I’m back to the classic format of the show and back to some classic characters as I take a look at issue #76 of The ‘Nam, a story titled “Brothers” that stars Rob Little. It’s June 1972 and while standing at the grave of his brother Eugene, Rob flashes back to a story from 1967 where he and Ed Marks help a paymaster complete his job of getting back pay to GIs in the field.
Plus, I take a look at the history of the war in June 1972.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 86 direct link
Some extras:
During this episode, I talk about Nick Ut’s famous photograph of Phan Thi Kim Phuc running naked down a street burned from a napalm attack. Here are some resources if you would like to learn more:
“The Long Road to Forgiveness”, which is her contribution to NPR’s long-running “This I Believe” series.
The Kim Foundation, her foundation dedicated to helping children who have been injured as a result of war.
Wikipedia’s page on Phan Thi Kim Phuc, which is extensive and was an excellent resource.
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.
“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.
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.
This is it! The big finale!
It’s the penultimate episode of Origin Story! This time around, a huge storyline ends in G.I. Joe #66 and Captain America’s new look get profiled in Marvel Age #57.
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