Bonus EP: The Uncanny Experience: Legends, Laughter & Love from Sophomore Year

We’re taking you back to Xavier Institute for a whirlwind recap of The Uncanny Experience: Sophomore Year with special guests, Tiffie Starchild, Stefania Sassano (newly crowned House Hellfire Queen!), Old Fashioned Nerd, Omega-ticket holder Tyler Green Pope-Harris, and cosplay guest Michelle Waffle-Otero.

Listen in as we swap stories about the most epic cosplay moments, the jaw-dropping X-Men drag show at the Mansion afterparty, and the exclusive Hellfire Club Initiation Ceremony that left everyone talking. We’ll also dish on the panels and X-Men celebs who showed up to celebrate the legacy of the mutantverse. 

Get ready for tears, laughter, and all the feels as we remember what made this Uncanny Experience one for the history books. Whether you were there or just wishing you were, hit play and let us bring you into the heart of mutant fandom at its finest!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/x-reads-an-x-men-experience--3616281/support.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, everybody.

Speaker 2 (00:01):
This is Chandler and this is Chris and you're listening to.

Speaker 3 (00:19):
Here.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
We are everybody. We are so excited to have you
all here for our Uncanny Experienced recap episode. Woo hoo.

Speaker 1 (00:30):
We have a full house of not only ticket holders,
but people who worked at the event as cosplay guests.
We even have a house royal with us. We are
so excited to dive in and let y'all listeners know
what the world of Xavier Institute is like. So I'm
gonna go around and introduce everybody with Chandler. First up,

(00:53):
we have Stefania Sosano. She is an actress and a
cosplayer from the East Coast Tri State area and is
the reigning Queen of House Halifireo.

Speaker 2 (01:05):
Come through, Queen.

Speaker 4 (01:07):
I love looking at that tiara on my dresser and
it's so pretty. Hi guys, I'm so happy to be
here and just talk about Canny. And this was my
first time here because I did not go last year
and this was literally the perfect year to go for me.

Speaker 5 (01:23):
I'm so happy I got to go.

Speaker 2 (01:26):
Wonderful. Next, we have Tiffy star Child content creator from
La San Diego and New York and all around magical
being who we are obsessed with. We love her content.
Welcome Tiffy, thank you so much for having me.

Speaker 1 (01:44):
We loved your video recap of the show.

Speaker 2 (01:46):
I can't wait to talk about it.

Speaker 3 (01:48):
Thank you so much.

Speaker 6 (01:49):
That was a fun like that's my favorite blog just
because it's like very differ my heart.

Speaker 1 (01:56):
Yes. Next up we have Old Fashioned Nerd who is
a cos player and is ninety nine percent spandex a
one percent host gas. He is doing his mediumist and
is a BLUESLL survivor as well as a D and
D nube.

Speaker 7 (02:10):
Yes, Hi, I went last year and this year. Both
years so far to on Canny and I feel like
I have to at least go to more, but preferably forever.
But laughter. Going last year, I had to go back
this year.

Speaker 2 (02:25):
I'm so glad I did awesome. We're so glad you
joined us both years. You can give perspective of year
one and two. Next we have Michelle Waffle. She is
one of our cosplay guests. She is a comic book princess,
a conscious cosplayer, a beer lover, and a toy and

(02:46):
tea collector. Also a Gemini.

Speaker 8 (02:49):
Welcome Michelle, Yeah, thank you guys, so much for having
me and for allowing me to be one of your
main characters or the Uncanny Experience. It's an honor and
a pleasure getting to interact with so many fans at
this amazing immersive event.

Speaker 1 (03:10):
Yes, and guess what, y'all, we have an Omega mutant
up in the house.

Speaker 5 (03:15):
Tyler.

Speaker 1 (03:16):
Hey, it's Tyler Green Pope Harris, who is a husband,
a cat, dad, and an event producer. Oh welcome, Tyler.

Speaker 9 (03:24):
Hey, guys, how's everyone doing. I'm so excited. I am
a sophomore of The Uncanny Experience and I already have
my calendarmarked for this coming November two book. Again.

Speaker 2 (03:35):
Yes, as Tyler just teased, we will be launching some
tickets on November fourth, so stay tuned for that.

Speaker 1 (03:42):
Yeah. So let's jump into our first question, and I
guess this is for our new timers like Stefania and Tiffy.
How did you first discover the Uncanny Experience and what
made you pull the trigger on getting your ticket?

Speaker 5 (03:56):
So I saw that it was announced last year that
an X Men convention was happening. It's called The Uncanny
Experience and I think it was from Nerdice dot com
and that posted about it, and I made a video
and I posted a TikTok and Instagram like reacting to
that news, and I was freaking out because I was like,

(04:17):
I've always wanted an X Men convention and now we
have one. So unfortunately couldn't go last year, but did
go this year, and so I am so so happy
that I got the opportunity too. And I remember that
Chris and Chandler were telling me that they saw my

(04:37):
video and we're just loving it. So when they asked
me to come this year, I felt like I needed
to because I needed to see you guys. I needed
to see this convention. And I'm glad I came this
year because you guys had the house royal stuff. Different
houses were actually really really cool and unique. And I

(04:58):
am excited to see what next year is going to
be like because I'm definitely coming back.

Speaker 1 (05:04):
Yeah, and what about you, Tiffy.

Speaker 6 (05:07):
I think that I was actually asking myself this the
other day, and I think I saw y'all first on
Instagram or on social media somewhere, and then I met
I think, did I.

Speaker 3 (05:20):
Need everybody at San Diego Comic Con At.

Speaker 6 (05:23):
A convention, we had a very quick introduction like, oh,
you're with the Uncanny Experience. Oh you'r Tiffy started out,
we just loved each other mutually before we ever met,
and then from there there were just some conversations about
coming out and experiencing it as a guest. And I'm
so happy that that was able to work out and
happen because I'm obsessed. I'm saying, I forgot what my

(05:46):
introduction was to it, because it feels like I was
born into it like a gang, like a blood gang,
and like like I'm just in it already, and here
I am.

Speaker 3 (05:54):
But it was such an amazing event.

Speaker 6 (05:57):
I do conventions all the time, like I'm before being
a content creator or anything. I'm just a nerd and
I've always done conventions, and I feel like this is
one of my favorite in the twenty five years that
I've been doing them, Like this is one of my
favorite conventions or fan events I've ever attended.

Speaker 3 (06:14):
It's so amazing, So thank you. It is.

Speaker 2 (06:18):
Wow.

Speaker 1 (06:18):
Well that's flattering to hear, I will say.

Speaker 2 (06:21):
And we're so glad that you guys both joined us
for the first time and our sophomore year. But we
have Michelle old fashioned nerd and Tyler old fashion. I
don't know if I should be using your government name
or your screen name. It's up to you.

Speaker 7 (06:37):
Well, that's fine, old fashion nerd. I mean, you can
call me Frank whatever.

Speaker 1 (06:40):
Okay, yeah, whatever.

Speaker 2 (06:43):
I just didn't know if we haven't you know established.
So yeah, you three and Tyler. You three were at
year one, and you guys came back for year two.
So what is the most memorable change or addition to
the event that you loved most.

Speaker 10 (06:59):
I love of the addition of the pep rally because
it gave my character something like else to do, which
which is great. Like before it was just the mystery
and the mansion, but I think having the pep.

Speaker 5 (07:14):
Rallies it now has a.

Speaker 10 (07:17):
New fun element for people to not only get to
know each other, but for the characters to have a
little bit more of a storyline as well.

Speaker 9 (07:27):
So for me, one of the coolest things. I think
last year, I was just so excited to be there
and see everyone and just experience it all that I
did not do the mystery in the mansion, but I
did this year and I actually found Lucky, so I
was super excited about that and we actually teamed. We
just happened to team up with another group of ex
fans that were there, and we all ran around the

(07:48):
mansion like frantic together trying to find lockey and it
was so much fun once we finally did so.

Speaker 7 (07:54):
I attend conventions typically to socialize with my Internet friends
in general, this convention times infinity. It feels the intimacy
of the small yet large location is why I mean,
is why I came back the second year, just because

(08:14):
it was so incredible the first year. But but the
difference between the two years has been the growth. The
amount of people that came this year compared to last
year was insane to see the difference in the two
years it but it was amazing and like the best
way to you couldn't like turn without seeing another like

(08:37):
X Men fan, it was. It was just to know
you guys personally and to see that happened for you
guys specifically, and to it just it was such a
good feeling to see it succeed like year two of
you know of two, but like for it to be
so new and so great right out the gate for

(08:57):
everybody like that was just great.

Speaker 1 (09:00):
There is so many things to go over, but Tyler,
I want to focus in on you are Omega Mutant.
I want to know what made you decide to upgrade
and get one of the limited There's only ten of
these tickets, y'all limited Omega Mutant tickets.

Speaker 9 (09:18):
So as an event planner, I like live and breathe
events and like think about things all the time. So
when I saw the opportunity to just be able to
take on every aspect of the of the con and
see it from every angle, and that was just something
that really spiked my interest. And my husband, he's the
big He's the bigger nerd than I am, and yeah,

(09:40):
he just wanted to be able to take on every
single piece of it. And I think the coolest parts
of it were that we got to have someone on
one time with Gail and get to talk with her,
and then also getting to meet Chris Claremont and getting
some getting some things signed with him. So it was
just a really awesome experience that I think brought the
entire event to the level for us.

Speaker 1 (10:02):
And what were your thoughts on the Omega reception?

Speaker 9 (10:05):
That was amazing And I think my foot was on
check and looking at everyone else's outfits that we're there
and everyone dressed up. I think that was just so
cool to see that, to see how in depth people
went in, like how much they they really got into it.

Speaker 1 (10:19):
Yeah, Friday Night was a lot of fun.

Speaker 10 (10:21):
You know.

Speaker 1 (10:21):
That is our first moment where we get to dress
up to the nines and meet with everybody in a
more intimate setting in the student hall.

Speaker 10 (10:29):
I love it because it feels like a like a
kickoff party for what's to come. It's it's so nice
because we get to meet a lot of the talent beforehand.
Sometimes as a cast member, you don't always get to
get that one or one time because you know, we're
working and we're trying to give everybody an incredible experience.

(10:54):
So getting to meet some of the headliners beforehand is
a lot of fun. Also, you never know who you're
gonna end up like getting a drink with, Like I know,
my husband justin like him and Tyler Kirkham became besties
that night.

Speaker 5 (11:10):
Like it was. It was wild.

Speaker 1 (11:13):
Yeah, Tyler Kirkham is one of our amazing artist guests
from the X Men universe.

Speaker 2 (11:19):
Yeah. Absolutely, Well, there's some of the amazing there's stuff
that's going on all weekend long, and one of the things,
of course is cosplay. Cosplay is a big element of
our event. We have our cosplay guests like Michelle here,
and we had I think twenty other cosplay characters that
are kind of cast in a role a Lah Disneyland,

(11:40):
and they are to fulfill this role and interact with
the guests. So I'm very curious did anybody get a
chance to interact with our cosplay guests and did you
guys get to role play at all or get to
interact with anybody on any level?

Speaker 9 (11:56):
Ok Go, I think I one of the coolest things,
and now that I can, I actoually have said was
like a cool thing that I noticed this year as
a different change, I got to be invited to the
Team Selene experience and see her being brought back after
she had unfortunately passed away at the Health Fire Gala.

(12:18):
So it's nice to see her and have some fun
with her at the Team Selene Challenge.

Speaker 1 (12:25):
Yeah, maybe Chandler, you can give us a little bit
more info about that, because that was super exclusive, super special.

Speaker 2 (12:30):
Yeah, that was a random idea that I came up
with where I thought in our health Fire Club event,
we had a showdown between Selene and Jean Gray as
the Black Queen and they were battling out to see
who was going to rule the health Fire and Jean
took Selene down in a fiery death, and to me,
I thought, one, we don't want to lose Selene as

(12:52):
a character that way, and two, there's this opportunity to
kind of have this extra layer of immersion and like,
you know, a cool little pop up event. And so
randomly people were selected out of all three showings of
The hell Fire Club and they were told to meet
in the Morlock Tunnel where our mother righteous cosplayer Demandon

(13:13):
Martini led everybody in a seance, so to speak, to
resurrect the true Black Queen Selene. And Alicia Wilder, who
performed as a Selene she resurrected. She came out of
a foggy atmosphere with flashing lights and she had a
whole new outfit on and people got to be a

(13:36):
part of bringing her back to life. And then everybody
got these little Team Selene pins. So it was just
like twenty people I think that were kind of picked
out by people working in the hell Fire Club and
it was just a fun little pop up mini immersion.
So I'm glad that Tyler. I'm glad that you were
a part.

Speaker 9 (13:54):
Of that, and it made me feel a little bit
like a celebrity. The next day, wearing my Team Selene
pin around, people were like, where'd you get that?

Speaker 5 (14:00):
How do I get that? I want to be there?

Speaker 7 (14:02):
How do I go?

Speaker 5 (14:03):
I wondered the same thing.

Speaker 10 (14:04):
I'm like, how do you get those teams? The Lincoln
had to attend the resurrection?

Speaker 5 (14:10):
I will say I was Team Selene, so I'm very
happy that she's resurrected.

Speaker 2 (14:16):
Yes, yes, he.

Speaker 5 (14:20):
Did.

Speaker 7 (14:20):
Any of you?

Speaker 2 (14:21):
Well, obviously I know that Stefania and Frank cosplayed specifically
at the event, and Tiffy just had her amazing looks
going on all weekend. So as a cosplayer going to
the UNCEN experience, what was your experience that way? We'll
start with Stefania.

Speaker 5 (14:38):
So I just the reactions from the jump walking through
the door, like people see your and cosplay, and a
lot of people were in Costa that weekend as well,
some deep cut ones too, So it's the reactions that
people get when they see you in this cosplay. It's
it's like you're appreciated so much and you appreciate them

(15:02):
for reacting that way and kind of like especially when
like some people knew who I was, so like they
were a fan, and they appreciated my work and appreciated
my kindness to them, so it's always like welcome to me.
I also am so happy that it's not like a
huge space, so I was very comfortable in my rogue

(15:24):
cowgirl boots because those those had to be like thrown
off me at the end of the night. I was
like I was dying in those towards the end. But
it just it's so nice seeing everybody dress up for
something that they love, especially for X Men and I.

(15:44):
I loved interacting with the the cosplay guests as well,
especially Vanessa's Emma Frost. Me and her. We did the
Goblin Queen and and Emma Frost thing and we made
a video and it was so great, and it was
just really nice to see everyone just love and appreciate
what you do.

Speaker 7 (16:04):
Twelve out of ten, one hundred out of ten. Like
I said, I went last year. Last year, we were
only able to go on Saturday, and then this year,
I was like, no, I'm taking Monday off and we're
doing both days. We're making this happen. I can't just
because I feel like I missed out on so much
by not going both days, so but to be able to, like,

(16:25):
because it's X Men themed and everybody's in that theme,
you can't go two steps without like seeing another incredible cosplayer.
So like my like my brain couldn't focus in like
the best way. I was like, oh my god, you
look amazing, and I turn oh my god, you look amazing.
So it was like and you get chatting with somebody
and then you want to see him again for like

(16:46):
you know, however long, and like I'd run into him again,
I'd be like, oh my god, we forgot to take
a picture like earlier, and like it was just so great.
It was great to see everybody again this year, next
year or last year.

Speaker 2 (16:58):
Well, Tiffy, I want to turn it over to you.
I know, as I said, you weren't necessarily costplaying, but
you were turning out looks. You had your Letterman jacket on.
I would just love to hear from your perspective on
that regard.

Speaker 6 (17:14):
I think incorporating the uncanny experience like the Xaber Institute
student where was so clever. So whoever thought of that
and pushed that forward, that's such a great idea because
I do cosplay, but I haven't cosplayed for a while,
and I want it, especially traveling like I came in

(17:34):
from California. I don't always want to carry stuff the
first time around and let me get a feel for it.
So part of it was like a lot of funnel,
like I'm not costplaying, but at the same time, I
could still be a part of the immersive experience with
a completely unique character. I don't know who this star
child mutant is. People are asking in my powers, and

(17:54):
just like how am I supposed to know? But like
it was a way of just adding to it. And
I get to wear this jacket around because I'd be
wearing it in the streets. I don't people care if
people know what kind of like freaky nerd I am.

Speaker 3 (18:07):
I don't care.

Speaker 6 (18:08):
Like it's it feels so cool and like child meood
is so happy to feel part of something like that.
So I was happy to turn that out my looks,
wearing the jacket and just feeling like I was a
student in the space even if I wasn't an official character.
I really want to constantly next year, so I'm very
excited about that. I'm thinking about doing Monde Saint Claus

(18:29):
because like, why not and I just.

Speaker 3 (18:32):
Feel like, you know, you don't see it up with her,
So to.

Speaker 6 (18:35):
Have a safe space to do that with other people
that will get it and they're on the same vibe,
and I can just go as deep into my nerddom
as I want.

Speaker 3 (18:46):
To with out judgment. Shit is so dope. I was
trying not to cuss. Dang, but that's how I feel.

Speaker 2 (18:55):
Don't worry about it, so.

Speaker 5 (18:59):
I try to add on or just references what Tippy said.
It's a safe space. You're at this cond and you
feel like you are where you you are, where you're
where you're belonging with you belonged there. I had to
like long day listen the three day Con. It's been
a long day, Like you feel like you belonged there

(19:21):
and you're never judged everyone. It's just such a positive
energy when you walk into that building.

Speaker 1 (19:29):
Did any of you attend the cosplay contest?

Speaker 3 (19:32):
There were so many like that was.

Speaker 6 (19:37):
In a good way, Like it was like group after
group after group.

Speaker 3 (19:40):
I thought it was.

Speaker 6 (19:41):
It was great to see in the same feeling more
of that phomo like, oh my god, man, I can't
wait to cosplay next time and enjoy my fellow nerdy brethren.
It was a really good cosplay competition.

Speaker 5 (19:53):
I loved the runway aspect of it. It's so clever,
It's such an excellent thing to do.

Speaker 2 (19:59):
Yeah, speak a runway. There were these pep rallies and
I was in charge of House Health Fire and our
challenge was a catwalk runway, which Stefani, as we said,
won this catwalk challenge and to become the House Royal.
But one of the stories I wanted to share of
that experience was I had a gentleman come up to

(20:20):
me afterwards he did the catwalk or whatever, didn't win,
but he said that, you know, he's been going to
cons for thirty years, that he basically has never done
anything in his life like that, but he felt so
comfortable and so welcomed and so like safe to let
loose and you know, do a silly walk in front
of everybody that he just felt like empowered to do that.

(20:42):
And when he was telling me this story, I just
was getting like a little emotional about it because I
was like, I can't believe that it took that long
for somebody to feel like that this is cool, that
this is something that they can participate in and not
feel that judgment, and so I just thought that was
an amazing story to hear and that was really fun
experience the pep rallies, I know, we talked a little

(21:03):
bit about it at the beginning and Stefania, why don't
we just hear from you about your your cat walk.

Speaker 5 (21:10):
As soon as I heard it as a catwalk, I
was like, I'm in. Right before I did my walk
do Aleifa sort of playing, I was like, I got this.
I've always wanted to do like a cat walk. I've
been getting into like modeling a bit more. So that
was a really fun experience for me. I think the
Goblin Queen cosplay really helped with my confidence because cosplay

(21:32):
does that to me sometimes, and I kind of just
went with it, you know. I channeled the Goblin Queen
and I did my walk and it was two walks
for the competition. Then I did a final walk as
like the winner. And then being crowned at the after
party later that night was just so It was so

(21:53):
awesome because I was crowned with the rest of the
House Royals and just the crowd that was there was
just so positive. We did our little hands and it
was such a special moment. It really was.

Speaker 1 (22:04):
Let's talk more about the pep rallies and the houses
since we were on the topic, Tyler, which house were
you in?

Speaker 9 (22:11):
I was hell Fire?

Speaker 1 (22:13):
Yeah, And what was your experience, you know, getting your
your badge ribbon and also attending the pep rally and whatnot.
Let us know.

Speaker 9 (22:23):
So it was so fun getting the ribbon and having
to explain why I wanted to be in House hell Fire,
and obviously they're just the best house, so that's why
I chose it. But the as far as the pep
rally goes, and just being there, it was so much fun.
The the catwalks were amazing, and just really enjoyed it.

Speaker 2 (22:43):
Oh because I know, I know Frank was in House
Xavier and he's been. He was touting that leading all
the way up to the pep rally. So what was
your experience like during the Xavier pep Rally.

Speaker 7 (22:56):
It was good. It was like madness, but in like
a fun, crazy way. It really kind of brought you
back to like high school college like madness in like
a we're here for like a goal. We're on the
same team, but we're all on opposing teams. Like within Xavier.
It was wild, but in like a like I said,

(23:17):
like a chaotic fun way because I took the quiz
when y'all put out the house quizzes, and before the quiz,
I was like, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be
House Exavier, and then I took quiz and I was
House Exavier. I was like, okay, cool. And then I
ended up cosplaying Wolverine and I was like, well, I
think Wolverine would be House Exavier personally, and so it

(23:37):
kind of just worked out that way. And then to
attend it with everybody else, it was just a blast.

Speaker 2 (23:44):
Now tify, I know you were House health Fire, but
we didn't get to see you on no catwalk no because.

Speaker 6 (23:52):
I tried to be on time. But that is not
my ministry, unfortunately, is not last. So I I was
actually watching the catwalks from the outside. So I was
just outside the doors watching everyone walk in and do
the catwalk and there like, oh do you want to
do you want to walk in? And just but that
is I'm actually really shy, and people don't believe this

(24:12):
about me.

Speaker 3 (24:13):
I'm very shy.

Speaker 6 (24:14):
So the idea of walking into a room and even
having to occupy the space briefly where people are doing
a cat walk. I'm like, oh no, no, no, no,
I would rather die out here alone in this hallway
than walk into this room at the moment. I'll just
enjoy it from out of here. And it was pretty
dope from what I could see. I was ticking in,
so I will be on time next.

Speaker 2 (24:36):
Well, one thing you were on time for was the
house photos because I saw you in that group with
everybody and Stefania and Tyler. You guys were all in
the house photos. Did you guys like that experience of
being with your your brethren and the fireplace?

Speaker 5 (24:51):
Yes, yeah, absolutely. I just wish I had my crown.
I totally forgot it that day, right photoshop.

Speaker 1 (25:01):
Well, the houses were a lot of fun to put together,
and we really put a lot of time and energy
in creating an atmosphere for people to resonate with. As
an example, with House Pride, it was a lot more
intellectual and nerdy. So they did trivia games and in
House Morlock they did it their pep rally and the
Morlock Tunnels, and you know, they're kind of like the outsiders,

(25:24):
the goths under the bleachers, so to speak. And they
played a game of Werewolf. But it was Prime Sentinel
and Callisto gave a speech. You know, it was pretty epic.
You can see stuff on social media about that and
with how Xavier. You know, we were the jocks and
the cheerleaders. It was more of the traditional high school
spirit game pep rally with the marching band Sounds and

(25:48):
Michelle you look so amazing as cheerleader. Jean Gray, it
was so awesome.

Speaker 10 (25:54):
Oh my gosh, I needed an excuse to wear my
cheerleader Phoenix outfit and the color scheme just it all
worked out. So I already had the chillerd outfit, I
had pomp poms and everything. And our house representative Isabelle.
She was so incredible. She was literally teaching me cheerly

(26:15):
be moves right before She's like, okay, we're going to
do this. I'm like, all right, cool, and then it
just it all worked out. Everybody was so incredible. Even
though we were split up into I think there were
five or six different teams and they had to complete
these games against one another, they still worked as a
team to get the things done. And our house representative

(26:40):
that one. He was so just excited that he won
because I think that the prize was he got to
come to the VIP party and he did not have
a ticket, so he was just very excited and so cute.
I remember when he got the little like orb thing
to repel. I think our body was Magneto. He was

(27:04):
so on it. Like at first when he got it.
We were just like, you have to you have to
get Magneto, you have to get him, and he just
like turned and sacrificed himself and he ended up winning
the entire thing. So I think it was it was
a job well done and well deserved.

Speaker 1 (27:19):
Well, we are definitely bringing the houses back next year.
They were a hit and a big shout out to
our house recruiters who distributed the badge ribbons which attendees
were able to claim to pledge their allegiance to the house,
So thank you house recruiters. Let's move on to some
stories about our celebrities guests. I want to hear what

(27:40):
was your favorite interaction with somebody or do you have
any stories about any of our guests that were at
the Uncanny Experience this year? Stefani, I saw you raise
your hands, so let's have you go first.

Speaker 5 (27:51):
So I had a lovely half hour conversation with Giaugossini,
and also he cosplayed a sun Spot one of the
days and it was I think it was his first
time cosplaying as I was about too right, so that
was awesome. He looked fabulous and we just had this
long conversation about like life and like my career. I

(28:13):
told him I wanted to be an actress and he
was giving me advice and he was he was just
so happy to be there as well. I think he said, like,
I don't know if he's the one that told you
guys like I will do anything to get there, just
I will either pay for myself, right. I don't know
if he said that, but like I remember someone saying that.
I just knew he really wanted to be there, and

(28:34):
he was just so kind, so sweet, so charming as well.
It's probably because he's Brazilian and he also I wanted
to buy a print. That's why I was there, and
I was supposed to go see Chris Claremont get some
stuff signed. We were talking for so long that I
was like, and Chris's line thing was over whatever, so

(28:56):
I didn't get to go see him. So I was like, oh,
it's okay, but this was so worth it. But he
signed a print for me, because that's originally why I
was there. I didn't expect to talk for thirty minutes,
but it was super great, super kind, and I just
saw him any of your com CRN as well. We
had a great conversation there as well, so I'm not
big out to meet him.

Speaker 1 (29:16):
That's awesome. How about you drank.

Speaker 7 (29:18):
Both last year and this year. I feel like I
miss out on so much that happens at this convention
just by getting distracted with hanging out and talking to people.
I didn't meet any of the celebrities during the convention,
but Friday night when we got there, I saw Alison,
the Voice of Storm, just in our hotel lobby and

(29:41):
she was just happened to be walking by and I
was like, oh, happy early birthday and she was like, oh,
thank you, and that was it. And I was just like,
oh that was She was so like nice and like
kind and like welcoming and like it was so such
a quick thing, but you could tell she was excited
and happy to be there, and I was just like, oh,
like and that was Friday night. I was like, well

(30:01):
that was lovely and it was just so like meat
seeing her in our hotel lobby and just like a
quick little thing. But I was like, that was that
was really nice. But that was the only other than
the Saturday evening when he was suited up. I briefly
again said hi and got a picture of him with

(30:21):
everybody in their hell fire looks. But that was it.
I didn't really I didn't meet anybody, unfortunately, and you
know that's on me, but it was still great the
little that I got.

Speaker 9 (30:34):
Some of my favorite interactions. One of them was we
met Alison as well, and we had met her previously
at the Charlotte Comic Con and she actually remembered me
and my husband this year at the show, so that
was just cool that she actually liked was like, oh yeah,
I remember you guys. This is like talking about some
other things there. One of my other favorite interactions was

(30:55):
we got to spend a lot of time with Leah
Williams and she I just love her dry sense of humor,
and we were in her course on cra CoA and
just everything that she had to say about that and
her being like Professor Krocoa just like living. I was
cackling the whole time and laughing so hard at every
little joke.

Speaker 3 (31:14):
She was making my favor because, like I said, I'm shy.

Speaker 6 (31:18):
So even though I've met Alison before at a con
and I've had the pleasure of interviewing her, I was
still too shy at any point to walk up and
say hello to her. And I got to work on
that and the same thing where I saw her at
the hotel and I'm like, no, it's after the con
so I.

Speaker 3 (31:35):
Stress over conversations. But having a little degree, a.

Speaker 6 (31:41):
Little diploma situation handed to me by Chris Claremont, that's
fucking cool. I don't care what anybody says, no matter
what happens in this life, no one can take that
away from me. So that to me, it didn't have
to be a personal conversation. One on one moment Chris
Claremont handed me my diploma from Xavier's Institute, Like, can't

(32:03):
nobody tell me nothing?

Speaker 3 (32:04):
So I like that moment a lot.

Speaker 10 (32:07):
I had a few, like really great interactions with a
lot of the talent that was there. A Ghee is
kind of a friend, so Justin and I got to
hang out with him. We got to see his first
reveal when he came down in his sun Spot cosplay
it was so cool. He was so excited. I know
he's a little nervous at first, but we were like, no,

(32:29):
everyone's gonna love it. You're gonna be fine, like trust us.
And I think once he arrived, like all the nerves
went away for him. Everyone just went like wild for
that outfit. And then I also got to briefly chat
with Gail Simone and George Bussa on Friday night before
we all went over for the Omega party. They were

(32:49):
both so kind, super nice. I know, George and Ghee.
I think they met for the first time in that
lobby and like and I got to kind of see
that happen. So that was really cool.

Speaker 11 (32:59):
But I think the most fun thing was that I
got to go with Leah Williams to the hell Fire
or the hellfire what is it calling experience.

Speaker 2 (33:12):
It's called the New Helfare Club New Member Initiation Ceremony.

Speaker 10 (33:17):
Yes, yes, I was like, it's very long, but I
got to go to that with her and our friend
Holly and like the three of us we just all
had champagne and like I remember, we finished it early
and where's the bar, like, like.

Speaker 5 (33:32):
What's happening here?

Speaker 10 (33:33):
Like that was that was fun just getting to spend
time with her because she's she's amazing. She's one of
my favorites.

Speaker 1 (33:41):
Yeah. Well, Michelle, you mentioned the hell Fire initiation ceremony.
Did anybody else attend?

Speaker 7 (33:46):
I didn't get to go last year. I missed it
because we didn't know. I don't think we knew about
it until it was too late to book it or
get on the list. And so I was like, well,
I have to go this year because we were at
the after party last year and people were dipping out
to go to their their meeting and then come back

(34:10):
and they were like, oh, they got like a little
card and they were chatting all about it. I was like, well,
now I've missed out, so I had to go this year.
I'm so glad that I did. And I felt I
was in cosplay for the after party. I was Wolverine Spandex.
But I kept telling everybody I felt so underdressed because
everybody came dressed to the nines in their like amazing
like hell Fire outfits. And I was like, well, next year,

(34:32):
I'm dressing up because I can't just be in spandex.
But it was it's such a great like vibe in
that room and the Champagne is like a nice little
like plus you feel like you're like mingling among like
you know, important like other people. And then the show
between the Selene and the Emma that was really cool.

(34:56):
It was just great. It was Yeah, I'm glad I
went this year.

Speaker 1 (34:59):
Since we were talking in out the hell Fire initiation
ceremony which took place during the after party in the Mansion,
I want to hear your thoughts about the after party
in the Mansion as a whole. We had an incredible DJ,
a terror reader that was dressed as Destiny. Inside of
Xavier's office. We had a so cool drag show like

(35:19):
it floored me and so much more so, what was
your favorite memory about the after party in the Mansion?
And Tyler, let's start with you.

Speaker 9 (35:28):
I think my favorite one was I forget who the
drag queen was that played Storm, but when she jumped
off that table into a death drop on the floor,
gag gooped like I could not handle that. And I'm
so glad that someone there was someone on social media
that like filmed that and I've gone back and watched
it hundreds of times now, so I think I hope

(35:48):
that there's a drag show next year as well, because
that was just so cool to see the interpretations of
different outfits and things that they did, and then just
to see them like dancing their best lives away.

Speaker 2 (36:00):
Yeah, shout out to Megan the man Eater. That's the
drag superstar who was storm And there definitely will be
a drag show next time. So you everybody, everybody wrote
you know, ten stars on that event, so we have
to bring that back. What about you, Tiffy, what was
your experience at the after party?

Speaker 6 (36:18):
I liked, I'm gonna be on the dance floor, so
that was a whole lot of fun. But then also
the health fire initiation or the initiative, that was a
whole lot of fun. I think that the teams and
Leane people y'all were a little bit bullied because I
had my Emma card.

Speaker 3 (36:33):
I'm an Emma girl, so and I'm proud of that.

Speaker 6 (36:36):
You know, nothing against the Lee, but you took putting
two bad bitches against each other, so you know one,
you gotta choose one.

Speaker 3 (36:43):
So I was.

Speaker 6 (36:44):
But it was so much fun because and again because
it was so immersive, that to me is the most memorable,
the most just like, oh yeah, I'm deep in the
nerdy stuff now, so I enjoyed that a lot.

Speaker 2 (36:58):
Stefani, what about you? What's your They were part of
the after party, besides of course being a crowned of Royal.

Speaker 5 (37:04):
The drag show, because that was my very first drag
show and I loved every second of it. I'm pretty
sure I have like almost all the performances recorded, and
I showed my older brother who loves drag queens, and
he absolutely loved it, and I'm pretty sure he wants
to go to this con like someday I would love

(37:25):
to bring him. But it was like the most exciting
experience ever because I have seen videos of drag shows
but never seen one in person, and I was like,
this is this is the most stunning like piece of
art I have ever ever seen, and that means I

(37:45):
have to go to more drag shows. So I'm going
to make that thing.

Speaker 2 (37:48):
Amen, Amen, I'll just give a quick round of credits
to these drag queens. We mentioned Megan the man Eater,
We had Demanded Martini as our headliner. We had Aurora
Vail who was a rogue and goblin queen, and then
we had Jensen Assholes, who was our Wolverine, drag King cosplayer,
Drake Queen sorry drag king performer anyways, So that cast

(38:11):
was incredible. They turned it out. So and Michelle, you
were at the after party, you were dressed up as Emma.
What was your favorite part?

Speaker 10 (38:18):
Oh my gosh, there were so many good things going on,
Like I didn't get to see the drag Queen's perform,
but I saw them go by. I saw that the
karaoke room was packed, like like everyone was trying to
do karaoke. I believe there was like a Dungeons and
Dragons like game that was also happening. The DJ was

(38:40):
lit like, loved him, like went out. I did a
little twirl as Emma, like I ripped my skirt off
like he played gosh, I don't know if he played
some jam.

Speaker 5 (38:49):
I was a little bit.

Speaker 10 (38:50):
I was littly lit, so you know, I got down
for like a hot minute, and then I did a
full on like photo shoot too, which was incredible. Like
there were so many things happening in every little corner
of this after party, like it was just it's insane.
It's one of the best after parties I've ever been to.

Speaker 12 (39:11):
Wow, thank you, Yeah, no, no, no, the shout out
to the karaoke room by the way, because I saw
you Stefania as Dazzler singing karaoke, so you know, you
can't get any more immersive than that.

Speaker 5 (39:24):
I yeah, it's like, I need to make this a performance.
I wanted to go to Dazzler because I knew I
was going to try and do karaoke. I actually wasn't
supposed to go that night. They literally pushed me up
and I was the last to go.

Speaker 2 (39:37):
Well, I'm glad that you were able to do that, Chris.
Shall we talk about the venue?

Speaker 7 (39:43):
You know?

Speaker 1 (39:43):
Yeah? The venue, I would say, is the actual true
star of the Uncanny experience because it's breathtaking. It is
when you walk through the doors, you really feel like
you're in Xavier's institute. At least that's my experience. So
I want to hear your thoughts from about the venue
as a whole. There were so many cool things that
we plugged into it, like the mutant market and the

(40:06):
game room, and we had a school portrait studio. So
what are your reflections on the venue itself.

Speaker 5 (40:13):
As soon as I walked to the building, I saw
I was like, Oh, this is Xavier School. This is
exactly what I would picture Exavier School to look like
in our world. And you walk in and the colors
were just even matching Exaviers. So I thought this was
a fantastic spot to do it. And I know you
guys when you saw you were like, this is it

(40:35):
and that is it. I definitely did not explore everything.
There's a lot to explore in the mansion. I definitely
didn't see everything, but I saw a lot. And the
Mutant market was just fascinating because it's like not a
huge area, so get through everything and anything and make
your laps and whatever and see what you want to buy.

(40:57):
I did buy some stickers and some artwork and met
somebody that actually was a vendor there at New York
Comic Con. We were like, oh my god, I know
you're gonna be here. So that was fascinating. And also
the giant what was it called the giant where you
had your panels? What was that room.

Speaker 1 (41:14):
Called lecture hall?

Speaker 5 (41:16):
Lecture Hall? The lecture hall was beautiful and the way
it was set up for the panels was just perfect.
I actually went there to see Gail talk and Gail
was also a sweet woman. She loves my rogue, so
much and I got some comics signed by her. But
I definitely want to explore a lot more next year.

(41:37):
I know you guys are talking about expanding it a bit,
but I don't know we'll hear more about it, I guess,
so I definitely gonna try and make the best of
it and just explore a lot lot more. I do
want to add one more thing before I go, and
that is the graduation ceremony. That was my best graduation

(41:59):
I have ever been into, and I graduated high school
and college because my high school graduation sucked. We last
minute had to go inside for graduation because they said
it was going to rain and it didn't rain, and
it was a hassle. It was sweaty, and we had

(42:19):
to go into.

Speaker 7 (42:20):
The gym and.

Speaker 5 (42:24):
People were getting into the They were supposed to only
do four because it's capacity. Right usually have it out
on the football field so people only immediate family could
go in and watch the graduation, and it got crazy
because there were people getting in that didn't even have tickets,
people getting in that were not immediate family families were

(42:48):
getting upset and complaining. My family almost did not see
me graduate high school because they wouldn't let my family in.
My mom was sobbing, and I remember, just I don't
know any of this at the time when I was
sitting in my chair for graduation, or wouldn't go out
at least. And when I was sitting in my chair
for graduation, it was hot in there, and I knew

(43:09):
nobody wanted to be there because it was just it
was stressful the whole time. And after I was literally
you could see the sweat through my dress after that's
how hot it was in there, and it was awful.
So the rest of the family got to see a
live stream of it in our auditorium, and I had
family there and they told me those were college as

(43:31):
a redo, that would be a redo graduation. Well, I
graduated in twenty twenty one and COVID is still a
thing then. While we did have an in person graduation,
I just I felt like I got pretty lonely during COVID,
so I felt like a graduation I had nobody to
graduate with. I had none of my friends to graduate

(43:51):
with because we kind of all like, I didn't really
get close to people. I guess during my in my
area of study more in theater, but I wasn't graduating
with my theater friends because they were all older or
younger than me, and so that graduation I just felt
like I wasn't I felt like I didn't want to

(44:12):
be there, like I didn't have to be at that graduation,
and I wasn't graduating with people that I wanted to.
So we also had to wear a mask. Still, so
my graduation photo, I'm wearing a mask, which sucks. But
then we finally had Xavier's school graduation. I got to
go to that. I even like dreamed about having like
a great graduation too, like ever since that never happens.

(44:35):
I even thought about going to grad school to like
graduate again, you know, but I didn't do that. So
the fact that I got to graduate from Xavier's school
and get a diploma from the Chris Claremont was the
best feeling ever. That's literally my I'm like starting to
tear up. I'm not trying to cry, but that was

(44:57):
the best graduation I've ever had because I felt like
one I belonged there too. I was graduating with family
and friends, like all of all of them in that
one room and three Chris Claremont got to hand me
my diploma, and that is truly the best thing I

(45:18):
could ever experience in my life, because it just fills
this emptiness in my heart that I that I was
missing because I didn't get to experience a graduation that
I had dreamed of having. So I honestly thank you
guys for that. Thank you Chris, thank you Chandler, thank

(45:39):
you Dylan for just giving us that experience to actually
feel like we belong and feel like we are just
one big family. And I can't wait to do this
again for my junior year. So yeah, that's all I
really have to say for that. Thank you guys.

Speaker 2 (46:01):
Thank you. It was a wonderful story, and.

Speaker 5 (46:05):
I'm sorry it was so long, but you needed like
the backstory.

Speaker 2 (46:08):
For it, right Yeah, you know, I'm just going to
I'm not going to share this person's name, but I
was somebody who was a part of it told me
that they were stripped of any graduation experience because of
various reasons in their life, and that this was their
first graduation experience ever, getting a diploma, you know, walking
down an aisle to music kind of thing. And he

(46:29):
was so grateful for he said, you have no idea
what that means to me, just to just the the
you know, even though it's a it's a performance of
a graduation, it's just, you know, the fact is is
that he felt welcomed, he felt he just you know,
he earned it and he had a good time. And
I just love I love that. I'm so glad the
graduation ceremony is a continued tradition at the Uncanny experience
because you know, hearing it from yourself, Stefania and Tiffy earlier,

(46:54):
and I know that. You know, Tyler, you were up
there there in the front as a Omega student and
then you got to help our valedictorian put his hat on.
I was watching a video of you doing that. Thank
you so much for helping Case.

Speaker 9 (47:09):
I just think it's so cool to be able to
as in a my Gas student that we got hats,
and like I really wish at the end I had
like thrown it up in the air to like really
completed the entire graduation feel with it.

Speaker 7 (47:21):
Last year, obviously I didn't go on Sunday at all,
so it was really great to witness. I was the
second to last. There was almost no seating. He was
standing room only this year. I don't know how it
was last year, but it was like packed. I was
second to last row, and uh, just like sitting there
waiting for it to start. And then when it finally started,

(47:43):
I got to like see all the guests and there
were like people standing along the the walls all you know,
all the way down and people were getting emotional. And
then when they get emotional, I get emotional, and so
I'm just sitting there like wiping away tears while like
people are talking, and I was like, why am I?
This is just it was just such a great end
of like the con. It was just it was great

(48:06):
to witness. I'm glad I went this year on Sunday
and I was just like like they just kept boring,
like they were like happy tears. I was said, oh
my god, like what's happening? But everyone was like doing it.
So I was like, Okay, we're good. But it was
it was a weird like happy crime. It was really nice.

Speaker 2 (48:23):
It's a cathartic moment. I will say, what you know,
just because I will say on the planning side, you know,
we're we're so involved in so many things about the event,
and one of these things that Valedictorian was a new
thing that we did this year. So we didn't know
how it was going to go. We didn't know what
was going to happen. So you know, we make this selection.
It's this professor Xavier Coss player who was super immersive,

(48:44):
and it is awarded to the person that it's kind
of the student or the ticket holder rather who is
the most kind of immersed into the event. And people
loved him, so we called him up and the the
the love everybody gave him. Like I was losing it
up front. I was like, oh my god, I got
to keep it together. I'm like standing in front of everybody,

(49:05):
and I'm like, just the love that everybody gave this
guy as you were cheering him on and he's getting
his sash and his hat, and I just was like,
oh my gosh. I was like this is was It
was taking me to places I was not expecting because
you know, we've got our organizer hats on and we're
kind of, you know, machining through this event, and that
that moment really clicked with me and I was like, wow,

(49:26):
I said, this is an amazing like experience.

Speaker 7 (49:30):
He was a perfect choice too. I thought he was
working the event. He called every cosplayer by their character's
name every time he would go buy them and it
was like it was he made it even more so
than last year. I feel like you were there, you know.

Speaker 11 (49:46):
Hm.

Speaker 1 (49:48):
Well, you know, we wrap everything up after the graduation
ceremony with a huge group photo right out front and
we have a jer room shot and everything, and for me,
that is the perfect button at the end of the weekend.
You know, it's a moment of unity and a moment
of just sigh of an exhale of we did it.

(50:10):
So what a magical weekend the Uncandy Experience was from
hearing from all of you. And then you know, for
me and Chandler, like we put our heart and souls
into this for a whole year with Dylan, and you know,
to be able to provide this atmosphere and this space
for everybody to come together and feel the love of fandom,

(50:32):
it's just such a beautiful thing. So I want to
know from each one of you, what is your number
one tip for first timers who want to come to
Junior year of the Uncandy Experience, which takes place on
July twelfth and thirteenth of twenty twenty five. Let's go
with Tippy.

Speaker 6 (50:54):
I would say not to overthink it because I feel
like we just described what could be an overwhelming experience
because there's so much to do, which is good but
for a first time or I would say, don't overthink it,
because no matter what you do, no matter what class
you attend or panel, no matter what event you do,
you will have such a good time. You will run

(51:15):
into so many immersive experiences or costplayers or characters or
legends like you don't have to worry about having a
good time or being worth the travel or being in
the dead middle of the summer in between animate Expo
and comic Con because I looked it up.

Speaker 3 (51:34):
But you will have such a good time regardless.

Speaker 6 (51:37):
So for an overthinker like me, that is very comforting
because I don't have to plan everything down to the
minute because there's just everything around you. There's so much
to take part in in the best of ways, So
don't overthink it.

Speaker 3 (51:51):
Just just go with it.

Speaker 1 (51:54):
Cool, let's go with Frank.

Speaker 7 (51:57):
I agree with what you just said. However, on the
exact opposite side of it, get the pamphlet and look
at the schedule, because I missed literally everything except the
like three things I missed so much by not looking

(52:17):
at the schedule and being like, oh this seems cool,
Oh this seems fine. I shuffled along and I kind
of fell into the events that I did, and like
you said, you can't go wrong. You will have a
blast no matter what. But get the pamphlet and just
look at it. I didn't look at it at all,
and that is like one of my only regrets from

(52:38):
the weekend is not knowing what I was doing. And
next year, that's what I'm doing for myself, is getting
the pamphlet and like deciding what I'm doing even a
little bit because to go and completely blind. For me,
I felt like I missed things that I would have enjoyed.
But I kind of blast regardless. So like you said,
you can't go wrong. But also for me, a plan.

Speaker 3 (53:00):
Like this much so plan, but don't stress, don't.

Speaker 7 (53:04):
Exactly plan exactly. That's it.

Speaker 5 (53:08):
Just get to know everybody because you never know if
you'll meet your best friend there someone you will spend
the rest of your life with, because there is somebody
there that's definitely for you, whether it be a friendship, relationship,
you know, a mutual friend. Just meet everybody because they're
all wonderful people.

Speaker 1 (53:29):
Let's hear your thoughts Michelle, I would.

Speaker 10 (53:33):
Say, don't stress about the cosplay, Like, don't stress if
you're not like fully dressed up as a character, because
you can create your own character. That's the beauty of
it is that you are a student enrolling out of
Babiers and you can be an original character. You can
cause play as like a student version of a character.

(53:54):
And this is the place where if you love a
deep cut, you will be appreciated. Like I I remember
my first experience. I saw a wather and I just
about died. I'm like, oh my god, Like I've never
seen a whither costplayer in my entire life. So for so,
if you're if you're thinking about cosplaying a deep cut,

(54:15):
if if if you're cosplaying for the first time, this
is a safe space.

Speaker 5 (54:20):
For all of that.

Speaker 9 (54:23):
And Tyler, actually I'll pickyback off of that, and what
I was going to say is this is that it
is such a safe space to do whatever you want
with your cosplay outfit.

Speaker 10 (54:33):
I know my.

Speaker 9 (54:34):
Husband did the Phoenix with a kilt and like did
a fun like Scottish tradition or a Scottish translation of it.
So just like be yourself, do what crazy ever, whatever
crazy idea that you have to to bring that cosplayer
to life or that character to life, and really just
enjoy every minute of it as it goes by quick.

Speaker 1 (54:57):
It sure does well. Thank you so much, everybody. I
loved hearing from each and every one of you, and
I want to know where can we find you on
social media so our listeners can give you a follow.
Let's start with you, Michelle.

Speaker 10 (55:11):
You can find me on Instagram at Michelle WAFFLEO or
just search Michelle Waffle. I'm I think I'm one of
two people on Instagram with that name. I also have
a joint account with my husband called Adventures dot in
dot Geekdom, where we are chronically are comic Collin and
toy collecting Adventures.

Speaker 1 (55:32):
Sweet, Old Fashioned Nerd.

Speaker 7 (55:35):
I mostly use Instagram and I'm Old Fashion Nerd. Or
you can search o FN and I should pop up.

Speaker 9 (55:42):
Sweet Tyler, thank you foinding me on Instagram at Tyler GP.

Speaker 1 (55:47):
Sweet and Tiffy you.

Speaker 6 (55:49):
Can find me on Instagram and TikTok at Tiffy star Child.
There are some fake accounts out there, which I feel
like means that I made it, so you should be
a going to tell which one is really me? Those
I mean I hope so, but that's where you can
find me.

Speaker 2 (56:06):
Great, wonderful Well, thank you so much everybody. It's been
such a pleasure. I love recounting the Uncanny Experience and
we cannot wait to bring it back for everybody in
twenty twenty five. And we hope to see all of
your faces there because you know, we're all big part
of the Mutant family, so we have to all reunite.

Speaker 1 (56:27):
Oh and also, oops, Stefania just had a dip, but
we still have her Instagram handle available, so y'all can
follow her. And Chandler is about to let you know
what that is right now.

Speaker 2 (56:37):
Yes, you can check out and find Stefania. It is
her first name, Stefania underscore Sasano on Instagram, and I
believe she's also on TikTok.

Speaker 1 (56:46):
Well, everybody, thank you so much for joining us. It
has been a pure delight and a pleasure to speak
with each and every one of you, and you know,
hopefully we can see you for twenty twenty five at
the Unkid Experience Junior Year.

Speaker 9 (57:01):
Yes, yeah, have November fourth bookmarked.

Speaker 2 (57:05):
Yes, bring those summer looks.

Speaker 7 (57:10):
Planning.

Speaker 6 (57:12):
Well.

Speaker 1 (57:12):
I just love each and every one of those Mutants
don't you.

Speaker 2 (57:17):
Hmm, absolutely no. That was a fantastic recap and I
I just love reminiscing about the event because we put
so much love into it. So it's really fun to
hear people talk about what they liked.

Speaker 1 (57:29):
Yep. And you know, this event, it was so meaningful,
not only for the attendees but also for the celebrity guests.
Like you heard earlier, gill Agostini premiered his first cosplay
as Sunspot at the Uncanny Experience. Emmett as an example,
who is the director of X Men ninety seven, came

(57:49):
and they were at the Morlock pep Rally and had
so many great, amazing, wonderful things to say about it
and so much more.

Speaker 2 (57:57):
Yeah. Absolutely well. One of the people that I think
really enjoyed the event was Gail Simone, and you can
tell because on her social media she was talking about
the uncan Experience in a very flattering way, gushing about it,
and it's so you know, it's so wonderful to hear
that she had a good time, you know. And one
of the things that she did was she did it

(58:19):
a very long tweet thread about what the event meant
to her and why don't we read that tweet thread.

Speaker 1 (58:25):
Sure, pretend we're doing this in the voice of Gail Simone. Yeah,
she starts out, Okay, I debated telling this story a lot,
since so many are having a hard time right now,
but I also want to get it out there while
the experience is fresh. If you're not in the mood
for a happy moment that happened, I get it, maybe
mute this thread. It's X Men related. And then she

(58:47):
shows a gift of the X Men ninety seven logo.

Speaker 2 (58:51):
Mm hmmm. She continues. When I was a kid, I
got the giant sized X Men that started all all
torn up at a garage sale. I'd been told so
much that comics were a waste of time and money,
and I was starting to believe it until that comic,
and she shares a cover of giant size X Men
number one.

Speaker 1 (59:11):
I was born and living on a super remote dairy farm.
I was never going to travel, never going to have adventures,
never going to have international friends. And then this book
came out and blew my mind.

Speaker 2 (59:24):
I literally read it till it fell apart. Then I
managed to find more recent issues and they were even better, thrilling,
full of people from everywhere, but an Oregon dairy farm,
and just so unlike every other comic that pretty soon
every other comic was imitating it.

Speaker 1 (59:42):
It was so massive an effect on my life that
for years I didn't want to be anything but an
X Men.

Speaker 2 (59:49):
For years, it was the book for me. Part of
it was the artist, part of it was the characters,
but the biggest part was the story. The story, the story,
the story, and that was Chris Claremont.

Speaker 1 (01:00:03):
I read everything he wrote for years. New Mutants blew
my mind again, and there were so many others, but
always always X Men.

Speaker 2 (01:00:12):
Skip forward a bunch of years, I become a comics creator.
I meet Chris many times. He has a reputation for
being cantankerous. Sometimes I know people who are afraid of him.
A while ago, I get a call from Tom Brevort,
will you write on Kenny X Men? This is my
brain and it's a bunch of fireworks going off.

Speaker 1 (01:00:33):
Of course, there's Claremont DNA in Uncanny X Men's Blood.
That sounds weird, but it's true. It's just that I
want the same thing for readers. Now, the story, the story,
the story shows and then she shows a gift of
Elmo doing it story time.

Speaker 2 (01:00:53):
You're probably getting the message. Chris Claremont is a big, big, big,
big deal to me. I can't imagine what my life
would be without his influence. He taught me without ever
meeting me, that action and interaction were both vital.

Speaker 1 (01:01:08):
Last week, I went to a live action recreation of
the X Men Experience as a guest. Attendees retreated as
aspiring new x Men, and the event took place in
Xavier's mansion. You can't tell me any different. It was
called the Uncanny Experience and it was amazing. And she
shows a picture of the school, the exterior shot of

(01:01:31):
the mansion.

Speaker 2 (01:01:33):
The whole thing is everyone is in character pretty much
the entire week. You really feel like you're in the
mansion and you're talking to X Men. Chris was there
as a guest professor, and for these attendees it was
like meeting Walt Disney and Moore in character.

Speaker 1 (01:01:48):
We had some great discussions. He came to my table
several times a talk X Men. I would have paid
to just go for that experience. He was lovely. Now
the part that is hard to say almost And she
shows a beautiful photo of Chris and her at the
bar at the hotel, just smiling away.

Speaker 2 (01:02:09):
The weekend ends with a graduation ceremony with all the attendees,
hundreds of people, most in some form of cosplay or
at least wearing ex gear. And the kapper of the
party is you get handed assigned diploma by Chris Claremont.
Does that sound cheesy? It wasn't.

Speaker 1 (01:02:25):
People were weeping openly. It was something very special. I
can't even explain. So all of the following happened. This
is not about, oh, how cool is my life? It
is about Chris Claremont.

Speaker 2 (01:02:39):
Very important. I am not saying any of this to
be boastful or smug or anything like that. It's one
hundred percent about Chris and his kindness.

Speaker 1 (01:02:47):
I was supposed to start the ceremony with a few
words to the graduates, which I did. Then when Chris
got up to give his remarks, he said, like all writers,
I find myself at a loss because everything's already been
said by a writer.

Speaker 2 (01:03:01):
And he looked at me and gestured his hand out.
I literally lost my breath. Now we know I am
not a better writer than Chris Claremont, but that was
a damn kind thing to say.

Speaker 1 (01:03:13):
Next, he's giving out diplomas one at a time, clearly
enjoying himself. It's lovely to watch his Nightcrawler, Rogue and
hundreds of other characters come get their moment. He says, Gail,
would you come up and handle diplomas please? Again? No
breath in my lungs.

Speaker 2 (01:03:29):
I protested. I said no. My hubby said maybe he
needs to go to the bathroom or something. So I
went up. He gave me hit diplomas to give out,
and I can't even say how happy I was giving
those out to these X Men lovers, most of whom
probably had a story just like mine.

Speaker 1 (01:03:46):
Then he had an X Men letterman's jacket. They're gorgeous,
and he put it on my shoulders. That was too much.
I was like, you are Chris Claremont and no one
else should wear your jacket. In my brain, amazing, indescribably.

Speaker 2 (01:04:02):
Finally, when we were done this and she posts a
photo of Chris and her hugging and you can see
just pure happiness on her face.

Speaker 1 (01:04:12):
I whispered, I thought you had to go to the
bathroom or something. He said, no, I just thought you
would enjoy it, and I want you to want you
to experience.

Speaker 2 (01:04:19):
It in that moment, the little girl reading about Wolverine
and Storm and Nightcrawler. She was right there in my heart,
living a moment she could not possibly have dreamed of
on her rural dairy farm. This kind of thing, it's rare,
it's precious. It's hard to share it.

Speaker 1 (01:04:36):
Even but I thought you might like to know that
guy who created or refined so many of your favorite characters,
the one who wrote your favorite stories, the one who
has a hit book on the stands right now, is
also this guy who did this just to be kind.

Speaker 2 (01:04:56):
Not everyone wants to share the torch. He has no
reason to be this guy, Chris, thank you for everything,
from the little dairy farm girl and from the woman
trying to carry your torch as best as she can,
and she has a gift with exploding hearts.

Speaker 1 (01:05:11):
May you all meet your hero and have this moment.
Have an uncanny day, everyone. I okay, so we both
you and I were just sobbing for a whole evening
over this. How beautiful, How beautiful.

Speaker 2 (01:05:32):
It is beautiful. And I was kind of paraphrasing this
to my father because you know, he is very proud
of this event because he knows nothing about X men
or comic books. But he can see how happy everybody
is at the event. He went first year, he couldn't
go this weekend, but are this year's event. But I

(01:05:52):
was explaining this particular tweet thread, paraphrasing it, and I
got to the point about how she talks about being
twelve years again and how she could feel her youthful
joy returning to her adult body, and he just immediately
started weeping. He just was like, I can't believe that
you're making these people feel these emotions. And I can't

(01:06:13):
believe it either, Like I just can't.

Speaker 1 (01:06:15):
When we were thinking, when we come to the question
of are we going to do this again next year,
Chandler and Dylan, the automatic answer is hell, yes, Yeah,
we have to. You know, this event has just been
so meaningful for so many people, and the stories that
we only touched on the tip of the iceberg, with

(01:06:38):
the amount of amazing stories that came out of this experience,
so you know, I feel like we have to, we
have to bring it back, and we are, Yes, we
are coming back on July twelfth and thirteenth of twenty
twenty five. Tickets go on sale November fourth at nine
am Eastern, So set your watches listeners. Yeah, because we

(01:07:02):
are going to have ten Omega tickets available. They're very limited,
they go super quick, and we're also going to have
a limited supply of VIP, just twenty five VIP tickets
available this year for sale, so mark your calendars, wake
up early and join us at the Uncanny Experience.

Speaker 2 (01:07:23):
Yes, and do not be discouraged if you don't get
a ticket, because they will have more available in twenty
twenty five. We always want to make that clear that
just there's not only going to be thirty five people
at this event next year, so so yes, while we
do have this small batch coming for sale as kind
of a pre launch event, bulk tickets will be available

(01:07:46):
in early twenty twenty five, so yes, try to grab
them while you can, and we really look forward to
seeing you in July.

Speaker 1 (01:07:54):
That's right, And also be sure to sign up for
our email newsletter by visiting the Uncanny Experience dot com
and new this year, we have just started text alerts,
so it's gonna be an immersive experience where you will
have the power to vote on things, so you definitely
want to be the first in the know on all
things uncanny. What you got to do is you got

(01:08:16):
to text the word uncanny to six one two four
zero nine seven zero seven three. I'm going to give
that to you again. Text the word uncanny to six
one two four zero nine seven zero seven three. X
Reads is recorded in the United States.

Speaker 2 (01:08:36):
Our theme music is written by Austin Wintry.

Speaker 1 (01:08:39):
Please make sure to follow our podcast to be updated
on when new episodes appear every first and third Wednesdays
of the month.

Speaker 2 (01:08:45):
Follow us on social media at x reads podcast That's
the letter, X riads Podcast on Twitter, Instagram, at Facebook.

Speaker 1 (01:08:52):
Thanks so much for listening.

Speaker 7 (01:08:53):
Bye,