In which we return to Rutland, Vermont; Emma Frost faces her salad demons; Banshee is not even supposed to be here today; no one should ever have to drive in New York City; Fenris is both evil and obnoxious; and we’re still not over that one Senator Kelly action figure.
X-PLAINED:
How to help us help queer and trans youth
Generation X #22
Generation X Annual 1996
Halloween with Generation X
Stag Beetle Magazine
X-casting Nicholas Cage
Neurotica
William Castle
Roger Corman’s Poe adaptations
Saturday morning cartoons
Weird gardening
Some very clever lettering tricks
Several humans
Train delays
Fenris
Mutagen Wave Generator
The Worst Action Figure (more) (again)
Robert the Ship
Our favorite Beast iterations
Abbreviations
NEXT EPISODE: Wolverine and some other guys!
Check out the visual companion to this episode on our blog.
Jay and Miles X-Plain the X-Men is 100% ad-free and listener supported. If you want to help support the podcast–and unlock more cool stuff–you can do that right here!
As is our annual tradition, we put out a last-minute call on Twitter for pictures of your X-Men Halloween costumes, and dang are you a stylish bunch! Check out the full roundup–along with some really spectacular jack-o’-lanterns–below!
@kissmyrice specified that she is nice Emma Frost, not the one who’ll blow up your pony without a second thought.
The new X-kids never get enough love, so we were super psyched to see @MutantAnomaly‘s kickass Nature Girl!
@speedheart takes Ororo’s rebellious phase in a different direction with Storm: The College Years!
Speaking of X-Men who don’t get nearly enough cosplay love, check out the always-awesome @Elana_Brooklyn and her husband as Siryn and Forge!
@Elana_Brooklyn tells us that the costumes were for an X-themed party, which–appropriately–involved at least one awkward family reunion!
Not only did @rememberyhorsenail Quentin Quire’s signature look, but he’s got the glare down to a science!
@punkerthanthou (as Cyclops, appropriately!) organized this kickass X-group!
A Phoenix jack-o’-lantern where the firebird aura is actual fire? Yes, please, @eisoj5!
Another really spectacular use of the medium–and the best Cyclops costume–from @half_panda22!
There are better pictures of our costumes (Wirt from Over the Garden Wall, and Speed Racer, respectively), but we couldn’t resist the accidental glowing red eyes in this one.
ETA: I know I missed a handful–and a few came in after the post was done–so if you’ve got an X-costume that’s NOT here, please drop a link in the comments below!
X-MEN! WELCOME TO FASHION! (Photo courtesy of TV Store Online.)
Recently, the good folks at TV Store Online got in touch and asked if we’d be interested in teaming up with them for a contest, with some of their very cool X-Men swag as prizes. (Note: No official endorsements going on here. We haven’t encountered this gear in person, but it looks pretty damn cool.)
We’re big fans of stealth cosplay–costume-evocative or referential outfits that can pass as regular clothes–but, as lovers of incidental details and minutiae, we’re even bigger fans of plainclothes cosplay–cosplaying superheroes or other normally costumed characters out of their iconic costumes. And what better time to indulge in both than the weeks around Halloween?
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY BY THE END OF THE DAY ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW. We’ll pick our two favorites (overall, not necessarily one from each category), and announce the winners on November 9, here and in the as-mentioned post of Episode 30!
HERE’S WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
STEALTH COSPLAY:
Show us how you’re sneaking mutant superheroics into your office, school, or day-to-day life! If you’re unfamiliar with stealth cosplay–or just need some inspiration–we recommend checking out the Stealth Cosplay and Stealth Cosplay Week tags on Tumblr.
Your submission to xplainthexmen(at)gmail(dot)com should include:
The subject line “HALLOWEEN CONTEST – STEALTH”
A photo of you in costume.
A picture of the specific costume or character you’re referencing.
The name or handle you’d like us to post your submission under.
Any additional notes about the outfit you’d like us to consider when we make our decision.
Keep it subtle and versatile. Ideally, you’re sending in something that’ll be immediately recognizable to fellow fans, and fly straight over the head of your boss/teacher/mom.
PLAINCLOTHES COSPLAY:
Own a plaid suit? YOUR TIME HAS COME! You can either replicate a non-costume outfit from the comics or other X-media, or theorize what your favorite X-man wears on their day off. We’ll be posting some comics clips and costume photos for inspiration and reference over the next week!
Your submission to xplainthexmen(at)gmail(dot)com should include:
The subject line “HALLOWEEN CONTEST – PLAINCLOTHES”
A photo of you in costume
EITHER a picture of the specific outfit you’re referencing OR a brief description of why you decided that’s what your favorite X-Man wears off-duty.
The name or handle you’d like us to post your submission under.
Any additional notes about the outfit you’d like us to consider when we make our decision.
EITHER WAY
We frown on use of costume and logo t-shirts and the equivalent, although Xavier School gear is probably negotiable.
Don’t rely too heavily on a recognizable accessory–red sunglasses alone do not a Cyclops make, dig?
We will be judging based on your costume or outfit, not your personal physical resemblance to the character as drawn or portrayed in other media. We are also 100% down with rule-63/crossplay submissions.
Per previous specifications: Deadpool does not count as an X-Man. Namor does.
Be creative. Have fun.
FINE PRINT
Submissions are due by 11 PM Pacific (GMT-8) on Friday, November 7. Late submissions won’t be considered, period.
FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES ABOVE, or your submission will be fed to the Memory Eels.
You need to be 18 to play.
EDITED TO ADD: You need to be in the United States to qualify for the prizes.
