Podcast

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” Episode 6

Only happy when it rains? You’re the exception to the rule, especially in “The ‘Nam” as Ed Marks and the boys deal with the constant downpours of monsoon season in a story that can only be called “Monsoon.” It’s issue #6 of “The ‘Nam.” As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I’ll be talking about the story’s historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 6 direct link

Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 17 — Return to the Valley of the Geeks

It’s the one year anniversary of the Pop Culture Affidavit podcast and I’m celebrating in fine style with coverage from the 2013 Baltimore Comic-Con! I attended on Saturday, September 7 and you’ll get to hear me talk about the con as well as talk to some comics creators I met, including Art Baltazar and Franco, Michael Golden, Rob Kelly, and George Perez!

You can listen here:

iTunes: Pop Culture Affidavit

Direct Download

Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

Pictures are located after the jump, but I did want to share some links to things mentioned on the podcast …

The Baltimore Comic-Con: I obviously want to provide a link to the official page of the con and offer my thanks once again to the organizers for giving me a press pass.

Hey Kids, Comics!: Rob Kelly recently wrote a book and I had the privilege of speaking to him about it at the con. Look for an extended interview with him on the next episode!

Healed: A comic from Homeless Comics that I didn’t buy at the con but checked out online and it, or at least issue #1 is really good.

(more…)

COMMENTARIES FOR THINGS THAT DON’T NEED COMMENTARIES! Weekend at Bernie’s Edition (Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 16)

Introducing a brand new occasional feature for the Pop Culture Affidavit Podcast: COMMENTARIES FOR THIGNS THAT DON’T NEED COMMENTARIES! For this first commentary, I take a look at the 1989 Andrew McCarthy/Jonathan Silverman classic, Weekend at Bernie’s.

So grab some popcorn, prop your dead boss up on the couch, sit back, relax, and enjoy!

You can listen here:

iTunes: Pop Culture Affidavit

Direct Download

Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” Episode 4

Episode 4 of “In Country” is breaking news for the folks at home, or at least that’s what the guys in the 23rd think when they have a camera crew tag along with them on what should be a routine day. However, things don’t go as they think it will. “Six O’Clock News” is written by Doug Murray, penciled by Michael Golden, inked by Pepe Moreno and features events from May of 1966. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I’ll be talking about the story’s historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 4 direct link

Also, below is the Life Magazine photo “Reaching Out,” which I mention during the episode.

You can read about the history of this photo here: LIFE Behind the Picture: Larry Burrows’ Reaching Out

“Reaching Out” by Larry Burrows, published in 1966 by Life Magazine.

Pop Culture Affidavit, Episode 15 — One Savage Evening

This time out we have an extra-sized and extra-AWESOME episode of the podcast. Joining me is my friend and fellow podcaster Michael Bailey (of Views From the Longbox and From Crisis to Crisis) and we spend THREE FULL HOURS discussing the films of Savage Steve Holland!

Who is Savage Steve Holland, you ask?

You may not necessarily recognize the name but any child of the Eighties will recognize the phrase “I want my two dollars!” That’s right, Savage Steve directed Better Off Dead …, the 1985 John Cusack classic about breakups, French foreign exchange students, psychotic paperboys, and weird neighbors who sit at home crocheting and snorting nasal spray.

But that’s not all we talk about. We also reminisce about Savage Steve’s other two films: the 1986 beach romp One Crazy Summer, which also stars John Cusack as well as Demi Moore and Bobcat Goldthwait; and we talk about his least-known but most-underrated film, How I Got Into College.

Here’s where to listen:

iTunes: Pop Culture Affidavit

Direct Download

Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

Also, here’s a few great extras. First, the theatrical poster for Better Off Dead … (more…)

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” Episode 3

It’s episode 3 of “In Country” and time for a little R&R for Ed Marks and his friends as they take a long weekend in Saigon but wind up getting more than they bargained for in The ‘Nam #3: “Three Day Pass.” The issue was written by Doug Murray, pencilled by Michael Golden, inked by Armando Gil and features events from April 1966. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I’ll be talking about the story’s historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

You can listen to it on iTunes or right here: In Country, Episode 3

Pop Culture Affidavit, Episode 14 — Life is a game. Easy to start. Hard to finish.

This time around in the podcast I take a look at the 1992 Cameron Crowe-directed film Singles, a romantic comedy whose soundtrack became one of the definitive albums from the 1990s. Starring Campbell Scott, Kyra Sedgwick, Bridget Fonda, and Matt Dillon and set in 1991 Seattle, Singles follows several characters in their twenties as they go through the complexities of trying to date and find love.

But of course, many people remember it for its music: Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Smashing Pumpkins, and other bands important to the era make appearances on the soundtrack and even in the film, which is a great snapshot of a particular moment in our cultural history.

I spend the episode discussing the movie as well as my opinion of it and then spend a little bit of time on the soundtrack as well as a bit on its lasting legacy.

You can listen to the podcast via iTunes, or here: Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 14

Also, if you’re interested, here is some extra reading–articles and blog posts that I used for research this episode …

“Singles Turns 20: Who Would be on the Soundtrack in 2012?” (Spin)

“Singles: 25 Things You Didn’t Know About the Cameron Crowe Flick” (Moviefone)

“Where’s the Cast of Singles Now?” (NY Daily News)

“Singles Soundtrack Turns 20″ (Stereogum)

Singles Production Notes (“The Uncool”: The Official Website for Everything Cameron Crowe)

“Mindhole Blowers: Cameron Crowe’s Singles Inspired NBC’s Friends and 14 Other Facts That Might Explode Your Head” (Pajiba.com)

“Five Ways Singles Ruined My Life” (Hello Giggles)

And as mentioned in the podcast, I have some pictures of my VHS copy, which was bought from the late, lamented Sayville’s Video Empire …

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam,” Episode 2

An issue-by-issue recap of The ‘Nam continues with issue #2 of the Marvel Comics series. We continue to follow the tour of duty of Ed Marks in “Dustoff,” written by Doug Murray, pencilled by Michael Golden, and inked by Armando Gil, which takes place in March of 1966. And as always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I’ll be talking about the story’s historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 2 direct link

This time around, in addition to all of the usual podcast features and show notes, I’ve got the video clip that I talk about toward the end of the episode, which Jim Shooter discussed in that month’s Bullpen Bulletins. Below is the 20/20 report about Marvel’s 25th Anniversary, courtesy of YouTube, which rarely lets you down.

Part One:

Part Two:

Protected: Pop Culture Affidavit, Episode 13 — Wait, I Wrote a Novel?

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam,” Episode 1

Introducing a brand-new podcast about “The ‘Nam,” Marvel Comics’ Vietnam War comic book that ran from 1986-1993. Over the course of the next 100 episodes, I will cover every single issue of the series as well as some unpublished stories and other pop culture featuring the Vietnam War.

This episode features issue #1 of “The ‘Nam,” where Doug Murray and Michael Golden introduce us to Ed Marks, a newly drafted G.I. who is about to start serving in the Vietnam War in 1966. I’ll take you through the issue’s events, give my opinion/critique and will also provide some historical and cultural context for the month when the story takes place (in this case, February 1966). I’ll also cover the issue’s lettercolumn as well as ads. So join me as I take my first step into … The ‘Nam.

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 1 direct link