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Pop Heist

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

Heist Guide: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ ’87

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’ 1×02 Recap: Giving Voice to the Unmentionable

Boris and Bela on grainy TV, with monster and human shaking hands in front of it

Horror Secret Handshakes: ‘The Black Cat’ (1934)

Sean T. Collins is a freelance TV critic for the New York Times, Vulture, Decider, and elsewhere. He is the author of Pain Don&#8217;t Hurt: Meditations on Road House, available at <a href="https://www.mutualskies.com/">mutualskies.com</a>. He and his wife, the cartoonist Julia Gfrörer, live with their children on Long Island.

Sean T. Collins

‘I, Claudius’ Episode 10 Recap: Assassins

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 Boo Box: Action Figure Afterlife

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

‘Freaks and Geeks’ Episode 9 Recap: Everybody Wants Some!!

Grace Leeder (she/they) has spent years cultivating her passion for storytelling, from TV shows to movies. Since entering the podcasting world in 2020, Grace has established herself as a trusted voice in pop culture, offering in-depth insights and recommendations that resonate with audiences. She began podcasting in 2020 on the award-winning Rob Has A Podcast, sharing her love for various TV series and films with listeners.
In the spring of 2024, Grace began co-hosting The Tastemakers, a podcast designed to provide curated reviews and recommendations. Throughout her podcasting journey, Grace has covered acclaimed series like Succession, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, and many more. She has also expanded her scope to conduct engaging interviews with a diverse range of industry professionals, including actors, writers, directors, and costume designers, delivering an inside look at what goes into making some of the most popular shows and movies.

Grace Leeder

‘Dark’ 1×08 Recap: “As You Sow, So You Shall Reap”

Ethan Kaye (he/him) is a writer/editor/book hoarder. He is scared of the Loch Ness Monster.

Ethan Kaye

Heist Guide: Halloween Candy

Paul Montgomery (he/him) writes from Philadelphia.

Paul Montgomery

‘Murder, She Wrote’ Season 3 Premiere Recap: “Death Stalks the Big Top: Part 1”

‘Hannibal’ Series Premiere Recap: A Knack for the Monsters