comics

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 52

IC 52 Website CoverWe are back to our usual business this time around and back to Vietnam with a little detour into the Korean War along the way as Martini and Daniels find a soldier’s diary and we see his life in the army as told over the course of nearly 20 years. It’s The ‘Nam #45, “Looking Out for Number One” by Doug Murray, Wayne Vansant and Tony DeZuniga.

As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I’ll be taking a look at the historical context, letters and ads. Plus, I have a special announcement concerning the show’s format as well as listener feedback!

You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website

Two True Freaks Presents: In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 52 direct link

Pop Culture Affidavit Presents: 80 Years of DC Comics Episode 8 — Comedy

80 Years Episode 8 Website LogoEverything’s a laugh riot here for this episode of my DC Comics retrospective, as I take a look at books that put the funny in funny books! I start out by taking a very quick look at couple of the short comic strips in New Fun Comics #5, then Brett and I read a story from Sugar and Spike #3 before Michael Bailey joins me for an in-depth discussion of The Adventures of Jerry Lewis #86. Finally, I finish up with quick looks at Ambush Bug #4, Ambush Bug Nothing Special #1, and Bizarro #2.

Here’s where to listen:

iTunes: Two True Freaks Presents Pop Culture Affidavit

Direct Download

Two True Freaks Presents: Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 51

IC 51 Website CoverJust after my extra-sized episode 50 comes another special episode. This time, I am talking about The ‘Nam but instead of covering a specific issue, I have a special guest, ‘Nam creator and writer Doug Murray! He and I sat down to talk about his experience in the war, his comics career, his time on the book, and the work he is currently doing as a novelist.

You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website

Two True Freaks Presents: In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 51 direct link

If you’re interested in reading more of what Doug Murray writes, here is a link to his Amazon.com page:

Doug Murray at Amazon

Pop Culture Affidavit Presents: 80 Years of DC Comics Episode 7 — Funny Animals

80 Years Episode 7 Website LogoFor as long as DC has been publishing, talking animals have been part of their lineup. In this episode, I take a brief look at the history of DC’s funny animal comics with a story from The Fox and the Crow as well as some Looney Tunes stories. Plus, I take a look at the first appearance of Captain Carrot! Along the way, reading the comics for and with me is my 7-year-old son, Brett. So sit back and enjoy the zaniness!

Here’s where to listen:

iTunes: Two True Freaks Presents Pop Culture Affidavit

Direct Download

Two True Freaks Presents: Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

Pop Culture Affidavit, Episode 49: The Waiting Place

Episode 49 Website CoverIn 1997, Sean McKeever self-published his very first work, The Waiting Place, a story about the ennui that comes with being a young adult trapped in a town that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. It was soon picked up by Slave Labor Graphics and McKeever along with Brendon and Brian Fraim and then Mike Norton finished the entire saga of the town of Northern Plains and its denizens in three volumes plus an epilogue.

I spend this episode taking a complete look at The Waiting Place, which has been one of my favorite comics coming-of-age stories since I bought the volume one trade in 2001. This includes a full synopsis as well as a review.

You can listen here:

iTunes:  Pop Culture Affidavit

Direct Download 

Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

If you’re interested in buying a copy of The Waiting Place, it’s available at Amazon.com.  Here’s the link

As a bonus, here are the covers to all three trades put out by Slave Labor Graphics as well as the IDW “Definitive Edition”:

Waiting Place Book One

Waiting Place Cover

Waiting Place Book Three

Waiting Place Definitive

In case you’re curious as to what music I used in this episode, here are some YouTube clips:

Tori Amos, “Pretty Good Year”

Nine Inch Nails, “Something I Can Never Have”

R.E.M., “You Are The Everything”

The Sundays, “Here’s Where the Story Ends”

Roxy Music, “More Than This”

Pop Culture Affidavit Presents: 80 Years of DC Comics, Part Six — Crime Drama

80 Years Episode 6 Website LogoMy look at non-superhero comics throughout DC’s 80-year history continues with the crime-drama genre and to represent that, I’ve chosen the 1988 miniseries Cinder and Ashe, which was written by Gerry Conway and drawn by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (praise be his name). It’s a story about two private investigators looking for a missing girl and getting drawn into a political conspiracy that involves a man from their past they both thought dead.

This episode is part of the #ConwayXover, a crossover among several podcasts that will be celebrating the work of Gerry Conway as well as putting a spotlight on issues concerning creator equity in comics. Special thanks to Michael Bradley for inviting me on board!

You can download the episode via iTunes or listen here:  Pop Culture Affidavit Presents 80 Years of DC Comics Part Six

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam”– Episode 49

IC 49 Website CoverDoug Murray is back after a brief fill-in by Chuck Dixon for The ‘Nam #44, a story entitled “Football Hero” that is a meditation on the fear that can paralyze a man, especially in the ‘Nam.

As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I’ll be taking a look at the historical context, letters and ads.

You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website

Two True Freaks Presents: In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 49 direct link

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 48

IC 48 Website CoverChuck Dixon fills in for regular writer Doug Murray with a tale that takes us forward in time to April 1970. “The Weight” is a collection of three separate war stories told by GIs in a bar in Saigon with art by Wayne Vansant and Geof Isherwood and a cover you heard Mr. Vansant talk about when I interviewed him in episode 14. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I’ll be taking a look at the historical context, letters and ads.

You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website

Two True Freaks Presents: In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 48 direct link

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 47

IC 47 Website CoverWe are back in The ‘Nam with this episode as I take a look at The ‘Nam #42, which is called “Inquiry” and was written by Doug Murray with art by Wayne Vansant and Stan Drake. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I’ll be taking a look at the historical context, letters and ads. And this episode has some special historical context to it, as issue #42 takes place in July 1969 so I spend some time on the Apollo 11 moon landing.

You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website

Two True Freaks Presents: In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 47 direct link

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 46

IC 46 Website Cover-2It’s time for another break from our regular coverage of The ‘Nam to talk about a classic Vietnam War movie. This time around, I take a look at Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, the 1987 film starring Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Adam Baldwin, and Vincent D’Onofrio. It’s a film known for its look at basic training as well as how war can harden a soldier. I give some backstory on the film, a summary, and review.

WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS GRAPHIC LANGUAGE. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website

Two True Freaks Presents: In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 46 direct link