Marvel

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!

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

IC 100 Website Cover It’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 Cover One 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.jpg Three 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 Cover Four 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 Cover Five 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 Cover Six 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

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 92

IC 92 Website Cover Eight episodes and a wake-up!

This time around, I take a look at issue #81 of the series, which is part three of the three-part Tet Offensive storyline “The Beginning of the End”, plus historical context from the summer of 1973. Then, I look at five documentaries about the Vietnam War.

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 92 direct link

Nam 81

Here are links and clips regarding the documentaries I talked about:

The Fog of War trailer

On Two Fronts: Latinos & Vietnam. Watch the full episode here.

Last Days in Vietnam: PBS’ website, information and clips can be found here.

Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam: Purchase DVD from Amazon here.

Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s The Vienam War: PBS’ website, information, and clips as well as how you can watch it can be found here.

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 91

ic91itunescover

Nine episodes and a wake-up!

This time around, I take a look at part two of the three-part Tet Offensive storyline “The Beginning of the End”, plus historical context from the middle of 1973. Then, I look at the career of Vietnam Veteran Principal Seymour Skinner.

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 91 direct link

Here’s a playlist of the Principal Skinner clips that I used in this episode:

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 90

10 episodes and a wake-up are left!

It’s a return to the regular coverage of The ‘Nam with the first of a three-part storyline that takes us back to the Tet Offensive of 1968, “The Beginning of the End.” I’ll take a look at issue #79 of the series and will also finish up the two-part Punisher/Iceman storyline from Punisher War Journal by looking at issue #53 of that comic. Plus, I round things out by looking at the history behind the war in January-March of 1973.

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

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 90 direct link

As mentioned in the episode, here is the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph “Burst of Joy,” which depicts a POW returning home to see his family:

burst_of_joy