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.

 

Godzilla: Seattle Under Siege

In issue two of the 1977 Marvel comic, Godzilla sets his sights on Seattle, and only Dum-Dum Dugan of S.H.I.E.L.D. can stop the King of the Monsters from toppling the Space Needle.

Wolverine Mechanical Toys

Because of its popular Sandy Andy, the Wolverine Supply & Manufacturing Company in Pittsburgh was one of the leading toy companies during the first half of the twentieth century.

Pittsburgh and the Video Game Apocalypse

The Steel City made its second post-apocalyptic appearance in the 2013 video game The Last of Us, which followed a 2009 add-on for Fallout 3 and featured many familiar local landmarks.

The Birth of Wizard Rock

The musical genre inspired by Harry Potter evolved from a 2002 performance by two brothers who dubbed themselves Harry and the Potters, and quickly became a fandom phenomenon.

Wizard Rock and Social Activism

The musical genre inspired by the Harry Potter book and film series contains a social activist component not only within its songs but through the charity work of the bands as well.

Kaiju vs. Heroes and the Journey of Mark Nagata

A 2019 exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles featured action figures from the collection of Mark Nagata, whose life’s path was profoundly affected by them.

From Pittsburgh to the Moon

Companies and natives from the Pittsburgh region played instrumental roles in the success of the Apollo 11 moon landing, from construction of the Lunar Module to the plaque on its ladder.

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.