In Country

In this special episode, I take a break from my regular coverage of The 'Nam to present the first film in an occasional series of Vietnam War movies, Platoon. Directed by Oliver Stone and winner of Best Picture for 1986, Platoon tells the story of Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) as he endures his tour in Vietnam. I give some backstory on the film, a summary, and review.

The storyline involving Lt. Alarnick comes to an explosive end in "The Bombs Bursting ...," a story that sees bad times ahead for Rob and a crucial decision made by Clark. Brought to you by Doug Murray, Wayne Vansant, and Geof Isherwood. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue Ill be talking about the storys historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

Another issue, another month, another story. "Back in the Boonies," issue #17 of The 'Nam introduces us to two new characters and continues the growing tension between the men of the 23rd and Lieutenant Alarnick. Brought to you by Doug Murray, Wayne Vansant, and Geof Isherwood. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue Ill be talking about the storys historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

The second year of The 'Nam continues as two long-standing characters leave: Sarge on a chopper and Ramnarain via capture. And in the middle is Rob, trying to keep everything together. It's "Good for the Goose" by Doug Murray, Wayne Vansant, and Geof Isherwood. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue Ill be talking about the storys historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

Join me this time for one part of a special two-part crossover with "The Quarter Bin Podcast" over at the Relatively Geeky Podcast Network as Professor Alan and I look at The 'Nam #15. In this issue by Doug Murray, Wayne Vansant, and Geof Isherwood, Ed Marks writes a letter from home relating his experience after leaving the 'nam at the end of issue #13. So listen here for my take on the issue and then head over to The Relatively Geeky Network to hear Professor Alan's take! As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue Ill be talking about the storys historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

After taking a look at The Things They Carried, it's time to return to The 'Nam with issue #14, "Fatigue Duty." We spend our first issue after Ed Marks's departure getting to know some of the other boys of the 23rd courtesy of Doug Murray and Wayne Vansant. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue Ill be talking about the storys historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

After a year in The 'Nam, I take a break to review and discuss Tim O'Brien's 1990 novel, The Things They Carried, which is a seminal work in Vietnam War literature.

Ed Marks' tour in Vietnam ends in this issue as does Michael Golden's tenure as the book's penciller. Join me as I take a look at "... And a Wakeup," the end of the first year of "The 'Nam" courtesy of Doug Murray, Michael Golden, and Bob Camp. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue Ill be talking about the storys historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

John Severin does a fill-in issue on art and Doug Murray gives us a letter home from Ed Marks as the boys of the 23rd take part in Operation: Cedar Falls. It's "From Cedar Falls, With Love" in "The 'Nam" #12. Plus: Meatloaf, Humongous Rock Star of the Universe! As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue Ill be talking about the storys historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

1966 draws to a close as Doug Murray and Michael Golden bring us Christmas in the 'Nam with issue #11 and "'Tis the Season," a story that shows that sometimes your favorite holidays can get interrupted by Charlie when you don't really want them to. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue Ill be talking about the storys historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

Episode 10 of "In Country" covers issue 10 of The 'Nam, where Ed Marks copes with the death of Mike Albergo from the previous issue while on patrol in the city. Plus, we get a little more insight into the character of Ramnarain in "Guerilla Action" by Doug Murray, Michael Golden, and John Beatty. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue Ill be talking about the storys historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

A major event in the lives of the 23rd and Ed Marks's experience in "The 'Nam" occurs in this episode, as I take a look at issue #9, "Pride Goeth ...," which is brought to us by Doug Murray, Michael Golden, and John Beatty. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue Ill be talking about the storys historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

Let's head into the tunnels with "In the Underground" from The 'Nam #8, an issue that also reprints one of Doug Murray and Michael Golden's "5th of the First" stories from Savage Tales. It's two stories about tunnel rats for the price of one! As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I'll be talking about the story's historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, 'Nam Notes, and ads.

This time around we take a break from the month-by-month in real time look at the Vietnam War for a history lesson. Wayne Vansant, who would eventually become the book's regular penciller, joins Doug Murray and Michael Golden for a look at the origins of the Vietnam War in "Good Old Days." As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I'll be talking about the story's historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, 'Nam Notes, and ads.

Only happy when it rains? You're the exception to the rule, especially in "The 'Nam" as Ed Marks and the boys deal with the constant downpours of monsoon season in a story that can only be called "Monsoon." It's issue #6 of "The 'Nam." As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I'll be talking about the story's historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, 'Nam Notes, and ads.

The boys go into the brush for Episode 5 of "In Country," which takes a look at issue #5 of "The 'Nam." Written by Doug Murray, penciled by Michael Golden, and inked by John Beatty, it's "Humpin' the Boonies," a story that features events from June of 1966. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I'll be talking about the story's historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, 'Nam Notes, and ads.

Episode 4 of "In Country" is breaking news for the folks at home, or at least that's what the guys in the 23rd think when they have a camera crew tag along with them on what should be a routine day. However, things don't go as they think it will. "Six O'Clock News" is written by Doug Murray, penciled by Michael Golden, inked by Pepe Moreno and features events from May of 1966. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I'll be talking about the story's historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, 'Nam Notes, and ads.

It's episode 3 of "In Country" and time for a little R&R for Ed Marks and his friends as they take a long weekend in Saigon but wind up getting more than they bargained for in The 'Nam #3: "Three Day Pass." The issue was written by Doug Murray, pencilled by Michael Golden, inked by Armando Gil and features events from April 1966. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I'll be talking about the story's historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, 'Nam Notes, and ads.

An issue-by-issue recap of The 'Nam continues with issue #2 of the Marvel Comics series. We continue to follow the tour of duty of Ed Marks in "Dustoff," written by Doug Murray, pencilled by Michael Golden, and inked by Armando Gil, which takes place in March of 1966. And as always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I'll be talking about the story's historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, 'Nam Notes, and ads.

Introducing a brand-new podcast about The 'Nam, Marvel Comics' Vietnam War comic book that ran from 1986-1993. Over the course of the next 100 episodes, I will cover every single issue of the series as well as some unpublished stories and other pop culture featuring the Vietnam War. This episode features issue #1 of The 'Nam, where Doug Murray and Michael Golden introduce us to Ed Marks, a newly drafted G.I. who is about to start serving in the Vietnam War in 1966. I'll take you through the issue's events, give my opinion/critique and will also provide some historical and cultural context for the month when the story takes place (in this case, February 1966). I'll also cover the issue's lettercolumn as well as ads. So join me as I take my first step into ... The 'Nam.