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.

 

The Robots of Westinghouse

The Pittsburgh-based company was at the forefront of robotic design and creation during the first half of the twentieth century, beginning with Herbert Televox and including Elektro the Moto-Man.

The Mop and Lucky Files

Review of the comedy web series that follows two unemployed females as they open an under-the-radar personal espionage service for women worried about their boyfriend’s fidelity.

Tekko and Japanese Pop Culture

The event chair for the 2013 edition of Tekko discusses the annual Pittsburgh convention and explains what it is about Japanese popular culture that people find so fascinating and appealing.

Yuri’s Night and the Final Frontier

Every April 12th, space exploration enthusiasts around the world honor Yuri Gagarin, who became the first human being to venture into the realms of outer space on that date in 1961.

Death Star PR

Review of the Star Wars-inspired comedy web series about a small public relations team onboard the Death Star, who are charged with putting a positive spin on the Empire’s treacherous actions.

Allegheny City and the Silent Film Era

The present-day North Side of Pittsburgh was the birthplace of two stars of the silent film era of Hollywood, actor Thomas Meighan and the first American-born female director, Lois Weber.

The Art of Robots

Pittsburgh has not one but two local artists who specialize in robotic artwork, Toby Atticus Fraley and Don L. Jones, and their creative achievements have appeared throughout the city.

The Beginnings of the USS Inferno

The Pittsburgh chapter of STARFLEET: The International Star Trek Fan Association was formed in 2004, an offshoot of various similar Star Trek clubs that existed in the 1990s.

Dirigible Days

Review of the Steampunk-themed web series that shares similarities with the creations of George Lucas and Joss Whedon while likewise remaining original and entertaining in its own right.

The Avengers: Peril in Pittsburgh

The Avengers, including Captain America, Iron Man, Ms. Marvel, and the Falcon, visited Pittsburgh in 1980 in a storyline that tied into Thor’s stopover in the Steel City during the 1960s.

The Amazing Spider-Man: Growing Pains

Mary Jane Watson’s connections to Pittsburgh were revealed when Spider-Man visited the Steel City in 1987, resulting in a battle with a Spider-Slayer on Mt. Washington.

Pittsburgh and the Birth of the Film Industry

Film historian Michael Aronson explores the Steel City’s role in the early days of the motion picture industry in Nickelodeon City: Pittsburgh at the Movies, including the first movie theater.