# X-Reads Podcast

X-Reads is a podcast co-hosted by Chandler Poling & Chris Riley, about classic issues of X-Men comic books from different eras of the series. Guests on the show have included the writers and artists Chris Claremont, Bill Sienkiewicz, Fabian Nicieza, Anne Nocenti, and several of the voice actors from X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men '97.

## History

Launched during San Diego Comic-Con weekend in 2019, the show's format consists of recapping single issues of comics in the X-Men Universe, page by page, often including the vintage ads of the era. Their first guest appearance was Lenore Zann, the voice of Rogue from X-Men: The Animated Series and now currently voicing the character in X-Men '97. Additional talent from the animated shows later appeared on the podcast including Cal Dodd (Wolverine), Kari Walhgren (Emma Frost), Chris Britton (Mr. Sinister), Matthew Waterson (Magneto), and Isaac Robinson-Smith (Bishop). As of January 2025 the podcast was ranked fifth in the "15 Best X-Men (Comics) Podcasts" by Feedspot.
In 2024 Poling and Riley turned the podcast into a virtual and later live annual event called the "X-Men Fandom Panel" held at WonderCon and San Diego Comic-Con, for X-Mens fans and professionals. Guests on the panel have include Shawn Ashmore, Finola Hughes, Gerry Duggan and George Buza.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, X-Reads launched a fundraiser in partnership with other podcasts to raise money for local comic book shops affected by the lock-down. This was done through BINC's Comicbook United Fund, which supplied support to shop owners in need.
In 2021, Poling and Riley hosted a virtual red carpet ceremony for the fictional Hellfire Gala, with Nerdist and Marvel Comics. The Hellfire Gala took place in comics from 2021 to 2023 and featured original fashion designs on superheroes, inspired by the Met Gala in New York City. Featured on the live stream were comic creators, cosplayers and celebrities including by Emma Dumont (now Nick Dumont), Kari Wahlgren, Russell Dauterman, Zeb Wells, Jordan D White, Dax ExclamationPoint, and fashion designer Samantha Rei.
In January 2022, X-Reads Podcast was brought into the AIPT Comics podcast network.

## Episodes

As of January 2025 the podcast has aired 135 episodes, and posts bi-weekly on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.

## Special guests

| Episode Number | Special Guest | Issue Covered |
| 9 | Lenore Zann | Uncanny X-Men 173 |
| 18 | Casper Van Dien, Jenny Van Dien | Uncanny X-Men 260 |
| 32 | Dax ExclamationPoint | Uncanny X-Men 312 |
| 42 | Fabian Nicieza | X-Men 100 |
| 43 | Kari Wahlgren | New X-Men 116 |
| 44 | Anne Nocenti | Longshot 3 |
| 48 | Karen David | X-Men Fairy Tales 4 |
| 49 | Bryan Konietzko | Havok & Wolverine Meltdown 1 |
| 50 | Bill Sienkiewicz | New Mutants 21 |
| 53 | Anthony Oliveira | X-Men 46 |
| 56 | Jack Plotnick | Excalibur 32 |
| 59 | Jordan D White | Excalibur 50 |
| 60 | Bob Quinn | New X-Men 38 |
| 62 | Cal Dodd | Wolverine 1 |
| Bonus | Leah Williams | The Trail of Magneto 1–5 |
| 69 | Steve Orlando | X-Men 79 |
| 71 | Eric & Julia Lewald | X-Men Adventures 1 |
| 72 | Steve Foxe | X-Men 98 |
| 73 | Steven E Gordon | X-Men Children of the Atom 1 |
| 74 | David Nakayama | Generation X 1 |
| 76 | Josh Trujillo, Terry Blas, Carrie Harris | All-New X-Men 40 |
| 78 | Rod Reis | New X-Men 18 |
| 84 | Chris Britton | X-Factor 75 |
| 85 | Terri Hawkes | Sailor Moon 30th Anniversary |
| 86 | Kieron Gillen | Uncanny X-Men 209 |
| 88 | Fabian Nicieza (second appearance) | X-Men 25 |
| 89 | Larry Hama | Wolverine 75 |
| 92 | Lucas Werneck | New X-Men 121 |
| 96 | Ryan Penagos | Uncanny X-Men 297 |
| 97 | Stephanie Williams | X-Men Unlimited 7 |
| 98 | Neil Kleid | X-Men: Emperor Vulcan 1 |
| 99 | Alex Segura | Uncanny X-Men 237 |
| 100 | Chris Claremont | Wolverine & Kitty Pryde Miniseries |
| 113 | Erica Schultz | X-23: Deadly Regenesis 1 |
| 121 | Matthew Waterson | Uncanny X-Men 200 |
| 122 | Steve Foxe (second appearance) | X-Men '97 1 |
| 124 | Isaac Robinson-Smith | Uncanny X-Men 283 |
| 127 | Gui Agustini, Christine Uhebe | New Mutants 7 |
| 132 | Murewa Ayodele | Storm 1 |