520 – Head Like a (Black) Hole

About this episode

The episode discusses various characters and plot points from the X-Men universe, including John Sublime, Cyclops, and Beak, while exploring themes of identity and mutant powers.

Illustration by David Wynne In which several individuals are not what they seem; John Sublime sucks; Cyclops talks Xorn down from a cosmic ledge; we meet the inimitable Beak; and Cassandra Nova makes herself (limitedly) known. X-PLAINED: John Sublime Marvelscope™ New X-Men 2001 Annual New X-Men #117 Xorn X-Corporation The U-Men Ao Jun (and his super gross mutant power) Synchronized heists Psychometry vs. telepathy A big eventual twist Beak (Barnell Bohusk) A kiss Some really fucked up use of telepathy Some Moira MacTaggert continuity nonsense NEXT EPISODE: U-Men vs. X-Men Check out the visual companion to this episode on our blog . Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ! 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 ! Buy rad swag at our Dashery shop !

People in this episode

Hosts: Jay Edidin, Miles Stokes

Topics covered

• character analysis
• X-Men lore
• mutant powers
• telepathy
• cosmic events
• story twists

Keywords

• John Sublime
• Cyclops
• Xorn
• Beak
• Cassandra Nova
• telepathy
• U-Men
• mutant powers
• story twists

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: X-Corporation, U-Men, X-Men

Books & works: New X-Men 2001 Annual, New X-Men #117

More episodes of Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men

• 527 – Whodunnit? · June 8, 2026 · 49 min
• 526 – Vengeful Mutants on Drugs · June 1, 2026 · 1h 2m
• 525 – Beyond This Death · May 25, 2026 · 1h 6m
• 524 – House in a House · May 11, 2026 · 60 min
• 523 – This World of Liars · May 4, 2026 · 52 min
• 522 – Fetus Fight · April 27, 2026 · 50 min