Listen to the episode here.
Illustration by David Wynne
To unlock Xorn, you’ll need the Lapis Eye key, the Purple Bull key, a code from carbon paper, and a number written in blood in a padded cell. (New X-Men Annual 2001)
X-Corporation Hong Kong has a pretty big headquarters for a staff of two… Well, now just one. (New X-Men Annual 2001)
Introducing John Sublime, tech-bro douchebag (and ancient/sentient bacteria). (New X-Men Annual 2001)
Grant Morrison: “I need you to draw a containment suit!” Leinil Francis Yu: *cracks knuckles* Every future artist: “DAMMIT LEINIL” (New X-Men Annual 2001)
Ninja business. (New X-Men Annual 2001)
Ao Jun’s flesh golems! Just… wow. (New X-Men Annual 2001)
Logan would be great at charcuterie. (New X-Men Annual 2001)
I’m still not over this kid dying. (New X-Men Annual 2001)
Just a hell of an action shot. (New X-Men Annual 2001)
Is Emma telling the truth about her powers or bullshitting us? Discuss! (New X-Men Annual 2001)
The New X-Men Story. (New X-Men Annual 2001)
Think about that third panel in the context of the eventual Xorn reveal… (New X-Men Annual 2001)
Hey, it’s Beak! Hi Beak! (New X-Men #17)
And then the Xavier Institute changed forever. (New X-Men #17)
DAMMIT TRISH YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE BEAST THAT SAD (New X-Men #17)
Seriously. (New X-Men #17)
…with letters by Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Saida Temofonte. (New X-Men #17)
No no no no (New X-Men #17)
Poor… everybody. (New X-Men #17)
And the Academy Award for Best Secretly Body-Swapped Lead Actress goes to… (New X-Men #17)
What trim level is that? (New X-Men #17)
NEXT TIME: X-Men vs. U-Men
While suspicion of Emma is warranted here, I think she’s being serious about the emotionless-diamond-form idea — or at least believes it herself. In later issues you see her change to diamond form when confronted with heartbreak even when nobody’s watching, such as when the Cuckoos abandoned her. (It’s unclear whether doing so helps her cope at all, though.)
That said, it’s a ridiculous and needlessly complicated concept for Morrison to saddle future writers with.
Also, she uses her telepathy often in diamond form in this run, so….