After a brief hiatus, “In Country” is back and back in The ‘Nam with issue #63. We continue our three-parter featuring Iceman and Speed with a story by Chuck Dixon that features art by Wayne Vansant and Kim DeMulder. Plus, I look at events from March 1971 and read listener feedback!
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 71 direct link
If you were a comics reader in the late Eighties and early Nineties, you probably saw their ads–either a long list of back issues against a yellow background or a striking picture of the latest HOT character advertising what was going to be a RED HOT book. Well in this episode, I’m joined by Michael Bailey of Views From the Longbox (among other podcasts) for the first part of a two-part crossover about collecting comics in the decade that subtlety forgot.
For part one, Mike and I spend time talking about being teenagers during the boom years and specifically look at buying back issues through the mail. We talk about our experiences with Mile High Comics, the stalwart mail order service that so many of us have dealt with or bought from at one point or another. Then, we answer a question that crosses the minds of comics fans whenever they’re flipping through some Nineties comics: Whatever happened to American Comics/Entertainment This Month?
And after you’re done with that, check out Episode 233 of Views from the Longbox, which will drop later this week, where Mike and I continue our discussion, this time turning our attention to Wizard: The Guide to Comics. It’s the most EXTREEEEEEEEEME two-parter EVER!
Oh, and special thanks to Andrew Leyland, who really should be getting some sort of royalty check from me … but isn’t.
Here’s where to listen:
Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page
As an added bonus, here are some images and links that I used as part of my research for the episode:
An Entertainment This Month ad (taken from an issue of The ‘Nam from 1992):
The 1986 article from The Cavalier Daily (UVa’s student newspaper) about American Comics’ founder, Steve Milo: “Comics: America’s Hottest Art”
An Entertainment This Month Ad featured on the blog Very Fine Near Mint: “Entertainment This Month, Spider-Man Ad, 1990”
A Washington Post article from 1991 about the growing boom in the comic book retail industry: “Racking Up Sales of Comic Books”
An ad for a Scott Summers/Jean Grey wedding event to be held at Another Universe in the Springfield Mall in Springfield, VA (Another Universe was the company that American Entertainment was eventually purchased by in the mid-1990s):
The thread that I pulled the above ad from on the board Fairfax Underground: “Anybody remember that Another Universe store in Springfield Mall?”
The FTC press release concerning the settlement with American Entertainment/Entertainment This Month: “American Distribution, Inc.”
A Comic Book Resources article about Steve Milo being named head of new media for Marvel: “Marvel names AU founder Steve Milo president of new media”
And various boards and websites that tracked or made announcements of the gradual demise of Another Universe/Mania.com (an online venture Milo started in the late 1990s), which include speculation that the business was being sold to Steve Geppi:
“Mania Healthy, Publisher Says” (adamarnold.net, September 1998)
Ramblings — 29th October 1998 by Rich Johnston (Bleeding Cool)
“Another Universe.com Bites The Dust” (gamegrene.com,February 2001)
Finally, as an added bonus, here is an incredibly interesting read that wasn’t used for this episode but was intriguing nonetheless. Collected from a series of message board posts (which, unfortunately, end abruptly) and published in 2005 on a site called badmouth.net, this is the story of someone who had a small comic/card show-based retail business in the early 1990s and saw it all completely go up and way, way down in front of his very eyes: “The Comic-Book Apocalypse”
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.
I’ll also be covering historical information from March 1970 as well as letters and ads.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
This Friday, Batman and Superman will meet on the big screen for the first time in our lifetimes in the film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. So, in order to “cash in” on this, I’m taking a look at the beginning and end of the World’s Finest team by looking at two pre-Crisis Batman and Superman team-ups.
First up is World’s Finest #271 by Roy Thomas and Rich Buckler, which is a very long recap (including a long text piece) of the origin(s) of the Superman-Batman team. Then, it’s time to recap World’s Finest #323, which was the final issue of the long-running series and the “end” of the classic Batman-Superman team. I summarize and review both comics and also give my opinion and feelings as far as anticipation for the big, blockbuster film are concerned. Plus, listener emails!
Here’s where to listen:
This episode, I take time out from my regular coverage of The ‘Nam to continue my look at Vietnam War movies with Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. I give a full review of the movie as well as a look at Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse, the documentary that detailed the making of this infamously troubled production.
CONTENT WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 66 direct link
For your enjoyment, here are a few clips from the movie that were used in the show:
With three episodes to go in the series, I’m joined by Luke Jaconetti from Earth Destruction Directive (among other podcasts) to talk about DC’s long history of war comics. Over the course of our conversation, we take a look at a classic tale starring Sgt. Rock and Easy Company as well as the Creature Commandos and The War That Time Forgot in Weird War Tales #100.
Here’s where to listen:
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.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
Two True Freaks Presents: In Country iTunes feed
In Country Episode 65 direct link
Also for your reference, here is the New York Times article regarding the draft lottery controversy:
“Statisticians Charge Draft Lottery Was Not Random”
And here is the clip of the Stones at Altamont:
Well, it’s been a month since Christmas and you’ve all finally listened to all of the holiday-themed episodes that everyone else on the TTF network put out … so why not one more? That’s right, folks–we’ve kept the lights up and drinking egg nog way past its expiration date to bring you a look at FOUR Christmas-themed DC Comics. First up is a treasury-sized Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer read by yours truly and Brett, complete with running commentary. I follow that up with Stella who discussed a Golden Age Batman story live at our local Starbucks. Then, it’s time to check in with the boy of steel and the Legion of Super-Heroes in a classic story that I reviewed with Michael Bailey. And finally, I fly solo for Team Titans #6. It’s festive! It’s jolly! It’s a month overdue!
Here’s where to listen:
iTunes: Two True Freaks Presents Pop Culture Affidavit
Two True Freaks Presents: Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page
“The Death of Joe Hallen” hits its penultimate chapter with “Burned” from The ‘Nam #57. Joe and his Marine unit finish their covert mission for a CIA agent and try to find their way back to more friendly territory, but things don’t exactly turn out as planned. It’s brought to us by Chuck Dixon, Wayne Vansant, and Tony DeZuniga. Plus, I’ll take a look at the historical context for October 1970.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
Two True Freaks Presents: In Country iTunes feed
In Country Episode 64 direct link
It’s the first episode of 2016 and I’m back from Vegas, baby, so I’ve decided to take a look at one of the biggest independent film success stories of the mid-1990s, Swingers. Directed by Doug Liman and starring Jon Favreau (who also wrote the screenplay) and Vince Vaughn, the film is a comedy about guys, Hollywood, and attempts at romance in their twenties.
iTunes: Two True Freaks Presents Pop Culture Affidavit
Two True Freaks Presents: Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page
And extras for the sake of extras, here’s three of my favorite scenes from the film …
Mike leaves a message:
Playing Hockey:
Go Daddy-O:
Pop Culture Affidavit 