Tag: History

DNA Podcast 018 – Edd Vick and MU Press

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DNA Podcast 018 - Edd Vick and MU Press
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In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with Edd Vick, founder and publisher of MU Press and Comics F/X magazine, to discuss Edd’s history in comics and the independent comics scene of the 80s and 90s. Former guest Jeff Wood, one of Edd’s friends and contributors also stops by, and the four of them discuss comics culture, convention culture, and what they see as the future of comic books. All of this, and the real story of why the comics industry collapsed in the 90s are coming to you in this, the 18th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

MU/Aeon Press
Edd Vick
Jeff Wood
Speed Racer Episodes on YouTube
Radio Caroline
UK Pirate Radio
Wonder Warthog
Stan Sakai (creator of Usagi Yojimbo)
Steve Gallacci (creator of Albedo Athropomorphics)
Donna Barr (creator of The Desert Peach)
The Desert Peach (which is as great as it is odd)
Dave Sim (creator of Cerebus the Ardvark)
Amateur Press Association (APA)
Kickstarter
Patreon
DeviantArt
Astro City
Black Panther 2016 Comic
One Punch Man
Franken Fran
Assassination Classroom
I am a Hero.
I am a Hero movie trailer.

DNA Podcast 017 – All About Ultraman

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The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 017 - All About Ultraman
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ultraman-logo

In this episode, Rob and Don do an overview of the Japanese media titan Ultraman, delving into the concepts behind the series, doing an overview of Ultraman’s long history, and talking about their personal connections to the character. All this, and a trip into the world of 80’s independent television, are waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs

Note- I had a few Mic issues with this one, sorry about the quality of the recording on my side. Also, this is our largest episode to date, but we just couldn’t get Ultraman any smaller!

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed
Ultra Q
Ultraman
The Ultra Series
Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot
Barnaby (Linn Sheldon)
Channel 20 Detroit
Channel 29 Buffalo
Channel 43 Cleveland
Ultraman Pepsi (Cosmos)
Thai Ultraman Licensing
Moonstone
Ultraman in Popular Culture
Ultraman Episode One(Original Series, English Dub)
Ultra 7 Episodes in English (YouTube playlist)
Ultraman Ace episode 1 (Malaysian English Dub)
Ultraman the Anime, Episode One (English dubbed)
Ultraman: The Adventure Begins (Full animated film by Hanna Barbera)
Ultraman: Towards the Future Episode 1 (Australian Ultraman)
Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero Ep 1. (American Ultraman)
Ultraman TIGA Episode 1 (English Subbed, if you’ve never seen Ultraman before, this is a good spot to start.)
Ultraman Dyna Episode 1 (English Subbed)
Ultraman Cosmos Episode 1 (English Subbed)
Ultraman Nexus (Series Playlist, English subbed.)
Ultraman Mebius (Series Playlist, English Subbed.)
Crunchyroll (which currently has 7 different Ultra series up for viewing with English subtitles, including Ultraman Gaia, Ultraman Leo, Ultraman 80, Ultraman Max, and the most recent shows, you need a premium account to see them, but can get a free two-week trial.)

 

DNA Podcast 016 – Exploring the Hero Pulps with Gregg Taylor

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In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by Gregg Taylor of the Decoder Ring Theatre podcast to talk about a subject that’s near and dear to Gregg’s heart- Pulp Heroes! We talk about the original Batman v. Superman- The Shadow and Doc Savage, how a pulp hero is made by their choice of hats, and why the world of pulp hero The Spider would be an awful place to live! All this, and a discussion of what’s next for Decoder Ring Theatre, is waiting for you in this, the 16th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs!

Note: I want to make a special thanks to Gregg Taylor for being a complete gentleman through what turned out to be a very difficult recording session. You went above and beyond the call, sir, and even The Red Panda himself couldn’t have done better!

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed

Decoder Ring Theatre
The Shadow
Doc Savage
Walter B. Gibson (who wrote 10,000 words A DAY!)
Lester Dent
Lester Dent’s Master Pulp Writing Formula
Elmore Leonard
The Yellow Peril Stories
The Spider
The Phantom Detective
Theodore Tinsley
NY Mayor La Guardia’s Campaign Against the Spicys
Spicy Adventure Covers
Penny Dreadfuls
Episodes of the X-1 Radio Show on Archive.org
Pulpcrazy Podcast (for more about the Pulps)

 

DNA Podcast 014: Talking 80’s Independent Comics with Jeff Wood

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DNA Podcast 014: Talking 80's Independent Comics with Jeff Wood
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In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with former Comics F/X magazine founder and editor Jeff Wood to talk about the West Coast independent comics scene of the 1980’s. The three discuss the origins of Comics F/X magazine, MU Press, the small press black and white comics explosion, and how “three adjectives and a noun” comics and anthropomorphic smut crashed the industry. All this and the story behind Jeff’s own legendary comic Snowbuni are waiting for you in this, the 14th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed

Comics F/X Magazine
Jeff Wood
Snowbuni
Mike Sagara
Steve Jackson Games
Uncle Al’s Auto Stop and Gunnery Shop Catalog
Car Wars
Jason Waltrip
Albedo Anthropmorphics
Omaha the Cat Dancer
Tank Vixens
Fish Police
Boris the Bear
MU Press
Antarctic Press
Warrior Nun (video)
Morty the Dog
Phil Foglio
XXXenophile
Girl Genius
Steampunk
What’s New with Phil and Dixie
Buck Godot
The Smart Passive Income Podcast

DNA Podcast 013: Collectible Card Chaos

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DNA Podcast 013: Collectible Card Chaos
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In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by James Wegg of No Dice Games to talk about collectible card games (CCGs). The three of them discuss Collectible vs. Living Card Games, the current state and future of CCGs, and the pros and cons of running a gaming store. All this, and (Butt) Crack Gate, are waiting for you in this 13th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

Collectible Card Games
Living Card Games
Magic: The Gathering
Cards Against Humanity
Spellfire: Master the Magic
Illuminati (SJG)
Pokemon TCG
Yu-Gi-Oh TCG
Yu-Gi-Oh vs. Magic (video)
RAGE CCG
Dragonball CCG
RIFTS CCG
Babylon 5 CCG
Elder Dragon Highlander Rules for M:TG
M:TG Online
BattleTech
Hearthstone
Force of Will
Crack Gate

DNA Episode 012 – Pokemon Turns 20!

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DNA Episode 012 - Pokemon Turns 20!
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In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by their friend Chad to discuss 20 years of Pokemon! They discuss how and why the phenomena has lasted so long, the origins of the game, and why a dark Pokemon movie is inevitable. All this, and a heaping helping of Nerd Rage is waiting for you in this, the 12th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

 

Things Discussed

Pokemon
Pokemon GO! (trailer)
Michael Vick
Persona Game Series
GURPS RPG
Don’s GURPS:Pokemon Rules
Pokemon Trading Card Game
Fossil Fighters Game Series
Proposed Jurrasic Park Human-Dino Hyrbrid Designs
Dinosaurs for Hire
Triceratons
Monster Rancher Games
Ultra-7 Capsule Monsters
Pokemon Original Concept Development Artwork
Dr. Demonicus
Pokemon Gangsta Rap

DNA Podcast Episode 011 – Teen Culture

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DNA Podcast Episode 011 - Teen Culture
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In this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs, Rob and Don discuss the dreaded creatures known as teenagers! Slouching their way from post-WWII suburbia, these strange beings have had a huge effect on culture and media, and the pair are joined by the Sonic Society’s Jack Ward to discuss their past, present and future. Along the way they discuss Archie, Star Trek, Social Justice and Slactivism, with a dose of Footloose to keep everyone dancing. All this and Mr. Skygack of Mars are waiting for you in this, the 11th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs!

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

Archie
Andy Hardy Movies
Pole Sitting
CBC’s The Current: Genius Linked to Geography
CBC’s The Current: The Harry Potter Generation
Universal Income
Wild in the Streets (trailer)
Slactivism
Wall-E (trailer)
John Cleese on Political Correctness (video)
Social Justice
Footloose 1984 (trailer)
You are not… speech from Fight Club (video)
Science Fiction Conventions (1936 was the right answer!)
Mr. Skygack of Mars
MST3K- Give Uncle Scotor a Hug! (video)

DNA Podcast 010 – Twisted Robot Mego Chicken Theatre

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DNA Podcast 010 - Twisted Robot Mego Chicken Theatre
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In this episode, Rob interviews Don about his Mego toymaking hobby. They discuss the history of the Mego company, the current state of Mego fandom, and the future of toys in a 3-D Printing world. All this, and the Mego Mangler are waiting for you in this 10th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Thing Discussed:

Mego Corporation
The History of Mego (short video)
Meco Star Wars Cover
A History of Action Figures
GI Joe – America’s Movable Fighting Man
Wooden Superman Doll from the 1930’s
Major Matt Mason
The Fighting Yank (GI Joe Clones)
Action Jackson Commercial (with the coolest theme song ever!)
MegoMuseum.com
Popy Japanese Mego Figures
Gatchaman (aka Battle of the Planets)
The Post Brothers
Robot Chicken
Twisted Mego Theatre
What The?
Doc Mego
Mego Mangler
Fisher Price Adventure People
Cyberpunk 2.0.2.0 AV-4
Judge Dredd Lawmaster
Tor Johnson
Professor Badass
Hololens
Apple’s Giant Automated Factory (apparently, the project died and it was cancelled)
Lego Braille Printer

Gallery of of some of Don’s Custom Mego Figures

DNA Podcast 009 – Clap if you Love Gamera!

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DNA Podcast 009 - Clap if you Love Gamera!
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In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by their friend Chad to discuss all things Giant Monster! They discuss why the genre has an enduring popularity, and then delve into their favorite Giant Monster films and guilty Daikaiju pleasures. Finally, they talk about the future of Giant Monster movies and what it would take to revitalize the genre in the 21st century. All this and Moby Dick helping teens solve crimes at sea are discussed in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:
Godzilla
Gamera
Saint George and the Dragon
Repitilicus (trailer)
The Giant Claw (trailer)
Island Claws
Nature Gone Amok, aka Natural Horror Films
The Giant Behemoth (trailer)
Gorgo (aka The British Godzilla) (trailer)
Troll Hunter (trailer)
20 Million Miles to Earth (trailer)
Professor Quatermass
Food of the Gods (trailer)
King Kong
Destroy all Monsters (trailer)
Monster Island
Godzilla (98): the Series (intro)
King Kong 60’s Cartoon (episode)
Moby Dick 60’s Cartoon (episode)
Frankenstein Jr. Cartoon (clip)
Godzilla vs. Cattle Rustlers (Marvel’s Godzilla Comics)
Ultraman (original series, episode one, English Dubbed)
Ultra Q (Episode one, English Subbed)
Gamera vs. Legion (Japanese Trailer, because the dubbed one is crap!)
The X from Outer Space (trailer)
King Kong Escapes (trailer)
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (trailer)
Godzilla’s Revenge (trailer)
The Monolith Monsters (trailer)
THEM (1954, trailer)
Godzilla vs. Megalon (Japanese trailer)
MST3K Jet Jaguar Theme
Inframan (full film, English subbed)
War of the Gargantuas (trailer)
Godzilla vs. The Devil (which turned out to be a myth, sorry Don!)

DNA Podcast 005 – Star Wars Memories

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DNA Podcast 005 - Star Wars Memories
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star wars meco

Greetings Operatives and welcome to the Department of Nerdly Affairs. In this episode, Rob and Don explore the effects that Star Wars has had on their lives, and the culture around them, as they’ve grown up. Comics, cards, toys and the origins of Don’s Beilert Valance action figure are all explored in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Episode Show Notes:
Star Wars Novelization
NPR’s Star Wars Radio Plays
Star Wars Trading Cards
ET Trading Cards
Photonovels
Marvel’s Star Wars Comics
Howard Chaykin
Beilert Valance
Walt Simonson
Star Wars Newspaper Strips (read them here!)
Roy Thomas
Star Wars: Republic (the Dark Horse comic I couldn’t remember the name of)
John Ostrander
Radio Controlled Sand Crawler
Cracked on why R2-D2 is a Murderer
Mobile Suit Gundam
Gatchaman/Battle of the Planets (video opening)
Space Cruiser Yamato/ Star Blazers (first season videos)
George Lucas and The Hidden Fortress
Throne of Blood
The Lensmen Novels of E.E. Doc Smith (eBooks)
Star Wars and Lensmen
The Star Wars comic (adapting Lucas’ original script)
WuXia
Video Game Crash of 1983
Star Wars Disco Theme Song by Meeco