Chris 51 at Wizard World (Fan Expo)

Chris 51 is an artist, tattooist and a self-described aftertainer I met years ago at Wizard World (now Fan Expo). I watched him work his ink magic on a few people, before interviewing him. Both parts were entertaining.

Chris 51 cites his passion for pop culture as the start of his career. That might be, but a lot of people love pop culture. Some of us even have longtime sites devoted to pop culture. Few of us reach the level Chris 51 has. You have to be special to have 51 as your last name (more on that later).

Chris 51 created and starred in A&E's Epic Ink. He also appeared on My Morphin Life with Jason David Frank. He created the Geeksterink Legends Tattoo Tour at Wizard World, which is where I met him.

One cool thing about Chris 51 is his use of himself as a Simpson's character, because I got a little flack for using South Park for my character. If a talented and successful guy like Chris 51 can do it, why can't I/

Anyway, the 51 comes from the area 51. in Oregon. There are some connections between the part of Oregon and the mysterious territory in Nevada. Chris 51 does his work at Area 51 Tattoo in (wait for it) Springfield, Oregon. There's another Simpson's reference.

Chris was completely fun and cool. Although he was extremely busy and I wasn't getting a tattoo, he gave me several minutes of his time in a very entertaining interview.

Look for Chris 51 on social media and also area-51tattoo.com. For more info on FanExpo go to fanexpohq.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage.

Chris 51 and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2016.

Josh Bodwell at Wizard World (Fan Expo)

Josh Bodwell is a trivia wiz and a well-known tattooist, who has been seen on Epic Ink on A&E. I met him at Wizard World several years back. I did not get a tattoo from his, but I did get a Johngy's Beat promo which is in the far left column. Bodwell is also a talented artist, creating beautiful pieces for events, trading cards and more.

All of that is why he was a hugely popular guest at Wizard World. Celebrities with that big and varied of a resume make fantastic guests because they appeal to several groups. 

Bodwell was extremely engaging when I met him. Although very busy with his tattoo work and meeting fans, he took several minutes to chat with me about comic cons.

This is one of the many reasons I love FanExpo (who took over for Wizard World). I wanted to meet Bodwell because of all he does, but once I met him I had even more respect for him. All an attendee wants is for the celebrity encounter to be pleasant. Bodwell exceeded that expectation by a wide margin.

Go to joshbodwell.com for more info on him. For more info on FanExpo go to fanexpohq.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage.

Josh Bodwell and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2016.

Chris 51 and Josh Bodwell at Wizard World Chicago 2015

Chris 51 and Josh Bodwell are tattoo artists and stars of Epic Ink, an A&E series focused on their tattoo shop.  Area 51 Tattoo Shop is located in Springfield, OR.  Chris insists that Springfield, Oregon is the real home of The Simpsons.

I met these two characters at Wizard World Chicago 2015 and I had the real pleasure of interviewing them.  It was during that interview that Chris revealed that The Simpsons creator Matt Groening told him that Oregon is the true home of the famous cartoon family.  That interview can be found at On the Beat with Chris 51 and Josh Bodwell at Wizard World Chicago 2015.  I don't doubt Chris, but I do wonder if Groening has told that to other Springfieldians in other states.

In any case, it was a really fun interview, mostly because these guys are really fun.  After spending all night mingling and answering the media's questions, they spent the next few days at Wizard World actually tattooing people.

For more info and updates on these two, check out the Chris 51 Facebook page and the Josh Bodwell Facebook page.  I'm not a tattoo guy, but if I was, I'd go to these guys.  Besides that, I really do enjoy their show and them.

Chris 51, Josh Bodwell and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2015.

Chris 51 and Josh Bodwell Love Johngy's Beat

At the Wizard World Chicago 2015 press reception, I had the pleasure of interviewing Epic Ink's Chris 51 and Josh Bodwell.  That interview can be found at On the Beat with Chris 51 and Josh Bodwell.

These guys are awesome.  They are funny, outgoing and totally personable.  It really was a blast talking to them on and off camera.

After the interview, they gladly did a promo for Johngy's Beat.  That promo is below and also in the column of promos on the left.

It wasn't just that way at the formal press event.  I saw them at the actual Wizard World con and they were just as cool, although very busy with their tattooing,.  Yes, they were doing tattoos on site.

This is just another example of the fun that can be found at Wizard World.  Thank you to the fine folks at Wizard World and especially to Josh and Chris!

On the Beat with Chris 51 and Josh Bodwell at Wizard World Chicago 2015

"Epic Ink" premiered on the A&E Network about one year ago.  Two of the stars of the show are Chris 51 (tattoo artist and owner of the Oregon tattoo shop) and Josh Bodwell (tattoo artist on staff).  I had the pleasure of interviewing these two at the Wizard World Press Reception prior to the actual convention.

Chris and Josh were about as loose and funny as anyone I have ever met at any such media event.  I got the first interview with the pair and I had a lot of fun with it.

We talked about their start in the tattoo business, their strangest tattoo requests, the Chicago Cubs and other fun stuff.  Chris is not a fair-weather Cubs fan either.  He had his own personalized "Chris 51" jersey.  I ordinarily am against personalized jerseys, but with his name-number combo, this one worked.

We also talked about the tattoo Chris has on his stomach.  This one cracked me up.  They both also swear that they have the answer to one of the great Simpsons' mysteries, but you'll have to watch the interview to see what that is.

Thanks as always to Wizard World for treating the press so well.  Thanks, too, to Chris and Josh for being great interview subjects.