Well folks, the month of October is almost upon us, and before I slip into a daze of daily ghoulish shenanigans, I thought I'd squeeze in one more PCP update.  I feel very lucky to have gotten a chance to meet a bunch of people because of this website and the projects it's led me to, but there are still a handful of folks I've yet to meet in person.  Of these people I'd really like to get a chance to say hello and give a hearty handshake to is the one and only Ted Seko!

Probably one of the most sincere and thoughtful people in comics, Ted is really one in a million.  I've been listening to his creative process podcast, the Idiot Engine, for almost three years now and I'm always taken by his perspective on creating comics and telling stories.  He's also one hell of a cartoonist, both in comics and animation.  His style is energy and excitement personified in a way that's so much more instinctual than a lot of his contemporaries.

I could literally gush about this man's work for hours, but I wanted to point to how much of a mensch Ted is when he pitched in to help out the Up! Fair last year.  We had put out a call to artists and friends about donating pieces of art for a gallery showing and an auction to benefit the show and Ted surprised us all by sending in a one of a kind comic book that was completely illustrated and bound by hand.  And it was awesome.  That was way above and beyond and it's just another example of how cool this guy is. 

If you get a chance, I highly suggest heading on over to download some episodes of his podcast, watch some of his cartoons, and take a look at his artwork.  This guy is the real deal!

Alright, it's about time for another Mail-Out session of the Branded in the 80s Post Card Project!  This time around I have a special treat just in time for the Halloween season as I've scored a copy of the 1985 Fangoria Magazine postcard issue!

It took me awhile to find an affordable copy of this beauty (when I was scoping it out copies were selling for upwards of $50 each, though now it seems they're popping up at more reasonable prices.)  Anyway, I was really excited to get my grubby little hands on these vintage postcards, though to be 100% honest, I was a little confused by what I found between the covers.  This issue boasts at offering "24 Incredibly Gross Full Color Postcards!"  I can vouch for their full color-ness, but the gross to not-so-much-so ratio is a bit off.  Anyway, that isn't to say that these aren't a batch of fun cards, because they are in fact really fun.

I have decided in the interest of those with weak constitutions and those with inflated expectations of gore, that I should temper this mail-out with some catagories to pick from.  Basically I've deemed that there are 13 fun horror themed cards, 7 truly gory cards, and 4 cards that are barely scraping by to be considered horror or Halloween-y related at all (these four were filed under the Scream Queen category in the magazine, but even so the picture choices were very weird.)  So, on a fist come, first serve basis I'll be sending these out, but it's important that when requesting a postcard you state whether you want a regular one, a gory one, or one of the not-so-horror scream queen cards.  I'll keep this post updated with what's available below...

So if you'd like to received a bona fide 26 year-old vintage horror postcard in the mail directly from Branded in the 80s, send me an email with "Fangoria Postcards" in the subject line.  Be sure to include your name and snail mail address, as well as which type of postcard you'd like to receive.  As with the first and second wave's participants, if you'd like to take some photos with the postcard, you can send 'em in and I'll post them here and on the Branded Facebook page with a shout out to your blog or website.

Normal Horror = 3

Really Gory = All Gone

Scream Queens = All Gone

Oh, and in case you were wondering why Fangoria decided to release a postcard issue, the explanation is below in the magazine introduction.  Apparently it had something to do with the convergence of 80s rock, the WWF, horror movies, and aliens?!?  At least they gave us a flow chart to try and understand the reasoning…

This week's PCP spotlight is on Carlin "CT" from Nerd Lunch!

I think I originally got to know CT through twitter a couple years ago, but I've been keeping up with the Nerd Lunch website ever since.  CT was a big supporter of the Up! Fair, the alternative/indie comics show that I helped put together back at the tail end of 2010.  He graciously donated a bunch of copies of his short film that we gave out in our swag bag at the show.  He's also one of the hosts of the newly launched Nerd Lunch podcast (along with another NL alum Jeeg and Paxton from the Cavalcade of Awesome.)  As I mentioned earlier, I was a guest on the second episode where we all got geeky about the Back to the Future flicks.

If you're into all things geeky and nerdy, whether it be comic books, films, or even lunch, you should check out Nerd Lunch.  Tell 'em I sent ya!

In the immortal words of Ferris Buller, "Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."  Generally an apt comment on the day to day, it's really been the tone regarding my time/website ratio lately.  More specifically, I've been neglecting it in lieu of crazy life junk.  That being said, October is looming and I plan on jumping back into Branded with another Countdown to Halloween Branded blog-a-thon.  I also wanted to get back in the groove of posting PostCard Project updates as I think it's time for another round of vintage postcard goodness to coincide with the Halloween season.

Today I'd like to highlight the ever amazing talents of one Paxton from the Cavalcade of Awesome!

Longtime readers have no doubt heard me mention his site before, in particular during a cross-over event we did last summer where we investigated the concept of unofficial movie trilogies (with Pax linking up some party animal, ninja, and break dancing flicks while I connected the dots between the furious fists of Ralph Macchio, some extreme sports movies, and the musical violence of Walter Hill.)  Pax's Cavalcade of Awesome, in particular his keen comic writing voice, is always inspiring me to up my game and I've always enjoyed discussing geeky stuff in the comments sections of our sites.

Paxton also recently joined up with CT and Jeeg over at Nerd Lunch to start recording the official Nerd Lunch podcast.  I was graciously invited to sit in on their revolving 4th chair for their second episode where we discussed the in's and out's of the Back to the Future flicks.

So if you get a second and want to have your mind blown with awesome, stop by Pax's site.  You'll be glad you did!

It's been a little while, but the Post Card Project is back with a new reader to highlight.  Today I'd like to point to international (Montreal, Canada) reader Sarah, who you might know as Ladyjaye in the comments here at Branded.  She's been with the site for awhile and has always been a source of great conversation!

She was cool enough to make the trek out to the Eidos, Square Enix Montreal office with the TMNT postcard I sent a while back. Now I can say that at least my penmanship has made it out to Square!  Sarah runs a fun Tumblr site called Dancin' with my Mirror that features a ton of cool geeky stuff, and if you've got a second, head on over and introduce yourself to her site.  You'll be glad you did!

It's time for another PCP spotlight, and this week it's on Jason who runs the great pop culture cartoon blog Saturday World.com!

I've had a lot of fun conversing with Jason on twitter, and he's always reminding me of cartoons I hadn't thought about in years.  If you get a second, check out his site and if you dig cartoons as much as I do, I'm positive that there'll be something that'll spark a fond memory or ten…

Catching back up with the Post Card Project, today's feature is on Jason who has a great toy and pop culture site called simply enough Jason Vorhees' Blog…

At the time I sent out the cards I didn't realize that Jason's favorite character was Donatello, so he ended up getting a Mikey card, but regardless I'm happy that through this project I was able to find a new site to frequent.  Jason's got a really down to Earth yet passionate take on pop culture, and I've had a blast reading along with his observations as he shares his various toy and ephemera finds.  If you get a second, head on over and check out his site!

It's hard to see it, but he's got quite a nice TMNT and toy collection behind him in the photo.  In particular I see some Robo Force figures up top that warm my heart a bit...

Today's PCP spotlight is on Jose Gonzales, one of the nicest and most supportive people I've ever met online.  I first got a chance to chat with Jose years ago via the Art & Story podcast as we were both avid listeners and part of the same Twitter circle. I've also gotten a chance to see Jose grow as an artist through his site The Mad Scientist's Art Laboratory, which has been really cool.

For his picture with the TMNT postcard I sent out earlier in the year, Jose pulled out all the stops and broke out his samurai sword for a photo-op.  Leonardo would be proud!

If you get a chance, seek out Jose in Twitter, or take a gander at some of his artwork on his site.  You'll be glad you did!

Today's PCP spotlight is on Micki who hails from the other side of the pond, all the way over in Spain!  Micki runs a site called El Escalon Imaginario, and though there's a bit of a language barrier, just one look at his scans and photos and I know our Venn diagram of overlapping interests is practically a solid circle.  Hell, in the picture he sent he's reading his postcard with a severed hand!  Now that's style…

Also, if you look closely in the above picture you'll see some pretty cool stuff.  In addition to the severed hand prop I spied a Super Mario Bros pin, Zuul, He-Man's power sword, and a Breakfast Club poster…

I also really dig his graphic design style on the site, in particular his header.  If I'm getting the point correctly, with the picture of Humpty Dumpty on the wall and all the cool stuff underneath, then the implication is that after Humpty fell all sorts of awesome 80s and 90s era stuff fell out.  That is pretty darn cool.  I also love that he managed to Photoshop a portion of the TMNT postcard I send into an Ozzy Ozbourne record cover almost perfectly.

So if you get a second and want to get lost in the archives of an awesome Spanish blog, head on over to El Escalon Imaginario (oh, and Google translate is a great tool for getting over the language barrier…)

Today's PCP spotlight is on J.C & Leslie Beirau, a couple of cool folks out of Ohio that have an appreciation for all things geeky and nostalgic.  J.C., potentially better known as the Claymation Werewolf, has recently started writing for the The Retroist's website as well as hosting a blog called the CW Digital Digest…

Check out that awesome pumpkin-topped watertower in the background!  Apparently there is a witchy/halloweeny theme going on in their town which makes me so jealous!

If you get a chance, check out J.C.'s alternate retro-histories at the Retroist!

Before I get into the spotlight I just wanted to say thanks to all the wonderful folks who requested one of the second wave DC Comics postcards!  Every single one of them has been spoken for, including the oddly specific Christmas, Birthday and Get Well Soon cards.  I'll be sending the last batch out today so you should all be receiving them within a week or so.  Remember, if you want you can take some pictures with the card and send them on in with a link to your blog or what-have-you and I'll make sure to spotlight you on an upcoming edition of the PCP.  Oh, and if you wanted a card but didn't get a request in on time, don't fret, in the coming months I'll have another wave that I'm super excited about.  They're a bit older than the 80s, but the cards are tied into the origin of one of my favorite things from my childhood so it should be fun!

Today's PCP spotlight is on TL from the ever awesome Neighborhoodarchive.com. I first got to know TL through one of his other sites, Flashlights are Something to Eat, which features some blasts from the past that are dear to my heart.  He's got a great eye for detail (check out some of his movie scene breakdowns), and some great observations on the pop culture of the 70s and 80s.

TL's heart seems to lie with championing the work of Fred Rogers, which is a worthy cause in my book.  I was lucky enough that TL took a stroll into the Neighborhood of Make-Believe with the TMNT postcard I sent out, and he even got a second with King Friday.  I think his majesty was a bit disappointed that the card wasn't mailed directly to him, but at the end of the day everyone got a chance to see Donatello kicking Rocksteady's butt a little, so it's all good…

If you get a chance, make sure to head on over to some of TL's sites and don't forget to check out his Mr. Rogers podcast.  You'll be glad you did!

Well, I had a blast with the first run of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vintage postcards, and since there are a slew of super hero flicks coming to the theater this summer I thought it'd be a good time to start up the second run of the Post Card Project!  I've been digging around and I managed to find another fun vintage book of branded postcards, the DC Super Heroes PC Book from 1981.  These have been floating around for the last 30 years just waiting to be mailed out into the world.  The book features 28 cards with a bunch of the characters from the DC Universe with an obvious emphasis on Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman.

Again I have 23 postcards up for grabs (5 of the original 28 are Get Well Soon, Birthday and Christmas cards), so if you'd like to received a bona fide 30 year-old vintage postcard in the mail directly from Branded in the 80s, send me an email with "DC Super Heroes Post Card" in the subject line. Be sure to include your name and snail mail address.  As with the first wave's participants, if you'd like to take some photos with the postcard, you can send 'em in and I'll post them here and on the Branded Facebook page with a shout out to your blog or website.

Oh and if you do happen to want a Birthday, Christmas or Get Well Soon DC postcard, let me know and I'll send them out first come, first serve (I just figured they'd be sort of weird ones to send willy nilly.)

For this week's spotlight we're going to get a glimpse at one heck of a wonderfully strange kid…

Strange Kids Club is the brainchild of Rondal Scott III, and is a mecca for all sorts of cool, obscure wonderment from nostalgia and art, to animation and the outright bizarre.  In the photo above we get a chance to see club member number 1, Strange Kid, with the weirdest of the postcards that I had to send (featuring a picture that looks a lot like Shredder is proposing to Krang.)

So if you get a chance, head on over to the clubhouse and take a look around.  I'm positive there will be something to entice you.

Oh and Rondal is also spearheading his first SKC comic anthology with a great roster of artists, and one heck of an amazing cover by Brent Endstrom!  Click on the artwork above and snag yourself a copy!

For the second reader spotlight we have to go all the way over the pond to the UK to visit Mark Gabler.  Mark was a little camera shy, but it's cool because he made sure Danger Mouse and his trusty sidekick hamster Penfold rescued the postcard from their pillar box headquarters!  It's a good thing to because Baron Greenback was looking to intercept it…

If anyone else would rather not show their mug on the site, that's cool.  Take pictures of the postcard around your town or pose it with some of your toys.  It's all about showcasing the readers.  Oh and if you have a website or blog to pimp, let me know that too…

A little over a month ago I was inspired by a contest held over at the Retroist as well as Eclectorama's traveling Spock campaign, and decided that I wanted to introduce a slightly more tactile section to Branded.  I'd been sitting on a great gift from a friend, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles book of postcards, and it just seemed like it might be fun to send out some vintage postcards to readers of the site.  I was really happy with the response and I ended up finding a home for all of the postcard and though it may have taken a little over 20 years, these cards finally completely their destiny traveling through the postal system to locations all over the world.  I also put out a call to everyone who received one, that they could send back a photo and I'd post it on the site with some link love.  So thus, a new column has been born, the Post Card Project.

The invitation is still open for anyone who received a card this past March, but I did receive a bunch of responses, so from time to time I'll be posting some pictures and highlighting readers of Branded in the 80s.  I'm also getting ready to announce a second installment of mailings as I've come across some other great vintage postcards that need to fulfill their postal destiny. 

Anywway, getting to the heart of the matter, today's postcard spotlight is on Christopher Tupa, an amazing artist, podcaster, and comics storyteller who hails from the great state of Texas (birthplace of yours truly)...

When Chris sent in this picture of his local classic movie theater I was all sorts of jealous.  There are no theaters around these parts that look that cool!

He also sent in some candid shots of the shell-heads in some more familiar environments…

If you get a chance, stop by and take a gander at some of Christopher's superb artwork (a lot of which tugs on the heart-strings of my childhood), as well as his blog where he talks about some of the cool stuff he finds in his area like toys, books and art.  If you're a fan of stuff like G.I. Joe, Knightrider, M.U.S.C.L.E.S., and the Goonies, stop by his store.  I have some of his original art and it's so much cooler in person!

**Update** Wow, I'm super stoked by the response to the postcards!  A bunch have found homes all over the world, but there are still some left.  So if you'd like to receive one and haven't written in yet, don't hesitate!

Over the holiday a great friend of the site and all around super gracious guy, HooveR, sent me a neat Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles postcard book.  It was originally published by Random House in 1990 and features 20-odd removable postcards with all sorts of characters from the cartoon iteration of TMNT.  While flipping through it the other day I decided that it could be really fun to finally use this book as it was intended, and it could be a fun way to connect with some readers of this site.  These postcards have sat dormant for almost 21 years and they're begging to be mailed out into the world…

The artwork on these is both kind of goofy and kind of awesome, and this weird dichotomy has to be shared.  So I've decided that for anyone who is interested in receiving one of these postcards, I'll mail one out to the first 24 people who send me an email with "TMNT Postcard" in the subject line.  I'll need a snail mail address to ship it to, and please, only one postcard request per address. 

I'd like to spread these out over the entire country if possible, and it would be super cool if, after receiveing the card you took a snapshot of yourself with it.  If I get any photos I'll make sure to post them on the site in a new column tentatively called Postcards From the 80s (or something catchier, I don't know.)

Here's an example of some of the cards…

So if you've ever wanted to get a piece of handwritten correspondence from me and Branded in the 80s, here's your chance, just click on the card below…