Anthony Letizia

Anthony Letizia has been many things through the years, including an accountant, journalist, and playwright. From June 2014 to May 2019, he served on the board – as well as treasurer – of the ToonSeum, a nonprofit museum of the cartoon and comic arts in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While there, Letizia curated two exhibits, “To Boldly Go: The Graphic Art of Star Trek” (October 2016 to January 2017) and “Popology: An Exhibit of Pop Culture and Comics” (September 2017 to November 2017), as well as co-curated “Wonder Woman: Visions” (November 2017 to February 2018).

After a decades-long hiatus, Anthony Letizia completed his M.A. in History at Duquesne University in December 2024. He has used his history background to make a number of presentations in recent years on the ways that popular culture intersects with the real world. The list includes: “Superheroes Battle Pollution on the First Earth Day” poster presentation as part of the Comics Arts Conference at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2024; “DC Comics and August 1986” at the Popular Culture Association Conference in Chicago in March 2024; and “Green Arrow as Social Justice Warrior” as part of the Comics Arts Conference at WonderCon in Anaheim in March 2023. He also organized/moderated a panel at the Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle in August 2022 entitled “A Green Arrow History of Seattle” and made a brief “Marvel Comics History of the 1960s” presentation at the virtual Popular Culture Association conference in April 2022.

Although still an accountant by day, at night Anthony Letizia is a strong proponent and true believer in the power of Geek Culture. He can be reached at anthony@geekfrontiers.com.

 

Congressman James Fulton and U.S. Space Policy

The Pittsburgh area congressmen served on the House Science and Astronautics Committee in the 1960s and helped ensure funding for both Apollo lunar missions and Space Shuttle program.

Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance Man

The traveling exhibit explored the genius of Leonardo da Vinci through the re-creation of the inventions that he imagined while likewise exploring the intersection between art and science.

She Kills Monsters (and Slays Dragons)

The Dungeons and Dragons-themed play is a reflection of contemporary times as much as it is homage to Geek Culture, as well as fitting portrayal of the power of stories in everyday lives.

Ruth E. Carter: Heroes and Sheroes

The ongoing career of the African American costume designer was showcased at the Senator John Heinz History Center in late 2018, just months before her first Oscar win for Black Panther.

Toys of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s

The traveling exhibit is filled with nostalgic memories for young and old alike, and features such iconic treasurers as Barbie, G.I. Joe, Mr. Potato Head, Tonka trucks and Hot Wheels.

To Boldly Go: The Graphic Art of Star Trek

An October 2016 exhibit at the ToonSeum in Pittsburgh celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the iconic sci-fi franchise with original comic art and a spotlighted its connection to the Steel City.

Pittsburgh and World War II: We Can Do It!

A 2015 exhibit at the Senator John Heinz History Center paid homage to the city’s manufacturing role during World War II, as well as the men and women who contributed to the war effort.

Bertha Lamme: Pioneering Westinghouse Engineer

The first American woman to earn a degree in mechanical engineering was briefly employed at Westinghouse at the end of the nineteenth century and is spotlighted at the Heinz History Center.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Lectures on Spiritualism

The creator of Sherlock Holmes visited Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Music Hall in April 1923 as part of a North American lecture tour that focused on his belief in séances and the spirit world.

The Secret Star Wars Cantina of London

Secret Cinema coupled its summer 2015 screenings of The Empire Strikes Back in London, England, with interactive reconstructions of Mos Eisley and the Death Star from Star Wars.

The Legends of Glastonbury

King Arthur and Joseph of Arimathea have direct ties to the small English town of Glastonbury, which is thought to be the Isle of Avalon and the final resting place of Arthur and the Holy Grail.

The Beatles and Liverpool

The famous rock group retains a prominent presence within their hometown, with tours, statues, bars, restaurants, and The Beatles Story museum all catering to the many fans who visit the city.