luck with the lovable Longshot! Created by Ann Nocenti and Art Adams, Longshot is an amnesiac rebel slave from the Mojoverse, an alternate dimension derived from twisted interpretations of American film and television. After his solo miniseries concluded, he was brought to Uncanny X-Men, where he became Dazzler's love in
Episode 093: Amahl Farouk (feat. Khaldoun Khelil)
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 unexp
Episode 092: Tom Cassidy (feat. Eoin Higgins)
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
Episode 091: Eden Fesi & Gateway (feat. Kaetun Khlynne)
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 c
Episode 090: Melody Jacobs (feat. Jordan Blok)
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 drag
Episode 089: Tabitha Smith (feat. Leah Williams)
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.(Conte
Episode 088: Andrea & Andreas von Strucker (feat. Spencer Ackerman)
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 Advis
Episode 087: Pietro Maximoff (feat. Luke Ruddick)
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 chil
Episode 086: Colin McKay (feat. Sam Guido)
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
Episode 085: Lila Cheney (feat. Margot Mutter)
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 CE
Episode 084: Maria Callasantos (feat. Darryl Ayo)
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
Episode 083: St. John Allerdyce (feat. Anthony Oliveira)
In Episode 83 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Anthony Oliveira (Young Avengers: Paradox Lost) camp it up with St. John Allerdyce, the poetic Pyro! Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne as an implied gay character, in the 90s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants henchman St. John became the tragic face of the Legacy Virus. Resurrected in the Age of Krakoa, he most recently featured as a regular i
Episode 082: Amara Aquilla (feat. Alex Abad-Santos)
In Episode 82 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Alex Abad-Santos try to fix Amara Aquilla, the mediocre Magma! The most aggressively mid of the classic New Mutants, Selene's flop granddaughter has a great, iconic design... and that's about it. We promise the episode is funny.The CEREBRO character file on Magma begins at 1:15:53.(Content Advisory: Amara's story includes racism, sla
Episode 081: Rahne Sinclair (feat. Rebecca Gault)
In Episode 81 of CEREBRO, Connor and fantasy scholar Rebecca Gault howl at the moon with Rahne Sinclair, the wailing Wolfsbane! Introduced as the ingénue of the classic New Mutants, repressed religious Rahne would go on to become one of the X-Men franchise's absolute messiest characters.The CEREBRO character file on Wolfsbane begins at 1:14:18.(Content Advisory: Rahne's story includes chil
Episode 080: Rita Wayword (feat. Jordan Blok)
In Episode 80 of CEREBRO, Connor and science writer Jordan Blok spin with Spiral, Mistress of the Wildways! Best known as Betsy Braddock's nemesis and Longshot's biggest hater, the wicked time-dancing sorceress was eventually revealed via retcon to be the tortured future self of a decidedly sympathetic character: Longshot's first love, the plucky human stuntwoman Ricochet Rita.The CERE
Episode 079: Abigail Brand (feat. Al Ewing)
In Episode 79 of CEREBRO, Connor and contemporary comics legend Al Ewing (X-Men Red, S.W.O.R.D., Immortal Hulk) survey the schemes of Abigail Brand! The mysterious director of S.W.O.R.D., charged with protecting Earth from extraterrestrial threats, half-alien and half-mutant Brand has always been a prickly ally to the X-Men at best. Now she has secretly betrayed mutantkind entirely, becoming one o
Episode 078: Cecilia Reyes (feat. Stephanie Williams)
In Episode 78 of CEREBRO, Connor and returning guest Steph Williams (Nubia and the Amazons) scrub in for surgery with Dr. Cecilia Reyes! Created by Scott Lobdell and Carlos Pacheco, Cecilia is a young Afro-Puerto Rican resident hiding her mutant power, with no interest in being a superhero. After a brief tenure with the X-Men she's mostly been relegated to a supporting role, but recently has b
Marvel Grimoire: Vicki Montesi (feat. Sara Century)
Happy Pride, Zalagang!As a special treat for the season, I'm publicly releasing last year's most popular CEREBRO Secret File — a deep dive with CEREBRO's Official Lesbian Correspondent Sara Century on Marvel's first lesbian hero, Dr. Vicki Montesi of the Darkhold Redeemers. Hope you love!Created by writer Chris Cooper and introduced in 1992 as the protagonist of Darkhold: Pages fro
Episode 077: John Proudstar (feat. Nyla Rose & Steve Orlando)
In Episode 77 of CEREBRO, All Elite Wrestling star and former Women's World Champion pro wrestler Nyla Rose joins returning guest Steve Orlando (Marauders) to rejoice in the resurrection of John Proudstar, the thorny Thunderbird! Memorialized by his teammates and his younger brother Warpath, fallen X-Man Thunderbird became more iconic to the franchise dead than alive. Now, in the age of Krakoa
Episode 076: Nathaniel Essex (feat. Kieron Gillen)
In Episode 76 of CEREBRO, the SEASON 3 PREMIERE, Connor and contemporary comics legend Kieron Gillen map the machinations of Nathaniel Essex, Mr. Sinister! Created by Chris Claremont and Marc Silvestri, but reimagined almost entirely in the 21st century by Gillen, this amoral geneticist became one of the most iconic X-Men villains.The CEREBRO character file on Mr. Sinister begins at 53:27.(Content
Interlude: Knights of X (feat. Tini Howard)
To celebrate the launch of Knights of X this coming Wednesday, I've decided to share this Patreon bonus episode with the world! This was originally published on April 1st for the House of Zaladane tier ($5/month) at patreon.com/cerebrocastIn this CEREBRO Secret File, Tini Howard chats with me about the end of Excalibur, the upcoming sequel Knights of X, her current run on Catwoman, and much mu
Episode 075: Eleanor Murch & Peter (feat. Zeb Wells)
In Episode 75 of CEREBRO, the SEASON 2 FINALE, Connor and Marvel writer Zeb Wells are sung to sleep by Eleanor Murch, the nefarious Nanny! Created by Louise and Walt Simonson, Nanny and her special Lost Boy, Peter the Orphan-Maker, have been peculiar thorns in the X-Men's side for decades. Now, after Zeb's critically-acclaimed series Hellions, they have become unlikely fan favorites.The CE
Episode 074: Sean Cassidy (feat. Thom Dunn)
In Episode 74 of CEREBRO, Connor and writer/musician Thom Dunn scream to the skies with Sean Cassidy, the belting Banshee! First appearing in the 60s as an unwilling supervillain, Irish spy Sean was recruited to the iconic Giant-Size X-Men team in 1975, fell in love with Moira MacTaggert, and eventually became mentor to Generation X.The CEREBRO character file on Banshee begins at 1:09:30.(Content
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