X-Factor Files: Investigating the X-Men Universe: Recent Episodes
Daryl and Phillip
Join Daryl and Phillip (and their silent partners, bunnies Nick and Nora) as they review the spectacular full run of X-Factor Investigations, issue by issue. Marvel really knew what it was doing when it let Peter David create this fan-favorite masterpiece and looking at each issue will give us the chance to geek out over every little detail! Special guests will be joining along the way, lending their voice, experience, and interpretation.
Chad journeys on over from Graymalkin Lane to chat about the last issue of a four-issue arc. Will the Watchers mount a comeback? Will anyone mount the hot daddies in this story? Tune in to find out!
Episode art by Phillip Sevy!
Daryl is joined by the fantastic Kevin Kiniry to chat about Quasar issue 15. We're firmly in Quasar's hot daddy era with this one.
Episode artwork by the one and only Phillip Sevy!
Phillip and Daryl are here to discuss the two X-Men/Star Trek crossover comics from the late 90s. We get both the original series and Next Generation crews interacting with our merry mutants! What could go wrong? But more importantly, what could go right?
Phillip and Daryl hop on and open up some booster packs. Do they know how to play? No! Did they pull the card they wanted? Also, no! But there are other fun cards found along the way.
Our favorite queen is back to chat about issue 13 of Quasar, in which our hero meets up with the Squadron Supreme (herein referred to as "The Supremes."
Episode art by Phillip Sevy!
Phillip Sevy (who made the phenomenal art for these episodes!) drops by to chat about Quasar issue 12! Quasar has a confrontation with his soon-to-be-but-definitely-not-his boyfriend Makkari and he might have a pain fetish. Who knows, really?
Phillip and Daryl take a journey to the end of James Hudnall's run on Alpha Flight- so join them as a giant chunk of issues is talked about and find out why Phillip asked, "Do we even need to cover this issue?"
Not only does Quasar get a lil boyfriend time with Makkari in this issue, but Excalibur is here?!?! D'Manda Martini joins Daryl to talk about this bonkers and fun issue.
Episode art by Phillip Sevy!
Daryl subjects Allison and Matt from Escape the Mojoverse to issue 10 of Quasar, in which Wendall almost gets his hands chopped off!
Episode art by Phillip Sevy!
Marvel's Star Trek: Early Voyages comes to an end and, much like most other Marvel Trek series, comes to an unsatisfying end- we get left with a cliffhanger! But before that final page, join Phillip and Daryl as we explore these last four issues!
M.O.D.A.M. superfan Sara Century swings by to talk about issue 9 of Quasar. Did M.O.D.A.M. do anything wrong, or is this all just Wendell's fault?
Yee-haw! Phillip and Daryl take a journey through space-time with the Avengers (west coast variety) as part of the Mighty Marvel Western Crossover event! With special insight directly from Steve Englehart (shout out to Steve for answering Daryl's questions), this is an episode that shouldn't be missed!
Chad journeys from Graymalkin Lane to chat with Daryl all about issue 8 of Quasar!
Episode art by Phillip Sevy!
Join Daryl as he talks about the 2003 Rawhide Kid series, which Marvel released under its MAX line.
Senior Spider-Man correspondent Mr. Scott Free joins Daryl to discuss Quasar #7, which sees a Peter Parker appearance AND Terminus is here (for reasons!).
Episode art by Phillip Sevy!
We journeyed to- and survived- three whole days at C2E2 and had a great time! Listen to our tired selves talk about the creators we met, the fun art we bought, and our general impressions of the con!
Phillip and Daryl are joined by co-creators of Ignition Press' The Other Half, Jim McCann and Joe Eisma! Issue one just dropped and we are about a month away from issue two, so we chat with Jim and Joe about the series, their inspirations, their style, and what to expect from coming issues!
Jason from the Avenging Hour joins Daryl to chat all about Quasar #6, We're still in the grips of the Acts of Vengeance crossover- we get appearances from Venom, the Watcher, Red Ghost, and the Living Laser!
Episode art by Phillip Sevy!
As promised, we are steaming our way through the Hudnall run of Alpha Flight (in more ways than one) and you get a TON of issues covered in this episode!
John is back with Daryl to discuss Quasar's fifth issue, which is an Acts of Vengeance crossover complete with a Stingray appearance!
Episode art by Phillip Sevy
We get a fun little two part story with a Tholian-adjacent species, then time travel and meet Jim Kirk- but not in the way you expect! Join us as we go through four issues of Star Trek: Early Voyages in our penultimate episode covering this series!
Christian Smith joins Daryl to discuss Quasar hanging out with cult leader Aquarian!
Episode art by Phillip Sevy!
The Quasar series really starts grooving with this issue, as we are down with the backstory and can start building out Quasar's world! Daryl is joined by Mr. Scott Free to talk about this himbo.
Episode art by Phillip Sevy
Phillip and Daryl chat about the four Trek series put out by IDW- including the two that have wrapped up by now- as well as the new Starlet Academy show and the upcoming Voyager video game!
John from the Avenging Hour joins us as we get part two of Quasar's origin story- where has he been the last few years?!?! Well, we have some answers for you!
Episode art by Phillip Sevy!
We have reached the end of the Bill Mantlo's run and, along with that, the most unorthodox issue of the entire series!
Are you ready to join the Quest for Quasar? We begin our journey through Mark Gruenwald's solo Quasar series by chatting with Gregory Wright, who was not only one of Mark's assistant editors, but also a personal friend. Jump in for an insightful chat about Mark and why he was drawn to the character of Quasar.
Quasar Art by Phillip Sevy
We kick off this episode with...Klingons...but it goes uphill from there! We end on an issue that may be Phillip's favorite of the series so far.
We have two Mantlo issues and a Hudnall fill-in issue. Let's dive back into Alpha Flight and see what the folks are up to! (Spoiler: Heather makes a rash decision or two.)
We revisit "The Cage" from a different perspective, then journey to a strange planet with very emotional Vulcans for a two-issue arc!
Ever wonder what it's like to be in a group chat with Daryl, D'Manda, and Chad? Well, wonder no longer! We get together to have a chat about Russell Dauterman's GIGANTIC Avengers cover. We break down what we love about it and spoiler: it's Tigra's hair. Well, that and everything else!
We take a journey with the team that goes from outer space all the way back to Canada (presumably). Making pit stops in Liveworld and China, we start building towards the end of Mantlo's run!
Let's go to the Captain Pike era! No, not Strange New Worlds- the Pike era that existed first! We go through the first three issues of Early Voyages and meet an (almost) all new cast of characters along the way. Oh, and Klingons (of course)!
Join us as we talk about...current comics?!?! IDW has put out several new series since August and we want to tell you all about them! We cover the first issues of Strange New Worlds: The Seeds of Salvation, The Lastarship, and Voyager: Homecoming, as well as the first two issues of Red Shirts! Come join us and find a Trek title you might like to pick up!
And no worries, Lower Decks fans- we will have a dedicated episode all about that ongoing title in the coming weeks!
Murder Mommy Heather is in full force as we meet, and come to love, Goblyn! We go from Canada to space in this issue and you are not ready for these shenanigans!
It's the biggest (and only!) crossover event from the Marvel Star Trek line and it is a...crossover that happened! Come hang with us as we chat the good, the bad, and the could have been!
Heather Hudson, our resident Murder Mommy, strikes again! We get a new foe for the team and we are nearing the point where we meet a new member of the team. Before that? The Derangers! #rip
Under the sea...under the sea. Down where it's wetter may not always be better as the Voyager sinks to the bottom of an ocean world! Giving you Titanic vibes It should, because this is 1998 and our culture has literally nothing else going on.
We have two giant sized issues- and one regular- for you in this episode! We bid a bittersweet farewell to THREE original Alpha's, then go down to Antarctica for a Heather Hudson murder spree.
We reach the end of Voyager's ongoing series and pick up where we left off, as the ship and crew fight to escape their entanglement on a huge colony ship. After that, we see Seven of Nine join the cast!
As Northstar koff koffs his was around these issues, we see what goes on when Heather goes home (she, uh, is really into bonfires), when you rely too much on a discredited doctor and his shifty medical advice, and how much physical gratification means to Aurora. We also talk about how much fun The Uncanny Experience was and how much Superman made us want to cry.
We are back in the Delta Quadrant to visit with our favorite late-90s shipbound Trek crew! We get a named supporting character who has a great Trek legacy; he promptly then leaves the ship. And we end on a cliffhanger!
We visit the New Life Clinic on the way to Expo '86 in this episode, and it's not the fun adventure you would think it could be! But at least the team has a good doctor on call(?).
Phillip and Daryl go through the newly-released Tower of Shadows collection, published by Fantagraphics on collaboration with Marvel. We highlight some of our favorite moments from the eight issue collection and try to bring spooky season a little early this year.
We're back and reviewing a three issue arc centered on Captain Janeway doing her best when stranded with some crusty Delta quadrant villains! Join us as we chat about the drama involved. Plus, Tom and Harry are dumb.
We get a fun little adventure in Alpha Flight's first annual- including the return of our queen, Gilded Lily! After that, we see the book start to change under Mantlo's pen with the resuscitation of Beta Flight!
The Voyager crew encounters the Kazon for the first time within the comic! Also: cheesecake.
Ready for the end of the Atlantis arc? Well, before we get to that- we get an eight page story about Puck! Then we move on to Alpha Flight 39-40 and Avengers 272. And spoiler: it ends in a wedding!
We begin our exploration of the Delta Quadrant with Star Trek: Voyager issues 1-3! Journey with us as we dive into some Talaxian-related drama!
We get a brand new villain in the book- Pestilence! And he's gross! These four issues are the first half of a big arc that focuses on Snowbird, Shaman, Talisman, and Marrina (primarily).
We bid farewell to Starfleet Academy with its final three issues and we have some big feelings about it!
The X-Men are here! Well, for a couple pages. But then we get Wolverine and Lady Deathstrike's first appearance! We chat about those Alpha Flight episodes, plus the issue of Marvel Fanfare that focuses on Northstar!
We learn all about T'Priell and the whole Romulan/Vulcan thing. The bad news: she's dead. The good news: she's kind of not!
We are solidly in the Mantlo era as the team gets a new headquarters, an old opponent, and a crumbly ally! Also: body horror!
The cadets are on trial and you'll never guess who their defense lawyer is! Plus, parents day at the academy with some very iffy parents!!!
We say "bye bye" to Byrne and "hello" to the Hulk (and new writer Bill Mantlo!) as we cover Alpha Flight issues 26 through 29 and Incredible Hulk 313! These issues work together as a big arc that clears the path for Mantlo to start innovating in the title. Join us as we end one chapter of Alpha Flight's history and begin another!
Our recruits go to the only planet that carries a Federation death sentence! But first, they deal with a bratty teen and a changeling. How will our cadets fare? Tune in to find out!
Some else dies!??!!? Surprise, don't get too attached to anyone in Alpha Flight as we bid goodbye to another beloved member.
For real, a team member dies in these issues and we would say you wouldn't expect it, but we hardly know these people! Other topics include a new person with a drug addiction, a tiny black hole, and our first letters pages!
We take a trip to the west coast to check out some prospective new headquarters for the team, then find ourselves at a troubled circus! There's a ton of Alpha Flight action and a complicated back story for a villain who doesn't make it out of issue 21!
We kick off our brand new season by beginning a brand new Star Trek series- Starfleet Academy! We meet a bunch of new characters (along with one familiar one!) as they begin their careers training to be a part of Starfleet!
What happens when flashback month coincides with Marvel wanting to start a new volume of Alpha Flight? Why, Alpha Flight Minus 1! Join us as we discuss the retcons present in this issue, as well as update you all on what we've been up to and what to expect for next season!
The Marvel Deep Space Nine series closes out with two standalone issues- one all about tribbles and Klingons, the other about Garak!
Happy 2025! We are starting the year off right with the two issue X-Men and Alpha Flight crossover from 1985! Loki shenanigans abound and the two teams have to work together to thwart his scheme.
An Uncanny Experience Virtual Class! Join Daryl as he chats with Madison Jeffries, Northstar, and Aurora as we dig a little bit into their characters and toss some questions their way.
This was originally presented as a fundraiser for OutFront Minnesota and we encourage you to make a donation, however small, to help out their mission!
X-Factor Investigations is done! We go through the final six issues to see what happens to each member of the team.
It's a rocking good time as Chandler and Chris from X-Reads: The Podcast join Daryl to discuss the next chapter int he Six-Fingered Hand Saga!
Egg monster! You read that right, a scrambled foe (not to be confused with Scramble, who is still in our future) is just the tip of the iceberg for this episode. Ready to not feel sorry for a racist getting his due? Tune in as the team goes back in time to unravel a mystery and face another Great Beast!
Ready to go back to the Gamma Quadrant? We have an away team mission that, well, goes awry. When doesn't it, honestly? Take a trip with us and enjoy the ride!
We finish up the Hell on Earth war. Someone unexpectedly dies! Someone else becomes ruler of Hell! What the...
We're north of the border again! Time to catch up with Alpha Flight and see what they're up to (or down to, in the case of Puck and Marrina). Also, the team gets a new leader!
Ready for a Halloween episode? It's a Son of Satan centric issue guest starring Dracula! Phillip is here to marvel of Daimon's abs, arms, and cake while we advance further along in the Six-Fingered Hand Saga!
We're back with a triple issue episode for DS9! We get a one-off story, followed by a two part story that sees the crew go on a classic Trek mission.
The Hell on Earth War begins! We have a group of baddies confronting the team and it's not looking entirely positive for our ragtag band of favorites.
We had a blast at The Uncanny Experience and chat about what we really loved about everything!
Time for us to check in our Defenders team and see how they're doing! Daryl is joined by Jason from the Avenging Hour to talk all about what's going on and how things are heating up for the team!
Mac is still dead and now the team reacts to it. Plus- a lake monster! These two issues are so, so good.
Dr. Pulaski is back! But also, we see chemical warfare up close and personal and it's gross. Nothing like a highly contagious disease to really bring the mood down, eh? But our crew does it with great skill and aplomb!
We pick up with the team where we left off- greatly reduced in numbers and with various complications in their lives. However, we got some honeymoon action in the middle and an actual Confederate general getting murdered, so it can't be all bad, right?
What, you thought we would never actually finish the 1993 season? Well, folks, we are one step closer- as D'Manda Martini joins us to talk all about Excalibur's annual from 1993. Will Khaos reign or will he get the boot?
The unquestioned ruler of the current Marvel 2099 realm, Steve Orlando, stops by to chat about the first three issues of X-Men 2099 with us! Also, we touch on ewoks, beefy wrestlers, and all the upcoming greatness Steve has coming out!
This is it- the end of the beginning! A HUGE change happens to the team and we set up the next era of Alpha Flight with these two important issues!
Chad from Graymalkin Lane swings by to chat about Defenders 93, which sees Namor and Atlantis try, once again, to conquer the surface world. Does it work out this time? Guess you'll have to tune in to find out!
Holy wow, there's a lot of character development packed into these five issues. Billed as five days that will change the team forever...but we don't know if we quite agree.
We're onto our next Marvel Star Trek title with issues 1 and 2! Come along as we explore the edges of the Alpha Quadrant and see the whole station transported to the Gamma Quadrant!
Ready for a Sasquatchin' good time?!?! Let me hear your Aurora! Okay, now that the bad puns are out of the way, join us for two new issues of Alpha Flight! We get to see Jeanne-Marie's backstory and finally get some time with Walter Langkowski, too!
We get a little bit of focus on a lot of characters in these four issues of X-Factor, including some fun character development for a few of them! We see how messed up Layla's vision of the future is, as well as Banshee's battle with someone who will definitely be back in her future...
We end our coverage of Star Trek Unlimited (for now) with a celebration worthy of Pride (and every) month! We are joined by our friends, collectively known as the Star Trek Gays, to review the last issue of Star Trek Unlimited!
record scratch We're going off format today as Daryl introduces a semi-regular episode concept to talk all about the Defenders, one issue at a time! But why start with issue #1 when you can start with issue #92, which is the start of J.M. DeMatteis' incredibly fun run on the book! For this episode, Daryl is joined by Mr. Scott Free to talk about Defenders and DeMatteis. We also touch on the recent Marvel Legends reveals and Justice League International
We get the great combo of a Northstar and Aurora main story with Snowbird's origins in these two issues. Ready to meet Northstar's daddy?
What happens when one of the most dynamic characters from Asgard chooses to mess with Midgard? You're about to find out as Sara Century walks us through three issues starring the wonderful Amora! Listen along as we chat about Journey into Mystery 103, Avengers 83, Dazzler 1, and as a bonus- we touch on Defenders 4!
We have a very special episode with Stephanie Williams, the phenomenal comic talent who has her first Trek story published in the Pride special put out by IDW! Stephanie talks about her love of Trek, some of her favorite characters, and teases her story in the anthology one shot out in comic stores right now!
The penultimate (sort of) episode covering the Star Trek Unlimited title, and it's a whole bunch of Klingon stories! More Klingons than you can shake a bat'leth at! So grab some gagh and come chill with us.
You ready for some X-Factor action? We get the aftermath of Madrox coming back to life as well as the consequences of being a grassroots superhero in Seattle. Ready for things to remain weird?
We get two great stories this week- one focusing on Puck, the other on Snowbird. The bonus? Our back-up stories give us the origins of Shaman! Come learn a little about all three in this episode as we review Alpha Flight issues 5 and 6.
Jason from The Avenging Hour pops on to talk to use about Machine Man and showcase three appearances that show us how the character evolved over the years. For this episode, we read Machine Man #19, Nextwave #1, and Tony Stark: Iron Man #3.
Two fresh issues of Star Trek Unlimited to cover in this episode! Yes, we skipped one. Why? Guess you'll have to listen to find out!
We swung by C2E2 this past weekend in Chicago and chat all about what we did! Who did we meet? What did we see? Tune in as we look back on a fantastic con!
Madrox dies and just keeps dying over and over. What's up with that? We take a dive into it and find a whole bunch of alternate universes and alternate dupe powers!
Our friend Chad from Graymalkin Lane swings by to chat with us about Cynthia Chalmers! She has a fun little side story connecting to the X-Men and the Sentinels. We review the X-Men stories from Marvel Superheroes issues 6-8 in this episode.
What happens when a comic book is adapted into a cartoon, then that cartoon is adapted into a comic book? Why, X-Men Adventures, of course! Join us as we look at the issue that contains Alpha Flight! We also chat about the episode from the X-Men Animated Series as well- it's a good time!
We continue our Canadian journey by following the team to Marrina's fate! We also have a very special guest appearance by an angry man with pointy ears and the woman who isn't his love interest. Jump into the frigid waters and join us!
We're tackling two issues of Star Trek Unlimited in this episode- we get Uhura, Geordi, and some uncomfortable ethnic cleansing and Leah Brahms moments. What do we think of this mixed bag? Beam in and find out!
We're here with another outstanding arc from X-Factor 225 through 228! We also talk about recent X book announcements and rumors and how we could never be a podcast to cover a bunch of current comics.
We are joined by the incredible D'Manda Martini to talk about one of her favorites- Betsy Braddock! Follow along as we read about Betsy in Uncanny X-Men 213, Uncanny X-Men 256, and Uncanny X-Force 24.
You ready for the beginning of the main Alpha Flight title? Good, because we are taking the plunge with the first two issues! We see the team jump right into action, adventure, and interpersonal drama!
We're back with more Trek-tastic adventures to review! Star Trek Unlimited gives us two more stories to enjoy and we get into our geeky thoughts and feelings about them!
We're having a baby! Just kidding- it's only Rahne. And she gives birth...through her mouth? Plus a one-shot story that leads into something more down the line!
John from the Avenging Hour joins us for our inaugural Rule of Three episode! The character he wants us all to love is Mr. Fantastic and he makes his case with Fantastic Four volume 1, issue 267, Fantastic Four vs. X-Men 3, and Fantastic Four volume 3, issue 60. Will he succeed? Listen in and find out!
It's our very first Alpha Flight episode! But we can't just jump into the main series. First, let's visit where it all began- Uncanny X-Men! We review Uncanny X-Men 120, 121, 139, 140 and Marvel Two-In-One 84 to get a feel for the team, what it's all about, and where they stand when the main series launches.
We begin our Star Trek coverage with a double sized issue- it's Star Trek Unlimited #1. What happens when a species has a fracking operation bigger than RuPaul's? Is grave robbing bad? These questions, and more, are answered as we visit with the crews from both The Next Generation and The Original Series!
Here it is, our return to X-Factor Investigations! We get things warmed up with a story arc connecting to some earlier X-Factor stories. Plus- Spidey, Black Cat, and J. Jonah Jameson!
We're here to preview what our upcoming season will hold for all of you! A rotating programming slate with four concepts to keep you (and us!) entertained and engaged!
We kick off 2024 with coverage of one of the last annuals we have yet to cover from 1993- Punisher War Zone! And what a war zone it was. Join us as we cover the issue, as well as talk about what we've been up to since we last recorded!
The most X-Treme character ever bursts forth in this issue! Chad from Graymalkin Lane is here with us to chat about Adam X and what this issue, specifically, meant to him growing up. Feral is fierce and we stan, and Siryn and Cannonball are here, too! It's a very mutant annual and screams 1990s from front to back!
We welcome Dylan from the House of X to chat about this annual, which mostly focuses on the Fantastic Four's resident tough guy Ben Grimm, aka the Ever-Lovin' Blue Eyed Thing!
We're joined by Gordon Purcell, who penciled the main story in this annual. Hear some behind the scenes stuff about putting together one of the 1993 annuals as we take a dive into the life of Simon Williams!
Sometimes you get what you wish for, and that's Josh Trujillo on our podcast to cover a boxing-heavy Captain American annual!
Dylan from the House of X podcast is in the house to chat about the 17th X-Men annual! We identify a different first appearance character that is far more compelling than X-Cutioner!
We know- you were wondering where the Moon Knight content was going to be this season. It's here! This annual touches on a bunch of Moon Knight characters and themes and although the man himself doesn't appear, he might as well have. Spidey makes a minimal impact to this story. Mr. Scott Free is here to walk us through the intricacies of Moon Knight's title and how this meshes so well with everything taking place in it. The Cadre make their first appearance and we are just so here for them!
The Avenging Hour stops by to chat with us about Doctor Strange, his antics, and the debut of Kyllian! This is a super fun issue and a really effective first appearance of a character. Celebrate the mystical side of Marvel with us!
Writer Gregory Wright joins Phillip and Daryl to chat about the annual he penned for 1993- Daredevil! Hear what it was like to be a creative force behind one of these annuals and what he thinks about the issue 30 years later!
Hulk is a beefy, smart hunk who battles a telekinetic anti-hero named Lazarus in this annual, which also features the Pantheon because, well, why not? Anthony Oliveira joins us as we tackle this fun annual!
It's old home week here on the podcast as we revisit X-Factor- or, should we say, we visit this version of X-Factor for the first time? D'Manda Martini joins us to review this issue and its actually reprehensible, well-written first appearance villain.
What do you do with a title on the verge of cancellation? Throw a bunch of Avengers tropes into a story, add in an ineffectual new character named Raptor (who definitely is not the Jurassic Park variety), and get it done!
Phillip and Daryl sat down to reflect on the amazing Uncanny Experience and chat about some of their favorites- there was so much, there are surely so many things not mentioned!
Spider-Man is the star of this book, Annex is the new character...but let's be real, the real star is Mary Jane Watson Parker and her attitude towards Peter's superhero lifestyle. Chad from Graymalkin Lane is here to geek out with us over a quick, fun romp through the Spiderverse corner of the Marvel universe.
What's better than narrowly avoiding a vengeful elf from destroying your village with fire? Listening to this episode with Sina Grace! He joins us to talk about Hrinmeer "The Flame" errr....no last name given.
We learn so much about Darkhawk in this episode as one of the foremost experts on the character, Mr. Scott Free, joins us to provide a free education. Dreamkiller, the problematic new character, takes a stab at being evil and then just sort of fades into general obscurity.
This comic is somehow rated for everyone to read, despite the, uh, massive amount of illegal activities happening inside of it. Alicia and Justin from the X-Wife Podcast join us to review this issue!
We are joined by Steve Foxe to talk about this really good annual- we stan Nocturne! Come meet her with us!
Chandler Poling from the Uncanny Experience pops in to chat with us all about Ghost Rider Annual #1. Spoiler: We love Rigor Mortis and she's not even the first appearance character pushed by Marvel for this issue!
I bet you didn't think we would get Irish Hercules, but we love to underpromise and overdeliver! Join us and the Avenging Hour as we meet the 90s version of the Guardians (in the year 3000!) and see them on a quest to find a religious text that holds the answers to everything. Cuchulain is our new character and we admire the beefcake throughout. Buckle up and prepare for a fun time!
The outstanding D'Manda Martini joins us to discuss Silver Surfer Annual #6 and the first appearance of Legacy, aka Genis-Vell!
If this isn't the summer of Barbie, we don't know what is! Join us, as well as Michelle Waffle-Otero and Isabel Dieppa, as we chat with writer Barbara Slate and artist Anna-Maria Cool all about the Barbie comics they created in the 1990s at Marvel. The conversation is absolutely wonderful and all the Barbies and Kens out there (as well as Skippers and Allens) should tune in!
Justin Kosmic joins us to cover the Iron Man annual and aside from some really questionable mythical creatures we meet Meredith McCall, who honestly is the break out star of this story (sorry Face Thief)! There's some true horror potential with Face Thief, though, so come learn all about them both with us!
Namor is big, beefy, and being hunted by an android named the Assassin that was built by...Apocalypse?!?! Chad from Graymalkin Lane joins us to chat about this turn of events. Come for Namor, stay for the Iron Fist backup story that doesn't relate to the main story at all! You were wondering if Iron Fist would make an appearance this season and here he is!
Phillip and Daryl are joined by Mr. Scott Free to chat about X-Men Annual #2, which sees the team go attack someone who is just trying to do some good in the world. Cyclops was definitely in the wrong. Come for the action, stay for the gay allegory.
Phillip and Daryl are joined by John and Jason of The Avenging Hour podcast to chat about the third annual from the New Warriors title, which (sort of) introduced the world to Darkling! Come for the main story about a sad emo boi, stay for the back-up story involving a comic convention.
An evil sword, a selection of low level villains, and Hercules in a turtleneck: we break down Avengers Annual #22 and chat about the all-new character of Bloodwraith!
It's our season finale! We review the brand new Star Trek: Resurgence video game. We walk you through our reaction to the gameplay and chat about whether or not you should give it a try!Note: the microphone had some issues and Phillip may be quieter than normal.
We're back and chatting about issues 213, 214, and 215 of X-Factor! Darwin's off on his own and is in the Old West (?). Pip gets tossed by Monet. And there's a succubus! There are so many things happening in these three issues- you definitely need to join us for a chat.
Welcome to our review of issues 210-212 of X-Factor Investigations, in which our heroes battle some undead vikings and we are somehow really concerned about rescuing Pip the Troll!
We're back with a new episode reviewing issues 207 to 209 of X-Factor Investigations! The team encounters a Thor villain and go off to Las Vegas to confront her. Oh, and Rahne is back, too- and she's got a secret!
Happy First Contact Day! Phillip and Daryl are joined by Scott Free to discuss the comic that kicked off Marvel's second time holding the Star Trek license- when the X-Men join the crew of the original series to battle a Proteus/Gary Mitchell combo from hell. Or at least from the grave. Sort of.
The last episode was so long that we couldn't put in our last chat with Marvel editor Jordan D. White- so here it is! Jordan chats about Marvel anthologies and their place in publication past and present, Lego, Star Wars, Lego Star Wars...we basically geek out for an hour. Come listen!
Holy Hellcat! We have a GIGANTIC episode covering Marvel Super-Heroes Spring Special #1 from 1990 and are joined by so. many. friends! We're going deep and having a blast chatting about all the ridiculousness contained in this episode.
We are going way outside the preconceived notions of this podcast's bounds to chat with the wonderful Michelle Waffle-Otero all about Generation X!
We're onto the next arc in X-Factor Investigations and see what happens with Monet in South America. Somehow, the gang is all back together by the end of this- because comics!
You ready for some Fantastic Four realness? We close out the Invisible Woman arc and take a journey with Monet and Strong Guy to a tropical non-paradise in this episode.
Wow, here we are at issue 200! Seems like just last week we were at issue 50. Time for us to really dig into this giant issue and set up the next story arc, involving everyone's favorite brainiac Mr. Fantastic! But wait...is it really him?
Phillip and Daryl got advance copies of Luciano Vecchio's Sereno series and are here to tell you their thoughts and feelings!
Wow, we are blasting through four issues in this week's episode- issues 47 through 50 of X-Factor Investigations! We wrap up so many things in this run of issues, which are so fun to read and even more fun to talk about!
We're back and reviewing issues 44, 45, and 46 of X-Factor Investigations! Someone's definitely naked in these issues, but it's not what you expect! Come along and join us as we break everything down in these issues!
We're covering issues 41, 42, and 43 of X-Factor Investigations as we fling ourselves into the future! No worries, there's plenty going on in the present to keep us busy, too!
We're here to chat about issues 38, 39, and 40- we're getting a birth, at the very least, but also so much more! There are TWO cliffhangers in these issues and we are doing a deep dive into one of the most stunning moments of the series so far!
We're covering so much ground in this episode- specifically, issues 35, 36, and 37 of X-Factor! We get a whole lot of world building around Darwin and at least one surprise visit!
We're back to cover soooo many issues- but succinctly for most of them. We are chatting about X-Factor issues 33 and 34, She-Hulk issues 31, 32, and 33, and Incredible Hercules 117-120!
Join us as we welcome Chandler from X-Reads: The Podcast/The Uncanny Experience and go off format to celebrate the season by reviewing the Generation X Holiday Special from December 1998!
We're diving into issue 32 of X-Factor and we admire many things about it, but maybe none more so than Rictor's hair. Journey along with us as we see how things are being set up for the future of the team!
The team has foiled the plan to destroy Mutant Town...or have they? Jump into issue 31 with us as we explore the ramifications of last issue's cliffhanger!
Issue 30 gives us a whole lot of action, some good character moments, and was super fun to read! Join us as we break it down!
We're back to talk about Rictor falling into a hole...plus a whole bunch of other great stuff! We went to Twin Cities Con this past weekend and discuss our experiences. We also touch on how great Monet is, but you already know that.
Daryl flies solo to review issue 28 of X-Factor Investigations. Plus, a special guest appearance from Chandler of the Uncanny Experience!
MESSIAH COMPLEX comes to a close. We have Dayspring and Flinkman on from the Power of X-Men podcast to break down issue 27, as well as the entire Messiah Complex event. What does it all mean?!?!? Additionally, we chat New York Comic Con, the HasLab ruse to get us to back a toy car, and anything else that comes to our minds! Buckle up for a great episode, folks!
We are right in the middle of the Messiah Complex crossover issues and we have questions! Join us as we look at X-Factor issue 26!
We tackle issue 25 of X-Factor, which kicks off the Messiah Complex crossover! Tune in and get our thoughts on that, as well as the recent Marvel Legends news and rumors!
Join Phillip and Daryl as they chat all about issue 24 of X-Factor, as well as special coverage of the one-shot The Quick and the Dead!
Phillip and Daryl are back with the close of the current story arc that reveals SO MUCH! And probably more than we needed from Quicksilver. Like, no thank you, Pietro.
Phillip and Daryl break down our favorite friendship in the book as Terry and Monet go off on a mission together! Plus, hopes are dashed (in the forehead) as issue 22 leaves us needing more, more, more!
Surprise! Issue 21 of X-Factor includes some unexpected romance, some unanticipated barfing, and at least two creeps. Tune in while Daryl and Phillip dive into it!
Phillip and Daryl dive into issue 20 of X-Factor and finish up the current story arc! It's a blast and you should tune in to hear out takes on everything from Marrow to the untimely demise of Elijah (obvi RIP).
Phillip and Daryl are here to discuss issue 19 and all that goes along with it. We're building to the end(?) of the current story arc and pieces are falling into place!
Phillip is back and we dive into the Son of M miniseries to delve into why Pietro is such a bad mama jama, as it really plays a role in understanding him in the X-Factor series. And as reading about terrible Quicksilver is a real downer, we crack open Marvel Comics Presents issue 43 to read a short tale from Siryn's past- and it's fun!
Join us for episode 21 as Flink and I chat about issue 18 of X-Factor Investigations! Things are heating up and we say goodbye to Rictor's misbegotten fashion choice, but hello to some characters we haven't seen in the book before!
Daryl is joined by special guest co-host Flinkman as we break down issue 17 of X-Factor! We also react to the Marvel Legends revealed at San Diego Comic Con, discuss the latest X wave (yeah, Bonebreaker!), and chat alllll about May 2007. Kick it way back with us!
Folks, we are rolling it back to Giant Size Fantastic Four #4 with our episode today. Why? It's the debut of Madrox! Yes, his very first appearance! And while there are some things similar to what we've read already, there are a few things that make us say, "Huh?" Join us in the wayback machine to February 1975- we can promise you fur coats, a levitating Professor Xavier, and a needlessly destructive Ben Grimm. Bonus: we review Thor Love and Thunder whether you want it or not!
Issue 16 has some serious existential questions for Madrox to answer. Meanwhile, Monet's committing crimes in France and she and Siryn grab a girl and fly away with her in a jet while the cops...disappear? Join us as we break down this issue in full!
As we cover issue 15, we say goodbye to a character we barely got to know- Monet's Faberge egg. #GoneTooSoon Oh, also, Madrox is kidnapped and brainwashed. Join us as we see how he gets out of it!
In issue 14 of X-Factor, Madrox sets out to start gathering up errant dupes to try to get his life right. Meanwhile, we get updates on allllll the members of the team in this deft story that propels us to the next arc of the series. Join Phillip and Daryl as we discuss everything going on in the issue and series!
Issue thirteen is heavy on character development and we're here for it. After nonstop action the past few issues, we get the well-publicized issue where we finally slow down and dive a little deeper with everyone. Phillip and Daryl chat all about it in this episode!
Peter David closes out his first story arc for X-Factor Investigations and it is so satisfying- Daryl and Phillip sum it all up in this episode, which covers issue twelve.
Phillip and Daryl sit down to chat about issue eleven of X-Factor Investigations, in which we dig into what went on last issue. We were stunned by what Guido did and now we learn how everything is connected. Also connected? Layla Miller's phone to a bunch of pizza places.
Issue ten has so much going on in it- and all of it is so, so good! Tune in to hear Daryl and Phillip chat about the start of a three issue arc that packs a whole lot in. Sex! Murder! Mystery! It's a noir epic made just for us!
Chad from the Graymalkin Lane podcast joins us to chat issue 9 of X-Factor Investigations, as well as the Civil War event and his time with Marvel! Quicksilver is up to, literally, no good as he clashes with X-Factor before another team shows up to make it even MORE complicated. High drama ensues!
We're diving into the Civil War crossover event while still keeping momentum going on the existing storyline and it actually sort of works? Join Phillip and Daryl as they review issue 8 of X-Factor Investigations!
Singularity Investigations has an offer for Madrox and we're here for the drama that ensues! Meanwhile, a recovering Siryn's situation goes from bad to worse, but homegirl just wants to cope with some comfort food- and who can blame her? Listen in as we break down issue 7 of X-Factor Investigations!
We finally get some insight into Layla Miller's backstory and we're here for it! However, not all our questions are answered. Join us as we discuss issue 6 of X-Factor and all the goodness we're given with a big continuing storyline!
Issue five is more tense than most tv shows or movies- it's classic writing that makes the book impossible to put down! Phillip and Daryl chat their feels about it and how X-Factor is quickly becoming a must-read title- even this early in its run.
We're joined by special guest Flinkman to discuss issue four of X-Factor Investigations, plus find out what Decimation and House of M was all about and why X-Factor did a great job tying into this huge event!
Monet is just trying to have a good evening and everything keeps going wrong. Ditto for Siryn, who just wants to have a sexy dream about Ewan McGregor. However, at a mutant detective agency you can never count on peace and quiet. Join Phillip and Daryl as they chat about this action-packed issue!
Issue two of X-Factor Investigations includes some truly explosive moments! We break down the action while admiring Monet and seeing the team take on their next case.
The first issue of the re-launched X-Factor begins with some familiar faces form the Madrox mini-series and brings in some new folks, too! We see some great character moments in this issue, as well as some great action moments. If this issue is setting the tone for the entire series, we are HERE. FOR. IT.
And just like that, Madrox kicks off X-Factor Investigations with a five issue mini-series! We have five gorgeous, fun issues to chat about this episode. The team slowly comes together, handles their first case, and deals with some personal drama as well. And quicker than Madrox can "whump" out dupes, we cover everything about these issues.
taps mic Is this thing on? Phillip and Daryl welcome you to X-Factor Files, a podcast exploring X-Factor Investigations one issue at a time (well, except our next episode, which will cover five). We're super excited for you to join us on this journey, so get o know us a little before we start diving deep!
We close the Book of Boba Fett by reviewing the final three episodes. Grogu returns in lots of Mandalorian content while Boba Fett takes a breather for two episodes, then we have an epic final battle that leaves us feeling "meh."
Boba Fett is fully healed and feeling himself in the latest episode of The Book of Boba Fett. Join us as we discuss Bertha the Bantha, the rat catching droid, and how Jennifer Beals may be the smartest person in this series.
Boba Fett is all about rehabilitating petty criminals in the latest episode of The Book of Boba Fett. But is he an effective leader? We're not quite convinced. Also, can we please stop the needless bantha slaughter? Thanks.
Phillip and Daryl chat about the latest episode of The Book of Boba Fett and how it's basically a Western movie masquerading as a Star Wars episode. #SaveTheBanthas
Phillip and Daryl dive in to the first season of the Book of Boba Feet and we have so. many. questions. What's going on? There are so many flashbacks that we get whiplash trying to recount it all!
Hey everyone! Join us for a pre-New Year's chat with our friend Laura, where we get her perspective on the first season of The Wheel of Time.
Daryl and Phillip tackle the last episode of the first season of The Wheel of Time! Can you believe so much was packed into just eight episodes? All our characters not only do a lot, but are left with cliffhangers as we bid them goodbye.
Our characters get approximately 2.47 hours to take a break from the action and Phillip and Daryl have thoughts on it. Lots of romantical moments that may be unnecessary(?) and some good characterization set us up for a big season finale next week!
A day in the life of Moraine Sedai! Well, maybe more like two. Phillip and Daryl explore how the Wheel (and Moraine) weaves in the latest episode of The Wheel of Time! We also finally get to meet the Amyrlin and are here for it. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @tworiverstwotakes and rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast!
All our heroes are converging on Tar Valon, but are not yet one happy group back together again. There's an ogier, lots of creeps (Liandrin, we see you), and more than a little unnecessary(?) storytelling in this episode of The Wheel of Time. Come join us as we describe our thoughts and feels about this episode. Don't forget to rate, review, subscribe, and follow us over on Instagram @tworiverstwotakes!
Phillip and Daryl dive into episode four- take two! Our original episode was corrupted by the One Power, so here is a fresh episode that's even better and brighter- but not as bright as Nynaeve's channeling!
We finally get to meet a gleeman, but he falls woefully short of that title. We also meet our first Darkfriend and she, somehow, brings more merriment to the episode than Thom. Nynaeve shows what she's got and we take a deep dive into everything in this action-packed episode of The Wheel of Time!
Our heroes are out of the Two Rivers and well on their way to Tar Valon with Moiraine! End of series? Nah, it's just the beginning- and only the second episode of the season. Join Daryl and Phillip as they discuss bad dreams, CW moments, and some deep history of the world in this episode of Two Rivers, Two Takes!
The incredible first episode of The Wheel of Time is here! Phillip and Daryl break down attending an advance fan screening, as well as what takes place in this first episode.
Phillip and Daryl talk a little bit about the world we're getting ourselves into with the Wheel of Time tv series. We touch on the countries involved, what the different ajahs of the Aes Sedai are, and how the One Power can be augmented by special items.
We take a dive into the Wheel of Time trailers that have been released so far, as well as our hopes and dreams from the upcoming first season! Make sure to follow us on Instagram at tworiverstwotakes for more content!