Tag: Comic Books

DNA Podcast 140 – Marvel Product Tie-In Comics

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 140 - Marvel Product Tie-In Comics
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Written by Bill Mantlo – of course!

In this episode, Rob, Don and Jack Ward take a trip back to the 1970s and 1980s, when a floundering Marvel Comics was saved by barbarians, vampires, giant robots and toys soldiers. It’s the story of product tie-ins brought life back to the dying comics company, and in the process reinvented the comics industry for the time. All that, and two of the greatest Marvel comics you’ve never read, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Roger Corman Fantastic Four
Oswald the Rabbit
The Reluctant Dragon
Willow: The Series
Dell Comics Disney Tie-Ins
Gold Key Star Trek
Marvel’s Conan
Roy Thomas
Kull the Conqueror Comic
Marvel Tomb of Dracula
Dracula Sovereign of the Damned Anime Movie
Doc Savage
Master of Kung Fu/Deadly Hands of Kung Fu
Planet of the Apes Comics
Logan’s Run
Wizard of Oz DC/Marvel
Superman vs. Muhammad Ali
Marvel Star Wars
Marvel Hanna Barbera Comics
Marvel Godzilla Comic
Battle Fever J
The Human Fly Comic 1977
Bill Mantlo
Herb Trimpe
KISS Marvel Comics
The Micronauts Comic
Peter B. Gillis
The Shogun Warriors Comic
Force Five
Voltron
Jimmy Woo
ROM: Space Knight
Dazzler
Dreadstar
GI JOE Marvel Comic
Starstruck
Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld
Crystar the Crystal Warrior Comic
Team America
U.S. ONE Comic
Transformers Marvel Comic
Simon Furman
Questprobe
Questprobe Afro
STAR Comics
Elfquest
The Congress (Movie, Robin Wright)


DNA Podcast 135 – Breaking Up With Fandom Is Hard To Do

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 135 - Breaking Up With Fandom Is Hard To Do
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In this episode, Don and Rob discuss the thorny issue of why people break up with their media darlings. The two delve into the reasons why people and the properties they love might go their separate ways, and explore whether that’s a good or bad thing. Along the way, the duo discuss heavy metal, isekai, and manga, but everything they talk about can be applied to anything that brings joy to peoples’ hearts. All this, and a healthy dose of nerd rage, is coming to you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Marie Kondo
The Phantom
Ghostbusters- Afterlife
A Headbanger’s Journey
The KISS Army
Venom (Band)
Kylie Jenner Diet Pepsi Commercial
Isekai
Truck-kun
Hikkomori
Being an Influencer is Soul Crushing
Sentai
Samurai TV DNA Episode
SLAM DUNK!
MASHLE
SPRIGGAN
MAZINGER
DEVILMAN
All-Star Squadron
The Desert Peach
The Streisand Effect

Don’s Four Ways Fans Break up with a Property
-(fans) Age Out
-(fans) Reach Saturation (with a property)
-Style Drift (of the media property)
-Hardcore Nerd Rage (because fans don’t get what they want from it anymore)

Rob’s Fifth:
-Fans are driven away by toxic fandom even though they still like the property.


DNA Podcast 132 – The Psychology of Comics

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 132 - The Psychology of Comics
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In this episode, Don and Rob discuss the psychology of comic books. The two delve deep into the unconscious desires of comic book readers, discuss why Manga failed to find an audience in 1980s America, and probe how comics are linked to human needs. All this, and why British girls comics are the anti-manga, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Martin Scorsese on Marvel Movies
Seduction of the Innocent
Cap’s Kooky Quartet
Eagle Comics
Golgo 13
Fist of the North Star
Albedo
Omaha the Cat Dancer
Condorito
Cypher (X-men character)
The Man With No Name Trilogy
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs
DNA History of Manga Podcast (Part 1 / Part 2)
Highlights Magazine
City Hunter
Super Doctor K Manga (Scalpel of the North Star!)
Slam Dunk! Manga
Prince of Tennis
Shonen Jump Online
The Japanese Bubble Economy
Blacksad
Rock Lee (Naruto Character)
Stupid Comics – British Girls Comics
Welcome to Webcomics (YouTube Video)

Japanese manga fulfils 12 basics human needs:
1. Sexuality (Physiological)
2. To feel safe or secure? (Safety)
3. To belong group to a group (Love and Belonging)
4. Being loved (Love and Belonging)
5. Being picked/needed (Esteem)
6. Being admired/respected (Esteem)
7. Being praised (Esteem)
8. Being useful (Esteem)
9. To be praised for effort (Esteem)
10. To feel clever or smart (Self-Actualization)
11. To feel special/powerful (Self-Actualization)
12. To be a hero or at least the leader (Self- Actualization)


DNA Podcast 126 – Injuries in Popular Culture

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 126 - Injuries in Popular Culture
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In this episode, Don and Rob explore how the way that injuries are portrayed in a story has a bit effect on how the audience perceives both stories and reality. Along the way, the two discuss how movies, role playing games, and comics have shown injuries, and what it says about their presentations of reality. All this, and 16 Lies Movies have Told You About Violence, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Dick Tracy
Dick Tracy Cartoon Ethnic Cast
The Last Action Hero
The Hays Code (aka The Motion Picture Production Code)
New Hollywood
Pam Grier
CHAMPIONS: The Superhero RPG
DC HEROES (Mayfair RPG)
16 Lies About Violence that Movies have Told You (from CRACKED.com)
Fight! Dragon TV series
The Dragon Man Skull


DNA Podcast 126 – Comics Writer Peter B Gillis

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 126 - Comics Writer Peter B Gillis
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Shatter: The First All-Digital Comic

In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with comic book writer Peter Gillis to discuss his career writing comics for Marvel, First Comics and DC Comics during the 1980s and 90s. Along the way, the three discuss how Peter got into comics, his time writing for the big three, and his legendary works Strikeforce: Morituri, SHATTER, and The Black Flame. All this, and the truth about Blaze Barlow, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Peter B. Gillis Wiki Page
Peter B. Gillis Comic Book DB Entry
Peter’s Webserial Humans at Counterfactual.news
Strikeforce: Morituri
The Black Flame
SHATTER
Ralph Macchio
Mark Gruenwald
David Kraft
Mary Jo Duffy
Joe Kubert
Tony Isabella
Steve Gerber
Doug Moench
Steve Englehart
Chris Claremont
John Ostrander
Don McGregor
Roy Thomas
Denny O’neil
Peter Sanderson
Sid Jacobson
Warren Kremer
Mike Zeck
Mike Gold
Jim Shooter
Mark Badger
Kelly Jones
A.E. van Vogt
Olaf Stapledon
Mike Saenz
Dave Olbrich
John Romita Sr.
Tailgunner Jo
Elliot Maggin
Kevin van Hook
Virginia Kidd
Julius Schwartz
The Last Unicorn Graphic Novel
The King of Elfland’s Daughter
Alex Nino
The Romance of the Rose
Mark Badger
Blaze Barlow
Gerry Conway
Phil Foglio


DNA Podcast 124 – Comic Book Horror Hosts

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 124 - Comic Book Horror Hosts
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Hey guys and ghouls! In this episode, Don and Rob explore the dark and ghoulish history of horror hosts in comic books. From the EC classics like Tales from the Crypt to Judge Edwina Strange (from Judge Dredd’s own horror anthology) the pair talk about the role that “hosts” have played in the history of comics books and their place in the horror genre. All this, and why Sam Beckett from Quantum Leap is actually Jesus, 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 Comic Book Horror Hosts
TV Horror Hosts DNA Episode Part One and Part Two
EC Comics
The Cryptkeeper
Tales from the Crypt
The Space Museum
Detective Conan (Case Closed)
Carl Barks
The Shadow
Vampira (Horror Host)
Dynaman “Not the 60s!”
House of Mystery
House of Secrets
Marv Wolfman
Life Magazine invents Teenagers
Stan Lee Publishes First Drug Story
Vertigo Comics
Swamp Thing
Mister Monster
Quantum Leap
The Ice Cream Man (comic)
MISTY UK Comic
Star Lord UK Comic
V-Tubers


DNA Podcast 120 – 2000AD Magazine with Eamonn Clarke

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 120 - 2000AD Magazine with Eamonn Clarke
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In this episode Don and Rob sit down with Eamonn Clarke of the Mega City Book Club podcast to talk about the legendary UK Comic magazine 2000AD. The trio discuss the origins of 2000AD, how Judge Dredd took over the magazine, and some of 2000ADs better and lesser known stories and strips. All this, and D.R. & Quinch, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Mega City Book Club Podcast
IPC Comics
2000AD the magazine (or this)
The Judge Dredd Megazine
Rebellion Studios (current publisher of 2000AD collections)
John Wagner
Pat Mills
Starlord (UK Comic)
Strontium Dog
Ro-busters
Tornado (UK Comic)
Deathwish (character)
FLESH (UK comic)
Dan Dare
Metalzoic
The Ballad of Halo Jones
Brian Bolland
Skizz
Button Man
Mazeworld
Brink
D.R. & Quinch
Abelard Snazz
Hap-Hazzard and Tricky
ABC Warriors
Slaine
Summer Magic
Bad Company
Rogue Trooper
Judge Minty film
Ron Smith
Carlos Ezquerra
“Gaze into the Fist of Dredd!”
Judge Dredd: Origins
Judge Dredd: America
Robo-Hunter
Space-Spinner 2000 Podcast
Matchbox Landraider Toy

Thrill Sucker


DNA Podcast 104 – Lost Genres

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 104 - Lost Genres
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In this episode, Don and Rob cast a look back in time to the 20th century and look at comic book and film genres that were once popular but have faded into the past. Hillbillies, Funny Animals and Greek demi-gods abound in this journey into the vaults of time. All this, and the amazing art of Mel Birnkrant, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Cracked Podcast – How We Get the Old West Wrong
Hillbilly Comics
L’il Abner
The Hooterville Trilogy
The Beverly Hillbillies
Deliverance (film)
Sports Comics
Joe Palooka
Anthology Comics
Heavy Metal Magazine
Jungle Comics
Romance Comics
Funny Animal Comics
Howard the Duck
Movie Adaptation Comics
Gorgo
Reptilicus
Konga
Dell Comics
Gold Key/Disney/Dell Comics Connection
Kids Comics
Star Comics
Animax Toys
MelBirnkrant.com
Starship A.R.C.
Gag Comics
Archie Ripoffs (part1/part2/part3/part4)
Meet Corliss Archer
Dan Decarlo
Erotic Comics
Singing Cowboy Films
Sword and Sandal Films (wikipedia – scroll down the whole page, I dare you!)
MST3K Heracules Films on YouTube
Luchador Films
Deepfakes
Beach Movies/Teen Sex Romp


DNA Episode 90 – Crime and Villainy in Popular Culture

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Episode 90 - Crime and Villainy in Popular Culture







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In this episode, Rob and Don delve into society’s dark underbelly and explore how popular culture and our image of criminals have become intertwined. Along the way, the pair discuss where our concepts of villainy come from, how the roles of hero and villain have switched places over history, and how TV and movies have shaped how criminals see themselves. All this, and Don’s unhealthy obsession with 60s Youth Gone Wild films, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Gilgamesh
Druids
Jack the Ripper
Marijuanna
The Black Panthers
Bonnie and Clyde
Cowboy Cop (TV tropes)
The Yakuza
Troubled Teen Films
Japanese 70’s Exploitation Films (Yes, that’s a real movie)
Doc Savage
Dirty Harry
Knight Rider
Magnum PI
Revenge of the Nerds
PORKY’S
Dragnet and the 50’s version
Holmes and Yoyo
ADAM-12
CHIPS
Hill Street Blues
Matlock
T.J Hooker
The Six Million Dollar Man
Andre the Giant
Sandy Duncan
The Six Million Dollar Man Lee Majors Bigfoot Andre The Giant Clip
Silence of the Lambs
The Godfather
Scarface
Bosozoku
Yanki Subculture
Tanuki
Ganguro Culture
Japanese Street Fashion (wikipedia)
I Accuse My Parents
Breaking the Law by Judas Priest
Judge Death
The Comics Code
Von Hoffman’s Invasion
Tales from the Tour Bus
Take This Job and Shove It


DNA Podcast 077 – Hub Comics with Tim Finn and Jesse Farrell

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 077 - Hub Comics with Tim Finn and Jesse Farrell







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In this episode, Rob and Don team do an international team-up with Tim Finn and Jesse Farrell of Hub Comics of Somerville, Mass. to expose the true nature of owning a comic shop in this modern age. Thrill as the intrepid foursome discuss the perils of pissing off your comic reading audience. Gasp as Tim and Jesse expose the hidden side behind the counter at Hub Comics and what really goes on when the doors close. Shudder as the true reading habits of comic shop denizens are laid bare for your eyes to behold. All this, and more references to Persepolis than you can count, are waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs!

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Hub Comics
DC INK line
DC Zoom line
Marvel Superhero Adventures
 Art School Confidential
Ghost World
Warriors Novels (fantasy cats)
Nonplayer
Criminal
Moebius
Understanding Comics
Neil Gaiman
MICE: Mass. Independent Comics Expo
Persepolis
Fun Home
Maus
Sandman
SAGA
March by John Lewis
Toon Books