Happy Birthday Cuzz!

Today, I celebrate the birthday of my pal Cuzz Gekas. To most, he is Chuck, but our group had a Chuck, so Cuzz became Cuzz. Somehow, he really fits the Cuzz moniker.

I have known Cuzz for 20+ years. We have had a ton of great times together. We have also had ridiculous conversations, as well as deep ones. I always enjoy talking to Cuzz and learning from him, too. 

Cuzz has been a valuable part of Johngy's Beat for many years. He has patiently gone along to many comic cons. Aside from his help, I really appreciate the experiences we have had. I could always find another helper, but I could never find another Cuzz. I greatly appreciate him accompanying me, but I appreciate his friendship even more. That is what makes the events even more special.

I am sure Cuzz is celebrating somewhere today and I hope he enjoys it. I also hope we have many more adventures down the line.

Cuzz and me in Akron, OH-Summer 2016.

Looking Forward to Tammy Sytch at GLCW

I always cover Great Lakes Championship Wrestling's Blizzard Brawl, but a few weeks later, I will be back "On the Beat" in Wisconsin for Sunny Days, featuring Tammy Sytch. I wrote about it at Sunny Days Coming to Cedarburg, Wisconsin for Global Women's Sports Radio.

Like most wrestling fans, I was a big fan of Tammy bag in the day. In the mid 90s, she was not only the biggest thing in the WWF, she was the most downloaded female celebrity on AOL. Since then, she has had her share of troubles, but she always bounces back. She is tenacious for sure.

I always have a sot spot for Tammy. She has always treated me well. Tammy always treats all her fans well though.

As soon as GLCW announced Tammy would be appearing at Sunny Day, I immediately signed on to cover that event. Tammy doesn't make many midwest appearances and I was not going to miss this one.

Go to GreatLakesChampionshipWrestling.com for more info on Sunny Days and other GLCW events. Promoter and #SuperFriend David Herro and his crew always make every event a great time for all. I highly recommend starting the year with a Sunny Day.

Tammy Sytch and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2011.

On the Beat With Coach Tamara Inoue

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tamara Inoue, Head Coach of UC Irvine Women's basketball team, for Global Women's Sports Radio. Our interview can be found at On the Beat With Tamara Inoue.

Coach Inoue is in her sixth season leading the UC Irvine women's basketball program. Despite the time crunch of a busy pre-season schedule, Coach Inoue was gracious enough to give me her time for an interview.

Coach Inoue took over the UCI program for the 2016-17 season, inheriting a team that won 12 games over the previous two seasons. In her first season leading the Anteaters, the team went 5-26. The team quickly found success though, going 65-52 in the next four seasons, including reaching the Big West Tournament championship game last season. For her efforts last season, Inoue was named 2020-21 Big West Co-Coach of the Year.

Inoue had an interesting patch to UCI. A player at Laguna Hills High School, she was later inducted into the Hawks' Hall of Fame. She went on to play at Long Beach State University and also earned a degree in Criminal Justice. She then went to Australia to play and coach for six years. An injury cut short her playing career, but not her coaching. She earned Coach of the Year honors in Australia's Victorian Basketball League in 2006-07 and won the national championship the next season. Returning to the United States, Inoue had a couple coaching stints prior to joining UCI.

In our interview, Coach Inoue discussed her start in coaching, her Australian experience, her biggest coaching challenge, recruiting and more. She also gave a scouting report on the Anteaters. Of course, Coach Inoue did not make predictions, but coming off a second place finish with a conference record of 11-4, (15-9 overall), the Anteaters should be in the Big West title race again. Coach Inoue did say her team is young and the early season will be tough, but she likes it that way.

The Anteaters open the 2021-22 season on Tuesday, November 9 hosting Westcliff University. They have two more home games against Southern Utah and San Diego State before they hit the road.

I greatly appreciate Coach Inoue's time in giving us this interview. We plan to get an update from Coach Inoue during the season. Until then, we wish much success to the Anteaters.

On the Beat With Stephanie Han

Through Global Women's Sports Radio, I had the pleasure to be "On the Beat" with boxer Stephanie Han. With a fight just a few days away on Saturday, October 30, Stephanie was gracious enough to give me a few minutes of her time to talk about her life and the upcoming match, despite her busy training schedule and life.

"The Enforcer" comes from a family of fighters. When Stephanie steps in the ring Saturday, it will be her first pro fight, but she basically has been training for this her whole life. With a father and siblings all in boxing, it was the natural path for Stephanie to take. Stephanie brings a lifetime of training experience into her match with Amy "La Picosita" Salinas on Saturday.

Five days from the fight, Stephanie is completely focused. Even in the interview, you can see her intensity. When I asked Stephanie about her boxing style, she chose to keep that under wraps for now, preferring to let her opponent find out Saturday. Why potentially give away any strategy? That's a true competitor. Stephanie also talked about her start in boxing, the potential pressures because of her boxing family, her training, her mindset and more.

Our interview can be found at On the Beat With Stephanie Han. You can watch her match and the rest at Boxing Fright Night on Facebook Live starting at 6:00 p.m.

Chicago Blitz Coach Sidney Lewis Loves Johngy's Beat

Earlier this year, I attended a Chicago Blitz practice session. I interviewed Coach Sidney Lewis and several players. That set of interviews can be found at On the Beat With the Chicago Blitz. After the interview, Coach Sid was kind enough to do a promo for Johngy's Beat.

Coach Sid has a tough job ahead. The (rebranded) X League hasn't played in two years. He is also following the legendary Coach Keith Hac, who guided the Bliss to four LFL championships.

No announcements have been made recently about the return of the X League. I think it wil return in some form at least. I hope Coach Sid is still there, because he's a good guy and a solid coach. I am interested to see what he can do with a whole new Blitz squad.

I have my eyes on the situation and will report back here when anything develops. Let's hope the Blitz take the field for real in 2022.

New York Comic Con 2021

I have attended many comic cons over the years, but this was my first time at New York City Comic Con. While I heard great things about NYCC, it surpassed all of my expectations and hopes. It was simply amazing.

After arriving midday Thursday, I spent most of the first day catching up with my creator friends Sara Richard, Ali Cantarelli, Dirk Manning, Art Baltazar, Franco, Victor Dandridge, Tom Richmond, K Lynn Smith, Tom Cook, Terry Huddleston and more. It was a fun way to ease back into the comic con scene and get the lay of the land at NYCC.

Over the long weekend, I spent a good deal of time at Michael Kingston's Headlocked Comic booth. A realistic comic series about the world of pro wrestling, Headlocked has several books, along with the support of the wrestling community. As usual, Headlocked's booth had several wrestling legends, including Jerry "The King" Lawler, Jim Ross, Jake "The Snake" Roberts and the crew from the Major Wrestling Figure Podcast Matt Cardona, Brian Myers and Marc Sterling. Michael also gave me a quick update on what's new with the Headlocked series. All of the stars here were awesome, making each fan's encounter special.

All Elite Wrestling had a rotating bunch of wrestlers. My schedule limited me to only meet Kris Statlander and announcer Tony Schiavone. Both were great, but I spent more time with Tony, who was promoting Butts in Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story, a graphic biographical novel he did with Dirk Manning.

The Highspots Superstore had a few wrestlers. I talked to Danhausen about his career and his creator father Brian, whom I have met several times at other comic cons. I also met Orange Cassidy, who stayed in character the entire time. It was cool to see him being old school and keeping kayfabe alive.

I met one more wrestler and he was a major one. WWE legend John Cena had a huge line of fans for his photo-op and signing sessions. Unfortunately, the photo- op had the plastic divider, but that's what happens in a pandemic.

On Friday, I debuted the limited edition Cantarella Ink Johngy shirt. Fellow Chicagoan Ali Cantarella created her version of the Johngy character and I put it on a shirt. Of course, while wearing the shirt, I had to get a picture with her.

I got an update interview with Lady Sara Richard. I have done many interviews with Sara over the last decade or so. She was one of my first comic con interviews and remains among my very favorite creators. As she relates in the interview, she has a lot going on. Sara's and Michael's interviews can be found on the Johngy's Beat YouTube channel.

On Saturday, I met with Ashley Prester, an east coast pal of mine. Ashley was kind enough to help me get some pictures for this report. It was also great catching up and seeing him. Ashley attended several panels and picked up a few new collectibles.

I also want to thank the fine folks at the Conrad Midtown. Located about a mile away from the Javits Center, it was the perfect place for my stay. I took a different route to and from every day, which allowed me to soak in the Times Square and surrounding areas vibes. The hotel was fantastic, with a friendly and helpful staff. I even squeezed in a workout at their fitness center, which had a heavy bag. I have never seen a heavy bag in a hotel and I made the most of it. Of course, that was only one of the many great features. The bed was dreamy, the shower hot and powerful, the views amazing and the whole experience just a pleasure.

The weekend flew too quickly, but I packed a lot of fun into the four days. I am already looking forward to returning for New York Comic Con 2022. Go to NewYorkComicCon.com for more info and updates and go to C2E2.com for info on that comic con, also from the fine folks at ReedPop. Also check back here for my recurring coverage.

Ashley Prester and me in New York, NY-October 2021.

Friend Encounters: Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross and Michael Kingston

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

When does a person become a celebrity? Perhaps I should ask Michael Kingston. Over the last several years, Michael Michael has become a celebrity.

Several years ago, Michael started Headlocked, a realistic comic about wrestling. Not satisfied with wrestling comics of the day, Michael set out to produce a wrestling comic which was more like the real world of wrestling. Other comics had wrestlers with super human or super natural powers. Michael felt wrestling was interesting enough on its own and wanted to expose that world to readers. Headlocked was born and Michael has been entertaining readers ever since.

Wrestlers and the wrestling community quickly started getting on the Headlocked bandwagon. Jerry "The King" Lawler did cover art and many other wrestlers contributed along the way.

When Michael goes to comic cons, the Headlocked booth always has a roster of legendary wrestlers. At New York Comic Con, Rob Van Dam, Katie Forbes, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, the Major Wrestling Figure Podcast crew, Jerry "The King" Lawler and Jim Ross all appeared at his booth. That lineup is a wrestling convention in itself.

Then there was Michael, right in the middle of it all, with many Headlocked issues on his resume. Michael's achievements clearly have vaulted him onto a different level. Before all of this started, Michael was a bright guy with a dream. Now he is an accomplished author surrounded by wrestling legends. At some point, Michael has joined the wrestling legend category.

You don't have to be an actual wrestler to be in that club. Referees, announcers and others are wrestling celebrities. Creators are in that group, too. Michael is creating wrestling history.

Celebrity or not, Michael is a great guy. He alsways has time for a quick chat and update and he always has a lot going on. Success and celebdom couldn't happen to a better guy. He deserves all the success he has.

Check HeadlockedComic.com for all the latest news. Check NewYorkComicCon.com for updates and scheduling on NYCC.

Jerry Lawler, Michael Kingston and Jim Ross in New York, NY-October 2021.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #560 Lexie Brown & Diamond DeShields

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. With my alphabetical romp through MLB finished, I turn my attention to other sports, especially the WNBA, where the Chicago Sky just won their first championship.

Second generation pro basketball player Lexie Brown is the daughter of former NBA player Dee Brown. After a successful career at the University of Maryland, Brown was selected by the Connecticut Sun with the ninth pick in the 2018 WNBA draft. After the 2018 season, she was traded to the Minnesota Lynx for Natisha Hiedeman. She played two seasons with the Lynx and signed with the Sky in 2021 as a free agent. For her career, Brown has averaged 4.8 points per game. Now she is a champion. Lexie sported a Chicago Bears Justin Fields #1 jersey for her Celebrity Jersey Card.

Diamond DeShields is also a second generation athlete. Her father Delino played many years in the MLB. Her brother Delino Jr. has played seven seasons in the MLB. Diamond starred at North Carolin and then Tennessee, before the Sky selected her with the third pick of the 2018 WNBA draft. In her four seasons, she has averaged 13.2 points per game, along with 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Like fellow champion teammate Lexie Brown, Diamond wore a Bears Justin Fields #1 jersey for her Celebrity Jersey Card.

On the Beat With Greg Peters at Wizard World 2021

My coverage of Wizard World Chicago 2021 concludes with Greg Peters. It was my first time meeting the talented animator.

Greg has an impressive resume stretching back ten years. He has worked on Dilbert, The Critic and so many other shows. If you'rea fan of animated series, you have certainly seen his work.

When I saw Greg was appearing at Wizard World, I immediately reached out to him. Animation fascinates me and animators are unsung heroes. Comics writers and voice actors are probably more well-known, but animators are crucial to the productions. This is why I wanted to get an introductory interview with Greg.

Once again, Joey Roth handled the interview duties. Greg talked about some of the many projects featuring his work, his start in his field and much more. Joey's interview with Greg can be found at On the Beat With Greg Peters at Wizard World 2021.

Look for Greg on social media and look for his name in the credits of many of your favorite animated series. Go to WizardWorld.com for the latest news and updates.

On the Beat With Sheryl Steines at Wizard World 2021

My coverage of Wizard World Chicago 2021 continues with Sheryl Steines, a local author. Sheryl was one of my first interviews at a comic con.

I first met and interviewed author Sheryl at Wizard World Chicago 2011. She had just released her first book, The Day of the First Sun, in November 2010 and I love following authors from their beginning. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Sheryl Steines at Wizard World 2011.

In total, Sheryl has written six books. Five are stories of magic and mystery. Another, Introvert to Sales Goddess delves into the challenges and process of an introvert succeeding in the business world. I have Sheryl's books on my bookshelf, but I need to add that last one.

I love Sheryl's books. They are perfect mixes of romance, fantasy, magic, mystery and more. Sheryl weaves elements in and out flawlessly. I'm not a huge fan of the magic and fantasy genre, but I really enjoy Sheryl's books. I think Sheryl writes beautiful stories, that happen to include magic, fantasy and the other elements. A well-written story in any genre is always a treat.

I also follow Sheryl online on her social media accounts. Sheryl is very open about her writing process. I find it immensely interesting to read of her struggles and success in writing. The writing process fascinates me and Sheryl puts hers on display much to my delight.

At the recent Wizard World, Joey Roth joined the Johngy's Beat crew and handled the interview with Sheryl.They discussed her books, her work process through the pandemic and more. Joey's interview with Sheryl is at On the Beat With Sheryl Steines at Wizard World 2021.

Go to SherylSteines.com for more info on Sheryl and her books. Check WizardWorld.com for the latest news and updates.

On the Beat With Travis Langley at Wizard World 2021

Today, I continue my coverage of Wizard World Chicago with author Dr. Travis Langley. This was my first time meeting Dr. Langley.

While researching the guest list at Wizard World, I came across Dr. Langley and was intrigued. His focus on the psychology of Batman, The Joker and more in his books is a really great and fresh angle. As a Professor of Psychology at Henderson State University, Dr. Langley brings a wealth of knowledge to the subject. The combination of psychology and comics produces entertaining and informative results.

I meet a lot of authors at conventions. I write about my favorite ones and ones I think my readers will enjoy. TI'm a newcomer t the work of Dr. Langley, but I will be diving into his books soon. I haven't been this excited about discovering an author in a while.

Once again, Joey Roth joined the Johngy's Beat crew to interview Dr. Langley. In the interview, Dr. Langley discussed his writing process during the pandemic, using the field of psychology to look at comics and more. Joey's interview with Dr. Langley is at On the Beat With Travis Langley at Wizard World 2021.

Go to TravisLangley.info for more news on Dr. Langley. Also, check WizardWorld.com for the latest news and updates.

On the Beat With Victor Dandridge Jr. at Wizard World 2021

My coverage of Wizard World 2021 continues with an old favorite. Victor Dandridge Jr. calls himself "the hardest working man in comics" and I can't argue with him. I also ask him about it in our interview, but more on that later.

I met Victor many years ago and was amazed at his work. Soon after that first meeting, I did an interview with him, which can be found at On the Beat With Victor Dandridge at Wizard World 2013.

A lot has happened since then. Victor has cemented himself as a true force in the comics industry and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. I have seen Victor many times at comic cons and he always has time to catch up, despite his insanely busy schedule.

Victor doesn't just create comics. He promotes comics,, helps comics writers, engages comics fans and basically is one of the faces of comics. Some of that happens through Vantage: Inhouse Productions. Since he is the hardest working man in comics, I'll let him explain what Vantage: Inhouse Productions is.

Vantage:Inhouse Productions is the creator-owned imprint of Victor Dandridge. Launched in 2011, V:IP has published some of the most thought provoking and engaging properties to come out of the small press, including the award-winning all-ages title, Wonder Care Presents: The Kinder Guardians, best-selling hit, The Samaritan, and the critically acclaimed series Origins Unknown, The Trouble w/Love, as well as the sci-fi novella, 8 Mins.

In addition to entertaining, Vantage:Inhouse aims to encourage and inspire future creators through its U Cre-8 Comics brand, an education-based line of products and programming designed to bridge comics with classroom fundamentals.

h so many projects in the works, V:IP will continue to be one of the leading voices in small-press publishing and MORE!!

The Vantage: Inhouse Productions website has so much great comics greatness. You can buy comics, see comics, get comics help and more. I write a lot about athletes growing their sport and passing it to future generations. Victor is doing the same in the comics world and we are all better for it.

My interview with Victor can be found at On the Beat With Victor Dandridge at Wizard World 2021. Check back here tomorrow for more Wizard World coverage. Also, check WizardWorld.com for the latest news and updates. Besure to check out vantageinhouse.com to see all of his great work and latest projects.

On the Beat With Gianna Belcastro at Wizard World 2021

Gianna Belcastro and her Women's Sports Matter podcast have been on my radar for a while now. I wanted to talk to Gianna about her projects and this weekend at Wizard World, I had the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Early Saturday morning, 19-year old Gianna seated herself on the Main Stage at Wizard World and proceeded to talk, inform and entertain the crowd for 45 minutes. Calm and poised, Gianna said she was nervous, but it didn't show as she seamlessly wove personal stories into women's sports talk. Gianna discussed Athletes Unlimited, the WNBA and other women's sports.

I was totally interested for the entirety of her live podcast, but an even bigger testimony could be found in Joey Roth, who joined me for interviews at Wizard World. More of a novice when it comes to women's sports, Joey was full of praise for Gianna. Joey even stated he would spread the word on Women's Sports Matter to his 14-year old daughter. Just like that, Gianna gained two more fans, along with several others attending her live podcast.

After the podcast, Gianna was kind enough to give us several minutes of her time to do an introductory interview with her. Joey asked Gianna about her start, her passions, women's sports gaining popularity and more.

Joey called Gianna "The future face of women's sports" and that is an apt title. At 19, she is already entrenching herself in the world of women's sports and gaining a following. She has gotten some big names on her podcast already. Volleyball star Jordan Larson doesn't give interviews to just anyone. Yet, Gianna got her and several others, because she knows her stuff.

Much like I keep stating the WNBA needs to develop more ex-players into coaches, women's sports needs young, bright women like Gianna as part of the media. I cover a lot of women's sports and I spread the word to anyone who will listen, but a media person like Gianna is a great role model for young women athletes and journalists.

Gianna is still early in her journey. Life can take odd turns. Who knows where life will lead Gianna? Her future is bright and I hope it is in women's sports media. Gianna can go far in the media. Women's sports and all of its fans will benefit!

Thank you to the fine folks at Wizard World for granting me access. Thanks to Joey for contributing to this interview. Finally and most important, thanks to Gianna for her time and for all she does for women's sports. Look for the Women's Sports Matter podcast on most major podcast platforms.

Our interview can be found at On the Beat With Gianna Belcastro at Wizard World 2021. Give it a listen, then go to the Women's Sports Matter podcast and binge-listen!

Friendly Encounters: Jim Zorn and Tony Feddeler

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

With football season upon us, there is no better time to feature my buddy Tony Feddeler with one of his favorite players on his favorite team. Tony is wearing Jim Zorn's #10, but really Tony should be wearing an offensive lineman's number. I bet Big T would have made a solid tackle. Zorn's Seahawks teams could have used some help on the offensive line.

Some day, I have to ask Tony why he loves the Seahawks. I sit a random liking or is there some real connection?

Zorn had a solid NFL career. He started as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1975, but was the last cut. He signed with the Seahawks in 1976 and played there for nine seasons. He spent on season with the Green Bay Packers in 1985 and the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1986. In 1987, he played one game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL players' strike. He went on to coach for a few teams.

I always liked Zorn. Zorn to Steve Largent was magic. Unfortunately, the Seahawks back then had little else. On a better team, Zorn might have been one of the best of his time.

As for Tony, he is one of the best in any time. He's a softball, wrestling and convention bud. After the long pandemic, we finally got to reconnect at the Squared Circle Expo in May. It was great seeing him and I look forward to more of our usual good times in the future. Also, I will definitely get to the bottom of his love for the Seahawks.

Jim Zorn and Tony Feddeler in Rosemont, IL-March 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #559 Ally Carda & Kelly Kretschman

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, the New York Yankees end our season-long alphabetical journey through all Major League Baseball teams. We wrap up our MLB run with a couple (literally) of Yankees. These two class acts almost make me want to like the Yankees.

Playing first base and pitching, Ally Carda was one of the best two way players ever for UCLA, winning consecutive Conference Player of the Year honors. She won a silver medal in the recent Olympics and also played in National Pro Fastpitch and Athletes Unlimited.

Kelly Kretschman was a four-time All-American at Alabama, a two-time medal winning Olympian and one of the greatest National Pro Fastpitch players ever. Kretschman has done some coaching on the college level and also was a facilitator in Athletes Unlimited this season. 

Gavin Smith at Wizard World St. Louis 2017

It's Wizard World weekend!! I have been looking forward to seeing all of the celebrities and my creator friends. Gavin Smith is one of the many awesome artists I have met at Wizard World.

Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Gavin is a freelance artist. He has worked on The Accelerators for Blue Juice Comics, Ghost in the Shell for Kodansha/Penguin Random House, motion comics for AT&T, a horror adaptation of Pop Goes the Weasel for Line Webtoon and much more. He also does commissions.

One of my favorite pieces of his is his Captain America. At cons, you see a lot of superhero stuff, but it is usually the big three of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. It was cool to see a Captain America and his was just awesome. I would love to see what he could do with old school Aquaman.

Follow Gavin and see his cool art at @GavinPSmith on twitter. Go to WizardWorld.com for more info and scheduling. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

Gavin Smith and me in St. Louis, MO-April 2017.

Nina Mercedez at Wizard World 2013

Wizard World Chicago starts today! I'll be "On the Beat" early and all weekend meeting celebrities, getting interviews and having fun. I did all three with Nina Mercedez a few years back.

Nina is an actress, model, hostess, producer and more, including a cosplayer. A former Miss Nude Universe, Nina drew attention this time for her awesome Wonder Woman costume, which was the focus of my interview with her. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Nina Mercedez.

Cosplay has become such a big part of Wizard World. When I started covering Wizard World, many fans would dress as their favorite characters or people, but now it is actually part of the event, with contests and its own section. Nina fit right in (or actually Nina really stood out). It was interesting to see one of the celebrity guests get into the cosplay scene and it also shows just how much it has grown.

I am always on the lookout for Aquaman cosplayers. Since the movie of a few years ago, I have seen more than previously, but I still prefer old school Aquaman. We'll see what this year brings.

Also, check WizardWorld.com for news on the revised schedule.  You don't want to miss any comic con fun.

Nina Mercedez and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2013.

Thomas Ian Nicholas at Wizard World Chicago 2017

Wizard World returns to Chicago this weekend!.Of course, I'll be back "On the Beat" meeting and interviewing celebrities and creators. One of my favorites is actor-musician Thomas Ian Nicholas.

Nicholas starred in Rookie of the Year, a role which forever endeared him to fans of the Chicago Cubs. Nicholas is also a big baseball fan, which must have made making the movie as a kid extra fun. Nicholas has made many appearances at Wrigley Field, tossing the first pitch,singing during the seventh inning stretch and joining the broadcast.

He definitely was one of the best singers to copy Harry Caray, but that's not a shock considering he has his own band. The TIN band has performed all over and is quite good.

I had the pleasure of interviewing about all of this at Wizard World a few years back. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Thomas Ian Nicholas.

Go to WizardWorld.com for news and schedules for events all year. Check here for my recurring coverage.

Jason Fleigel, Thomas Ian Nicholas and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

On the Beat With Michael Kingston of Headlocked at New York Comic Con 2021

One of my favorite booths as the recent New York Comic Con was Michael Kingston;s Headlocked booth. It was great catching up with Michael, seeing his newest books and meeting all of the wrestlers at his booth.

Headlocked is Michael's comic series about pro wrestling. A while back, Michael wanted to see a realistic wrestling comic. In the absence of any others like that, Michael created one and has been a very busy and successful man since then.

The wrestling community has embraced Headlocked. Many wrestling stars have contributed to Headlocked over the years, including Jerry "The King" Lawler who has done cover art.

Despite being very busy at his booth, I managed to get Michael for a quick update. He told me of a few of his projects, including one with a Kickstarter campaign starting very soon. That's a chance to support Michael and get some cool swag in the process. Our update interview can be found at On the Beat With Michael Kingston of Headlocked at New York Comic Con 2021.

Michael is a great guy. He's one of the hardest-working folks I know, but he always has time for a little chat. It's awesome to see good things happen for him and I am certain more good things will keep coming to him.

For more info on Michael and his work, go to HeadlockedComic.com. Also, check NewYorkComicCon.com for updates and news. I am already looking forward to NYCC 2022!

On the Beat With Sara Richard at New York City Comic Con 2021

I just returned from a fantastic time at the New York City Comic Con. It was my first time at NYCC, but it won't be my last.

Artist Lady Sara Richard is one of the first creators I ever interviewed at a comic con. I have been bugging Sara for about a decade now. 

Of course, at NYCC, I had to get an update interview with Lady Sara. She has a lot going on as always. One of her recent projects is The Dead Hand Book: Stories From Gravesend Cemetery. Sara also did illustrations for Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook. Of course, those are just two of the many works she has done. She has a lot more in the works, too. Although I couldn't get scoops yet, I will report on her projects as she reveals them.

In our interview, we covered those two books and her work on cleaning grave stones, another fascinating part of Sara's life. Our interview can be found at On the Beat With Sara Richard at New York City Comic Con 2021.

By the way, Sara earned the "Lady" title by owning small plots conservation land in Aberdeenshire and Glencoe, Scotland, places she says "inspires her art and where her mind wanders."

I am a big fan of Sara's work and I am proud to call her a friend. She is so talented and such a fun person. Follow her online to see all of her adventures. It's definitely entertaining.

Go to SaraRichard.com for more info on Sara and her art. Also, check NewYorkComicCon.com for news and updates. I am already looking forward to NYCC 2022.

Friend Encounters: Blue World Order and John Dean at Wizard World 2011

Friend Encounters is a weekly series about friends meeting celebrities.

With Wizard World returning to Chicago this weekend, this is a great time to feature a Friend Encounter from one of their events. I'll be there again and I hope to see today's friend John Dean there, too!

I have known John for many years. A fellow wrestling fan, John has met many great wrestlers over the years.

In 2011, before I knew John, he met the Blue World Order (Stevie Richards, Brian Heffron and Mike Bucci) at Wizard World. I might have crossed paths with John there, because I spent a lot of time at the booth talking to them about wrestling and getting individual interviews. They were all fantastic at that event. I have since seen John at many events, including Squared Circle Expo earlier this year.

Recently, John took his love of wrestling to a new level and invited anyone to join the fun. John started a Wrestling Photo Ops & Action Shots on Facebook, a fun group where folks can share all of their wrestling pictures.

The group has grown to 250 members. It is a private group, which keeps it among fans who want to see other fun pictures, while sharing their own. There is none of the usual FB drama and the wrestlers pictured cover decades of greatness, not just recdent wrestling stars.

Go to Wrestling Photo Ops & Action Shots on Facebook to join the fun. You'll see a bunch of John's pics, as well as many of mine and others. Also, check WizardWorld.com for info and scheduling.

 Stevie Richards, John Dean, Brian Heffron and Mike Bucci in Rosemont, IL-August 2011.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #558 Diamond DeShields & Katie Lou Samuelson

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards of celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, the Sky is the limit as we are nearing the end of our alphabetical journey through all MLB teams.

The daughter of former MLB player Delino DeShields, Diamond DeShields is a second generation cross-sports athlete. With brother Delino Jr., she is also part of a cross-sports sibling pair. After a successful collegiate basketball career at North Carolina and Tennessee, Diamond was selected by the Chicago Sky in the 2017 WNBA Draft. In three seasons with the Sky,she has averaged 13.9 points per game. Diamond took to the field at a CChicago White Sox game when her brother was in town playing with the Rangers. I'm pretty sure this is the first brother-sister athlete combo on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Fellow WNBA star Katie Lou Samuelson played collegiately at UConn. She was selected by the Chicago Sky in the 2019 WNBA Draft. After one season with the Sky, she was traded to the Dallas Wings. In her two seasons, she has averaged 3.8 points per game. Her sister Karlie played in the WNBA with the Los Angeles Sparks and Dallas Wings. Like her former teammate DeShields, Samuelson earned her Celebrity Jersey Card on the field at a White Sox game.

Cards That Never Were: Carl Garrett Topps 1970, '77 & '78

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts. More of my creations and many great creations of others can be found in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group (and not just baseball cards).
After playing college ball at New Mexico Highlands, Carl Garrett was selected by the Boston Patriots in the 3rd round of the 1969 NFL draft. Garrett played four seasons with the Pats, two with the Chicago Bears, one with the New York Jets and two with the Oakland Raiders. In his nine seasons, he rushed for 4,197 yards for a 4.1 yards average and 28 TDs. He also caught 182 passes for 1,931 yards and 7 TDs.
For his efforts, Topps made a card for Garrett from 1971-'76. That left 1970, '77 and '78. I easily found pics of Garrett with the Raiders, but the Patriots were more challenging. Still, I managed to make it all work and complete the series for Garrett.

Christy Hemme at Wizard World 2010

Wizard World returns to Chicago this weekend. I really missed Wizard World. I also really miss Christy Hemme, who I saw many times at Wizard World and elsewhere.

Now retired from wrestling, Christy also ventured into singing, acting, hosting and more. Christy was always one of my favorites in and out of the ring, but after interviewing her a few times, I gained a whole new appreciation for her. My interview with Christy at Wizard World can be found at On the Beat With Christy Hemme. She's such a positive person and so much fun.

Christy seems to be enjoying life with her family these days. The mother of five, including quadruplets, talks about that in or interview. As the kids get bigger, I am hoping Christy will make more appearances. It's been too long!

Check WizardWorld.com for news and scheduling. Also, check back here for my recurring coverage.

Christy Hemme and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

Looking Forward to K Lynn Smith at Wizard World

Wizard World returns to Chicago October 15-17. I am looking forward to seeing all of the celebrities and my creator friends. K Lynn Smith is one of the most talented and coolest artists.

KL is an artist and writer based in Michigan. She has produced the western comic series Plume and the series For Goodness' Sake. Of course, she also does original art work as well as commissions (as time permits).

Smith describes Plume, "Plume is a western adventure about Vesper Grey and her supernatural (and reluctant) guardian Corrick. On their way to recover some stolen artifacts, they start to learn the gritty truth about the past and how far they’re willing to go to amend it."

Talking about For Goodness' Sake, she says, "Thatcher is on a journey of self-destruction after he finds himself cursed, turning more and more demonic as the days go by. He soon runs into the free-spirited Rayne, who believes there might be a way to cure him. Together, they travel the country, working to unravel his predicament, while trying to survive each other."

Her work in any form is enjoyable, but I like her artwork the best. One of my favorite creations of her is a self-portrait of sorts.

KL is at the top of my list of artists I would like to create a Johngy interpretation. I usually do not give artists any direction, because I want it to be their vision, but I might make the exception and ask KL to include her self-portrait somehow. I can't wait fr conventions to resume.

Check KLynnSmith.com for all of her info and art. Go to WizardWorld.com for news and schedules for events all year.

KL Smith and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Peter Tork at Wizard World St. Louis 2017

Wizard World Chicago returns October 15-17. It's been a long time since my last Wizard World and I can't wait to be back "On the Beat" again.

I might have missed a lot of conventions last summer, but I have so many great memories over the years. A road trip to Wizard World St. Louis a few years ago was a lot of fun.

Peter Tork was always my favorite member of the Monkees. By now, everyone knows the Monkees started as a television show. In some ways, the concept was a precursor to many music audition reality shows of today. Musician Stephen Stills auditioned for one of the roles, but was turned down because producers felt he wasn't photogenic enough. They asked him for recommendations and he suggested Tork.

A talented musician, Tork was one of the most vocal and persistent in wanting the members to actually perform and write their own music. Eventually, they won out and the Monkees became a real band.

Despite their relatively short first run, the Monkees had a huge following. MonkeeMania was restarted when MTV aired the original tv show. The band reunited in various combinations over the years. Unfortunately, Tork and Davy Jones are no longer with us.

Tork was a lot of fun at Wizard World. He had a facemask of himself that he put over his face on and off. He joined Micky Dolenz at his table sometimes. He even ribbed Dolenz a bit. Tork got into the spirit of Wizard World. He was having fun and he made it fun for everyone else.

I was really sad to hear of Tork's death. He was one of my first favorites. The Monkees were probably the first band I ever remember hearing. I even had a Monkees Matchbox car.

Tork was 77 when he died. That's not young, but certainly too young to die. This is exactly why I try never to pass on meeting a favorite of mine at these conventions. You never know when it might be your last chance to meet someone. I am grateful I had a chance to meet Tork a few times over the years.

Go to WizardWorld.com to check for their revised convention schedule. You don't want to miss any fun.

Peter Tork and me in St. Louis, MO-April 2017.

Looking Forward to Ali Cantarella at New York Comic Con

Tomorrow, I head to the New York Comic Con. I can't wait to be "On the Beat" again at a comic con. I also can wait to see Ali Cantarella, one of my favorite artists.

A Chicago-based artist, Ali has been a regular stop on my Artist Alley circuit at comic cons. I have interviewed her a couple times, with the last time being at C2E2 2020 in Chicago right before the pandemic shutdown the world.

Actually, my pal, Entertainer Extraordinaire Joey Roth handled the masterfully interviewing duties that day. I wanted a fresh perspective and Joey delivered as always. Of course, it is always easy with Ali, because besides being a great artist, she is a lot of fun. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Ali Cantarella.

Ali is a blast to follow on social media, too. Whether she is painting full wall murals, dressing up outdoors power cabinets, hiking or any of the other adventures she posts, it is always a fun time following her.

Noted for her pet caricatures, Ali gave me her version of the Johngy character, which hangs in my place now. Of all her work, I am oddly fascinated by her hand series. In my next interview with Ali, I will ask about their origin.

Go to Cantarella.Ink for more info on Ali and her art. Also, check NewYorkComicCon.com for scheduling and updates.

Ali Cantarella and me in Chicago, IL-March 2018.

Looking Forward to Art Baltazar at New York Comic Con

New York Comic Con starts on Thursday and I am stoked. I'll be "On the Bear" for the first time at NYCC. I can't wait for the four days of fun, meeting celebrities, creators and friends. Art Baltazar is all three actually!

Art is a famous cartoonist. If you don't believe me, ask him or look at the Art Baltazar - Famous Cartoonist Facebook page.

If that sounds braggadocious, it's not. Art is just a fun guy. Besides, it is a true statement. He is a multi-time award winner, including an Eisner award (with Aw Yeah co-owner Franco) for Tiny Titans.

I have known Art for years and been a fan even longer. Somehow, it took me a while to realize he owned Aw Yeah Comics in Skokie, even though I went there for my random comic book searches.

Art has done work for a long list of companies, including DC Comics, Disney, Warner Brothers and many more. He also self-publishes.

Art is a unique guy. I think his mind is always working. Like a comedian who always sees humor from situations, Art seems to always have a comic idea in his head. He describes comic books as a way of life.

I have interviewed him several times, the last of which was at C2E2 2020 right before the pandemic. My buddy, the versatile Joey Roth handled the interviewer duties flawlessly and got a really fun interview. I think somewhere down the line, Art will challenge Joey for the Joey Roth title belt.

Check AwYeahComics.com for all the news and info on Art's books and future projects. Also, follow Art on Facebook for more frequent updates. Also, go to NewYorkComicCon.com for scheduling and other info.

Art Baltazar and me in Skokie, IL-July 2021.

Friend Encounters: James Finn Garner and Joey Roth at C2E2 2020

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Last year, I was "On the Beat" as always at C2E2, but I tried something new. For creators I have previously interviewed multiple times, I asked entertainer extraordinaire Joey Roth to handle the interviewing duties.

Joey brought a new perspective and the result was really fun. I am happy to report, Joey has confirmed he will repeat his role at C2E2 2021.

Author James Finn Garner was one of Joey's interview subjects. That interview can be found at On the Beat With James Finn Garner at C2E2 2020.

James is a New York Times best-selling author of many books. I enjoyed all of his books, but his Rex Koko series is my favorite. The Rex Koko series is a set of clown noir mysteries. It is such a funny and original concept. I fell in love with it from first glance and have been on board with each new novel. Joey and James discussed that and more.

You'll notice Joey is holding a title belt. It's not a fake. Joey is the current IPW Chicagoland champ, a title he has held for 800+ days. He's also a manager, an actor a podcaster and more. I was very happy to land him for my interview role and I look forward to more fun.

Go to JamesFinnGarner.com for more info on James and Rex Koko. Also, check C2E2.com for all the info on the event running December 10-12. Look for Joey all over he wrestling and entertainment scene and look for us both at C2E2, where we will get more fun interviews..

James Finn Garner and Joey Roth in Chicago, IL-March 2020.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #557 Baron Von Raschke & Brock Lesnar

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue working my way alphabetically through all MLB teams.

James Raschke was born in Nebraska but gained fame in wrestling rings around the world as Baron Von Raschke. The master of "The Claw" won several titles during his career, although most were in tag teams. He won a few singles titles in smaller organizations. He is legendary, especially in the midwest. At a convention a few years ago in Milwaukee, Von Raschke was one of the most popular celebrity guests. Even sports heroes like Bobby Hull and Fergie Jenkins wanted a pic with him. Von Raschke demonstrated his clawlike grip on a baseball for the Minnesota Twins in one of the few actual wrestling holds depicted on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

South Dakota native Brock Lesnar was a standout amateur wrestler in high school and college. He spent his junior and senior years on a scholarship at the University of Minnesota. Lesnar tried out for the Vikings and dabbled in MMA, but he found his real success in the wrestling ring. Many dislike his part-time status and attitude, but his accomplishments can't be denied. He has won a WWE singles title eight times. Lesnar looked a bit pained as he tossed out a first pitch for the Twins, but he still gets a Celebrity Jersey Card for his effort.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #556 Haley Reinhart & Christina Milian

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue working my way alphabetically through all MLB teams.

Chicago area native Haley Reinhart is my favorite singer of this century. I have seen her in concert and met her three times. I was supposed to do it all again last year, but the concert was canceled due to the pandemic. long with having a powerful voice, Reinhart especially likes music from the 1960s, which is another reason why I really like her music. Reinhart sang the National Anthem for the Detroit Tigers, but had to wear a Tigers jacket over her jersey because of the cold Michigan weather at the time. Because she is still wearing a jersey and she is one of my favorites, I definitely was going to make a Celebrity Jersey Card for her.

Actress, singer, song writer Christina Milian was born in New Jersey, but raised in Maryland. Milian originally wanted to be an actress, but started in the music industry. She would eventually do both. Milian has openly talked about the challenges of being Afro-Latina. She also had her own reality show for a while. Milian wore a Tigers jersey in her private life, but it's good enough to land her on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

The Connecticut Sun held a game day media session featuring Alyssa Thomas and Natisha Hiedeman. As expected, much of the talk centered around the Game One loss to the Chicago Sky and Game Two tonight.

Thomas, who has played three games since her return from an Achilles injury, spoke about her health. She has averaged six points, four rebounds, two assists and about 17.5 minutes per game since her return. While she is healthy, she is probably not in midseason form yet. Still, her return is a big boost to the already loaded Sun.

Hiedeman scored nine points in the loss to Chicago. She has averaged 10.66 points and 0.83 steals per game over the last six games. The first player off the bench, Coach Curt Miller looks to Hiedeman for a spark whether in the game or on the bench. Hiedeman should have extra help when the Suns head to Chicago for Games Three and Four, because of the proximity to her Wisconsin home. She confirmed there will be a sizable Hiedeman fan section for those games.

The Sun were favored by 7.5 points. Having lost Game One, this is a crucial game for the Sun (maybe even a "must win" game). The Sun will still have Game Five (if necessary) at home, but they don't want to head to Chicago down two games.

I predicted Chicago to win this series in five. Taking the first game was a huge step in that direction. I see Connecticut coming out strong tonight and taking an 85-82 victory

That media session can be found at On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 09/30/2021.