The Secret Origins of Mint Condition James Louie

Show notes provided by Arco Esposito

Picture it; it’s 1990, you’re Todd McFarlane and you just put out the comic that would solidify you as a household name while also selling a record 2.5 million issues! Nothing can beat that feeling right? Unless of course you’re Jim Lee and Chris Claremont and it’s 1991, because then you say “hold my beer” and release the best selling comic OF ALL TIME with the relaunch of X-Men #1 Folks, today we invite you to journey back 30 years as we take you to that amazing time when you not only had to have that issue, but you had to buy ALL FIVE DIFFERENT COVERS of it!! Yes, it was about the quality and the quantity at the same time and we were there for it!! Join James and Joe as they host returning X-Men aficionados Shareef McIntosh and Arco Esposito as they delve, dissect and debate the awesomeness of this issue (no debate really) and its impact on not only the Marvel universe but on the comics industry as a whole. With X-Men 97 blowing our minds and Deadpool 3 about to do the same, its definitely a great time to be alive for the X-fam, so listen in as we talk about what started this glorious, golden AGE OF X!

Show notes provided by Jack Adrien

Nearly forty-seven years ago and premiering in only forty-three theaters across the United States, George Lucas introduced the world to his epic space opera, Star Wars. And while the movie opened on Wednesday, May 25, 1977, Memorial Day weekend, the movie’s catchphrase has thenceforth marked May 4 as National Star Wars Day.

Inspired by the Buck Rogers science fiction comic strip and 12-part film serial from his youth, Lucas created his own enduring science fiction touchstones such as droids, the X-wing Starfighter, TIE Fighter, Millennium Falcon, and the Death Star. And while one should expect such futuristic technological wonders in a film of the genre, Lucas also found inspiration in Akira Kurosawa's samurai films, which led to the iconic lightsaber battles. In his review of the film, famed film critic Roger Ebert wrote "[t[he hardware is from Flash Gordon out of 2001, the chivalry is from Robin Hood, the heroes are from Westerns, and the villains are a cross between Nazis and sorcerers." 

Beyond its groundbreaking special effects, Star Wars birthed the world’s first tentpole intellectual property empire. Part of what made the first film, Star Wars, later renamed Star Wars: A New Hope, unique was the concept of “the Force” within Lucas’s worldbuilding. The movie deconstructs the classic notions of good v. evil and instead establishes opposing ideological perspectives tapping into or manipulating a metaphysical and ubiquitous power as either the light side (i.e., Jedi) or the dark side (i.e., Sith, said onscreen in the first movie of the second trilogy, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, released almost 22 years to the day of Star Wars: A New Hope’s release date).

But the first trilogy left us fans with so many unanswered questions. Most notably, the three movies featured only five space wizards (i.e., three Jedi and two Sith) across the three-film, six and a quarter hour total runtime. In Star Wars: A New Hope, Princess Leia and Obi-Wan Kenobi referenced the Clone Wars, giving us a peek into Lucas's fully realized, lived-in universe. We fans wanted more. And between movies and trilogies, Star Wars Legends (formerly known as the Expanded Universe) filled that void with licensed and official background stories through books, comic books, video games, spin-off films, television series, toys, and other media.

Join the Mint Condition crew as we share what the first Star Wars film meant to us when it was released, what the franchise has meant for the near past half century, and where we hope it will take us in the years ahead. And as always, we say to you and yours, “May the Force be with you.”

Show notes provide by Joe Peluso

The Godfather Part II, Top Gun: Maverick, Superman II, Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn, The Dark Knight, and of course, The Empire Strikes Back! All classic movie sequels. Films you were glad you came back for! So why not a podcast sequel that makes you come back for more thrills? Why not a second hour of fun conversation with one of the brightest stars in the pop culture firmament?   You know it, gang, Jeremy Adams is back with your hosts James, Chris, and Joe to talk all things Flash, Green Lantern, animated films, and his new FCBD offering--Flash Gordon!   A conversation with Jeremy is a kinetic experience; his enthusiasm for comics and animated films is akin to a double page spread exploding from one of his Flash books!   It's a whirlwind hour with a myriad of topics that could fill an omnibus, but suffice it to say you will laugh, learn and love what you hear!   Hop on your cosmic treadmill, recharge that power ring, and pinpoint the planet Mongo on your star charts because you are about to take a wild ride into the imaginative world of one of the most gracious, talented, and knowledgeable creatives in the industry today!

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso

  Webster defines selfish, "as devoted to or caring for oneself". But when you are a New York Times Bestselling Author, you might be inclined to redefine selfish as "fun". And that's exactly what Michael Jan Friedman has done with his most recent Kickstarter launch--Self*Ish. It's the card game that brings out the best of our worst side.   Join your hosts James, Chris, and Joe as they sit down for another visit with Mike, and get a master class on how to create a fun, innovative card game with just enough snark to put a devious smile on your face.   Mike takes us through the process from its inception to completion. Along the way he and, our resident card "shark" Chris, delve into the finer points of conceiving, playing, and marketing these time-honored games. If you prefer a card game with tricks, actions, and an engrossing narrative than Self*Ish belongs on your shelf.   And as you may recall from previous episodes that featured Mike, he is a prolific wordsmith who is always delivering for his fans. So stick around for the end of this episode and get a preview of Phenomenons Volume 3, and the further adventures of Robinson Dark. You will not be disappointed.

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso

There is a wonderful quality of pop culture that we have
referenced many times before on this podcast that bears repeating: The ability to bring together people who share a common interest. Forging new friendships over a discussion about magic in ancient Atlantis, or--more importantly--reconnecting with old friends via the marvels of modern technology.
   Once again, thanks to the foresight of James Louie's creation of this podcast, Joe Peluso has again been given the honored opportunity to reconnect with an old, and dear friend: an accomplished individual whom Joe went to high school with 50 years ago!
    Join James and Joe as they welcome Jim Chadwick group editor at DC Comics for nearly two decades. Jim likes to describe his job as a producer. And "holy accomplishments, Batman!" he succeeded as he produced such memorable titles as Injustice: Gods Among Us, Batman '66, Wonder Woman: The True Amazon, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Paul Dano's Riddler: Year One to name just a few.
    From the halls of Bishop Loughlin High School, where Jim and Joe meet thanks to one friendly neighborhood web-swinger to the Burbank offices of DC Comics, Jim's career has been a long and winding road.
    Andi If you ever wondered what an editor of comics does daily then pay attention because you are about to get a master class by an accomplished and award-winning editor!
   Oh, some final words for my dear friend Jim: "Deberia haber estudiado mas."

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso



If you are a resident of the New York/Metropolitan area, you may be aware of the numerous "regional sports" networks that keep us entertained and informed. One of those networks exclaims: "Get your New York Sports here!"    If you are a fan of this podcast and are familiar with our "back of the store chats", you may have tuned in to "Get your comics news and updates here!' So after a quick redress of the sports desk, your hosts James and Joe sit down at the "comics counter" to bring you up to speed on your favorite four-color fantasies.    Jeremy Adams, Geoff Johns, Joshua Williamson, Jonathan Hickman, Dan Jurgens, and Mark Waid are all doing fantastic work on some ofyour favorite characters.The boys discuss the different merits and nuances of these current books and much more.    And what's a back of the chat chat without head-scratching questions? Who's in charge of the releases and numbering of the Marvel Epic Collections? What do you need to read before diving into Mark Millar's "Big Game"? Where is the diversity of genres at the "big two"?   And finally: How do you pronounce Ra's al Ghul?   Bring your pencils. There will be a pop quiz.