Category: Podcast Episodes

DNA Podcast 096 – Rules Heavy and Lite RPGs

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 096 - Rules Heavy and Lite RPGs
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Image result for lasers and feelings

In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by their friend Jack Ward to discuss the difference between Role Playing Games that use detailed rules systems (rules heavy) versus those who use minimalist rules (rules lite) and how each affects gameplay. Along the way, the trio discuss lots of oldschool RPGs, Japanese vs. American RPGs, Console RPGs, and the direction that games are taking in general. All this, and slimes, are waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

What’s New With Phil and Dixie (Sex in D&D Joke)
Soft Sci-fi versus Hard Sci-fi
DNA Making the Biff Straker RPG with Jack Ward
Narrativist RPG
Advanced Dungeons and Dragons
Fallout IV
The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen (game)
CHAMPIONS RPG
Star Fleet Battles
Space Opera RPG
Traveller RPG
Star Frontiers RPG
Star Frontiers: Night Hawks
The World of Synnibarr RPG
X Minus 1 – Cold Equations
The Ninja Crusade RPG
Ninja HERO RPG
PC-98
Phantasy Star
Dragon Quest Console RPG
Japanese Dragon Quest Slimes
Chocobo Horsebirds
Elephant bird
Cosmic Patrol RPG
Amazon Women on the Moon
It Came from the Late, Late, Late Show
DNA Horror RPG Episode
Gundam RPG
Vampire the Masquarade
Cartoon Action Hour RPG
Shadowrun 5th Edition
Lasers and Feelings RPG
Love and Justice RPG
Lasers and Feelings Hacks (Holy crap there’s a lot of them)
D20 Modern


DNA Podcast 076 – American Superhero Comics

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 076 - American Superhero Comics







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In this episode, Don and Rob delve deep into the history of American superhero comics. From their early murky and pulpy origins to the modern digital age, the pair explore the rocky history of superhero comics and how they reflect American society.  All this, and the Crimson Bee, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Marvel Comics
DC Comics
A Brief History of American Comics
The Scarlett Pimpernel
Zorro
The Grey Seal
Gregg Taylor Pulp DNA Episode
The Shadow
Superman Old Time Radio Show
The Shadow Old Time Radio Show
Freakonomics
Captain Nazi (I was wrong, he’s a SHAZAM villain)
The Crimson Bee (actually the Red Bee, but I don’t think it matters….)
Lucy Meets Superman
Captain Comet
Adam Strange
Tommy Tomorrow
Gold Key Comics
Charlton Comics
Del Rey
Kid Colt
The Comix Book
Captain Canuck
E-man
Shogun Warriors
Atlas Comics
Morlock 2001
Devil Hunter (I kinda combined a few versions of the name)
Iron Jaw
Merry Marvel Marching Society
Amazing Heroes
Ty Templeton
Sho Kosugi
The Marvel New Universe
Yuusuke Murata Spiderverse Poster
Crisis on Infinite Earths

The Death of Superman
Marvel Mangaverse
Woman in the Fridge Trope
Marvel MAX
The Marvel Adventures Line
IDW
Marvel Unlimited
DC Universe

 


DNA Episode 47 – The History of Manga (Part 1)

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Episode 47 - The History of Manga (Part 1)







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Page from Tagosaku and Mokube's Big Toyko Adventure

Page from Tagosaku and Mokube’s Big Toyko Adventure

In this episode, Rob and Don journey back into the past of Japanese comic books to explore it from its roots 1300 years ago until the great experimental manga age of the 1970s.  They explore the European roots of Manga, how the medium was shaped by the winds of Japan’s history, and the major figures who helped make manga what it is today. All this, and how Go Nagai brought sex and violence to Japanese children’s television, is waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

    Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

A Brief History of Manga by Helen McCarthy
Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics by Fredrick L. Scholt
Shojo Comics
Shonen Comics
The Vampire Diaries
Toba-E (Toba Scrolls)
Reddit
Furry Comics (Hard to find a non-porn link….)
Tokugawa Shogunate
Hokusai
Dreams of a Fisherman’s Wife
Punch Magazine (UK)
The Meiji Restoration
Charles Wirgham
Japanese Story Scrolls
Georges Bigot
Toba-E Magazine (Bigot)
Rakuten Kitazawa
Frank A. Nankivell
Sakhalin Islands
The Russo-Japanese War
The Great Kanto Earthquake
Norakuro
Beetle Bailey
Machiko Hasegawa
Sazae-san
Thimble Theatre
Tank Tankuro
Felix the Cat
Yon-Koma
George Gaynes
Kashi-Bon (Rental Comics)
Osamu Tezuka

1954 Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency
Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom)
Princess Knight
A Drifting Life about Yoshihiro Tatsumi
Tesujin 28 (Gigantor)
Gekiga
Seinen Comics
Star of the Giants
Ashita no Joe (Tomorrow’s Joe)
Rose of Versailles
Area 88
Ernie Colón (and if you’re wondering what American shojo might look like)
Amethyst Princess of Gemworld
Golgo 13
Go Nagai
Shameless School
Kekko Kamen
Lone Wolf and Cub
Shonen Jump
Mazinger Z
Super Robot Anime/Manga
Cutie Honey
Fan Service
Cyborg 009
Manga Hulk
Supaidaa Man
Bat Manga
American Comics in Japan (also this)
Shotaro Ishinomori
Leiji Matsumoto


DNA Podcast 028 – The Nature of Nerdliness

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 028 - The Nature of Nerdliness







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nutty-prof

In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with guest Jack Ward to discuss what it means to be a nerd. The trio discuss exactly what nerds are, where they came from, and whether nerds as a concept is even still relevant in modern culture.  All this, and why The Nutty Professor was the great nerd hero of the 20th century are waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

    Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:
Nerds
The Anarchist movement
The IT Crowd
Oscar Wilde
The Nutty Professor (trailer)
Trekkie
Science Fiction Conventions
Our Gang
Otaku
Zines
Fanzines
Fanfiction
Starfleet Command Fan Organization
Mysterious Universe
Snake Theory of Human Evolution
Metal- A Headbanger’s Journey (trailer)
Led Zeppelin and Tolkien
Star Wars and Flash Gordon
Easy Riders – Raging Bulls
Howard the Duck (movie review)
C-3PO’s Cereal (video review)
B.A.D.D.
Heavy Metal Magazine
Custer’s Revenge (video review)
The Nintendo Power Glove (video review)
Oliver Twist
The Picwick Papers
Hammy Hamster’s Adventures on the Riverbank (video)


DNA Podcast 026 – Indie RPGs with Graham MacLean

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 026 - Indie RPGs with Graham MacLean







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In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by scholar and game designer Graham MacLean to talk about the Independent Tabletop RPG scene. The trio talk about the origins of Indie RPGs, why D&D was the first Indie RPG, and how the Fruitful Void can make you look at games in a new way. All this, and heaping helping of Paranoia are waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

    Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

D&D 1st Edition
Empire of the Petal Throne
Bully Pulpit Games
Evil Hat Productions
Palladium Books
Apocalypse World
It Came from the Late Late Late Show
The Forge Indie RPG Community
Narrativist Theory
Over the Edge
Dogs in the Vineyard
Fruitful Void
Sorcerer
Mekton
Emily Care Boss
Story Games
Paranoia
Dog Eat Dog
Ron Edwards (game designer)
Do- Pilgrims of the Flying Temple
Polaris
Microscope
RPGNow
The Unstore
Robin D. Laws
Pelegrine Press
Legend of the Five Rings
Shotgun Diaries
Cosmic Patrol
TORG
Wushu
Feng Shui: Shadowfist
The Mountain Witch
Lady Blackbird
Fiasco
Castle Falkenstein
Old School Renaisance Games
Monster Hearts
Golden Sky Stories
Weapons of the Gods
401 Games in Toronto
Kingdom
Hetalia
Alternate Reality Games
Second Life


DNA Podcast 025 – The Kevin Doak Comedy Hour

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 025 - The Kevin Doak Comedy Hour







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trial

In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with comedian Kevin Doak to discuss comedy and the nerdly arts. The trio debate which superhero you want to have over for dinner, why the Walking Dead needs more laughs, and the depressed turnout of Batman v. Superman. All this, and why Shawn of the Dead is the most realistic zombie movie ever, is waiting for you in this, the 25th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

    Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things discussed:
Don Rickles
Honest Trailers Batman v. Superman
Shawn of the Dead
Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon
The Dresden Files
Terry Prachett
Piers Anthony

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DNA Podcast 008 – Are Superhero Movies Bad for Us?

The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
DNA Podcast 008 - Are Superhero Movies Bad for Us?







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openforuminfantilization

Welcome Operatives to the Department of Nerdly Affairs. In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by indomitable Jack Ward, host of the Sonic Society Podcast, to discuss actor/writer Simon Pegg’s article about the infantalization of popular culture and society. The trio go deep into the topic, and come out having discussed Nazis, Adult Films of the 70s, and the Honeymooners. All this, and how “Free to Be You and Me” affected our childhoods in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:
The Sonic Society Podcast
Simon Pegg’s Infamous Article
Brave New World vs. 1984
Amusing Ourselves to Death (Video interview with the author.)
The Odessa File
Free to Be You and Me
Deep Throat
BADD
Flesh Gordon
Alice in Wonderland: An X-Rated Musical Comedy
Caligula (film)
Episodes TV Series
Jackie Gleason and UFOs
The Canadian Conspiracy