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

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso A standing tradition in the comic book industry is the retelling of the origins of its iconic heroes. Superman got a new origin, and a new start, by John Byrne in 1986's "Man of Steel".The amazing Spider-Man had his origin retold numerous times whenever an anniversary issue hit the stands, and The Batman's origin had been expanded upon from its i...

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso Sixty years this coming September the crew of the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) took us on a trek to the stars --"to go where no one has gone before!". Its maiden voyage bowed on the NBC Network on September 8th, 1966. And the genre of science fiction would never be the same. One second season episode (a rare sci-fi comedy/adventure) would introduce...

In this episode the SOMC crew looks back on their favorite childhood cartoons.

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso LISTS! Everyone has a list: for Santa, for birthdays, for anniversaries, and various and sundry occasions. So in the grand tradition of "list making" James, Chris, Keith, and Joe bring you their lists for the best pop culture stuff of 2025. 2025? Where are (as they predicted in the 1960's) the flying cars, moving sidewalks, and video-phones? Oh wait,...

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso What is so special about the number 300? Well, throughout the history of Major League Baseball only 163 players have 300 or more homers in their respective careers. One of the pinnacles of Bowling is throwing a perfect game for a score of 300. Zack Synder made an epic semi historical film called "300". And lest we forget, Eddie Brock, AKA Venom, made his...

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso Among the many joys of the Christmas season is the "gift" of giving. Huge amounts of money and time are expended to find just the right gift to bestow upon a treasured loved one. From Macy's Basement to Amazon's Home Page, the search for the perfect gift is launched. It can be a magical experience. But what if we were to extend that enchanting sojourn to include h...

Star Trek Edition: Star Trek 2009

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso Chris and Joe are back at the sports desk for a World Series wrap up, and an in season NHL report. Was this current MLB Championship the best hardball clash since 1975? Are the Rangers getting with the new program and showing signs of playing winning hockey? Will a spate of injuries to the Devils D-men derail an impressive start? And is phenom Matthew Schaefer of...

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso It's that time of the year when the Mint Crew counts their blessings and gives thanks. This year James, Chris and Joe want to thank their favorite pop culture creators who have bestowed on each of them the gifts of awe, influence, thoughtfulness, and fun. From the realms of movies and TV, to comics and novels, music and sports, the guys list the things that fired...

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso WE DID IT!! Your "crisis crew" of James, Keith, Richie, and Joe have successfully navigated the madness of the multiverse and completed their review of "Crisis on Infinite Earths".The twelve chapter event, that changed fifty years of DC Comics history, was the challenging assignment that the guys undertook to put their insightful spin on a monu...

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso The crew is back on board the bridge of the starship Enterprise. Captain James, Commanders Josh and John, and Lt. Joe are ready to run a full diagnostic on season three of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. With practiced Star Fleet precision they dissect the season recounting the highs and lows that Captain Pike and his crew experienced in their ten episode trek.    ...

We are coming out of the Halloween season with a classic back of the store chat. Making their first appearance on a Back of the Store Edition is podcast regular Josh Bernhard. The conversation starts of talking about the Mandalorian and Grogu trailer but evolves into a deep dive discussion about the current state of Star Wars, the future of the franchise and then turns into a talk about Star Trek....

Halloween 2025 is here and once again the SOMC crew is joined by our King of Halloween Patrick. After spending many years sharing the love they have for the classic Universal Monsters, the crew takes a turn and talks about the monsters of the 80's. Patrick is our guide through the horror/ slasher movie icons, telling us what makes them great and what movies any horror fan should check out. The...

Show notes provided by Chris LaBanca Humans are social creatures. We band together for support and protection, especially in times of danger. That tendency to rely on one another is arguably one of our greatest strengths as a species! Unless, of course, there's something out there counting on us doing just that. Something that can rub, and fray, and tear at those bonds of humanity until none o...

Welcome once again to the bayou where James, Joe, Chris and Josh are continuing to follow the path of Swamp Thing. This time they are diving into Vol. 2 of Alan Moore's 'The Saga of the Swamp Thing'. Where they discuss Swamp Thing putting Alec Holland to rest, going to Hell to save Abigail's soul, what Abby learns in 'The House of Secrets' and more.

Show Notes provided by Chris LaBanca Welcome, sports fans! It's Joe and Chris behind the sports desk again. And now that we're hitting our stride, we're going to aim to bring you a regular sports episode every two weeks, starting today. We've got plenty to discuss between the MLB playoffs and NHL puck drop, so come hang out with us for a little while! As the divisional round of MLB...

Show notes provide by Joe Peluso Chris and Joe are back at the sports desk with another update on the world of sports that continues to thrill and dishearten its legion of fans. Like a screaming line drive smacked up the left-center field cap, the MLB postseason barrels on! The L.A. Dodgers took care of the Reds in short order (The Mets were watching from golf courses in Florida), as the rest of t...

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso With back to back Stanley Cups under their belts, Chris and Joe preview the 2025/2026 Florida Panthers upcoming NHL season. Employing lethal legerdemain in the front office, the brain thrust of the Panthers brought back to the ice almost everyone to make a rush at a "three peat"  With his usual unerring stick to puck skills, Chris lays out the most impor...

In this week's episode Joe and Keith wrap up the last installment of Dexter by giving there thoughts and highlights on Dexter Resurrection.

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso Back at the Mint Sports Desk with another NHL team preview, Chris and Joe take to the ice for the lowdown of the 2025/2026 New York Islanders season. Who's back, who's gone, free agents, the dreaded IL, the schedule, and chances for making the postseason are all covered once again with meticulous precision and proficiency by our master netminder, Chris.  ...

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso The wild and wooly MLB season continues as teams scramble to get into the playoffs. There are serious scintillating scenarios that stagger the most seasoned supporter as each play could send your team to the showers, or propel them into the postseason. Join Chris and Joe as they try valiantly to duck out of the way of the "high hard ones" and get back in...

The crew of the U.S.S Mint Condition are together, join James, John, Josh, Joe and new crew member Toby as they follow the Enterprise back in time to save First Contact from being prevented by the Borg. The crew discuss time travel, why was Lily not remembered, was the Borg Queen a good idea and what would Gene Roddenberry have thought about this movie. Grab your phaser and pulse rifles and rememb...

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso As the MLB and NFL seasons continue to give you "agita", remember October 7th is right around the corner. It is the glorious day when the NHL season begins, and the dreams of hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup in a packed arena, to the cheers of a raucous crowd, dance in one's head! Following up on our New York Rangers preview, Chris and Joe are back fo...

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso Chris and Joe are back at the Mint Sports Desk for another update on the impending end of the MLB season, and the forthcoming playoffs. Who's going to have the best record, win their divisions, and capture a wild card. And as the season heads to the warning track, seconds guesses abound, injuries continue to mount and confound (Have you heard the one about Ant...

Show notes provided by Joe Peluso It's been a while since the back door to Mincondition was open (digitally speaking), but with the seasons turning so have James and Joe returned with the latest informal confabs on the current status of the pop culture universe. And it might take a universe, or at least the Alpha Quadrant, to contain all the subjects approached in this episode! Wow! The guys p...