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E For Evolution: X-Amining Grant Morrison's X-Men

E For Evolution: X-Amining Grant Morrison's X-Men

By Perry Constantine, Oscar Owens, Patrick Lagua

In 2001, Marvel's X-Men comics had just gone through ten years of stagnation. In sharp contrast to the monumental changes Chris Claremont routinely introduced to the characters, the X-Men had become a safe comic afraid to take risks. In an attempt to finally shake things up, Marvel tapped Grant Morrison, writer of JLA and The Invisibles, to reinvent the X-Men for a new generation. And for the first time since Claremont's initial run, Morrison introduced sweeping and controversial changes, the reverberations of which are still being felt to this day.

Join hosts Perry Constantine, Oscar Owens, and Patrick Lagua as they go back through each issue of Morrison's New X-Men run, discussing the impacts of his work on the characters, the industry, and on themselves personally.
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Riot at Xavier's (New X-Men #135-138)

E For Evolution: X-Amining Grant Morrison's X-MenApr 20, 2022

00:00
01:23:01
The Morrison Legacy

The Morrison Legacy

In our final episode, Perry, Oscar, and Pat discuss the legacy of Morrison's run twenty years later.

Jul 06, 202201:34:09
Here Comes Tomorrow (New X-Men #151-154)

Here Comes Tomorrow (New X-Men #151-154)

Jun 01, 202201:12:18
Planet X (New X-Men #146-150)

Planet X (New X-Men #146-150)

May 24, 202201:30:57
Assault on Weapon Plus (New X-Men #142-145)

Assault on Weapon Plus (New X-Men #142-145)

May 04, 202201:15:23
Murder at the Mansion (New X-Men #139-141)

Murder at the Mansion (New X-Men #139-141)

Apr 27, 202201:02:16
Riot at Xavier's (New X-Men #135-138)

Riot at Xavier's (New X-Men #135-138)

Apr 20, 202201:23:01
Kid Ω (New X-Men #134)

Kid Ω (New X-Men #134)

In the prelude to the "Riot at Xavier's" story-arc, we're introduced to Quentin Quire in such a wonderful way, we almost forget this was his first appearance. We also get a wonderful new fill-in artist in the form of Keron Grant and the "resolution" of sorts of the "Beast is gay" subplot.

Apr 13, 202240:00
Dust (New X-Men #133)

Dust (New X-Men #133)

The final issue of the "New Worlds" trade is our focus. And if the last issue was a 9/11 tribute, this is something of a reflection of America's War on Terror. He Who Shall Not Be Named is unfortunately back as the fill-in artist, we meet the Mumbai X-Corp team, and the introduction of Dust!

Apr 06, 202249:13
Ambient Magnetic Fields (New X-Men #132)

Ambient Magnetic Fields (New X-Men #132)

After a bit of a delay, we're back with a new episode! This is the debut of Phil Jimenez as a guest artist and a 9/11-esque tribute story that was billed as a memorial Magneto issue. We talk about Morrison's use of some new characters like Quicksilver, Thunderbird, and Storm, and about Marvel's reaction to 9/11 as a whole.

Mar 30, 202249:10
Some Angels Falling (New X-Men #131)

Some Angels Falling (New X-Men #131)

The affair that would launch one of the most memorable and longest-lasting X-romances begins in this issue! What starts out as Cyclops seeking marriage advice from Emma quickly turns into something a lot more scandalous...
Feb 23, 202257:59
Weapon Twelve (New X-Men #130)

Weapon Twelve (New X-Men #130)

In the conclusion to this arc, Jean and Professor X join forces with the mysterious Fantomex to take down Weapon XII. We learn more about the Weapon Plus Project, discover some hints about Fantomex's origin, and a mutant you've probably never heard of doesn't make it out alive.
Feb 16, 202253:41
Fantomex (New X-Men #129)

Fantomex (New X-Men #129)

We're back! After an extended holiday hiatus, we're ready to jump back into Morrison's New X-Men. In today's issue, we learn about the mysterious Fantomex and discuss his satirical origins, the big changes made to the Weapon X Program, and the legacy of both this character and Weapon Plus.
Feb 09, 202201:01:46
New Worlds (New X-Men #128)

New Worlds (New X-Men #128)

In the wake of Cassandra Nova's attack, Professor X and the X-Men are going public and global with X-Corp. Plus, we learn more about Jean and the Phoenix and witness the first appearance of Fantomex!
Dec 08, 202155:59
Of Living and Dying (New X-Men #127)

Of Living and Dying (New X-Men #127)

Xorn, the newest, most mysterious X-Man, gets the solo treatment. The guys discuss how well this works as a look into Xorn's head, but also address the controversy it generated after the fact given the later revelations of who Xorn really was.
Dec 01, 202144:43
All Hell (New X-Men #126)

All Hell (New X-Men #126)

The conclusion to Imperial! Jean has downloaded Xavier's entire consciousness into her mind just as Cassandra Nova comes to the Institute for the final showdown with the X-Men, and Emma has her own plan.
Nov 10, 202101:14:11
Losers (New X-Men #125)

Losers (New X-Men #125)

Cyclops and Xorn are at the mercy of the Shi'ar and Cassandra Nova, the Stepford Cuckoos and Angel put their plan into motion, and Jean attempts the impossible to save Professor X's mind.
Nov 03, 202150:48
Superdestroyer (New X-Men #124)

Superdestroyer (New X-Men #124)

While Cyclops and Xorn are taken captive aboard Lilandra's ship, the Imperial Guard attacks the Xavier Institute. Jean and Beast must protect the visiting reporters and students, leaving Wolverine to take on the Superguardians all on his own.
Oct 27, 202101:01:22
Testament (New X-Men #123)

Testament (New X-Men #123)

As the Imperial Guard makes their approach to Earth, the Xavier Institute opens its doors to the press for the first time ever, with some interesting results. But all attempts at bridging gaps with humanity may be moot when Beast learns about Cassandra Nova's secret weapon! The "Imperial" story-arc continues.
Oct 20, 202101:05:12
Imperial (New X-Men #122)

Imperial (New X-Men #122)

Cassandra Nova is wreaking havoc in the Shi'ar Empire! Meanwhile back on Earth, the X-Men now know what Cassandra has done to the Professor, Cyclops is worried about Jean's powers, and Beast deals with his PTSD from Cassandra's attack. Also, there's a reference to Morrison's first work for Marvel.
Oct 13, 202101:00:22
Silence: Psychic Rescue in Progress (New X-Men #121)

Silence: Psychic Rescue in Progress (New X-Men #121)

In a completely silent issue, Jean and Emma attempt a psychic rescue of Professor X, whose mind is trapped inside Cassandra Nova's body. Of all of Marvel's 'Nuff Said issues, this was undoubtedly the most memorable and was even recently replicated.
Oct 06, 202101:08:38
Germ-Free Generation, Part 3 (New X-Men #120)

Germ-Free Generation, Part 3 (New X-Men #120)

Germ-Free Generation concludes with the women taking center-stage. Emma goes full pugilist and Jean exhibits a very familiar and very frightening power signature.
Sep 29, 202155:34
Germ-Free Generation, Part 2 (New X-Men #119)

Germ-Free Generation, Part 2 (New X-Men #119)

Cyclops and Emma are at the mercy of John Sublime and Martha Johansson, Wolverine rescues Angel from the U-Men, and Jean and the students are left alone to defend the school. All this and we discuss the new fill-in artist, Igor Kordey.
Sep 22, 202147:12
Germ-Free Generation, Part 1 (New X-Men #118)

Germ-Free Generation, Part 1 (New X-Men #118)

The U-Men are back after their appearance in the 2001 Annual, everybody at the mansion has the flu, and we're introduced to Angel Salvadore, who is probably best described as the anti-Kitty Pryde. All this and more in the first part of Germ-Free Generation.
Sep 15, 202101:01:32
Danger Rooms (New X-Men #117)

Danger Rooms (New X-Men #117)

In the epilogue to E is for Extinction, we get our first fill-in artist, there are some love triangle twists, and we're introduced to the freaky new students of the Xavier School.
Sep 08, 202101:06:07
The Man From Room X (New X-Men 2001 Annual)

The Man From Room X (New X-Men 2001 Annual)

The first and only annual of Morrison's run introduces a new format. The X-Men team up with Domino in China to find out the secrets of Feng Tu and its mysterious mutant prisoner, Xorn.
Sep 01, 202101:18:10
E is for Extinction, Part 3 (New X-Men #116)

E is for Extinction, Part 3 (New X-Men #116)

In the wake of the Sentinel attack, 16 million mutants are dead and Genosha is a wasteland, Magneto appears to be dead, and Emma has undergone some changes. Morrison's first arc comes to a dramatic close.
Aug 25, 202101:06:07
E is for Extinction, Part 2 (New X-Men #115)

E is for Extinction, Part 2 (New X-Men #115)

Cyclops and Wolverine get attacked by Cassandra Nova's wild Sentinels, Jean has questions for the Professor, and Genosha's in for a surprise.
Aug 16, 202158:17
E is for Extinction, Part 1 (New X-Men #114)

E is for Extinction, Part 1 (New X-Men #114)

The first issue of the Morrison run reintroduces the core team to new readers, establishes the status quo, and sets up a bold new threat.
Aug 15, 202101:09:17
The Morrison Manifesto

The Morrison Manifesto

In the debut of E For Evolution, Perry, Oscar, and Pat talk about how they became X-fans, discuss the state of the X-Men titles just before Morrison's run, and go through the "Morrison Manifesto," Morrison's initial pitch document for his X-Men run.
Aug 15, 202101:18:42
Introducing E For Evolution: X-Amining Grant Morrison's X-Men

Introducing E For Evolution: X-Amining Grant Morrison's X-Men

In 2001, Grant Morrison took the reins of the X-Men comics and began a run that remains controversial and impactful to this day. Now 20 years later, three X-fans look back on his run, going issue-by-issue and discussing it in depth.
Aug 15, 202102:03