Whatever It Takes

Ever wondered if that beloved cartoon from your childhood actually holds up, or if it's just a fond memory wrapped in nostalgia? That's the journey at the heart of X-men: The Animated Series reXamined. Each episode of this podcast pairs UK-based standup comedian Javier Jarquin, a genuine Marvel encyclopedia who's built live shows around the MCU, with NZ comedian and playwright Dan Bain, whose main qualification is thinking the show was cool as a kid and having seen a single Iron Man movie on a plane. Together, they hit play on a classic 90s series, offering a uniquely funny and insightful review from two wildly different perspectives. You'll hear Javier's deep-dive knowledge of plots, characters, and trivia bump against Dan's more casual, rediscovering viewpoint. It's less a dry critique and more like eavesdropping on a great chat between mates-one an expert, the other an enthusiastic amateur-as they unpack the animation, the storylines, and the sheer 90s-ness of it all. Created by Noosed Octopus: Theatre, etc, this podcast finds the comedy in the earnest drama and the genuine admiration in the dated moments, making for a listen that's as entertaining for die-hard fans as it is for those just along for the ride.