Marvel Comics

Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 129: Continuity, Sagas, and Histories

When you start reading comic books decades into a character or even an entire publisher’s existence, how do you go back and find out all of the stories that got them to that point, especially when it’s 1991, you’re fourteen, and you don’t have money, a car, or the Internet at your disposal? Well, join me as I talk about how I learned about Marvel and DC’s histories through their “official” history accounts: The History of the DC Universe, Marvel Saga, The History of the Marvel Universe, and The Other History of the DC Universe. Plus: listener feedback!

Apple Podcasts:  Pop Culture Affidavit

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Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

9/11 and Popular Culture Part Two

It’s the second episode of a six-part miniseries that examines the books, movies, music, comics, and other popular culture that directly addresses or is about the attacks of September 11, 2001. In this episode, I look at comic books, starting with The Amazing Spider-Man volume 2 #36, Marvel’s A Moment of Silence, Kitchen Sink Press’ 9/11: Emergency Relief, Dark Horse’s 9/11: Artists Respond, DC’s 9/11 compilation, and Art Spiegelman’s In the Shadow of No Towers.

A quick content warning: Though these events are now 20 years in the past, they are still traumatizing to many, and I also discuss some of my personal feelings and views, so listener discretion is advised.

Finally, I will be including a feedback section in the sixth episode of the series, and would love to hear what you think, so leave comments on the Pop Culture Affidavit Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or email me at popcultureaffidavit@gmail.com.

Here’s where to listen:

Apple Podcasts:  Pop Culture Affidavit

Direct Download 

Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

And for a look at when I covered two of these stories ten years ago, here’s a link to a “My Life as a Teen Titan” Post, This Too, Shall Pass.

Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 123: Cardboard Heroes

The Eighties and Nineties were a boom for the baseball card and trading card industry, and since I was a kid, I was right there in the thick of it.  Join me as I recount my days collecting baseball cards as well as cards featuring characters from Marvel, DC, Star Trek, and Star Wars before looking at books and documentaries about the hobby.  Plus, I open four packs of vintage baseball and trading cards live on the show!

Apple Podcasts:  Pop Culture Affidavit

Direct Download 

Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

And here’s a gallery of the cards I opened (plus the gum) …

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Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 122: Titans Two-Fer Part Two, Apokolips Now

In 1982, Marvel and DC teamed up to present a story featuring their two hottest properties: The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans.  Written by X-scribe Chris Claremont with art by Walt Simonson and Terry Austin, the crossover was one of the best ever produced and had the X-Titans facing off against Deathstroke, Darkseid, and Dark Phoenix.

To take a look at my favorite inter-company crossover of all time, I’m joined by The Irredeemable Shag from the Fire and Water Network.  We take a look at it from all angles and really find our joy talking about this classic.

You can listen here:

Apple Podcasts:  Pop Culture Affidavit

Direct Download 

Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

A QUICK NOTE: The show is only currently available on the Two True Freaks website for streaming and download. We’re working on getting the feeds fixed and that will hopefully get them to podcatchers soon.

Don’t forget that if you’d like to leave feedback, you can email me at popcultureaffidavit@gmail.com!

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 100

IC 100 Website CoverIt’s time to head back to the world!

That’s right, it is the FINAL episode of “In Country”!  And in this one, I am taking a look at the last issue of The ‘Nam, which is The ‘Nam #84.  Written by Don Lomax with art by Alberto Saichann, “The Letter” follows several NVA and VC fighters through the jungles of North and South Vietnam and centers around a letter a little girl wrote to her father, who has been fighting int he war for years.  After doing my synopsis and review, I then look at the ads and the last lettercolumn of the series, which includes an editorial farewell, and give my final thoughts on the series and this podcast.

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 100 direct link

Nam 84

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 99

IC 99 Website CoverOne episode and a wake-up is left!

In the penultimate episode of In Country, I take time out from comics, movies, and the Vietnam War to talk about the war’s aftermath and Vietnam itself.  The episode begins with the history of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. along with descriptions of two other Vietnam War memorials that I’ve been to on Long Island and in Charlottesville.  I then talk about the postwar history of Vietnam and U.S. relations with Vietnam as well as look at the country in the present day via season 8, episode 1 of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.  Plus, listener feedback!

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 99 direct link

Some extras for you.

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In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 97

IC 97 Website Cover.jpgThree episodes and a wake-up are left!

This time around, I look at The ‘Nam #83, the final issue of Wayne Vansant’s longtime run as artist and the last part of our look at Ed Marks’ time working with Bulldog and Dai-Uy in Vietnam.  I also take a look at historical context for the end of the war, describing what happens throughout all of 1974 before looking at the events of January-April 1975, with a special focus on the fall of Saigon on April 29 and 30, 1975.

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 97 direct link

Some extras for you.  A YouTube video featuring NBC News’ reporting of the fall of Saigon …

A scan of my copy of The ‘Nam #83, which is signed by Wayne Vansant …

Nam 83 signed cover

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 96

IC 96 Website CoverFour episodes and a wake-up are left!

This time around, it’s one final look at The Punisher and his experience in the Vietnam War.  We’ve seen him “invade The ‘Nam” three times already, but what about how it was told through one of the most acclaimed runs featuring Frank Castle?  I take a look at how Garth Ennis told the story of Frank Castle in Vietnam through three connecting storylines:  “Born”, “Valley Forge, Valley Forge”, and “The Platoon.”

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 96 direct link

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 95

IC 95 Website CoverFive episodes and a wake-up left!

It’s back to our regular comics coverage with The ‘Nam #82.  In “Hue”, we see more of the Tet Offensive and the story of Dai Uy, the ARVN soldier who has been telling Ed Marks about his experience in 1968.  It comes courtesy of Don Lomax and Wayne Vansant.  I also spend time looking at the rest of 1973, which includes events surrounding Watergate and the New York Mets.

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 95 direct link

Also, in case you want to watch it for yourself, here is the Brach’s Rocks commercial featuring Rocky D, Dinosaur Extraordinare:

Nam 82

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 94

IC 94 Website CoverSix episodes and a wake-up!

It’s time to do another tour with Frank Castle as I look at two separate Punisher storylines from the 1990s.  First up is the trade paperback The Punisher in The ‘Nam: Final Invasion, a post-cancellation publication of what was supposed to be issues #84, 85, and 86 of the series.  In it, Frank re-ups for another assignment and takes on a mission to rescue a group of POWs from a NVA camp called “The Death Hole.”

The second storyline is a five-parter from Punisher: War Zone #26-30 where Ice has to rescue Frank when he is captured by a powerful gangster who runs a cartel on an island nation in Latin America.

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 94 direct link