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.

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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.

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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.

Find us on iTunes or Stitcher!