We're taking on the third and final X-Men title in the From the Ashes' launch, Exceptional X-Men! Katherine Pryde brings us into her headspace as she wrestles with what it means to be a mutant in a post-Krakoa world. Does she even want to be an X-Man?

Part 1: Where We Start - 02:45 |

Kate's turning her back on it all! She doesn't want to fight bad guys or train the next generation of mutants, she just wants to slang dranks and run from the weight of responsibility. Good luck! Quickly people start to find her, including new mutants, old friends, and manipulative bad guys. Even her past self has some things to say! We talk about the 13 issue arc of Exceptional X-Men from a full binge perspective.

Part 2: Exceptional's Identity Narratives with Lodro Rinzler - 40:37 |

We’re joined by our friend and X-Pert, Lodro Rinzler! Lodro is a writer, podcaster and Buddhist meditation teacher. We talk through the ways we and characters view ourselves, the narratives we reinforce and the basic goodness that lives within everyone - maybe not Mr. Sinister, jury's still out. Check out Lodro's new book "You Are Good, You Are Enough" to dive further into the themes we discuss, available wherever you get your books. Also listen to X-Men Horoscopes for delightful insights into the lives of X-fans through comics.

Part 3: Thoughts and Questions - 01:27:15 |

We check in with the voice of the people! We discuss reflections on the series as a whole, lingering questions, predictions and thorns in our sides.

Part 4: X-Men United #1 - 1:41:20

We wrap up our episode with a conversation about the first issue of X-Men United. What does this title bring to the line that's new and different? How does it expand the questions being asked - or ignored - in other titles? And what are the Exceptional kids doing as tutors!? Even Reggie... 🤨

Thanks for joining us in our eighteenth episode of an evolving new format. We’re trying out different ways to talk about things within continuity that excited us and we’d love to hear what you think! Leave us a review, send us a DM or shout from the telepathic rooftops! It’s all greatly appreciated.