X-Boyz (An X-Men The Animated Series Podcast)

Oh, you thought the show was over? Well, technically it is. For now. But the X-party rages on in our hearts and telepathic minds. So the Boyz (and a very special LADY guest) got together one more time to discuss the entirety of a season that, against-all-odds, exceeded our expectations. From the soapy romances to the most action-packed fights, we're covering it all. And stick around for our final X-Men Power Rankings to see who reigns (crunch-wrap) supreme going into Season 2.

Join the Boyz as they cap off the ferocious finale of X-Men '97 Season 1. Did they manage to stick the Blackbird landing? Or was it as rocky as a flaming Asteroid M? Either way it's a miracle of a show that rose from the ashes of the past like a Pheen dream. And we can't wait for more.

Oh me, oh my! You've seen X-Men survive strange evil islands. You've seen them go to war in space. But what if they did both at the same time?! The boyz are serving up a double dose of our heroes' greatest villains with jaw-dropping battles that'll really rattle your bones. The fate of the world hangs in the balance. So listen up or you'll make Morph angry. And you wouldn't like Morph when they're angry...

Oh my stars and garters! We've seen the X-Men face off against their fair share of humans and sentinels; but what happens when they take on both at once? Big bad boy Bastion has weaponized humanity and there's only one mutant who can disarm these super-charged fiends -- unfortunately, he's tied up at the moment. Join the Boyz as they take an action-packed family trip with the Summers gang. Destination? The Danger Zone.

ROGUE'S GONE ROGUE. And she's thirsty for revenge in the wake of her beloved Gambit's demise. Others are still picking up the pieces in the aftermath of the Genoshan massacre. And the Boyz? Well we're here to wipe your tears and provide answers to burning hot questions like -- who exactly is this Bastion guy who's even more sininster-er than Sinister? Why do prisons suck at holding villains in this show? Did we need MCU cameos? Will Roberto finally get out of last place in the power rankings? This and more. Here and now. ON X-BOYZ.

Class is in session. Face your inner demons and join the Boyz as they do what they do best and make fun of Xavier for using obnoxious words like "jingoism" while bragging about how many books he's read. What? He's alive again! That means it's fair game to poke a little fun at the pompous Professor. It's a spelunking good time that'll make your head spin like an evil owl. Is this episode as good as "Remember It?" Absolutely not. Nothing is. But we're still gonna have fun together. Because coexisting is important and intolerance is for the birds.

Take a trip back to Genosha, they said. Everything is peaceful there now, they said. Mutants will be fine, they said. WELL THEY LIED AND WE CRIED. Shed some tears with the Boyz for a top tier episode that features all the core tenets of the X-Men -- secret pasts, broken hearts, pulse-pounding action, tragic sacrifices made in the face of brutal intolerance. And Sydney (added by Henry). Did we mention it's the spiciest batch of Gambit gumbo to date? The kind that makes your eyes water. Remember It? How could we forget? 

WE GOT OUR MOJO BACK. Everyone’s favorite interdimensional megalomaniac ratings fiend has returned to torment Jubilee yet again. And this time he’s crashing her 18th birthday. Join the Boyz as we dissect a video game-themed episode that serves up a heavy dose of nostalgia with tons of nods to the 90s and the original series. And stick around for our coverage of Lifedeath pt. 1 where we discuss Storm's powerless dilemma, Forge's Papa’s Famous Bison Chili, a sudden steamy romance, and a mysterious new "Adversary." You don't want to miss it. Please don't make Mojo angry, he's already going through a lot right now, okay?

X-Boyz and Girlz, it's the moment you've all been waiting for. X-Men '97 has arrived and we're thrilled to report that it's bringing more heat than a Phoenix firestorm. Join us as we celebrate the mega two-part episode return of our old faithful friends who are back to take on some familiar foes (Gyrich, Trask, and the Sentinels) and some new threats to mutant-kind (X-Cutioner). 

The Professor's out of the picture and Magneto's running the show. Jean and Scott contemplate leaving the X-Men to start a family. And Rogue and Magneto TOUCH ON a secret romantic history. Stick around for a quick power rankings of the newly expanded X-Men squad to see how they're stacking up.

Most other pods will lump in their coverage of this iconic show's revival with other content, but that's not how the Boyz roll. We've given episode-by-episode in-depth analysis of the original series and we're here to do the same for '97 every week on Thursdays. If you love mutants as much as we do, join us, won't you? Boyz, out.

The name's Crawler. Nightcrawler. And his mission is to infiltrate the heavily guarded chemical warfare facility at an F.O.H. dam in the US of A. Team commander on this assignment is "Wolverine" with additional support from rookie field agent Jubilation Lee codenamed "Jubilee." Be on the lookout for human rights extremist Graydon Creed. Intel says he's resurfaced with a vengeance. Operation "Mystique" is a go. But only if you choose to accept. Boyz out. 

Behold! Magnus makes his triumphant return! When Quicksilver and his sister Scarlet Witch learn they’re adopted, they soon discover that Magneto, currently on a quest to find a long lost love, may just hold a clue to their past. And they’re not the only heavy hitters featured in this ep — a Guardians of the Galaxy alum also makes an appearance. It’s got Wolvy. It’s got Beast. What else do you need? It’s X Boyz time. This is, Family Ties.

With great power comes great liability. Especially when you're a reality-shifting, body-snatching, energy-sapping teenager who's never seen the outside world. That's Kevin aka PROTEUS, a mutant who escapes from the research lab of the woman who puts the "ex" in Professor X -- Moira McTaggert. It's up to Xavier and the squad to help her track down this dangerous mutant (and the X-Boyz to analyze a two-part episode that probably should've just been one-parter).

Stick around after our re-cap for a little mid-season mutant power rankings as the Boyz discuss how the main members of the team are stacking up so far (01:43:44).

For a long time, the boyz have asked the question, what would the world be like without Xavier? Well, this week’s mega two-parter explores a dark future where the Professor isn’t around to fight for mutant rights. A timeline where Magneto has a beard and Beast hates literature. A place where Wolverine and Storm are… in love?! This sounds like a job for Bishop. And back, of course, along with him, is our beloved space/time continuum expert Rob Fonda. Join as we dive into a rare episode arc that actually inspired the comics as together we discover just what “One Man’s Worth.”

The title says it all: NIGHTCRAWLER IS HERE. Wolverine, Gambit, and Rogue's ski vacation turns into a demon-hunting quest when local villagers claim a devilish blue boy is creeping around their holy town. But is he truly a villain? Or is their prejudice the real evil? Does Nightcrawler's teleportation cloud leave behind a stench? This and more, only on X-Boyz.

Oh, boy, it's another solo Cyclops episode. And this time it's a Wild West bonanza. When Scott flies to a desert town to look for an old friend, he winds up stranded and powerless in a militant town run by a ruthless mutant leader. Cyke's gotta prove his leadership chops if he hopes to inspire the peaceful mutant townspeople to strike back against subjugation. Join The Boyz as they take a trip in their wagon and search for gold by digging into Secrets, Not Long Buried.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! For countless episodes, The Boyz have shaken their fist at the sky and screamed "WHERE'S MORPH?!" At long last, we proudly present the return of our favorite shape-shifting, wise-cracking X-Man. And he's brought a few of our favorite Season One friends with him. Is Morph ready to re-join the squad or do sinister thoughts still plague him? Are he and Wolverine still best friends? Does he have a real name? We'll answer these questions and more as we recap Season 4 Episode 6, "Courage." An episode so good, you'll sh*t your suit.

When an old enemy from the past makes Xavier lose himself, the X-Men soon find themselves facing off with an evil version of their fearless leader. Join The Boyz as they discuss Professor X’s favorite subject: himself.

Oh, Magnus... Where have you been? Well, it turns out our long lost friend Magneto was cooking up his boldest plan yet in his quest to save mutantkind. Set your Blackbird coordinates for Asteroid M. You’re in for a double-whammy two-parter filled with Ex-friends, Ex-lovers, and X-Boyz.

We're back in the USSR! Omega Red returns with revenge on his mind. And revenge is a dish best served up icy cold at the bottom of the ocean where a nuclear submarine is set to launch warheads that could destroy the entire world. It's straight up Mission Impossible time and the Boyz are here to light the fuse. But they're gonna need a team of experts (like special guest Content Dracula) if they hope to take on one of the X-Men's greatest foes.

THE BOYZ ARE BACK. And so is Juggs. It's been a while but Andrew, Henry and John are here to talk about new fan favorite Eugene, a cool elevator security guard and yell at each other about Professor Xavier's backstory in the season 4 premiere.

Season 3 was 19 episodes that packed an intergalactic punch so powerful it would knock Gladiator out of his cute lil' space boots. So the Boyz are here to set the record straight on where our core nine X-Men stand for some power rankings. But wait... there's more! It wouldn't be a season wrap-up without some head-to-head draft warfare and this time we're each choosing a team of 4 XMTAS characters powerful enough to take on the queen of Season 3 herself -- Dark Phoenix (Queen Pheen). 

It's the Season 3 Finale, "Love in Vain!" Rogue's got a rendezvous with an ex-man of hers when her highschool sweetheart Cody shows up. Join Andrew, Henry, and John as they bring this intergalactic season to a fitting close with extraterrestrial invasion featuring space whales, The Brood, and a lean, green Wolverine.

The Boyz bring parts 3 and 4 of the Dark Phoenix Saga to a close. Jean's Daddy comes home. Gladiator and Lillandra return for a showdown of the ages, and Professor X puts the X-Men's lives on the line (yet again.) Truly awesome. 

The wait is over. Join the Boyz as they cover a most beloved chapter in XMTAS - The Dark Phoenix pts. 1 and 2: Dazzled and The Inner Circle. Jean's back but the Pheen (Phoenix) is still raging inside her. Cyke's got *sparks* with another woman. Jean finally gets married (and it ain't to Scott). And most importantly - Wolverine eats a turkey leg.

Hold onto your pterodactyls, cuz you're about to get a double-dose of danger as the Boyz cover Savage Land, Strange Heart Parts 1 and 2. What makes this multi-climated warring world tick? Why is there a witch worshipping a giant stone head? Since when are Storm's powers out of control? Should we care about any of this? You may need a drink for this one. We certainly did.

Like the famous Eugene O'Neil play from 1946: The Iceman Has Comed. Bobby Drake a.k.a. that sleet surfin' S.O.B. makes his long-awaited debut in COLD COMFORT and the Boyz couldn't be more thrilled. Why'd he quit the X-Men? Who's his ex-girlfriend and why is her hair so green? Is she single? Why is she so perfect?  Questions like this and more shall be discussed and answered by X-Factor X-perts, The X-Boyz.

The Boyz are here to take a MOJO FILLER episode and make it a MOJO THRILLER. That's right, Mojo's back. This time he's invading Earth and looking to hunt down that intergalactic heartthrob and titular character of this week's ep - Longshot. It's up to Wolverine, his cowboy hat, and the rest of the X-Men to stop a most unwelcome invasion of genetically engineered lunatics. I swear to Gog you're gonna have a blast.

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a weaponized mutant bloodthirsty for revenge! IT'S ARCHANGEL. After a sub par episode in the series, the Boyz are happy to report that we're flying high again with an all-timer -- "Obsession." Beast falls in love with Siri. Rogue has a crazy crush that ain't a cajun. And Apocalypse gets so big that your tiny televisions back in '94 couldn't even contain him. The name is X-Boyz. Remember it!

Cyclops quits the X-Men! And hey, we don't blame him. This episode is kind of a stinker. But the X-Boyz are here to turn these lemons (bad XMTAS episode) into lemonade (a wildly enjoyable X-Boyz episode). And what better way to celebrate the worst episode of the series with our very worst special guest yet. "No Mutant Is An Island" is an anomaly of an episode that aired over two years after its intended release. More fun facts like this inside! Come on in!

The Phoenix Saga CONCLUDES!  PARTS FOUR AND FIVE of the 5-part Phoenix extravaganza. We got Starjammers. We got space crystals. We got Cyclops playing a game of catch with his old man. Not to mention the most heartbreaking farewell since Morphy boy. Join us as we pay tribute to one of the most beloved X-storylines to date. Trust us when we say you "don't want to miss a thing." -Aerosmith

The Phoenix Saga BEGINS! Slam your rods together and join the Boyz as they blast off to outer space for PARTS ONE THROUGH THREE of the 5-part Phoenix extravaganza (Parts 4 and 5 next week). Will our X-Men be able to stop a power-hungry emperor? (And no, we aren't talking about Dark Professor X) Can Jean cream the competition or will she have to dig deeper and... evolve? Here comes a juggernaut-sized episode slamming right into your ear holes.

SEASON TWO FINALE EXTRAVAGANZA! Swing through the Savage Land with your favorite nasty Boyz as we bring a most Sinister season to a close with Reunion pts. 1 and 2. And wait! There's Mor(ph)! Stick around for a special mutant draft VILLAIN EDITION. The Boyz honor our fiendish season 2 cover art by each drafting teams of the most evil mutants ever assembled. Vote on your favorite on Twitter @xboyzpod.

It's a finale so big and action packed that it took us twice as long to get it to you. Love you tho!

Once upon a time Henry, John, and Andrew had three separate pods that combined to form one glorious pod -- THE X-BOYZ. And this was all thanks to one man: MOJO. Join us as we celebrate the X-BOYZ: ORIGINS and put the "ultimate" in "penultimate" with "Mojovision," Episode 11 of Season 2 of XMTAS. Please like and subscribe (Mojo's watching). We love Mojo... And here's hoping that, by the end of this ep, you'll love that round boy too.

Beast's in love. Wolvy's in disguise. You're in for a great episode. Join the Joy Boyz, Andrew, Henry and John as they recap, reminisce, and ramble about Season 2 Episode 10 of XMTAS: "Beauty and the Beast." We don't have any guests this time so please hang out with us. We're so lonely.

We did it! We found a real life woman who was actually willing to talk to us! Hollywood costumer X-traordinaire MaryElise Martin joins the Boyz to talk all about her favorite Mississippi Queen. That's right, The X-Boyz People are covering Episode 9 of Season 2: "A Rogue Tale." Long before C**** D****** (redacted for spoilers) was soaring through the MCU, she was featured in XMTAS. Where did Rogue's powers come from? Who's her daddy? How much did Henry, Andrew, and John pay Mary to be here? All that and more!

The Boyz are headed back to the future to reunite with two time-hoppin' gunslingers -- Bishop and Cable. And there's no one better to help John, Andrew, and Henry unweave a massive two-part time travel episode than beloved boyz friend, Rob (Anime SHUN). The future may be bleak for the X-Men, but it's looking awfully bright for you. So bodyslide yourself into your comfiest chair. Your future self will be very happy with you for listening.

Anime SHUN:

https://audioboom.com/channels/5054860

https://www.instagram.com/animeshunpodcast/?hl=en

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/anime-shun/id1413425176

https://www.patreon.com/animeshun

Good gravy! The X-Boyz are stirring up their finest pot of gumbo as they cover a very special Gambit-charged episode of XMTAS: "X-Ternally Yours." Gambit rushes back home to the swamp to rescue his estranged brother while dodging the advances of his (e)X-lover. It's an episode so nice, we had to give it some spice - so John called in his own brother from the bayou, Jake, to join us for the pod and help suss out which Cajun-isms are authentic and which are too x-treme.

This week the X-Boyz (Heather, Heather, and Heather) book an Alpha Flight to Canada for a showdown with Wolverine's ex-squad before the X-squad. It turns out Jean wasn't the first red-head Wolvy had a crush on. And Scott wasn't the first leader to get under his quick-healing skin.  Join in the goofs, hoots, and gags as we cover episode 5 of XMTAS: "Repo Man." And, as always. Have yourself a Heather Heather on this lovely Heather.

Storm blesses the rains down in Africa! The X-Boyz are getting to know one of their favorite mutants a bit more this week for episode 203 of XMTAS, "Whatever It Takes." Storm's son is being hunted by a demon and Wolverine's got his own demons from his past that his best bud Morph is using against him. Oh, and there are pterodactyls. ACTION PACKED, BABY!

https://linktr.ee/xboyzpod

THE X-MEN ARE DEAD! (And we don't mean just Morph.) This week The Boyz are forced to confront a bleak future where mutants are outlawed and bounty hunters like BISHOP have turned on their own kind. Join John, Andrew, and Henry (And special guest Rob Fonda of Animeshun*) as they send their brains backwards in time and space to analyze one of the most beloved chapters in the franchise -- Days of Future Past (Pts. 1 and 2).

*Find Rob and Animeshun friends wherever podcasts are sold:

https://audioboom.com/channels/5054860

https://www.instagram.com/animeshunpodcast/?hl=en

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/anime-shun/id1413425176

https://www.patreon.com/animeshun

To be a mutant or not to be? This question and more are explored by the X-Boyz this week as they dive into episodes 9 and 10 of X-Men TAS Season 1. Storm tells her first joke. Angel gets a makeover. Apocalypse vacations in England.  And Mystique's a real mother. (There's also a mutant named Abraham Lincoln. Yes, seriously.)