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I’ve been writing about pop culture for almost 20 years and I can’t imagine stopping any time soon. Here you’ll find all of my current articles and an archive of the stuff I wrote for my defunct site, Branded in the 80s.
The Complete Trend Stinky Stickers of the 80s
In the 80s there was probably no sticker more ubiquitous than the Trend Enterprises Stinky...
Completing the Set 30 Years Later
Nostalgia is a tricky wicket, and when you mix the obsession of collecting into the mix it can...
Future Cyborg Fan #17CFC772 Reporting for Duty!
Two and a half years ago I was introduced to the world of Future Cyborg and my activity on...
Peel Here 128: The Return of the TMNT!
While putting together the last Peel Here piece on some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stickers I...
Peel Here 127: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
Diving back into some sticker fun here at Branded, I thought it would be fun to break out this...
Now Playing: 30 Years of Cinema Advertising
Over the past year, 1984 Publishing and author/ex-Fangoria editor Michael Gingold have released...
We’re All in the G.D. Club!
On August 22nd, 1987 I saw a movie that changed my life. I didn't realize at the time how much...
Peel Here 126: BMX stickers are Rad
I'll be the first person to admit that most times Hallmark non-branded stickers from the 80s...
Of Hype and Closure…
It's funny, having just written a piece riffing on the idea that I don't "go in" for many...
Peel Here 125: Mom Stickers
When you find yourself perusing the internet looking for 30 year-old stickers, sometimes you...
Peel Here 124: Pass the Mustard
You know what I haven't talked about in a long time? Stickers. In the early days of this site I...
Why I Hope Cobra Kai Never Dies…
I tend to sidestep talk of modern nostalgia-themed pop culture here at Branded because nine...
A Closer look at Conky-2000
I've been a fan of Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) since I first saw his HBO special with my...
The Allusions of Pop Culture
Most times when I watch movies and TV I can't help but go into a sort of Knight Rider-esque...
Mementos from the Abyss
If there's one thing that running an 80s-themed website has taught me over the last 13 years...
Wax Paper Pop Art #36: Zero Heroes!
It's been a few years since I added an entry into my wax wrapper museum here at Branded, but I...
Party at Ground Zero
When it comes to Branded, I typically like to stick to writing and reminiscing about the late...
If You Build It, They will Rent…
There are a million things that I love about my wife, but one of the things that I am coming to...
Parenting Advice from a Ghostbuster
To say that I have been through some "change of life" events over the past few years would be...
Making Due with G.I. Joe
We live in a pretty amazing time when it comes to pop culture fandom. It seems like these days...
Bootlegging Dreams Into Reality
The world is a very weird and wonderful place sometimes, and on occasion a convergence occurs...
It’s the End, the End of the Century
Wall to, wall-to-wall toys, Lets Go! Wall to, wall-to-wall toys, Lets Go! Wall to, wall-to-wall...
An Ecstasy of Ghoulish Visions
I first stumbled on the work of Gary Pullin a few years ago when we crossed paths on social...
Finding the “Truth” in Collecting
I've been thinking a lot lately about how and why I collect. Whether it's refining and...
Going Back to Next Saturday Morning…in 1985!
I've written before about a personal hole in my pop culture nostalgia when it comes to certain...
The warm embrace of the 80s, literally.
As a kid growing up in Florida for most of my formative years, winter was more of a concept...
Totally Awesome: The Greatest Cartoons of the 80s is, well, Totally AWESOME
Over the past year Publisher Insight Editions has comes across my radar a lot. In addition to...
Walter Kellog Cereal Detective (Branded Podcast Archive)
On this new episode of the Branded in the 80s podcast I’m going to attempt to solve a mystery,...
Masters of the Universe Vs The A-Team: Or What’s in a Pose Anyway…
One of the aspects that I adore about collecting and sifting through 80s era ephemera is...
Clearing the guilt cache, or Fortress Maximus is the MAXIMEST!
I want to preface this piece by bringing up a simple fact. Sometimes real life sucks. It's...