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About Us

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Pop Heist is a worker-owned, reader-funded pop culture news and journalism website, and we're here to rock your world.

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John DeQuadros (he/him) is a professional toy photographer and versatile freelance writer with a keen focus on popular culture. He contributes a weekly column to ToyTales.ca and his work regularly features on platforms like StarTrek.com and 8-Bit Pickle. Additionally, his articles frequently grace the pages of esteemed publications like Smarter Than Jack, Kaiju Ramen Magazine, ToyCollectr, The Toy Book and Retro Format Magazine. When not crafting compelling content, John enjoys immersing himself in retro video games, enhancing his diverse toy collection, taking leisurely walks with his dog, and cherishing moments with family and friends.

John DeQuadros

Star Trek

‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ 1×07 Recap: “Ko’Zeine”

Boston culture journalist Andy Crump covers movies, beer, music, fatherhood, and way too many other subjects for way too many outlets, perhaps even yours: Paste Magazine, Inverse, The New York Times, Hop Culture, Polygon, and Men&#8217;s Health, plus more. He is composed of roughly 65 percent craft beer. He currently needs a haircut.

Andy Crump

Movies

A Final Farewell to Udo Kier

Melody Esme is a music, film, and TV writer, based in Portland, OR. In addition to her writing about art and pop culture, she has also published a novel and released riot grrrl music.

Melody Esme

Member Exclusive

‘Gilmore Girls’ 1×03 Recap: “Kill Me Now”

Toys

The Best of Toy Fair 2026 (John DeQuadros Ed.)

Brett White (he/him) is a pop culture journalist and editor-in-chief of Pop Heist. Prior to this, he was a senior reporter/producer for Decider for seven years. Prior to joining Decider, he covered pop culture for Comic Book Resources, Marvel.com, and MTV News. His areas of expertise include Marvel Comics, Star Wars, Drag Race, classic sitcoms, Sam Neill, unexpected thirst traps, and unlikely menswear icons.
In his spare time, he cohosts the podcast Must Have Seen TV and is writing his first book: a biography of <a href="https://www.haydenrorke.com/">Hayden Rorke</a>.
He also lives out his feminine fantasy as <a href="https://www.barbhardly.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barb Hardly</a>, his drag queen alter ego.
His hobbies include spending way too much money on action figures, swimsuits, and fashion accessories. He currently lives in Queens with his handsome husband and two large, orange cats.

Brett White

Drag Race

‘Canada’s Drag Race: All Stars’ Announced With Herstory-Making Judges’ Panel

Lan Pitts (he/him) is an Atlanta-born writer based in Baltimore, Maryland. He learned to read from mini-comics that came with action figures and video game instruction manuals. He&#8217;s been writing professionally for almost 20 years and doesn&#8217;t think that&#8217;ll end anytime soon.

Lan Pitts

The Best of Toy Fair 2026 (Lan Pitts Ed.)

Paul Montgomery (he/him) writes from Philadelphia.

Paul Montgomery

George Clooney with Jessica Fletcher in room of people

‘Murder, She Wrote’ 3×18 Recap: “No Laughing Murder”

Zach Oat is a pop-culture fan, especially toys and movies, and has held various jobs in and around pop culture. He resides in New York with his family and animals.

Zach Oat

New York Toy Fair 2026: A Curated Tour

Matthew Jackson (he/him) is a writer, critic, podcaster, and nerd-for-hire who&#8217;s been writing about pop culture for more than 15 years. He lives in Austin, Texas, and when he&#8217;s not writing he&#8217;s usually counting the days until Christmas.

Matthew Jackson

‘Hannibal’ 2×03 Recap: I’ve Given My Life to Death

Vanessa Maki (she/her) is a queer writer, critic, artist, and Blerd. She has written for publications like Dread Central, Daily Dead, Fangoria, and many more. She&#8217;s a former contributor for Pink Advocate and The Mary Sue. And she&#8217;s currently a contributor for But Why Tho? etc.

Vanessa Maki

The Hottest Horror Monsters (Underrated Edition)

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