The Secret Origins of Mint Condition: Comics, Movies, TV, Sports, Gaming and more

James Louie
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Welcome to the Secret Origins of Mint Condition. Join your hosts James, Joe , and Chris as they delve into the topics of comics, pop culture, sports, gaming and more.

  1. 311. Batman and Robin: Year One

    3D AGO

    311. Batman and Robin: Year One

    Show notes provided by Joe Peluso Filling in the blanks. Adding texture and nuance. Answering those pesky questions. When characters like Batman and Robin have been around for the better part of a century there's a ton of established lore, but is it impossible or--perish the thought--needed to add something new to the mythos? Join hosts James, Richie, and Joe as they seek to answer those fanboy questions when they present their views onthe twelve issue maxi-series--"Batman and Robin: Year One" by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee.   Can the grizzled old vets Rcihie and Joe read this series and find something new and exciting? Can James, who hadn't had much prior Batman and Robin reading experiences before this series bowed, be drawn into its rich history and lore? Why not? This richly written story brought to life by amazing art, features all the characters and icons a fan would associate with the Dynamic Duo.Batman/BruceWayne, a recently orphaned Richard Grayson, Alfred Pennyworth, James Gordon, Two Face, Clayface, and a new mob boss, General Grimaldi are all present to engage in an adventure of discovery, intrigue, reversals, and high-flying adventure that feels timeless yet forward-looking.And something very new--social servicescomes calling to check on young Master Grayson's stay at Stately Wayne Manor. Oh man, make sure the dirty dishes are not in the sink, and Richard is going to school!The Mint Crew discuss and dissect the twelve issues with their usual thoroughness, but occasionally blowing each other's mind with the discoveries of easter eggs, and call backs to such classic canon (Batman 66 and The Animated Adventures) that further elevates the story.    To paraphrase Bronze Age Marvel (Yes, Marvel.) "If you only read one comic this year, make sure it's "Batman and Robin: Year One!" Youwon't regret it.

    56 min
  2. 310. Star Trek Edition: Star Trek II The Wrath of Kahn

    MAR 4

    310. Star Trek Edition: Star Trek II The Wrath of Kahn

    Show notes provided by: Once again the top brass of Starfleet have gathered together at Command Headquarters in San Francisco to review the mission entitled: Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. The august assemblage consists of Admirals James, Josh, John and Keith, and Commodores Jack and Joe. Tasked with the responsibility of dissecting, disseminating, and declassifying (If deemed suitable for public consumption) the information accumulated, the tribunal will rule on the merits, and missteps of the mission. Sounds quite serious? Right? Wrong. These are the trekkie nerds you all know and love pontificating about a Trek film that very well may have saved the franchise. And as usual they have a grand time getting their points across about Admiral Kirk and his crafty crew.     Remembrances of where and when each of the crew was when they first saw the film is discussed in detail. Also, James poses the question to each member: Name your top three Star Trek films? Among the other topics brought up are the grounding of this film firmly in the now expanding Star Trek universe, the philosophical approaches to aging, and finding your one true place in the universe, and how story and character development trumps budgets and special effects.    There's a whole quadrant full of other topics that are fired from Mr. Sulu's weapons station that range from OG Trek creator Gene Roddenberry to the new kid at the Academy, Harve Bennett. And the mystery (or not) of how Spocks's death in the film leaked before it bowed in theaters. Pay attention all recruits will be quizzed at the conclusion of the podcast.No cheating like cadet Kirk.    A word to the wise, don't leave Khan in an unstable star system in any other Star Trek reality or reboot, because he will come for you with that cold Klingon revenge dish!

    1h 22m
  3. 309. The SOMC wraps up Stranger Things

    FEB 25

    309. The SOMC wraps up Stranger Things

    With Stranger Things recently ending the SOMC crew decided it would be a good time to talk about the series and why it made such an impact in pop culture. The gang talks about the things the show got right and areas where it missed. The conversation also gets thoughtful about the way TV is made these days and how that influenced the finale of this series.

    1h 16m
  4. 308. SOMC Spotlight on Jackie Chan in Rumble in the Bronx

    FEB 18

    308. SOMC Spotlight on Jackie Chan in Rumble in the Bronx

    Welcome to the 2026 Lunar New Year Edition of the Secret Origins of Mint Condition. This year we are spotlighting martial arts action super star Jackie Chan in the movie that brought him over to a US audience "Rumble in the Bronx". The back of the store crew of James, Chris and Josh marvel at what Jackie and his stun crew were able to do in this movie. How Jackie is able to balance comedy timing with martial action and the behind the scenes of the hard work and injuries that make things seem flawless on screen.

    1h 6m
  5. 307. Looking back on I Love Lucy

    FEB 11

    307. Looking back on I Love Lucy

    Show notes provided by Joe Peluso This October 15th will mark the 75th anniversary of one the mostinfluential TV shows in the history of the medium--"I Love Lucy".  Created and produced by its two stars--Lucille Ball and DesiArnaz--this all-time great sitcom became an overnight success, andwent on to change the landscape of the fledgling TV medium. But moreimportantly, it brought unbridled laughter to millions of Americanhomes in the decade of the 1950's.The misadventures of Lucy Ricardo,and her often time reluctant sidekick Ethel, made families from coast tocoast howl with laughter week after week. The "screwball redhead" hadone goal in mind--to get into show business! Her adoring, andincredibly "patient" husband--band leader Ricky Ricardo--would tryhis darndest to thwarth her hair brained efforts. It was more than abattle of the sexes, but instead a full-out comedic war of witts.   Join you hosts James, Chris and Joe as they raucously recall theirfavorite scenes and episodes from this classic show. Lucy gettingsnockered as she rehearses a TV commercial, Lucy and Ethel stuffingchocolate bon bons in their mouths, blouses and hats, Lucy gettinginto a free-for-all in a wine vat, and Lucy singlehandedly putting astop to the Pacific Railroad. But Lucy was done, she takes ofHollywood and Europe and becomes the screwball scourge of twocontinents!   And how was all this comedy gold brought to the small screen? Itwas accomplished via the inventive genius of Desi Arnaz; rightfullyknown as the man who "invented" television. Together with his businesssavvy wife, he took the nascent medium to the next level ensuring thatTV was not just another passing fad.How did he do it? How did Desi andLucy have both CBS and the show's sponsor Philip Morris eating out oftheir hands? How did they purchase an entire studio while filming "ILove Lucy"? Amidst all the zanny insanity on screen, behind thecameras deals were brokered that would cement Lucy and Desi as THEpower couple in Hollywood.   But all the accomplishments that brought Lucy and Desi wealth andfame pale in comparison to the laughter and joy their antics (alongwith Fred and Ethel) have bestowed upon audiences the world over for75 glorious years. I think it's safe to say--WE ALL LOVE LUCY!

    57 min
  6. 306. Snow Bound Comics Chat

    FEB 4

    306. Snow Bound Comics Chat

    Show notes provided Joe Peluso Oh the weather outside is frightful--and the snow outside sure as heck ain't delightful! So if you're tired of shoveling the white stuff, or trying to warm yourself by a nice fire, join your fellow snowbound hosts Keith and Joe as they give their "warm" comments on all thingscurrent in the pop culture (or is that popsicle culture?) universe.   From movies to TV, and comics old and new, the guys sleigh their way through a storm of good stuff that will scatter those winter blues. What's your favorite all-time comic book run? What are you looking forward to on the big and small screens in the CBM world? And what were some of the high (and yeah) low points of the "big twos" publishing decisions and initiatives?  It's all here, and then some, hopefully for your enjoyment on afrosty day. A word to the wise if you are going to venture outside:Make sure you're wearing your "bat-thermal" skivvies. Mr. Freeze could be lurking behind that snowbank in the front yard!

    1h 17m
  7. 305. DC Comics Final Night

    JAN 28

    305. DC Comics Final Night

    Show notes provided by Joe Peluso In the late Summer of 1996 DC Comics decided to dim the lights byblowing out the Sun! A cosmic force known as The Sun-Eater (first seenway back in Adventure Comics #352 from November 1966!) came calling to snuff out all life on Earth! Chronicled in a weekly event, the storywas entitled "The Final Night".And it sure as heck would've been, ifnot for the timely, last minute intervention of a once great seminalhero who had recently gone rogue.  Join hosts James, Chris, and Joe as they "shed light on" (Sorry,Chris, you know--low-hanging fruit.) on a new DC event that taxedEarth's greatest heroes in a race to save the world from becoming apopsicle.All kidding aside, this fast-paced saga had major stakes,major tragedies, and major repercussions for the DCU.   Seven days to restart the sun, or all life on Earth perishes.Superman, cut off from solar rays, is weakening by the day. KyleRayner, Earth's only Green Lantern, chucks a "Hail Mary" like BretFarve into space to convince the one and only capable "entity"Parallax (Hal Jordan ) to save the Earth. Lex Luthor is brought in towork with Brainiac 5. And Batman, as usual, multitasks.   It's a fun event told in four issues, one special issue, and oneaftermath remembrance issue, with limited tie-ins, that doesn't breakthe banks of loyal DC fans. Also there are some "heavy" discussions onthe meaning of heroes and villains, and loss and redemption, that wethink you will find quite interesting. It's been thirty years sincethis story dropped. No alternate dimensions, maddening multiverses, ortime travel trickery, just a solid story of survival on both the grandand human scale.

    1h 2m
  8. 304. Looking back at Batman Year One

    JAN 21

    304. Looking back at Batman Year One

    Show notes provided by Joe Peluso A standing tradition in the comic book industry is the retelling ofthe origins of its iconic heroes.Superman got a new origin, and a newstart, by John Byrne in 1986's "Man of Steel".The amazing Spider-Manhad his origin retold numerous times whenever an anniversary issue hitthe stands, and The Batman's origin had been expanded upon from itsinitial two page intro in the Golden Age to full length issues, andeventually to a three part  mini-series written by Len Wein at the endof the Bronze Age. But it wasn't until the end of 1986, with issue#404-407 (cover dated Feb.1987-May 1987) that all the desperate piecesof the Dark Knight's mysterious origins came into four-color realityin "Batman: Year One" by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli.   Join hosts James, Chris, and Joe as they plumb the secrets of TheBatcave to uncover the elements of creation that gave birth to thisnew "post Crisis " origin of the Dark Knight Detective.   How much control did editor Denny O'Neil (a legendary Batmanscribe) have over the production of these issues? What was it like forJames, Chris, and grizzled old comic book vet Joe, reading thisseminal, game changing work for the first time? Who is this upstarthonest cop Jim Gordon just recently transferred from the Chicago PD?And how important was this story to the inception of the Modern Age ofcomics?   If you're walking down the streets of Gotham and the sky blackenssuddenly, take cover! The Batman's calling-card may be coming for you!

    1h 19m
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Welcome to the Secret Origins of Mint Condition. Join your hosts James, Joe , and Chris as they delve into the topics of comics, pop culture, sports, gaming and more.

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