A major event in the lives of the 23rd and Ed Marks’s experience in “The ‘Nam” occurs in this episode, as I take a look at issue #9, “Pride Goeth …,” which is brought to us by Doug Murray, Michael Golden, and John Beatty. 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
Let’s head into the tunnels with “In the Underground” from The ‘Nam #8, an issue that also reprints one of Doug Murray and Michael Golden’s “5th of the First” stories from Savage Tales. It’s two stories about tunnel rats for the price of one! 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
This time around we take a break from the month-by-month in real time look at the Vietnam War for a history lesson. Wayne Vansant, who would eventually become the book’s regular penciller, joins Doug Murray and Michael Golden for a look at the origins of the Vietnam War in “Good Old Days.” 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 Episode 7 direct link
Here is the CBS News story that I mention in the lettercolumn portion of the show …
And here is the trailer for Thrashin’!
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
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 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.
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
So a week or two ago, I was cleaning up some stuff in my basement and in a huge Rubbermaid tub that was full of old VHS tapes found an old tape labeled “Liberty Weekend.” I don’t remember grabbing it from my parents’ house when I moved away, but that’s not a surprise considering I grabbed quite a few things from their basement that I am sure they were happy to get rid of.
Still, I had to wonder why we had a tape labeled “Liberty Weekend” (not why I grabbed it–that’s explained by my love of having random crap) and then I noticed that the handwriting on the label was neither mine nor my parents’. It was that of my dad’s old friend, Chuck, or “Uncle” Chuck as we used to call him. He was the guy who once copied the entire Star Wars trilogy from laserdisc to VHS for me, so that meant that he’d probably put something together either using the footage from Liberty Weekend or for Liberty Weekend.
After realizing what it was, I had to wonder why he had put together the tape to begin with, unless he had been trying out some sort of editing equipment and decided to have a little fun. Then, I actually started to watch the tape and remembered how huge the Statue of Liberty centennial celebration was twenty-five years ago. So much so that not only did I decide to take the time to reflect on the weekend but a lot more.
Because in all honesty, it was very hard to escape the Statue of Liberty’s 100th anniversary, especially if you were a kid living in the New York City area. The weekend of July 4, 1986 was a four-day party in and around New York City (especially New York harbor) and it was quite possibly one of the hugest things I had seen at the time, or since. But the story really starts a few years earlier and encompasses more than a fireworks show and a concert that wound up in my basement in Virginia a quarter century later.
Pop Culture Affidavit 