“Siege at An Loc” concludes as Ed Marks continues to experience the 1972 Easter Offensive in a story by Don Lomax and Wayne Vansant. Plus, we continue to go “Stateside,” this time catching up with Sgt. Poklow from the original run of the series. I also have a look at season 3 of China Beach.
It’s the second of a two-part look at police story comics of the late 1980s and early 1990s! This time around, I look at the Marvel comics series Cops: The Job by Larry Hama, Joe Jusko, Mike Harris, and Jimmy Palmiotti from 1992.
It’s the first of a two-part look at police story comics of the late 1980s and early 1990s! This time around, I look at the DC Comics four-issue miniseries Underworld by Robert Loren Fleming and Ernie Colon from 1987.
Ed Marks goes deep into the Easter Offensive of April 1972 in part one of the two-part “Siege at An Loc” storyline by Don Lomax and Wayne Vansant. Plus, a backup story called “Stateside” begins as we take a look at what happened to the boys from the fifth batallion (from all the way back at the beginning of the series) as they live their lives back home. And I also continue my look at China Beach with season 2.
Here’s a triptych of what I describe in the “Stateside” segment. On the left is the panel from Girls’ Romances #78, the middle is the Roy Lichtenstein painting, and the right is the panel from our comic. It’s not an exact match (and probably a bit of stretch), but I like to think that perhaps Mike Harris and Jimmy Palmiotti were channeling pop art here …
Here’s the opening and closing credits to season 2 of China Beach:
Will Ed Marks be able to get justice for the guys trying to defend their firebase from an onslaught of NVA and VC? Find out when “Operation Chicken Lips” comes to an end in The ‘Nam #72. It’s “Didi” by Don Lomax and Wayne Vansant.
Plus, I begin my four-part look at the 1980s television series China Beach by going over season 1.
“Operation Chicken Lips” continues in issue #71 of The ‘Nam as journalist Ed Marks tries to help out the firebase he escaped in the previous issue. It’s “Return to Brass Hat” by Don Lomax and Wayne Vansant. Plus, I take a look at April 1972 and also review Lynda Van Devanter’s memoir Home Before Morning.
A link to buy Van Devanter’s book on Amazon (note: in the episode, I say that a Kindle edition is not available … it has recently become available, as has an audio CD): Home Before Morning
Join me this episode as I talk about my trip to the Virginia Comic-Con in Richmond on March 4 where I hosted a lecture about “Comics Podcasting 101” and also had the opportunity to interview Gary Cohn (Amethyst, Blue Devil) and comics journalist and writer Bob Sedaro. Plus, I have some listener feedback!
Don Lomax begins his tenure as the regular writer on The ‘Nam with part one of a three-part story called “Operation: Chicken Lips.” This also sees the return of Ed Marks as one of our key characters and puts us in March 1972, which is the subject of our historical context section. Plus, I have a clip of my conversation with Michael Golden, original ‘Nam artist, from the 2017 Baltimore Comic-Con.
In Country is back and about to head into its last 20 episodes with a look at yet another Vietnam War-themed movie. This time around, it is the Robin Williams classic Good Morning Vietnam, which tells the story of Army discjockey Adrian Cronauer. I summarize and review the film as well as take a look at the real-life Adrian Cronauer.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Grab your aluminum poles and get ready to air your grievances and best each other in the feats of strength because it’s Festivus for the Rest of Us yet again! This year, I’m joined by Professor Alan of the Relatively Geeky Network. We air our grievances about popular culture in 2017 and then test our mettle in the feats of strength as we review Malibu Comics’ The Ferret #5 and #6!
Below are some extras, including the cover to issue #1 (which was mentioned but not covered), issue #5’s cover with and without the polybag, the Skycap, and the DS9 ad I mentioned that kind of looks like it has Phil Jimenez art.