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 Nurse Annie begins at 50:03.

(Content Advisory: Annie's story includes domestic violence and an inadvisable nurse-patient romance. This episode also candidly discusses the Armenian genocide and the immediate aftermath of 9/11.)

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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 #1, which technically isn't a Claremont story, but features some of his plot input and begins the sixteen-year run! This issue was written by Len Wein, drawn by Dave Cockrum, colored by Glynis Wein (née Oliver), and lettered by John Costanza.

If you like what you hear, please check out the rest of this series at for $5/month at patreon.com/cerebrocast! We're into the initial Phoenix Saga now.

I do feel the need to preemptively apologize to German listeners; I have been practicing my Nightcrawler voice a lot since this first recording and I am told it is much improved!!

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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 SPOILERS for the whole issue, so you probably want to read it first.

NOTE: Tini and I talk about attending a signing today at Arsenal Comics & Games in Ventura, California. Sadly this week's Marvel shipment to the shop got delayed, so the signing will be next Wednesday, March 1st. Come join us next week if you're in the area!

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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 over the years, the character became more prominent than ever before in the Krakoa era as the first mutant King of Avalon.

The CEREBRO character file on Monarch begins at 1:47:44.

(Content Advisory: Jamie's story includes human trafficking, sexual violence, slavery, classism, racism, ableism, torture, brainwashing, and involuntary body modification.)

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

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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 Krakoa, working in tandem with the heroes he fought for so many years.

The CEREBRO character file on the Black King begins at 1:37:33.

(Content Advisory: Sebastian's story includes domestic violence, sexual violence, extreme misogyny, classism, and brainwashing.)

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

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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 Duggan's X-Men.

The CEREBRO character file on Forge begins at 1:42:17.

(Content Advisory: Forge's story includes racism and severe mental illness.)

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

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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 disappearing.

The CEREBRO character file on Jubilee begins at 1:23:30.

(Content Advisory: Jubilee's story includes racism, torture, and brainwashing.)

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 1:01:03.

(Content Advisory: Longshot's story includes slavery, brainwashing, and torture.)

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

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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 Shadow King begins at 37:38.

(Content Advisory: Amahl's story includes racism, brainwashing, slavery, attempted suicide, and lots of other unpleasant things!)

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

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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, and ethnic prejudice. This episode discusses the Irish Troubles.)

Thanks to Backblaze for sponsoring the pod this month.

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

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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 while being a more active and narratively central character, currently appearing in Caselli and Al Ewing's X-Men Red.

The CEREBRO character file on Manifold & Gateway begins at 1:27:12.

(Content Advisory: Eden and Gateway's stories include racism, colonialism, slavery, brainwashing, and genocide. This episode candidly discusses, from a survivor's perspective, the real world genocides in Australia and Rwanda.)

You can aid in the ongoing struggle of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders by donating to ANTaR or one of the other charities described here. Kaetun also personally recommends this homeland preservation effort throughout Africa.

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

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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: Thren's story includes racism, ableism, body horror, traumatic pregnancy, and the murder of an infant.)

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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, suicidal ideation, threats of sexual violence, and substance abuse.)

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 need to be warned about? It is probably discussed in this episode. Please be warned. Love you!)

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

Grateful to SkillShare for sponsoring the podcast this month. Visit skillshare.com/CEREBRO today to get your first month FREE! 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 team, and continued to appear on-and-off in X-Factor titles until a 2015 retcon establishing Pietro and Wanda weren't Magneto's children after all. 

The CEREBRO character file on Quicksilver begins at 47:36.

(Content Advisory: Pietro's story includes racism and antiziganism, the Holocaust/Porajmos, eugenics, brainwashing, child abuse, and substance abuse.)

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

Grateful to SkillShare for sponsoring the podcast this month. Visit skillshare.com/CEREBRO today to get your first month FREE! 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 is... honestly pretty wholesome, actually.)

You can support CEREBRO on Patreon!

Grateful to SkillShare for sponsoring the podcast this month. Visit skillshare.com/CEREBRO today to get your first month FREE! 

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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 slavery.)

Grateful to SkillShare for sponsoring the podcast this month. Visit skillshare.com/CEREBRO today to get your first month FREE! 

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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: Maria's story includes child sex abuse, other sexual violence, domestic violence, child death, animal death, and substance abuse.)

Thanks for your patience in the month of August as I prepared and performed the first CEREBRO live show! Audio from that should be up on the Patreon soon, and we are back on a regular schedule now.

Grateful to SkillShare for sponsoring the podcast this month. Visit skillshare.com/CEREBRO today to get your first month FREE! 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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.

(Content Advisory: St. John's story includes terminal illness and attempted suicide. This episode features extensive discussion of the AIDS crisis.)

Thanks to ComiXology for sponsoring the pod! You can sign up for a free trial here.

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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 here.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands