It is an extra-sized episode and an extra-sized issue as The ‘Nam hits issue #75. In four different stories that take us in country and back again, we look at events and perspectives surrounding the My Lai massacre. Creators in this one include original ‘Nam writer Doug Murray, Scott Lobdell, Don Lomax, Mike Harris, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Herb Trimpe.
Plus, I also take a long look at the final season of China Beach with expanded coverage of the events of the season and its final three episodes.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 84 direct link
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.
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.
“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.
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.
The finale of the second three-part “Punisher Invades The ‘Nam” and Chuck Dixon’s last issue of the series takes us through the end of Iceman’s story about Frank Castle’s time in country, with plenty of action, as Frank defends a firebase and confronts the colonel who may or may not know about the shady things that have led to his fellow soldiers’ deaths. It’s “Down to the Ground” by Chuck Dixon, Kevin Kobasic, adn Jimmy Palmiotti in The ‘Nam #69.
Chuck Dixon, Kevin Kobasic, and Jimmy Palmiotti take us through the second part of a three-part Punisher storyline with “The Walking Dead.” Frank has made his way back to his firebase and has uncovered the nefarious deeds of his C.O. Will he confront him or will he perish in a firefight before he can dole out … PUNISHMENT?! Oh, stop laughing. Anyway, I cover the issue and give a very brief review (I’m saving it for the finale, I guess), cover letters and ads, and take a look at the rest of 1971.
This time around, we close out the three-issue POW storyline with “The Ville,” a story by Chuck Dixon, Wayne Vansant, and Nicholas James that sees what happened to Ritchey when he escaped the POW camp. Will he make it out of the jungle alive? Or will he get caught and sentenced to an even worse fate? Find out in The ‘Nam #61.
We reach the conclusion to “The Death of Joe Hallen” with “Down So Long …” in The ‘Nam #58, a story written by Chuck Dixon with art by Wayne Vansant and Tony DeZuniga as well as a cover with metallic silver ink by Andy Kubert (it’s about as Nineties as The ‘Nam will get, kids … at least as far as the covers go). Also in this episode, I wrap up the historical context for the year 1969 with a look at December.
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