Amelia will be part of the cosplay contest as a judge on Saturday and will have a table set up on the show floor all weekend with plenty of merch and trinkets for attendees to see!

The full interview can be found below

Audio-only Podcast

Amelia CraftyPants - Illinois Comic Con 2026

We talked about a variety of topics, including:

• Amelia’s start as a cosplayer

• Early gaming and anime inspirations

• What ICC has lined up for Amelia at the con

• Judging craftsmanship contests and competing

• ICC cosplay lineup

• What Amelia is looking forward to at the con

• Tips for those looking to compete

• Tips for those starting in cosplay

• Upcoming cosplay plans

Keep Up with Amelia

Keep up with Amelia at the links below

• Instagram

• Facebook

• TikTok

• Everything else

More From Heart as Art

Are you attending Illinois Comic Con? What are you looking forward to at the show? Sound off in the comments below!

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*********slight story spoilers below, read at your own risk************

The Resident Evil Moments That Left Me Scared Senseless

The Giant Spiders - Resident Evil Remake

Being 31 years of age myself, I was a bit too young for the first run of Resident Evil games. Although I have gone back and played many of the original releases later in life, the remakes of the original games are some of my earliest memories with the franchise.

I very vividly remember my first encounter with the giant spiders haunting the ceilings of the Spencer Mansion in the Resident Evil remake. The fixed camera angle looking right at the series star, Jill Valentine, while also seeing the giant spiders crawling around the mansion sent shivers up my spine and sent me running out of the room (both in game and in real life) as quickly as possible. If these giant creatures are left out of the upcoming Code Veronica remake, I won’t be too disappointed.

All the Mr. X Chases - Resident Evil 2 Remake

After playing a bit in the Raccoon City Police Department in Resident Evil 2 and the Resident Evil 2 Remake, gamers are met by the heavy footsteps of the mutant Mr. X. Mr. X stalks gamers throughout the police department, and even though you can hear the footsteps approaching from different areas in RPD, Mr. X crashing through a wall or cutting you off in a hallway will always make me jump.

There are a few points in the game where Mr. X meets you by crashing through a wall or door. It is nearly impossible to dodge his massive punch that tends to leave Claire Redfield or Leon Kennedy with a large amount of damage. The massive 8-foot-tall figure with the menacing glare and oversized dark trench coat leaves an impression on gamers and is a constant jump-scare machine.

Drain Deimos - Resident Evil 3 Remake

The Resident Evil 3 Remake left a lot on the cutting room floor when compared to the content of the original release. One thing that was left in was the spine-tingling Drain Deimos that hunt Jill Valentine as she tries to restore power to the grid in Raccoon City. These creatures have a strange spider/scorpion look to them and leave a disgusting trail of brown ooze material that reminds me of infected areas from “The Flood” in the Halo franchise.

Jill is infected by a Drain Deimos as she enters the power grid area to restore power to the subway system. In order to restore power, she has to navigate an absolute maze of brown ooze, and plenty of the creepy Drain Deimos dropping from the structure above makes gamers (me being one of them) run through this area as fast as possible before too many of the creatures can drop on me from above to cause infection and absolute terror.

D Series Arm - Resident Evil VII: Biohazard

Resident Evil VII: Biohazard returned the game to more of a survival horror formula after the previous three main entries had more of an action focus to them. The game featured brand new characters and a completely new storyline that felt like a departure from the classic Resident Evil formula.

At one point in the campaign, the main protagonist, Ethan Winters, is tasked with formulating a serum for the infection that is plaguing his wife Mia Winters and newly found contact Zoe Baker. In order to make the serum, Ethan is tasked with collecting a D -Series Arm and D - Series Head. The setting of the game is on a dilapidated farm run by the Baker family. The property is extremely decayed and covered in black mold, with very little lighting available. The game is creepy from start to end, and this mission is no different. Ethan is exploring through the old house in search of the arm, and oh boy, does he find one. The area that holds the arm is a horrible, creepy, and dark room with old and partially destroyed children’s toys splattered all around. The arm is attached to a zombie-looking creature that could jump at you at any second. The area had me tiptoeing my way through and only wanting to play during daylight.

House Beneviento - Resident Evil Village

Arguably the best-known Resident Evil campaign section in recent memory, House Beneviento in Resident Evil Village is nothing short of pure nightmare fuel.

Ethan Winters enters the home in search of a flask holding part of his daughter (only in Resident Evil could this sentence make sense). What he finds inside House Beneviento is a haunted house of evil proportions. Ethan has to work on a massive doll to find clues and tools that he will use to find Donna Beneviento and defeat her (and her doll). The entire level is creepy as the house has plenty of dolls laying around to scare gamers. The climax to this level is Ethan being chased by a giant deformed baby zombie that screams like a child. This is the only Resident Evil game that made me shut the game off and move the Xbox into a room with plenty of sunlight. I beat the level with the volume on close to zero in bright daylight.

Meeting “The Girl” - Resident Evil Requiem

Resident Evil Requiem was well received by critics and gamers alike. Gamers split time in the boots of franchise veteran Leon Kennedy and series newcomer Grace Ashcroft. While Leon has the skills and tools to survive the horror brought on in the game, Grace is young and inexperienced.

Grace gets introduced to the horrors of Resident Evil early into the game. She is kidnaped and taken to a hospital run by Victor Gideon. She escapes capture from the room she is held in, but the victory is short-lived. She is quickly met by “The Girl” a large mutated zombie like character that screams whenever light hits her. She stalks gamers through ventilation shafts. The developers went overboard with the size, sounds, and terrifying appearance of “The Girl”, and as much as I love the game, the scenes with “The Girl” leave me horrified.

What Resident Evil games/characters/moments scared you the most? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

A full-on brawl broke out as the rest of the Bang Bang Gang (Austin and Colton Gunn, Juice Robinson, and Ace Austin) joined with White and The Dogs, as the rest of the Death Riders (Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, Claudio Castagnoli, and Marina Shafir) came to the ring to try and defend their leader, but in the end it was the Bang Bang Gang and The Dogs standing tall.

The turn was a surprise to many, but here is why I am excited about the newly formed alliance.

The Dogs and The Bang Bang Gang - A Match Made in Heaven

Fresh Coat of Paint for the Bang Bang Gang

The Bang Bang Gang has been part of AEW in some capacity since Jay White signed with the promotion in 2023. Originally called “Bullet Club Gold” and starting as the team of Jay White and Juice Robinson, The Gunns joined them shortly after the groups inception. Ace Austin rounded out the group after he signed with AEW in 2025.

The group has had mixed success, with Jay White and The Gunns holding trios gold in both AEW and Ring of Honor (ROH). However, the team’s momentum has been stifled at times due to injuries to White and Juice. It has been hard for the team to have a consistent place in the greater AEW landscape due to the rotating injuries to the team.

The stable received some fresh blood when Ace Austin, who has a strong history of tag team wrestling with long-time partner Chris Bey during the duo’s time together in TNA/IMPACT Wrestling.

Now the alignment with the Dogs gives the long-standing stable a shot in the arm and a fresh coat of paint. It also gives once tag team partners David Finlay and Juice Robinson a chance to reunite under new circumstances and with plenty of options for trios tag team matches. With plenty of tag team combination options available and a brewing rivalry with the Death Riders and the Conglomeration, there are plenty of storyline and match options for the Dogs and the Bang Bang Gang.

Bullet Club Nostalgia

Bullet Club was a key part of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) becoming popular in the United States. The Japan based group eventually had spin-off subgroups based in the United States that further cemented their place in North American wrestling. One of those featured Ace Austin with then tag team partner Chris Bey. Jey White himself also made appearances in TNA/IMPACT during his tenure as leader of the Bullet Club alongside Austin, Bey, and other Bullet Club members such as ELP, Hikuleo, and the Guriellas of Destiny. That is far from the only Bullet Club connection within this new alliance, however.

Jay White was the fourth leader of the Bullet Club, taking over after Kenny Omega departed the stable in late 2018, shortly before formally signing with AEW in 2019. White led the club until he departed for AEW in 2023.

David Finlay took over as the leader of Bullet Club in 2023, but it was not a peaceful transition of power. At Battle in the Valley in February of 2023, Jey White lost a “Loser Leaves NJPW” match to Eddie Kingston. Before White could get on the microphone to address the crowd for a farewell speech, he was jumped by David Finlay. Finlay was appointed the leader of Bullet Club just weeks later at the NJPW 51st Anniversary Show, after his beatdown of White gained the attention of long time Bullet Club manager, Gedo.

Finlay’s leadership saw the War Dogs splinter faction come to fruition with members Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd, Alex Coughlin, and Clark Connors. The fact that Kidd was dropped from the new Bang Bang Gang/Dogs faction has plenty of fuel for a brutal and fun storyline, given his long history as part of the Bullet Club War Dogs.

Bullet Club left a memorable mark on wrestling history. For many fans, they were the introduction to New Japan Pro Wrestling, and the members’ constant appearances in independent promotions throughout the 2010’s brought many fans to the NJPW product. Alumni members such as Prince Devitt (Finn Balor), A.J. Styles, and Adam Cole eventually signing with NXT/WWE also brought more eyes to Bullet Club and NJPW. The stable has many memorable moments from its decade-plus run of dominance, and the nostalgia of seeing former members and leaders standing together (sorry Gabe Kidd) is a fun bit of nostalgia coming across television screens every week.

Brutal War Against Death Riders

Jon Moxley is the ace of AEW. He is also one of the most hardcore wrestlers on the card. Inside and outside of an AEW ring, he is known for a hardcore wrestling style, frequently featuring bleeding and heavy foreign object use. The Death Riders took part in the 2025 Blood and Guts match against the Conglomeration. The match lived up to the promised brutality with plenty of blood, foreign objects, and pain inflicted across the two caged rings.

Connors, Kidd, and Finlay took part in the “Dog Pound” match that saw the War Dogs take on the United Empire in a 5 on 5 no DQ all out war. The match was a sharp departure from the normal NJPW style that heavily focuses on hard strikes, techincal mastery, and pure one on one clean competition. The match left many of the participants a bloody mess and left a memorable impression on NJPW fans.

The War Dogs also squared off with the Bullet Club members in the “House of Torture” subgroup in a Dog Pound match for control of the Bullet Club faction. Once again, many members were left banged up after the rare NJPW match type.

The ingredients are all there for an absolute bloodbath. Gabe Kidd is the wild card here as he has been removed from the Dogs and is seemingly finding himself on team Death Riders/Conglomeration. He has a vendetta against the Dogs, and we have seen him get bloody on many occasions. AEW is no stranger to long-term faction-based storylines, and we could see members of this feud in a Blood and Guts match in 2027.

Built-in Time Bomb with Finlay and White

All good things must come to an end, and this faction has a built-in time bomb. As mentioned earlier, the transition of Bullet Club leadership from White to Finlay was anything but peaceful. This was called back to when White and Finlay were in the ring together on Dynamite as Finlay handed the Shillelagh off to White during the beatdown of the Death Riders.

The two can only work side by side for so long before jealousy and revenge become top of mind for one of them. Of course, there are many ways this story can end, but there is a built-in dynamic between the two former leaders of the storied NJPW faction.

How do you feel about the merger of the two factions? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

WBS26 Demo Playthrough

Growing up, playing the “General Manager” mode in SmackDown vs. Raw was always a highlight of the franchise for me. Booking my own storylines, champions, etc., was always a high point of the games for me. Diving into WBS26 brought back some of those memories.

Jumping into the demo, I was prompted to create my booker persona and became the head booker of “Amaterasu Wrestling.” The first thing to decide was the type of ownership style I wanted. Each model has its own strengths and weaknesses for the booker to manage. The demo did not take long to pick up, as I was quickly prompted to book the main event of my first show, including picking a winner and the finish of the match.

Not long after that, I was prompted to start booking the weekly television show “Friday Night Hardline” and was able to start setting rivalries up. This is when the demo really started to take shape.

Booking

The interface had all the basic needs laid out front and center. The top of the menu showed my inbox as well as my calendar and the current roster. The game features real world independent wrestlers and promotions, adding a sense of realism to the simulator.

Moving down to the booking column, I had access to the main things I would need as a booker, such as active storylines and factions, as well as active titles in the promotion.

A couple of things in this section really stood out to me. The first is the option to introduce a brand extension. Brand extensions have been met with mixed results by wrestling fans over the years, but having the opportunity to assign and control bookings on two brands leads to more booking scenarios and gives us the option to flip wrestlers from brand to brand.

The other thing that stood out to me was the commentary option. Being able to control commentary for a match is a fascinating addition for me. Just like anything else in a simulator game, actions have consequences. Putting a team together on the headset that does not have chemistry with each other will hurt the show and lower the fan trust scores. Having a solid team on the microphone together will do the opposite. It is a small detail that will make hardcore wrestling fans appreciate the authenticity of the simulator that much more.

Talent

The bread and butter of any promotion (or sim) is the talent that puts it all on the line for the fans every night. Of course, WBS26 gives you the ability to control the roster, but there are many different aspects to it.

A few things I appreciated about this simulator are the different levels of control given to signing, developing, and managing talent. For example, I can pay different amounts of money to have a talent scouted at different levels of depth to get a clear or not-so-clear report of how they will perform and act backstage.

After each show, I was also prompted to handle backstage issues, such as dirt sheets leaking out info about backstage issues. Issues such as wrestlers not being happy with one another over how things went down in the ring, wrestlers unhappy with booking decisions, contract renewals, and more. Each decision has different options that carry different risks and rewards. Options include ignoring the dirt sheets, turning things into a storyline, or addressing the issues head-on. Each will have different outcomes with the fans, wrestlers, and sponsors.

I also enjoyed the academy feature in the game. Of course, I can scout free agents or contracts pending renewal at other promotions, but having an idea of what the next generation of stars could look like adds a fun element to the game. The mode is in-depth and gives me the option to hold tryouts and to prioritize what I am looking for in the next generation. I have to be careful, though as talent are not exclusive to me in the academy and can sign anywhere. Since I choose a “work rate” style promotion, I can put emphasis on things such as psychology and stamina for longer matches.

It also gives me control of a pipeline where I can manage who will be called up to the main roster next. The options are plentiful and add a sense of enhanced realism to the game.

Business

The wrestling industry never stops, and the simulator doesn’t either. WBS26 gives you control over many parts of the wrestling industry.

The industry has changed drastically over the years, and the simulator puts you in control of many of the aspects of the business today.

From negotiating television contracts to signing on sponsors for the promotion, every decision impacts the fans, the locker room, and more.

WBS26 Wrestling Booker Simulator Developer Interview

Ahead of the game’s appearance at Steam Next Fest from October 19–26, ahead
of the full release planned for December. The demo can be found on Steam here. The full release can be wishlisted here.

What is your wrestling fandom story? How long have you been a fan?

I’ve been a wrestling fan since I was six years old. I started watching wrestling on a local TV channel in Ukraine back in 2004.

When I got internet access in 2008, I began watching every WWE pay-per-view online without missing a single one. There were periods when I watched every episode of Raw and SmackDown too, and stretches when I even watched every episode of NXT live online.

I continued watching WWE online until 2020. After that, WWE just didn’t feel the same to me anymore. These days, I watch Dynamite.

Wrestling has been part of my life since childhood. It’s in my blood.

What made you decide to develop a sim game?

I’m a huge fan of TEW and Pro Wrestling Sim, and I wanted to create something of my own and bring my own perspective to the genre. That was what inspired me to start working on WBS26.

During development, I also found a way to add a 3D broadcast mode, so you can actually watch the matches you’ve booked play out. For me, being able to do that has been a huge personal milestone. A fun addition to this feature is the 3D broadcast mode where gamers can watch supported matches play out in the ring.

It’s the kind of experience I associate with games like Wrestling Empire and WWE 2K. Wrestling Empire is a smaller project, while WWE 2K is a AAA production. I’m developing WBS26 on my own, so being able to add that experience to my own booking simulator is something I’m really proud of.

How did you decide on the ownership styles and the drawbacks that come with each?

At the moment, the ownership styles in the demo offer more bonuses than drawbacks. For the full release, I’ll rebalance them by adding more disadvantages.

The idea is that a very powerful bonus should come with several significant drawbacks. That way, each style has strengths and weaknesses that the player needs to consider, and those advantages and disadvantages balance each other out.

You have a slew of real-world pro wrestlers and promotions in the game; how did they get involved?

I was already developing the game when an online friend of mine, Vadio, suggested reaching out to wrestling promotions and wrestlers directly to see if they would like to be included.

It all started with Ukrainian Wrestling Arena (UWA). I want to say a huge thank you to Konstantin Perlov, who was essentially our first partner. From there, things just kept growing.

Every wrestler and every promotion that will appear in the game has given permission to be included. WBS26 will feature over 30 promotions and more than 500 wrestlers.

Playing through the game brought back memories of playing the GM mode in SmackDown vs. Raw — was that an inspiration for you?

Absolutely. The GM mode in SmackDown vs. Raw was definitely one of my inspirations. I had a lot of different games in mind when developing WBS26, and I drew ideas from Football Manager, TEW, Pro Wrestling Sim, and Wrestling Empire as well.

I wanted to bring those influences together with my own ideas about wrestling and my experience as a lifelong fan. WBS26 is my attempt to combine all of that into something of my own.

The sim feels very complete in that, as a booker, you have to deal with things such as backstage personal rivalries and decide if you want to ignore them, address them, or flip it into a storyline. How did you come up with some of the scenarios that feature in the game?

Some of the ideas came from real wrestling storylines and plot twists. I also wanted to bring more life to the booking simulator by including situations that feel believable in the wrestling industry.

For example, a wrestler with low morale might want to move to a rival promotion, or someone might ask for a title shot. I think those are the kinds of situations that really happen in wrestling, and I wanted to reflect that in the game.

The demo is out now; any changes expected between now and the December launch?

Of course. By the December release, you can expect more promotions, more wrestlers, and stats that better reflect each individual wrestler. Right now, the stats in the demo are closer to general wrestler archetypes than to the specific people they represent. The full game will also include 3D models for every wrestler, including all the real-world wrestlers.

I’m also paying attention to player feedback and improving the UI to make it clearer and easier to understand and use.

Beyond that, I want players to stay invested in the game for a long time. I want the booking itself to remain engaging and the storylines to keep people interested. I want it to feel like a game you can really live in.

I’m already living in it myself because I’m developing it! That’s why I can see how much potential it has for wrestling fans.

I found the academy section to be unique; what made you decide to add that aspect?

I wanted the academy to give players a reason to stay with the game for longer. There’s something appealing about developing a wrestler of your own, watching them improve, and seeing them become someone unique. There’s also the chance of finding an exceptional prospect who could become a star.

Academy wrestlers aren’t automatically tied to your promotion, though, so other companies can poach them. You need to keep an eye on your academy prospects, because a bigger promotion could come along and sign them.

Are you checking out WBS 26? Sound off in the comments below

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Audio Only Podcast

Sharp Shot EFX Talks Cosplay, SFX Makeup, Horror, and More!

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Starts in cosplay

• Starts in special effects makeup

• Favorite characters that inspired wanting to get into the craft

• Award-winning build

• Future and dream projects

More from Anime Magic can be found here. Thank you to the media team at the convention for coordinating the interview.

Keep Up with Sharp Shot EFX

• Instagram

• Facebook

• TikTok

More From Heart As Art

Did you attend Anime Magic? Did you get to see Sharp Shot’s amazing table? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Audio Only Podcast

Deadlift Studio - Full Metal Overdrive Developer Interview: Anime Magic 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• What is Full Metal Overdrive?

• What inspired the studio to make the game?

• Demo version of the game at Anime Magic

• Gameplay

• Keeping up with the project

Keep Up With Full Metal Overdrive and Deadlift Studios

• Website

• Discord

• Instagram

• Facebook

More from Anime Magic can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Did you attend Anime Magic? Were you able to play the demo at the con? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Audio Only Podcast

Hero Mania Developer Talks Gaming, Wrestling, and More!

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• What is Hero Mania?

• Where did the wrestling influence come from?

• The Hero Mania gameplay

• Gaming inspirations

• Deathmatch wrestling influence in the game

Keep Up With Hero Mania and Cosmic Tonic Studios

• Steam Link

• Instagram

• Discord

• YouTube

• Hero Mania website

More from Anime Magic can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Have you played Hero Mania yet? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Audio Only Podcast

Anjali Kunapaneni Talks Video Games, Anime, Manga, and Much More

A few of the topics discussed include:

• Inspirations in voice actor

• Being casted as Coco

• The Chandi role in Street Fighter

• The Witch Hat manga series

• Being a writer and using different skill sets

• Watching work back

• Voicing a wide range of characters

• Mimi’s role in Yu-Gi-Oh

• Pokémon Horizons

• Working in Genshin Impact

More from Anime Magic can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Are you a fan of Pokemon or Street Fighter? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Audio Only Podcast

Lotus Juice Talks: Persona, Rapping, Anime Magic, and More

A few of the topics discussed include:

• The creation of his stage name

• Blending anime and hip hop music

• Being a gamer and anime fan

• Advice for anyone starting in music

• Recording Max Destruction for Persona 3

• Working with Shoji Meguro

• Favorite anime and video game

• Writing process

• Being part of the Persona franchise

• Changes in the music industry

More from Anime Magic can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Are you a fan of Persona? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Audio Only Podcast

Miss Mariah B Talks Dragon Ball Z and More at FAN EXPO Chicago 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Dragon Ball Z Fandom

• Creating the first form Frezia cosplay

• Other cosplays done

• Where to keep up with her

Keep Up With Miss Mariah B

• Instagram

• TikTok

• Facebook

• WhatNot Hosting

More from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Did you grow up with Dragon Ball Z or other anime? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Audio Only Podcast

Brendan Wayne: Mandalorian Interview: FAN EXPO Chicago

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Being the grandson of legendary actor John Wayne

• Learning the acting craft

• Growing up a Star Wars fan

• Early days on the set of the Mandalorian

• Working with Barry Lowin

More from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Did you watch The Mandalorian? What were some of your favorite episodes? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

FAN EXPO Chicago took over the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, just outside of Chicago, August 14th-16th. Fans were able to meet stars such as Kurt Russell, the cast of The Boys, Supernatural, and more.

The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Audio Only Podcast

Mandy Fay Interview at FAN EXPO Chicago 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• FAN EXPO Chicago activities

• Getting started in cosplay

• Learning to sew and applying it to cosplay

• Being a Star Trek fan and favorite series

• The Hannah Taylor Dress

Keep Up With Mandy Fay

• Instagram

More from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Are you a Star Trek fan? Which series or captain is you favorite? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Audio Only Podcast

McKenzie Shane Talks Cosplay, Crafting, Anime and More at FAN EXPO Chicago 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• FAN EXPO Chicago lineup

• How she started with cosplay

• Anime fandom

• Favorite Sailor Guardian

• Graphic design and artwork

Keep Up With McKenzie Shane

• Instagram

• TikTok

• Facebook

More from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Did you grow up with Sailor Moon or other anime? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Please note there is a spoiler for Expedition 33’s ending. We give plenty of warning in the interview for you to pause if you don’t want to hear the ending spoiler.

Audio Only Podcast

Magpie Crossing Interview at FAN EXPO Chicago 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• FAN EXPO Chicago activities

• Getting started in cosplay

• Crafting with different methods

• Fantasy Cosplays

• Expedition 33 ending choice (spoiler warning)

Keep Up With Magpie Crossing

• Instagram

• 3D Modeling

More from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Did you play Expedition 33? What did you think of the ending? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Audio Only Podcast

Chris Tergliafera Talks Gaming Voice Roles and More

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Growing up a gamer

• Working in the Marvel Universe as Sigma in Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite

• Preparing for the role as Sigma

• Working as Megatron at Universal Studios

• Being part of the Ace Combat series

• Lending his voice to the Resident Evil franchise

More from Anime Magic can be found here. Thank you to the media team at the convention for coordinating the interview.

More From Heart As Art

Did you attend Anime Magic? What is your favorite Chris Tergliafera role? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Mr. T talked all things WWE Hall of Fame, tossing out the first pitch for the Chicago Cubs, singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game, his time in the WWE, and, of course, being on set for Rocky, the A-Team, and more. Mr. T was part of WrestleMania I and is also part of the celebrity wing of the WWE Hall of Fame. He returned to his hometown of Chicago for FAN EXPO Chicago 2026.

Audio Only Podcast

Mr. T Talks WWE Hall of Fame and WrestleMania I

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley Field

• Interacting with fans at FAN EXPO Chicago

• Being part of WrestleMania I

• Being in the WWE Hall of Fame

More Fan Expo content can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

What is your favorite Mr. T moment? Is it from wrestling, Rocky, A-Team, or something else? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Audio Only Podcast

Chewie Melodies Talks Stellar Blade Live Performance and More: Anime Magic 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Becoming a musician at a young age

• Becoming a gamer

• Becoming a Twitch streamer

• Working on a Final Fantasy Soundtrack

• Playing Final Fantasy XIV

• Performing the music of Stellar Blade at Anime Magic

Keep Up With Chewie

• Twitch

• Spotify

• Apple Music

• YouTube

• Website

• Instagram

• Twitter

• Patreon

• Discord

• TikTok

More from Anime Magic can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Do you play Final Fantasy XIV? What is your favorite expansion? Sound off in the comments below

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Please note there is a spoiler for Expedition 33’s ending. We give plenty of warning in the interview for you to pause if you don’t want to hear the ending spoiler.

Audio Only Podcast

Pealeaf Talks Stellar Blade and More: Anime Magic 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Growing up a musician

• Family members getting her into video games

• Collaborating with Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda

• Working on the Stellar Blade Soundtrack

• Being a Final Fantasy fan

• Expedition 33’s ending (spoiler warning)

Keep Up With Pealeaf

• Twitch

• YouTube

• Spotify

• Apple Music

• Patreon

• Instagram

• Twitter

More from Anime Magic can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Did you play Stellar Blade? What did you think of the soundtrack? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Road Dogg has done it all in the wrestling world. From being a member of DX and the New Age Outlaws to working behind the scenes in creative and producing for WWE, he has many stories to tell from the world of pro wrestling.

Audio Only Podcast

Road Dogg Live From Fan Expo Chicago

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Favorite Chicago wrestling moments

• Being in different mindsets for wrestling vs. producing vs. commentating

• Being in the Davis Arena for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW’s) 1,400th episode

• The crowd reaction when Dough Basham pulled a swerve on the crowd

• His friendship with David Herro

More coverage from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

What is your favorite Road Dogg or DX moment? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Jim had a busy weekend with panels, autographs, and panels with fellow Supernatural stars. Thank you to Jim and his team for being available to chat as well as Acacia Media Consulting for coordinating the interview.

Audio Only Podcast

Jim Beaver - Supernatural Live from FAN EXPO Chicago 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• His weekend of panels, autographs, and fan interactions

• Working on-set with Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, and more

• Working with the different classic cars on the set of Supernatural

More coverage from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart as Art

Did you watch Supernatural? What were some of your favorite moments? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com