Tag: Animation

DNA Podcast 139 – Half-Hour Toy Commercials of the 80s

0 Comment
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 139 - Half-Hour Toy Commercials of the 80s
/

In this episode, Rob and Don revisit their childhoods as they talk about the time when capitalism and animation joined together to create one of the greatest marketing forces known to mankind – the half-hour animated toy commercials of the 1980s! Strawberry Shortcake! HE-MAN and the Masters of the Universe! GI JOE! The Transformers! JEM! It was a brief and truly outrageous time in North American animation history. But what forces led to this rise of these marketing behemoths? And, why did they die out almost as quickly as they appeared? Find out this, and what shows had the best theme songs, in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs!

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

GoBots
Gobots: Challenge of the Rock Lords
Popeye
Action for Children’s Television
Romper Room
Mister Rogers
Polka Dot Door
Hot Wheels Cartoon
Planet of the Apes Cartoon
Miss Twitch
Bunnicula
ABC Weekend Special (Anthology)
The Micronauts
Micronauts Marvel Comic
Strawberry Shortcake
Those Characters From Cleveland
ROM Space Knight Comic
The REAL Ghostbusters
SUNBOW Entertainment
Secret Galaxy YouTube Chanel
Todd (McFarlane) Toys
Daigata Defenders
Egg-Fu (character)
Microman Toys
Gaiking
Combatter V
Blackstar
The Bionic Six
The Inhumanoids
Jace and the Wheeled Warriors
The Galaxy Rangers
C.O.P.S.

DNA Podcast 65- A History of Mecha Anime Part One – Super Robots

0 Comment
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 65- A History of Mecha Anime Part One - Super Robots







/

In this episode, Don and Rob sit down to discuss the origins of Super Robot mecha anime. The pair discuss how it exploded onto Japanese TV in the 1970’s, how it changed and evolved over time, and it’s invasion of the minds of youth everywhere. All this, and the story of how the genre started because one man hated traffic jams, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

List of Mecha Anime
Professor Otaku’s A Visual History of Mecha
Go Nagai
IT! The Living Colossus
Mazinger Z
Gigantor
Ultraman
Ultra 7
Frankenstein Jr.
The Green Slime
Tsuburaya Productions
Ray Harryhausen
Gatchaman
Getta Robo
Getta Robo G
Taekwon V
Brave Raideen
Goddam Gowapper V
Tekkaman
Shogun Warriors
Force Five
Young Boy Chokes to Death on Battlestar Galactica Toy
Combattler V (or maybe the new one)
Rainbow Sentai Robin (B&W, ironically….)
Tranzor Z (When I was a kid this is what ALL super robot openings looked like.)
Discotek Media
Dinosaur War Eizenborg
Ichiro Mizuki
Danguard Ace
Zambot 3
Yoshiyuki Tomino
Voltes V
Mobile Suit Gundam
Ideon
GoLion
Voltron
Armored Fleet Dairuggar 15
Sabre Rider and the Star Sherrifs
Gunbuster
Dangaioh
Guren Lagaan (…is that a Porg…?)
Brave Robot Series
GaoGaiGar
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Goddanner
Mazinger Infinity
Mighty Orbots
MegasXLR
Sym-Bionic Titan
Pacific Rim

 

DNA Podcast 063 – A History of GI Joe with Tim Finn

0 Comment
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 063 - A History of GI Joe with Tim Finn







/

In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with Tim Finn, author of the upcoming book GI Joe: A Real American Book, to discuss the history of GI Joe. The trio discuss Joe’s origins as the first Action Figure for boys, how the GI Joe comic helped reboot the franchise, and the GI Joe: A Real American Hero animated series. All that, and the real meaning of the name Hasbro, is waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Tim’s Website 
GI Joe (Wikipedia Entry)
Hasbro Toys
Mister Potato Head (Oh, sweet Merciful Fates…!)
Don Levine
First GI Joe TV Ad
Larry Hama
HYDRA
MEGO Toys
Micronauts
Shogun Warriors
General Hawk
Duke
HISS Tank
GI Joe Steel Brigade
Lady Jaye
Mysticons Toys
Filmmation
Ron Friedman
Sunbow Productions
Marvel Productions (animation)
Steve Gerber
Howard the Duck
Shipwreck (Character)
Buzz Dixon
Sergeant Slaughter
Slaughter’s Marauders
Kenner Toys
GI Joe Extreme
Visionaires
ROM:Space Knight

DNA Podcast 046 – Interview with Larry Houston

0 Comment
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 046 - Interview with Larry Houston







/

XMen05

In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with Larry Houston, storyboard artist and animation producer, to talk about his history in animation and work on X-men: The Animated Series. The trio discuss how Larry broke into the animation industry back in the 1980’s, what  it was like to work with Stan Lee, and his techniques for sneaking things past the TV censors.  All this, and how Larry ended up creating the coolest openings in TV animation history, and waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

    Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

Larry F. Houston (IMDB)
Astro Boy
Will Meugniot Interview (DNA)
Mark Evanier
Hanna Barbera
Filmation
Don Christianson
Sport Billy
Stan Lee
Thundarr the Barbarian
Gil Kane
Jacky Kirby
Rick Hoberg
Russ Heath
Lone Ranger Tarzan Hour
Jane Fonda
Ted Turner
X-Men the Animated Series
Genosha
Saban Entertainment
Graz Enteratinment
Laputa
Ruby Spears Productions
Alex Toth
Art Vitello
Andrew Lumis (How to Draw the Human Figure)
Boyd Kirkland
Robocop Alpha Commando
The Karate Kid (Cartoon)
Lupin the 3rd
Galtar the Golden Lance
GI Joe the Movie Opening
Mighty Orbots Opening
The Spirit

DNA Podcast 036 – Interview with Will Meugniot

0 Comment
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 036 - Interview with Will Meugniot







/

meugniot_will_1984

In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by comic artist and animation director and producer Will Meugniot to talk about Will’s long history in the comics and animation industry. In this deep exploration of the animation industry of the 80’s and 90’s, they discuss the DNAgents, Will’s role as showrunner for X-Men the Animated Series and Exo-Squad, and so much more! All this, and how Urusei Yatsura shaped JEM and the Holograms is here for you in the 36th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

    Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

Will Meugniot’s IMDB Entry
Will’s Wikipedia Entry
Will’s Comics Database Entry
The Masked Mayhem Presents The Almost Unseen Artwork of Will Meugniot
California Comics
Jo Meugniot Comics Database Entry
Tigra
Tony Isabella
Dick Giordano
Mark Evanier
Hanna-Barbera
Godzilla (1978 cartoon)
Dave Stevens (Rocketeer)
DNAgents
Vanity (Comic)
Pacific Comics
Misfits of Science
Street Fighter (USA Animated Series)
Rick Hoberg
Dick Sebast
Russ Heath
Spider-man Newspaper Strip
GI Joe Animated Series
GI Comic Animated TV Commercials
GI Joe TV Openings
GI Joe Movie
JEM
Inhumanoids
Defenders of the Earth
Conan the Adventurer
Return of the Living Dead 3
Larry Huston
Pryde of the X-Men (episode on YT)
Eric Lewald (X-Men Story Editor)
X-Men The Animated Series
TOEI Animation
Sunbow Entertainment
Force Five
Battleship Yamato
Captain Harlock
Buzz Dixon
Flint Dille
The Real Ghostbusters
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Bucky O’Hare
Sigfried and Roy Animated Series
Duke dies in GI JOE the Movie
Exo-Squad
Nippon Sunrise
Spider Man Unlimited
Dragonlance Animated Movie
Villains and Vigilantes DNAgents Sourcebooks
Murdoch Mysteries
JIN (time travelling doctor)
Time Taxi
800 Words
Miss Fisher Mysteries
Osamu Dezaki
Dunegons and Dragons Cartoon
Urusei Yatsura
JEM Music Videos
JEM Opening
UY- Beautiful Dreamer

DNA Podcast 032 – Voice Acting with Kimlinh Tran

3 Comments
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 032 - Voice Acting with Kimlinh Tran







/

kimlinh-characters

In this episode, Rob and Don explore the possibilities of sound by talking with voice actress Kimlinh Tran about her experiences and perspectives gained voice acting in anime and video games. They talk about her efforts to improve her craft, why being near entertainment production centers is a must, and why recording walla is so much fun. All this, and why having a voice acting safe word is a must, are waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

    Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

Kimlinh’s Homepage
Dust: An Elysian Tail
Fidget
Skullgirls
Ms. Fortune
Tweeny Witches
Hookers (The story I told is apparently not quite right- Rob)
Walla
K-On!
Voice Acting Club

DNA Podcast 021 – Interview with Tim Eldred

0 Comment
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 021 - Interview with Tim Eldred







/

PitsbergLogo

In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with comic artist and director of Marvel’s Avengers Assemble animated series Tim Eldred to discuss his career in the comic book industry and how it led him into the world of animation. Along the way, they discuss Tim’s advice for aspiring comic book artists, why getting your work done on time is crucial for a career in the comic book industry, and why the secret to successful media production is to have a really big raft! All this, and a look at Tim’s new project Pitsberg, are waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

Tim Eldred Comic History
Tim Eldred IMDB Page
Pitsberg
Cosmo DNA (Star Blazers Fansite)
Grease Monkey
Dark Horse Comics
Eternity Comics
Malibu Comics
Valiant Comics
Aircel Comics
Central Park Media (CPM)
Star Blazers
Lensman (Novel Series)
Lensmen: The Secret of the Lens (Anime Movie)
Mecha (the comic)
Dynamo Joe
Captain Harlock
Chaser Platoon
Armoured Trooper VOTOMS
Robotech: Invid War
Cybersuit Arkadyne
Secret Wars (2015 Comic)
Avengers Assemble
VOTOMS: Supreme Survivor (comic)
Wing Commander Academy (episode 1, YouTube)
Starblazers Rebirth Webcomic

DNA Podcast 019 – Ghosts of Saturday Mornings Past

3 Comments
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 019 - Ghosts of Saturday Mornings Past







/

Crusader Rabbit

In this episode, Don and Rob discuss North American TV animation, tracing it from its roots in the 1950s to the rise of Saturday morning television and its eventual evolution in the age of Netflix. Along the way, they spend time with Huckleberry Hound, The Flintstones, Josie the Pussycats, the Micronauts, and Goober and the Ghost Chasers. All this, and why Fred and Barney sold cigarettes on air is waiting for you in this, the 19th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

Crusader Rabbit Episode 1
Huckleberry Hound Show Intro
Rough and Ready
The Flintstones
DuMont TV Network
Mutual Broadcasting System (MBS)
1948 TV Freeze
Hanna-Barbera Productions
Wait til your Father Gets Home
The Barkleys
The Roman Holidays
Saturday Morning Cartoons
Action for Children’s Television Advocacy Group (note Don was wrong during the episode, Tipper Gore was in fact not involved with this organization that I could find, it was run by Peggy Charren and Judith “Judy” Chalfen)
Josie and the Pussycats
Filmation
Animated Star Trek
Return to the Planet of the Apes (animated)
Rocket Robin Hood
Battle of the Planets Episode 1
The Micronauts
Thundarr the Barbarian Clips
Larry Hama
Mighty Orbots Episode 1
Galaxy High Episodes
The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers Episode 1
Jem and the Holograms
Sunbow Entertainment
Batman the Animated Series
Japanese X-men Openings
Netflix Voltron Trailer