CEREBRO artwork

CEREBRO

127 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 683 ratings

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 60-year history of this enduring, revolutionary franchise!

www.cerebrocast.com

www.patreon.com/cerebrocast

Books Arts
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Episode 108: Hepzibah (feat. Jordan Blok) — Part Two: Skunk, Interrupted

February 28, 2024 05:09 - 4 hours - 257 MB

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 oppressors in the Imperium, Hepzibah is also the paramour of Corsair, Christopher Summers — long-lost father to ...

Episode 108: Hepzibah (feat. Jordan Blok) — Part One: Stepmutha Has Arrived

February 28, 2024 05:00 - 4 hours - 266 MB

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 oppressors in the Imperium, Hepzibah is also the paramour of Corsair, Christopher Summers — long-lost father to ...

Episode 107: Candra (feat. Kat Driscoll)

February 03, 2024 07:37 - 5 hours - 326 MB

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 foe to Gambit and Storm in particular. She's fun! She lives in a jewel. The CEREBRO character file on...

Bonus Episode: Sky Masters (feat. The Jack Kirby Museum)

January 08, 2024 01:13 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MB

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 in 1958, shortly after Sputnik 1 launched the space race in earnest, Sky Masters imagines the near ...

Episode 106: Laurie Collins (feat. Alex Abad-Santos)

December 16, 2023 07:45 - 3 hours - 217 MB

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 pheromones make her feel like a predator. An interesting arc takes shape as she develops more contro...

Episode 105: Cain Marko (feat. Anthony Oliveira)

November 26, 2023 01:28 - 6 hours - 382 MB

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 character's signature writer Fabian Nicieza. He won the fan vote for this year's X-Men roster befo...

Episode 104: Amanda Sefton (feat. Anna Peppard)

October 10, 2023 08:55 - 6 hours - 377 MB

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 past: his first love Jimaine, daughter and disciple of his foster mother, the powerful Romani sorceress...

Bonus Episode: Marvel Move (feat. Ryan Penagos)

September 29, 2023 18:06 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MB

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 Tini Howard. Regular episodes of CEREBRO will return soon! I'm in the middle of editing Amanda Se...

CEREBRO Appendix: Gosamyr (feat. Jordan Blok)

September 07, 2023 17:48 - 2 hours - 121 MB

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 on Patreon — and I'm publicly releasing this past April's CEREBRO Appendix bonus episode on Gos...

Bonus Episode: Dark X-Men (feat. Steve Foxe)

August 24, 2023 04:59 - 2 hours - 119 MB

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 enjoyed the episode with Gerry, and will enjoy this one with Steve — I'd love to incorpor...

Bonus Episode: Hellfire Gala 2023 (feat. Gerry Duggan)

July 26, 2023 13:00 - 2 hours - 156 MB

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 Advisory: A lot of upsetting stuff happens in this comic.) You can support CEREBRO on Patreon! Our Sp...

Episode 103: Calvin Rankin (feat. Chad Anderson)

July 17, 2023 03:45 - 3 hours - 210 MB

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 franchise, but his popularity was boosted a great deal by writer Judd Winick when the alternate Mimic of ...

Episode 102: Nekra Sinclair (feat. Jordan Blok)

June 24, 2023 08:00 - 6 hours - 368 MB

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 prominence (and new dignity) in the Krakoa Era as one of the protagonists of Victor LaValle and Leon...

Episode 101: En Sabah Nur (feat. Jonathan Hickman)

May 30, 2023 22:43 - 3 hours - 198 MB

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 publication in which the heroes fought his seemingly inevitable ascent to power — particularly when...

Episode 100: Madelyne Pryor (feat. Sara Century) — Part the Fourth: Ashes!

April 15, 2023 18:55 - 3 hours - 168 MB

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 and retirement from the X-Men, Maddie went in a dramatically different direction after editorial demande...

Episode 100: Madelyne Pryor (feat. Sara Century) — Part the Third: Burn!

April 15, 2023 18:51 - 3 hours - 184 MB

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 and retirement from the X-Men, Maddie went in a dramatically different direction after editorial demande...

Episode 100: Madelyne Pryor (feat. Sara Century) — Part the Second: Fan the Flames!

April 15, 2023 18:50 - 3 hours - 218 MB

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 and retirement from the X-Men, Maddie went in a dramatically different direction after editorial demande...

Episode 100: Madelyne Pryor (feat. Sara Century) — Part the First: Strike the Match!

April 15, 2023 18:45 - 3 hours - 190 MB

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 and retirement from the X-Men, Maddie went in a dramatically different direction after editorial demande...

Episode 100: Madelyne Pryor (feat. Sara Century) — Prologue: Vanities

April 15, 2023 18:44 - 4 hours - 234 MB

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 and retirement from the X-Men, Maddie went in a dramatically different direction after editorial demande...

Episode 099: Annie Ghazikhanian (feat. Chuck Austen)

March 18, 2023 01:30 - 2 hours - 143 MB

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 her patient, Alex Summers, with whom she's unexpectedly fallen in love. The CEREBRO character file on...

Bonus Episode: CEREBRO Claremont Marathon - Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975)

March 06, 2023 18:40 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MB

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 when I think something is of interest. This episode is a prelude: 1975's Giant-Size X-Men ...

Bonus Episode: Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #1 (feat. Tini Howard)

February 22, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 104 MB

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 comic shop! New books get extended based on early enthusiasm; the power is yours. This episode has SPO...

Episode 098: Jamie Braddock (feat. Holly Raymond)

February 21, 2023 08:28 - 5 hours - 286 MB

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 insane, reality-warping supervillain in Excalibur. After several failed attempts at rehabilitation ...

Episode 097: Sebastian Shaw (feat. Steven Attewell)

February 11, 2023 23:21 - 4 hours - 243 MB

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 manipulating the mutant struggle for profit. He now serves as part of the Quiet Council on Kra...

Episode 096: Forge (feat. Josh Trujillo)

January 29, 2023 17:56 - 4 hours - 274 MB

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 prominent love interests — and, at times, her enemy. He's currently a regular cast member in Gerry ...

Episode 095: Jubilation Lee (feat. Jason Loo)

January 14, 2023 21:44 - 4 hours - 242 MB

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 maintain her place in the franchise since her heyday, but her iconic status has prevented her from ...

Episode 094: Longshot (feat. Nola Pfau)

January 01, 2023 06:20 - 3 hours - 214 MB

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 interest and a key player in the Outback Era. The CEREBRO character file on Longshot begins at 1:01:0...

Episode 093: Amahl Farouk (feat. Khaldoun Khelil)

December 16, 2022 18:15 - 3 hours - 187 MB

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 unexpected new life in Vita Ayala and Rod Reis's run on New Mutants. The CEREBRO character file on the S...

Episode 092: Tom Cassidy (feat. Eoin Higgins)

December 07, 2022 05:14 - 3 hours - 197 MB

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 on Black Tom begins at 1:09:09. (Content Advisory: Tom's story includes implied homophobia, ableism,...

Episode 091: Eden Fesi & Gateway (feat. Kaetun Khlynne)

November 19, 2022 08:48 - 4 hours - 247 MB

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 character. Jonathan Hickman and Stefano Caselli's creation Manifold carries on Gateway's legacy whi...

Episode 090: Melody Jacobs (feat. Jordan Blok)

November 04, 2022 16:50 - 5 hours - 284 MB

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 dragged her into the darkness. The CEREBRO character file on Threnody begins at 1:56:35. (Content Advisory...

Episode 089: Tabitha Smith (feat. Leah Williams)

October 28, 2022 01:25 - 3 hours - 215 MB

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. (Content Advisory: Tabitha's story includes child abuse, domestic violence, survival sex work, sui...

Episode 088: Andrea & Andreas von Strucker (feat. Spencer Ackerman)

October 12, 2022 06:17 - 3 hours - 212 MB

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 Advisory: Andrea and Andreas are despicable, incestuous, violent racists. Do you have something you n...

Episode 087: Pietro Maximoff (feat. Luke Ruddick)

October 03, 2022 02:25 - 3 hours - 216 MB

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 children. In the 90s Pietro returned to the world of the X-Men as a member of the government X-Factor te...

Episode 086: Colin McKay (feat. Sam Guido)

September 25, 2022 01:59 - 1 hour - 105 MB

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 Knights of X. The CEREBRO character file on Kylun begins at 1:06:05. (Content Advisory: Colin's story...

Episode 085: Lila Cheney (feat. Margot Mutter)

September 16, 2022 04:43 - 2 hours - 147 MB

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 CEREBRO character file on Lila Cheney begins at 1:11:08. (Content Advisory: Lila's story includes slave...

Episode 084: Maria Callasantos (feat. Darryl Ayo)

September 08, 2022 21:10 - 2 hours - 158 MB

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 footnote ever since. The CEREBRO character file on Feral begins at 1:16:12. (Content Advisory: Mar...

Episode 083: St. John Allerdyce (feat. Anthony Oliveira)

August 09, 2022 05:20 - 4 hours - 226 MB

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 in Gerry Duggan's run on Marauders. The CEREBRO character file on Pyro begins at 1:08:20. (Cont...

Episode 082: Amara Aquilla (feat. Alex Abad-Santos)

July 28, 2022 22:25 - 3 hours - 217 MB

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, slavery, and brainwashing.) Thanks to ComiXology for sponsoring the pod! You can sign up for a free trial ...

Episode 081: Rahne Sinclair (feat. Rebecca Gault)

July 14, 2022 09:16 - 3 hours - 215 MB

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 child abuse, brainwashing, slavery, involuntary body modification, an inappropriate relationship between...

Episode 080: Rita Wayword (feat. Jordan Blok)

June 30, 2022 03:53 - 3 hours - 171 MB

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 CEREBRO character file on Spiral begins at 1:07:20. (Content Advisory: Rita's story includes violence against...

Episode 079: Abigail Brand (feat. Al Ewing)

June 22, 2022 08:27 - 4 hours - 226 MB

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 of the leaders of Orchis. The CEREBRO character file on Brand begins at 1:31:00. (Content Advis...

Episode 078: Cecilia Reyes (feat. Stephanie Williams)

June 15, 2022 03:38 - 2 hours - 146 MB

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 become the primary medical expert on Krakoa. The CEREBRO character file on Dr. Reyes begins at 1:12:...

Bonus Episode: Vicki Montesi (feat. Sara Century)

June 03, 2022 13:59 - 1 hour - 108 MB

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 from the Book of Sins, Vicki leads a group informally known as the Darkhold Redeemers, part of the early 90s Ma...

Episode 077: John Proudstar (feat. Nyla Rose & Steve Orlando)

May 31, 2022 02:45 - 1 hour - 88.3 MB

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, Nyla and Steve have co-written a story where John defines himself as a person rather than a symbol...

Episode 076: Nathaniel Essex (feat. Kieron Gillen)

May 22, 2022 23:49 - 3 hours - 167 MB

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 Advisory: Nathaniel's story includes eugenics, racism, child abuse, brainwashing, child los...

Bonus Episode: Knights of X (feat. Tini Howard)

April 24, 2022 14:21 - 2 hours - 142 MB

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/cerebrocast In 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 much more.  Please make sure you pick up Knights of X #1 this week, and preorder #2 at your local c...

Episode 075: Eleanor Murch & Peter (feat. Zeb Wells)

April 18, 2022 23:44 - 2 hours - 130 MB

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 CEREBRO character file on Nanny and the Orphan-Maker begins at 51:16. (Content Advisory: Nanny and Pete...

Episode 074: Sean Cassidy (feat. Thom Dunn)

April 11, 2022 05:34 - 3 hours - 180 MB

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 Advisory: Sean's story includes alcohol abuse. This episode also discusses the Irish Trouble...

Episode 073: Kwannon (feat. Caroline Bird)

April 04, 2022 01:00 - 3 hours - 180 MB

In Episode 73 of CEREBRO, Connor and cosplayer Caroline Bird (CarolineCosplay) choose mercy with Kwannon, the stoic Psylocke! Once trapped in Betsy Braddock's body, top assassin Kwannon joined the X-Men as Revanche before her tragic death from the Legacy Virus. Decades later she has returned from the grave, herself once more, and become a major player on Krakoa. The CEREBRO character file on Kwannon begins at 36:04. (Content Advisory: Kwannon's story includes child abuse, brainwashing, tor...