Episode 134 – Doonesbury: The Long Road Home and The War Within

Content warning: Depictions of wartime violence and PTSD symptoms are discussed.

In this episode, we discuss one of the most acclaimed storylines from the Pulitzer Prize-winning comic strip Doonesbury, as collected in The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time and The War Within: One More Step at a Time, published by Andrews McMeel!

These strips follow the physical and emotional ordeal of long-running character B.D., who loses his leg (and his signature helmet) while serving in the Iraq War. After undergoing painful physical therapy and receiving a new prosthetic leg, he returns home, where he begins showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, including nightmares and increasingly heavy drinking.

With the help of his family and friends—and his counselor Elias, a fellow veteran and amputee—can B.D. confront his memories of that fateful day in Fallujah? And will this acclaimed narrative be awarded that badge of honor known as … The Comics Canon?

In This Episode:

  • Our YUGE! episode
  • A brief history of Doonesbury
  • Iron Maiden vs. Queensrÿche
  • That third act reveal, though
  • Mel’s Story: Surviving Military Sexual Assault
  • Beta Ray Bill (2021) #1

Join us in two weeks when we discuss Wonder Woman (2011) Vol. 1: Blood!

Until then:
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