“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.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 81 direct link
Here’s a link to Van Devanter’s obituary in the New York Times: “Lynda Van Devanter, Nurse Who Chronicler of Her Wartime Pain, Dies at 55”
A link to buy Van Devanter’s book on Amazon (note: in the episode, I say that a Kindle edition is not available … it has recently become available, as has an audio CD): 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.
In Country is back and about to head into its last 20 episodes with a look at yet another Vietnam War-themed movie. This time around, it is the Robin Williams classic Good Morning Vietnam, which tells the story of Army discjockey Adrian Cronauer. I summarize and review the film as well as take a look at the real-life Adrian Cronauer.
The finale of the second three-part “Punisher Invades The ‘Nam” and Chuck Dixon’s last issue of the series takes us through the end of Iceman’s story about Frank Castle’s time in country, with plenty of action, as Frank defends a firebase and confronts the colonel who may or may not know about the shady things that have led to his fellow soldiers’ deaths. It’s “Down to the Ground” by Chuck Dixon, Kevin Kobasic, adn Jimmy Palmiotti in The ‘Nam #69.
Chuck Dixon, Kevin Kobasic, and Jimmy Palmiotti take us through the second part of a three-part Punisher storyline with “The Walking Dead.” Frank has made his way back to his firebase and has uncovered the nefarious deeds of his C.O. Will he confront him or will he perish in a firefight before he can dole out … PUNISHMENT?! Oh, stop laughing. Anyway, I cover the issue and give a very brief review (I’m saving it for the finale, I guess), cover letters and ads, and take a look at the rest of 1971.
Frank Castle is back in the second “Punisher in ‘The ‘Nam'” storyline! This time around, I take a look at The ‘Nam #67, the first of a three-parter starring the Marvel vigilante who was so popular in the early 1990s that he got a book about his weapons. But at this point, he’s not The Punisher yet, although he does … punish. It’s brought to you by Chuck Dixon, Kevin Kobasic, and Jimmy Palmiotti. In addition to the issue, I’ll also be covering the historical context for the summer of 1971.
It’s our 75th episode and that means it’s time for another look at another movie about the Vietnam War. This time around, I’m joined by fellow TTF podcaster Luke Jaconetti (Earth Destruction Directive) to talk about the 1982 Sylvester Stallone movie First Blood as well as its 1985 sequel, Rambo: First Blood Part II. We talk about each movie’s plot and characters as well as the novel First Blood by David Morell, and then talk about the pop culture phenomenon that was Rambo in the mid-1980s.
Chuck Dixon and Kevin Kobasic bring us “Creep,” the story of an American sniper that is more legend than man, in The ‘Nam #66. As always, I’ll have a synopsis and review of the comic and this time around, my historical context section will be focusing on the second half of 1970 and January 1971.
War comics legend Russ Heath joins regular writer Chuck Dixon for a story about Ice and Speed tracking a ruthless VC sniper known as The Ghost. It’s all in The ‘Nam #65, “The Gratitude of His People.” As always, I take a complete look at the issue and this time around I’ll be looking at June 1971.
It’s the conclusion of a three-part story featuring Iceman and Speed in “Duty Elsewhere” from The ‘Nam #64 by Chuck Dixon, Wayne Vansant, and Art Nichols. Plus, I take a look at the history of the Vietnam War in April and May 1971.
Pop Culture Affidavit 