Marvel Comics’ X-Men play baseball in Thomas Kinkade Studios’ painting

Thomas Kinkade passed away in 2012. However, Thomas Kinkade Studios continues to honor his memory. The studio partnered back with Marvel Comics 2021 to create an art print that depicts a classic X-Men game, as well as some other mutant buddies. A recent resurfacing of the painting has been thanks to a viral tweet from ComicBook.com editor Jamie LovettSince then Polygon has been obsessed with finding all the easter eggs and cameos in this masterpiece of kitsch.

First things first: Let’s discuss the phenomenon of X-Men baseball. Similar to Twilight’s vampire family, the X-Men often play baseball while using the full range of their superpowers; they’ve also been known to play basketball and American football. Mutant-powered sports are collectively referred to as “mutant ball” by the characters.

All that said, Kinkade Studios’ description of this painting specifies that it depicts one of the rare moments when the X-Men are playing baseball WithoutTheir powers. Although not unheard-of, it isn’t the norm. Not the norm. You can see them in full-stylized superhero costumes. Iceman, Colossus and other superheroes are also available. VisiblyTheir powers. Anyway, here’s the official description:

Professor Xavier invites Super Heroes to play in a friendly, baseball match to strengthen their teamwork. The Golden Rule of this game is, “Play without the use of your Super Hero powers.” As Cyclops pitches to his girlfriend Jean Grey, Professor X sits quietly at the mansion, acting as umpire using his telepathic ability. Are the X-Men keeping score or will they decide which side wins?

Xavier apparently has the right to make use of his talents, but no one else does. That does sound a lot like him. If you’re having trouble spotting Professor X, cast your eyes up to the balcony of the X-Mansion; that’s him in his chair, with a woman in red at his side who I’m guessing is Moira Mactaggert.

It is not difficult to recognize the majority of the other cast members, despite their different costumes from different periods. The description says that Scott Summers, AKA Cyclops pitches to Jean Grey, AKA Marvel Girl. Jean’s team is comprised of Beast (the runner on first base), Wolverine (the one on second base — quite amusing that Logan’s on Jean’s team but Scott isn’t), and Rogue (on third base). Scott’s teammates are Colossus (the catcher), Shadowcat (first base), Storm (second base), Jubilee (shortstop), and Iceman (third base).

It presents a little challenge in the outfield. Banshee is right field’s most obvious player. His uniform is easy to recognize. What about the left and center fielders? Magik could be the center fielder with long, blond hair. The left fielder is standing close to Lockheed, the small purple dragon perched on the stone wall, but that doesn’t provide much of a clue as to their identity (Lockheed belongs to Kitty, although he was Ilyana’s pet in The New MutantsFilm adaptation Susana Polo (my colleague) guessed Cypher. Cypher does have very short and light hair. However, it is a random selection.

Then there are the mutants who aren’t taking part in the game. Warren Worthington III can be seen high in the air, working his wings. Somebody is flying the Blackbird; maybe it’s the conspicuously absent Kurt Wagner? There’s another flying creature on the right side of the sky as well, but it appears to be a regular bird. (Or it’s Sauron.)

We missed anyone? Thomaskinkade.com allows you to zoom in even more on the picture. I guess you can also buy it if that’s your thing.