Alex Paknadel: Cyclops Has a Hydrogen Bomb for a Head - Uncanny X-Men 147

Want to listen to this episode ad-free? Visit our Patreon! Welcome true believers to X-Men Horoscopes where each week our host Lodro Rinzler is in conversation with a special guest to discuss the X-Men issue that aligns with a significant month and year from their life and what that issue reveals about their future. With us this week is comic writer Alex Paknadel to discuss his current Cyclops series! We dive into how Alex got into the industry initially through being killed off in comics, the most compelling Maggott story ever told, and the premise of the Cyclops mini-series that was left on the cutting room floor because it was simply...too much. Also in this episode: The allure of playing with the underutilized toys in the toy box The banality of evil How Cyclops isn’t a buttoned up boy-scout What it means to Claremont a character’s powers Colossus is the smartest he’s ever been Cyclops cries punches Hot Bird is in a birdcage doing his incredible flying power Wolverine is on bad acid Why you should NOT karate chop Cyclops in the neck All this plus a special peek at the future of the Cyclops series. What does any of this mean for Alex's future? Tune in to find out! Alex Paknadel is a British comic book writer whose work in the X-Men line has brought a sharp psychological and sociopolitical edge to mutant storytelling. Contributing during the Krakoan era, Paknadel has explored themes of identity, power, otherness, and belonging—core to the X-Men mythos—through nuanced character work and morally complex narratives. Known for his precise, thoughtful voice, Paknadel’s X-Men stories stand out for their intellectual ambition and emotional resonance within the evolving landscape of Marvel’s mutant world. Outside of Marvel, Paknadel has built a reputation in the indie space with acclaimed projects such as Arcadia, Friendo, and All Against All, often exploring themes of class, identity, and systemic power.   More of Lodro Rinzler's work can be found here and here and you can follow the podcast on Instagram at xmenpanelsdaily where we post X-Men comic panels...daily. His BRAND NEW BOOK is now out: You Are Good, You are Enough. Have a question or comment for a future episode? Reach out at xmenhoroscopes.com Want to listen to these episodes early/ad-free and get your own X-Men Horoscope read/an awesome t-shirt? Check out our brand-new patreon! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.