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 Episode 91 direct link
Here’s a playlist of the Principal Skinner clips that I used in this episode:
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 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:
You can read more about this on the photo’s Wikipedia page.
And here are the covers for our issues.
11 episodes and a wake-up are left!
This time around, I take a break from comic book coverage to look at another book and film about the Vietnam War, Born on the Fourth of July. I start by looking at Ron Kovic’s autobiography about his time in Vietnam as well as his recovery from the injuries that paralyzed him and journey toward being an antiwar activist. Then, I take a quick look at the first movie that was inspired by Kovic’s story, 1978’s Coming Home, which stars Jane Fonda, Jon Voight, and Bruce Dern. Finally, I look at Oliver Stone’s 1989 adaptation of Born on the Fourth of July, which stars Tom Cruise.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 89 direct link
Here are some extras for you …
The trailer for Coming Home:
The trailer for Born on the Fourth of July:
John Williams’ theme to Born on the Fourth of July:
The Bruce Springsteen song, “Shut Out the Light”:
12 episodes and a wake-up are left!
My coverage of Don Lomax’s run on The ‘Nam continues with issue #78, a story about combat in Quang Tri through the eyes of Ed Marks. Plus, we get the next chapter in the “Stateside” backup as Rob Little and Sarge try to track down Top, who may have been involved in the death of Rob’s brother Eugene. Then, I look at an article about the comic in Marvel Age #122 followed by a Punisher/Ice team-up in Punisher War Journal #52. It’s all this and the historical context for the fall and winter of 1972.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
Ed Marks finds himself on an aircraft carrrier and we hear the story of a fellow soldier’s bombing run, plus we go “Stateside” to see Rob Little reunite with Sarge. It’s all in issue #77 of The ‘Nam, which is written by Don Lomax with art by Wayne Vansant, Mike Harris, and Frank Percy.
Plus, I take a look at the events of the war in the summer of 1972.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
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.
Plus, I also take a long look at the final season of China Beach with expanded coverage of the events of the season and its final three episodes.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 84 direct link
“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.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 84 direct link
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.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 83 direct link
Here’s a triptych of what I describe in the “Stateside” segment. On the left is the panel from Girls’ Romances #78, the middle is the Roy Lichtenstein painting, and the right is the panel from our comic. It’s not an exact match (and probably a bit of stretch), but I like to think that perhaps Mike Harris and Jimmy Palmiotti were channeling pop art here …
Here’s the opening and closing credits to season 2 of China Beach:
The cover to The ‘Nam #73 …
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.
Plus, I begin my four-part look at the 1980s television series China Beach by going over season 1.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 82 direct link
Here’s the opening and closing credits to season 1 of China Beach:
Pop Culture Affidavit 