The Department of Nerdly Affairs

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 writers you've probably never heard of, is waiting...

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 Real American Hero animated series. All that, and the real meaning of the name Hasbro, is waiting for you in this episo...

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 Korean market. All this, and why the Taipei suburb of Beitou was once believed to be fil...

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 whether Star Wars is fantasy or science fiction, are waiting for you to decide in this episod...

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 this, and the real meaning of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," are waiting fo...

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 Me destroyed a generation, is waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs...

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 Light Novels have become linked with web-fiction. All this, and the answer to the question  Is It...

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 tale of Swastika Lane, is waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs. Note: This episodes ha...

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 of the Department of Nerdly Affairs. Closing Music: Ode to Joy perform...

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 RPG. All this, and the My Little Pony RPG, are waiting for you in this episode...

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 Superhero is,  discuss how animated TV supers evolved, and bring back memories of the Six Million Dollar Man mons...

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 waiting for you in this episode of The Department of Nerdly Affairs. Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed...

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 as Superman's birth brings about a new age, both in comic books and real life. Finally, they talk about the cu...

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 how to run a comedy RPG, is waiting for you in this fun-tastic episode of The...

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. All this, and more fun than that thing creeping up behind you right now, is waiting for you in this episo...

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, is waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs. Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by...

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 Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt  Things Discussed: Gu...

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 Japa...

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 for sneaking things past the TV censors.  All this, and how Larry ended up creat...

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 in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs. Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt  Thin...

  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 the ways in which moviemakers use music to control and shape the emotions...

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 and pop-culture. All this, and why The Flintston...

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 this, and why you need to roll for initiative right now!... are waiting...

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 society. All that, and why the Ice Cream Man was an important figure in Star Wars lore (at least a...

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, really really oldschool anime, whether Archie is really comics or not, and the...