This week we dive into the origin of the controversial comic artist Mike Diana, who sought to create the "most offense zine ever made." A listener email explains how the release of a million balloons over the skies of Cleveland led to civilian deaths.

Episode Tabs:

Mike Diana Comics (TRIGGER WARNING!)

https://mikedianacomix.com/

Listener Tabs:

When Cleveland Released 1.5 million Balloons and Two Men Died

https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/cleveland-balloons-1986/

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This week Hannah discusses the superstitions surrounding the year of the Fire Horse which began after a young girl tried to burn down Tokyo for love. A listener email reveals the hidden life of Yoplait Mimes.

Come see us at C2E2!

Artist Alley R-07

Episode Tabs:

Yaoya Oshichi: The Girl Who Tried to Burn Down Tokyo For Love

https://www.amusingplanet.com/2025/10/yaoya-oshichi-girl-who-tried-to-burn.html

Listener Tabs:

Dancers Don New Colors

https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/07/25/dancers-don-new-colors/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this very special Nowruz episode, Kaveh explains the origin of his snake shoulder fighting namesake from the Shahnameh. A listener voice memo gets into how Mendez v. Westminster overlaps with some of our previous tabs.

Episode Tabs:

Zahhāk: An Etiology of Evil

https://themarkaz.org/zahhak-an-etiology-of-evil/

Listener Tabs:

Sylvia Mendez

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sylvia-Mendez

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.