The Department of Nerdly Affairs: Recent Episodes
The Department of Nerdly Affairs
The Department of Nerdly Affairs is a bi-weekly talk podcast dedicated to exploring different aspects of nerdly arts and culture. Together bringing over 80 years of experience to the table, the hosts, Rob and Don, try to take a seasoned, knowledgeable, and real-world approach to looking at the creation of nerd culture and the forces shaping it. The podcast covers topics ranging from from film and comics to writing and history, and pretty much everything in between. If it's a hobby shared by few or by many, you can expect to hear it talked about by the Department of Nerdly Affairs. New episodes every second Friday!
Come chat with us at obeythedna.com!
Original Poster for The Five Fingers of Death (aka King Boxer) In this episode, Don and Rob are back exploring how movies and television took martial arts from being weird and forbidden arts practiced by a select few to the McDojos of the 1990s. Along the way, they discuss how the Shaw Brothers changed everything,... Read More
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 Dragon 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. Mohammed 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 Wu ROM: Space Knight Dazzler Dreadstar GI JOE Marvel Comic Starstruck Amethyst: Princess of the 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)
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!... Read More
Aka “Al” and “Peggy” Bundy In this episode, Don and Rob do their best Vin Diesel impressions and spend the whole episode talking about family. They talk about what family really is, its place in society over time, and most importantly, its place in drama up until today. All this, and why “Punch and Judy”... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don look back at the past of humanity’s relationship with Artificial Intelligence and ponder where it will be going in the future. The duo discuss recent innovations in AI, how people’s concept of what AI is has changed over the years, and why AI might not want to wipe us... Read More
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: English actor Tom Baker in his role as the fourth incarnation of Doctor Who in the British science fiction television series of the same name, circa 1975. With him are two of his arch-enemies the Daleks. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) In this episode, Rob and Don are joined... Read More
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,... Read More
In this episode, Rob asks for Don’s help in brainstorming the setting for a story about caravan guards – the unspoken heroes of the fantasy world whose job it is to keep the goods flowing despite attacks by monster, bandits, and rats. Lots of rats. Along the way, the duo discuss real caravan guards in... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob head to the mall to discuss capitalism and the place of malls in popular culture for the past hundred years. Along the way, the duo discuss the history of shopping, the origins of malls, and how malls reshaped capitalism. All this, and why the 80s were the peak of... Read More
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... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don walk the path of meifumado and explore the golden age of Samurai television on Japanese TV during the 70s and 80s. Along this path to hell, Rob discusses what he learned after watching way too many Japanese jidaigeki period TV shows, why he loves them so much, the different... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob explore the intersection of reality and human perception and how these two things often fail to match up. Along the way they discuss Don’s four ways reality and humanity tend to disagree, how the internet has been both a help and destructive force in determining reality, and more high... Read More
The Coolest Anime RPG Cover of all time! Courtesy of comics artist Ben Dunn. In this episode, Don and Rob sit down to talk about tabletop roleplaying’s relationship with anime and manga, and the many successful and failed attempts to simulate anime style adventures through RPGs. Along the way, the duo discuss Rob’s four types... Read More
An anti-film censorship cartoon published in The Film Mercury magazine circa 1926. In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by Jack Ward to discuss the issue of gatekeeping in our culture. Along the way, the three discuss who the new gatekeepers are, if they’re any different than the old ones, and why people feel the need... Read More
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.... Read More
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,... Read More
Daro, Pomru and Joe In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with comics artist and animator Doug Rice to discuss Doug’s long and fascinating career in comics and animation. Along the way, the trio discuss how Doug got into comics, his experiences working at FIRST Comics and MARVEL during the 1980s, and his crowning... Read More
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... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with author of over 50 light novels, Brandon Varnell. The three discuss whether books written in English can really be light novels, how Brandon got into writing, and Brandon’s techniques for writing his books. All that, and more harem stories than you can shake a stick at,... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down again with UK comics historian Richard Sheaf to talk about how American comics were received across the pond in the UK. The trio discuss the experience of being a fan of American comics in the UK, how US comics were changed to suit UK publication, and UK... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with Jonathan Solis, author and publisher of original English light novels at Novel Horizons. The three discuss Jonathan’s philosophy about publishing light novels, the challenges of being a publisher, and Novel Horizons’ unique strategies for promoting their books. All this, and the ancient war between “plot” and... Read More
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... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with Jimmy Shi, co-founder of Moonquill Publishing to talk about his company and his experiences as a independent book publisher specializing in light novels. The three discuss the English webnovel community, the challenges of running Moonquill, and why Jimmy needs to be more evil. All this, and... Read More
The Notorious UK Comic ACTION’s cover that broke the camel’s back. In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with UK Comics blogger Richard Sheaf to explore the fascinating world of UK Comic books. The three discuss how being weekly (as opposed to monthly) took UK comics in a totally different direction than American comics,... Read More
By https://www.flickr.com/photos/jugbo/5741554979 In this episode, Rob and Don explore how war is presented in popular culture – from books, to music, movies, and games. Working from the difference between Protest stories and Propaganda stories, they discuss how this dichotomy shapes almost all stories related to war. From there, they talk a lot about heavy metal,... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don discuss the disconnect in popular culture between how leaders act in film and television and how they really act in real life. Along the way, they touch the third rail of geekdom – Kirk versus Picard – and even talk about why Optimus Prime is a bad leader. All... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don go on a mission with guest Jack Ward to reveal the truth about spies in popular culture. The trio explore the 60’s Spy Craze, talking about what led up to it, how it played out, and what parts of it are still influencing our popular culture today. From The... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don roll the dice with Stephen Fraser, a high school teacher and board game collector. The three of them discuss Stephen’s collection, the evolution of board gaming, and even the current trends in the hobby. Along the way, they learn the truth behind Secret Hitler, and develop Nictophobia as they... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with Graham Trelfer and Robin Bailes, the hosts of the Dark Corners Reviews YouTube channel to talk about their show. Together the group discuss the ups and downs of running a popular YouTube channel, the origins of their show, and more bad horror movies than you can... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don explore the ways that science is presented in popular culture, for better and worse. Along the way they discuss what science is, how our views of it have shaped society (and how our society has shaped science), and the shifting view of science in the United States. All this,... Read More
No! Not the Marvel comic! Technically, none of those kids are actually Gen-Xers, since they were born after 1980! In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by Jack Ward to discuss the cultural foundations of the children born between 1965 and 1980 – Generation X! Like the mutant superheroes they share a name with,... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with their friend Dave Towers to talk about the legendary horror writer H.P. Lovecraft. They talk about Lovecraft’s life, his approach to writing, his legacy, and make a few story suggestions for those who want to dip their tow into Inssmouth Bay. Along the way, they discover... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by their friend Jack Ward to discuss the concept of competition as it plays out in our society and media. Some societies see competition as healthy, while others consider it destructive and wasteful, and the media often goes back and forth between the two approaches. Along the... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob are again joined by their friend Chad for a dangerous mission back in time to the 1980s where tough guys ruled the screen and one-liners flew thick and fast. Along the way, the three discuss what makes an 80s action hero, how these movies reflected the times they were... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by their friend Chad to talk about their common childhood passion – dinosaur movies! From The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms to Jurassic Park, the trio explore the history of dinosaurs on film and how they’ve been portrayed through the decades. Along the way, they discover there are... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob dive into another round of the genres that time forgot as they explore more things that have washed away into the river of time. The pair jump right into the types of TV shows and TV stories that once ruled the airwaves but have faded, and then go on... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob struggle to understand the apocalypse they’ve found themselves in by talking about disaster films and how they reflect human society. They’re joined in the raging chaos by Jack Ward and Dave Towers, who drop by to share a few thoughts on the genre. Along the way, the group discusses... Read More
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... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob explore the concept of the “murder hobo” and how this approach to fantasy roleplaying connects with other parts of movies, games, and popular culture. The pair look deep into the roots of D&D, discuss how murder hobos reflect the fantasies of the audience, and the idea’s connections with Westerns.... Read More
In honor of the canine sleuth’s 50th anniversary, Don leads Rob and the audience on a thrilling mystery through the history of Scooby Doo. Along the way, they discuss how Scooby’s success has been linked with Archie, The Battle of the Network Stars, and 80’s Sitcoms. They wrestle over the enigma that is Scrappy Doo.... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don stalk the werewolf’s place in popular culture, hunting the elusive man who walks like a wolf! Along the way, they explore the history of werewolves in real life and fiction, talk about the origins of werewolves on film, and explore the RPG called Werewolf: The Apocalypse! All this, and... Read More
Picture by ‘ccPixs.com’ www.ccPixs.com In this, the hundredth episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs, Rob, Don, and Jack sit down to discuss their greatest creative failures. The trio talk about the challenges they’ve faced, what they’ve learned from them, and what failure really means. Along the way, they delve into the power of psychology,... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by Jack Ward to discuss the book Trust Me, I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday and the implications that come with his tell-all book about media manipulation. The three delve into the techniques used by Holiday and media manipulators, how the media hacks human psychology, and why fake... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob explore vampires and their place in history and popular culture. The two intrepid stalkers of the night discuss vampire legends, obscure vampire lore, and the history of vampires on film. All this, and Rob’s rant about stupid vampire lords, is waiting to suck your attention in this episode of... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by their favorite teacher Jack Ward to discuss education and how it’s reflected in popular culture. The three explore the roles education plays in society, and how pop culture and education both reflect and change each other. They also discuss the different kinds of movies about teachers... Read More
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,... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by Jack Ward to discuss a recent Reddit survey on fantasy tropes people love. They discuss how people might be misusing the word and idea of tropes, and then go through people’s top choices for fantasy tropes, from the heroic last stand to the plucky young hero,... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don dig into the concept of tropes and discuss how they connect with tabletop RPG gaming. Few people think about how Hit Points are actually an artificial idea created by games, and how they affect the way we think about games- this is an example of a gaming trope. Don... Read More
In this episode, Don listens as Rob goes on a tear about one of his pet peeves- Evil Overlords in Fantasy and Science Fiction. The pair discuss the origins of the Evil Overlord trope, why is exists, and what the problems are with it. Along they way, they discuss “Villains who say Bah!”, the Asian... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob take a look at the messy history of the police in popular culture. Starting off with a history of the police themselves, the pair explore how police stories are very much a reflection of the society which produces them, and how we seem to alternate between two forms of... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with Jonathan Kinney and Richard Curtissmith from the tReading the Path of Heaven podcast to talk about Asian Light Novels and webnovels. The four of them discuss the differences between Japanese, Korean, and Chinese webnovels, some of their favorites, and what makes webnovels characters unique. All this,... Read More
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... Read More
Following up on the last episode, Don and Rob continue their exploration into the world of the occult with new guest Lothar Tuppan and returning guest David Towers. The four of them pick up where Dave left off, giving more context to the ancient Abrahamic origins of modern mystic thought, and then tumble forward in... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with Don’s old friend David Towers to discuss mysticism. Dave has had a lifelong interest in the subject, and he shares the fruits of his research with the pair. Spiraling off from Don and Rob’s earlier episode about the Satanic Panic, the three of them delve deep... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with teacher, martial artist, and gamer Brian Welcher to discuss his project to automate some parts of tabletop gaming. The three discuss how Brian first got into gaming, and how his fascination with the RPG Pathfinder led him to look for ways to create scripts that would... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with the incomparable Lee Gold to discuss her life as an early RPG designer, editor of the long-running APA Alarums and Excursions, and filk songwriter. Along the way, the trio discuss the history of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS), how she started her APA, and... Read More
In this episode, Rob, Don and Jack Ward discuss the relationships between the law and entertainment media. These three gumshoes leave no stone unturned as they delve into the seedy and often antagonistic relationship between those who make the rules and those who make the fun. Along the way, they discuss how copyright law has... Read More
Ronald McDonald 1.0 In this episode, Rob and Don explore the weird relationship between food and popular culture. From C3POs to Mac Tonight, the pair discuss how food is both shunned and adored in popular culture, and how this relationship has changed over time. Along the way, they ask the big questions, like “Can you... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined again by Professor Otaku to discuss the legendary tabletop miniatures game Warhammer. From the original Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay to the glory that is Warhammer 40k, the trio dive deep into the dark lore of the game which rules basement tables and hobby shops across the UK. Along... Read More
In this episode Don and Rob discuss Don’s view that tabletop RPGs and video games have influenced the way people write and consume stories. Delving deep into the topic, the pair discuss Kung Fu movies, westerns, Isekai stories and (naturally) litRPGs. All this and a deep discussion into where Dr. Who went wrong and how... Read More
First Group picture pic.twitter.com/Ue75tvKTZy — DNA Millwood Chapter (@dnamillwood) November 10, 2016 A while ago, friend of the show Jack Ward approached us about making his High School’s nerdly arts club into a branch of the Department of Nerdly Affairs. We naturally were flattered, and accepted- thus the DNA Millwood Chapter was born! Now we... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by J-Novel club founder Sam Pinansky. J-Novel club is the largest online seller of translated Japanese Light Novels, and one of the pioneers in bringing these Japanese works to English readers. During this great interview, the trio discuss Sam’s journey to becoming a publisher, the nature of... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob enter the arena of giant robot combat with blazing hearts to face off with Professor Otaku- mecha history expert extraordinaire! The three discuss why Japan is so darn fascinated by giant robots, super robots vs. real robots, and the nature of mecha anime characters. Then, for the main event,... Read More
In this episode, Rob, Don, and their friend Jack Ward attempt to delve into robots in popular culture, but what was intended as a light jaunt into robots and their place in entertainment turns into a deep existential discussion about what it really means to be human. Along the way, the trio explore possible definitions... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don delve into the weird and wacky world of fandom. They talk about their own fandom backgrounds, explore modern fandom’s roots, and talk about how it evolved. Along the way, they discuss fandom’s positive side, and try to define toxic fandom. All this, and why the My Little Pony RPG... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob explore the place of UFOs in our popular culture with the help of Jack Ward. The trio explore the earliest UFO reports, talk about how UFOs have changed with the times, and what our ideas about aliens say about us. Along the way, Jack tells the story of his... Read More
In this week’s episode, Rob and Don sit down to talk about time travel! The pair discuss the past, present, and future of time travel stories, how time travel seems to have developed fictional “rules” that everyone agrees on (but have no basis in fact), and what some of their favorite time travel stories are. ... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob discuss The News, exploring the past, present and future of our primary source of knowledge about the world around us. In the process, they discuss the relationship between the news makers and the audience, how the news has evolved to meet the needs of different eras, and how the... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with Justin Charles of the A Dude and Chick Walk Into a Studio podcast to talk about Justin’s life growing up as a geek in the Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. The three explore how Trinidad and Justin’s early loves of anime, video games, storytelling,... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with their friend Jack Ward to talk about the TV shows that might have died too soon (or not soon enough!). The trio leave no unfinished stone unturned as they delve into shows about science fiction, fantasy, comedy and cartoons that never made it past their freshman... Read More
In this episode…everybody say HAI! Because Rob and Don sit down with YouTuber and Tokusatsu fan Squall Charlson to discuss the history of Japan’s Super Sentai genre. Donning the colours of Red, Blue and Yellow, the three heroes discuss the genre’s origins, how it evolved over time, and the highlights of Super Sentai’s 43 year... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with Jack Ward to discuss portrayals of Intelligence in popular culture. The three delve into the hows and whys of the way smart people are portrayed the way they are in the media, the difference between wisdom and intelligence, and how it’s all linked with the ways... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don continue exploring the world of mecha anime with a journey into the “Real Robot” subgenre. The pair discuss how the Real Robot genre split off from the Super Robot subgenre they covered in the last episode, and then recombined with Evangelion, to form a whole new kind of titanic... Read More
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... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with Simon Vale of Magic Dome Books, a company which specializes in translating Russian science fiction into English. The trio discuss Russian geek culture, Russia’s fascination with litRPGs, and the nature of the Russian book markets. All this, and why the Strugatskie brothers are the greatest Science Fiction... Read More
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... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with Taiwanese writer Julia Chien to discuss the past, present and future of Taiwanese comic books. Along the way, they talk about comic codes, what life for comics artists was like under military rule, and why many of Taiwan’s best and brightest artists are working in the... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob take a look at the Fantasy genre and explore some of their favorite Fantasy RPGs. Along the way, they discuss Don’s five types of Fantasy, look at how RPGs have redefined what Fantasy is, and debate the difference between magic and theology. All this, and the great debate over... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with translator and author Jeremy Bai to discuss the world of Chinese Webnovels. The trio discuss the history of Chinese adventure fiction being translated to English, how Chinese heroes differ from English heroes, and the best Webnovels for people new to the genre to check out. All... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob look at cultural views of strength in the media. The pair explore why lead characters being strong is so important to North American audiences, how views of strength have changed over time, and what a strong female fighter really means. All this, and how Free to Be You and... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob head East with Justus R. Stone, YouTube Light Novel Reviewer, to discuss the ins and outs of the Japanese and American Light Novel markets. Along the way, Justus takes the pair on a tour of the origins of Light Novels, why they’re growing in popularity in English, and how... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by Jack Ward to discuss Culture War Profiteering. What is Culture War Profiteering? And how is it being used on you on a daily basis? The trio will delve into this, the issues surrounding it, and what we can do about it. All this, and the sad... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down to discuss Rob’s new book- Write! Shonen Manga. The pair discuss the history of Shonen manga, the different types and meta-genres, and how the Japanese approach writing stories differently than Americans do. All this, and Rob shamelessly hawking his book, are waiting for you in this episode... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down with their friend Jack Ward to help him construct a tabletop RPG system for his Audio Drama series Spaceways Starring Biff Straker. In the process, the trio discuss the benefits of different dice systems, damage systems, character design approaches, and how to bring the feels to an... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down to discuss the history of American TV superheroes. From the open plains where the Lone Ranger roams, to Gotham City and Smallville, the pair chart the history of TV supers as from the dawn of TV to the present day. Along the way, they define what a... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with horror author Paul E. Cooley to talk about his genre of choice. The three discuss exactly what horror is, Don’s Eight Types of Horror, and the good and bad sides of podcasting your work. All this, and a heaping helping of Dead Robots’ Society lore, are... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don plunge into the vast history of American comic books and try to make sense of it all. The pair explore the origins of the first comic books, and how the name Gains changed the comic book world not once, but twice! Then they face the challenge of the superheros... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by their friend Chad to discuss Comedy Tabletop Roleplaying Games. The three delve into the classics of the genre like Paranoia and Toon, check out their old Alma Mater, hang with Beach Bunny Bimbos with Blasters, and reminisce about being Teenagers from Outer Space. All this, and... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob trip the night fantastic with their friend Chad and discuss the creepy subject of Horror Role Playing Games. Long regarded as one of the harder types of RPGs to run, the three probe the different types of horror RPGs and do an overview of the classics of the genre.... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by Jack Ward to go where no man has boldly gone before! The past and future collide as the three discuss the history of Trek and whether or not it’s still relevant in today’s world. All this, and Jack and Rob’s big throwdown on Star Trek Enterprise,... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don finish their discussion of the History of Japanese Comics. Starting in the 1980’s, they discuss the rise and fall of Shonen Jump, how Dragonball changed everything, and how modern manga have been influenced by animation. All this, and Bakuman, in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs. Closing... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don delve into the topic of Affluence in the Media. Where do our ideas of wealth come from? How does the media shape our ideas of what it is to be wealthy? And why is Richie Rich a post-apocalyptic warlord? All this, and Sigmund Freud’s Nephew are waiting for you... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by their friend Richard Moule to discuss music and how it affects us. The trio explore the physical processes behind our reactions and interactions with music and discuss how music and humans evolved together over time. The three also delve into music as soundtrack, and discuss... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined again by their friend Chad to discuss Post-Apocalyptic (Tabletop) Role Playing Games. The three discuss the different ways in which an RPG can be Post-Apocalyptic, the importance of post-apocalyptic hygiene, and then go through the history of the Post-Apocalyptic gaming genre with side trips into movies, anime... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by fellow gamer Jack Ward to discuss the granddaddy of tabletop roleplaying- Dungeons and Dragons. The intrepid trio throw on their adventuring gear and delve deep into the many editions of D&D while sharing their thoughts on how D&D became a cultural fixture in our society. All... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob sit down to discuss the issues involved with remakes, prequels, sequels and reboots, and why at best they’re a tough act to pull off well, and at worst they’re totally awful. Along the way, they delve into the nature of story itself and how stories reflect the writers and... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by Shain and Dave from Misterkitty.org to talk about their ongoing Stupid Comics project where they showcase some of the most awful and unique pieces of comic book art visited upon mankind. Along the way, the four talk about the pair’s Mister Kitty’s Lo-Fi Landfill audio project,... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by their friend Chad to talk about the movies that they know are awful, but can’t help but have soft spots in their hearts for. This journey takes the trio from classic 50’s monster movies, to the heights of 80s cheese and the depths of Asia’s cinematic... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with psychic medium Mary Bezaire to discuss what it’s like to see spirits and be a channel into the unknown. The three discuss a wide variety of topics, from the nature to spirit guides, to the most haunted places in Essex County, to the existence of evil... Read More
Rob, Don and Jack Ward explore the place of death in the nerdly arts. From superheroes who never die, to the real life celebrities who do (for now), and how our own fears of death shape our entertainment of choice, the trio head down a funerary rabbit hole. It’s an episode of grave humour, and... Read More
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... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by Jack Ward for a spirited debate about Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. Does Campbell’s opus really hold the key to writing satisfying stories? Jack thinks so, but Rob and Don aren’t so sure, and this leads to a long discussion involving comparative mythology, newspaper comic strips, 1970’s... Read More
Don and Rob are joined by the awesome Ramon Meija of the litRPG podcast to talk about the biggest new genre you’ve probably never heard of- litRPGs. The three discuss the origins of the genre, what makes a litRPG, what books you should be checking out, and how the litRPG genre reflects the world we live... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down to discuss story structure. They explore the origins of the 3-act structure, discuss Chris Fox’s Write to Market strategy, and break down the Lester Dent Master Pulp Writing Formula and Michael Moorcock’s How to Write a Book in Three Days method. All this, and why Buffy the... Read More
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... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by comic book creator and founder of Antarctic Press, Ben Dunn. The three of them sit and chat about Ben’s long career in comics, how Antarctic Press came to be, and the ups and downs of running a comic book company. Along the way, Ben gives great... Read More
Rob and Don sit down with Journalist and TV Producer Dr. Rashid Narain (R.N.) Shukul to discuss Television and Media in India. Along the way, they touch on RN’s career as a cameraman and war correspondent, his time as TV game show producer in India, his time producing documentaries for Fremantle Media, and some of... Read More
Rob and Don have been at this for a year, and take a show to look back on 28 episodes of the Department of Nerdly Affairs and how far they’ve come. They discuss the origins of the show, some behind the scenes thoughts about the different episodes and their guests, and finish with a special... Read More
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... Read More
This is an extra after-show conversation which occurred after the recording of episode 27 and continues on from where we left off. Among other things, we talk about the passing into history of the original horror hosts, how Horror Hosts dealt with national tragedies like the Kennedy Assassination and 9/11, and the changing relationship between... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with Michael Monahan, author and co-producer of the documentary American Scary, to talk about Horror Hosts. We delve into the origins of the Horror Host phenomena from its early days with Vampira to the megahit Ghoulardi and the modern incarnations which still stalk the airwaves. All this,... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don interview Scottish science fiction writer Gary Gibson about his career, writing Space Opera, and why Science Fiction has become boring. All this, and why Zardoz is a classic film, in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs. Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt Things Discussed:... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don discuss the cons of becoming a professional writer (or artist). While the internet is filled with people telling you that you’re one Kindle book away from quitting your day job (mostly by people selling writing how-to advice and services) Rob and Don look at some of the cold, hard costs... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by music historian Richard Moule to discuss their mutual love and admiration for the musical art form known as Heavy Metal. The trio trace Metal’s history and inspirations, and talk about how metal became THE nerdly music of choice. All this, and why Death Metal is really redneck... Read More
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... Read More
In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by their friend Chad to discuss their love of Tabletop Role-Playing Games. The trio explore the history of TRPGS, and talks about their own experiences and growing up playing these games. Along the way, they discuss the appeal of Gamma World, point based vs. random character creation,... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
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,... Read More
In this episode, Don and Rob are joined by Jack Ward of the Sonic Society podcast to talk about Jack’s experiences hosting the Internet’s greatest audio drama showcase for over a decade and the thrills and frustrations of being an audio drama producer in the podcast age. Slap on your Podjectors and Flip the switch to... Read More
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”... Read More
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,... Read More
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... Read More
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.... Read More
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.... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
Greetings Operatives! In this episode Rob and Don discuss the ways in which the reality has come to mirror Cyberpunk fiction. It’s 2016, and in the 1980’s Cyberpunk promised us Netrunning, Posergangs and Rockergirls! What did they get right? What did they get wrong? We also discuss why AKB48 are the perfect girl group, For-Profit... Read More
Greetings Operatives! In this episode Rob and Don are joined by their friend Chad to discuss the nerdly films of 2015. What was awesome? What barely made the grade? And what didn’t the trio like from 2015? Then we forge on into 2016, and discuss why a new film version of The Little Prince excites... Read More
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... Read More
Welcome Operatives! In today’s show, Rob and Don explore the Ritual Satanic Abuse panic that gripped America during the 1970s and 1980s and how the game Dungeons and Dragons became wrapped up in it. Then, in the second half of the show, the pair dig deep into the cinematic roots that laid the groundwork for... Read More
Welcome Operatives to the Department of Nerdly Affairs, tonight your hosts Rob Paterson and Don Chisholm
discuss whether the nerdly spectulators markets of the 80s and 90s helped or hurt nerd culture, and how this
crept into the action figure market as well. Don gives us the comic shop eye view of the industry during
this period, and we talk about how the Punisher was responsible for the comic speculator's boom of the
1980s. All this and more are waiting for you in Episode Three of The Department of Nerdly Affairs!
... Read More
Welcome Operatives to the Department of Nerdly Affairs, tonight your hosts Rob Paterson and Don Chisholm discuss how audience expectations shape how people create media and react to it. In addition, we discuss Jack Campbell’s The Lost Fleet series, what really makes a story “Adult”, why Hollywood can’t get Wonder Woman right, and International Comics... Read More
Rob Paterson and Don Chisholm discuss the books Ready Player One and H. Beam Piper's Space Viking. We're also going to discuss the idea behind the common writing advice "Write what you know", the techniques of Stephen King, and why writers have a lot to learn from HP Lovecraft and the Scottish pirate metal band Alestorm. All this, and a heaping helping of magic white guys are ahead for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs.... Read More