X-Reads Podcast
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| X-Reads: An X-Men Experience | |
|---|---|
 X-Reads Podcast Official Logo | |
| Language | American English |
| Cast and voices | |
| Hosted by | Chandler Poling & Chris Riley |
| Publication | |
| No. of episodes | 136 (as of January 2025) |
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.[1]
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.[2] Additional talent from the animated shows later appeared on the podcast including Cal Dodd (Wolverine), Kari Walhgren (Emma Frost),[3] Chris Britton (Mr. Sinister), Matthew Waterson (Magneto), and Isaac Robinson-Smith (Bishop). As of January 2025[update] the podcast was ranked fifth in the "15 Best X-Men (Comics) Podcasts" by Feedspot.[4]
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.[5][6] Guests on the panel have include Shawn Ashmore, Finola Hughes, Gerry Duggan and George Buza.[7]
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.[8]
In 2021, Poling and Riley hosted a virtual red carpet ceremony for the fictional Hellfire Gala, with Nerdist and Marvel Comics.[9] 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.[10]