01:26 – Jeff gives the podcast word of the day, Robo Brogan visits the podcast, and Justin welcomes Jeff and Scott to the New Year. He chats about their New Years' Eve casserole party, the shots they shared at the party, and the games they played that night. Jeff talks about the making of the casserole, they express how awesome the deep-dish pizza they enjoyed was, Justin poses the question on offering leftover casseroles to neighbors, and mentions that The Tacoma Light Trail is still going on through mid-Jan. He talks about enjoying casserole leftovers, Justin shares the latest work from past GCP guest Mark Monlux, and Justin talks about doing the early morning New Year's Day Polar Plunge with 130 other people that day.

20:06 – Justin talks about the water experience, how the first two minutes of the experience was the hardest, and what getting out of the water felt like. He talks about how it helped energize him for the week, the importance of having a word of intention, and Jeff shares his movie reviews. He talks about what he liked about the movie Halloween Kills, how well the writers balanced the story, and they reflect on the long, awkward scene from a movie they all enjoyed together at the theater. They question if Mike Meyers can actually be killed in a movie, Jeff recommends they watch Harley Quinn Birds of Prey, and Scott talks about the new show on Netflix, Kaleidoscope.

35:11 – Justin talks about finishing the second season of White Lotus, GCP showing up on Reddit, and businesses closing in the area, including Hello Cupcake. They talk about the egg shortage, other restaurants closing in the area, and the importance of networking and supporting local businesses. Justin talks about the most recent library book he's been reading, Scott talks about his frequent past visits to the library, and reflects on participating in Read-A-Thons as a kid.

52:03 – Justin talks about always being a computer nerd, his first orientation of wrestling class, and Scott talks about sports he did back in the day. Jeff reflects on being a big reader as a kid as well, they share their stories of playing baseball as a kid and question if there is ever a stand in spinner for Wheel of Fortune. Scott ponders on if the game is gambling, if they discriminate against people with no arms, and Justin talks about having the home version of Wheel of Fortune, and Scott suggests new show concepts. Friend Erik shares that people can have a designated fill-in on Wheel of Fortune, and Justin closes out the show talking about their other friends setting in on the live recording.

Sponsored By:

• Cosmic Bottles: Tap into the universe of craft beer! CRAFT BEER FOR YOU! Tired of the same old grocery store beer selection? Looking for a beer selection that caters to your taste? At Cosmic Bottles the choice is always yours. Every day: 11am - 10pm 27116 167th Place SE Suite 108 Covington, WA 98042
• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.
• Die Cut Stickers: Use the code GRITCITY15 at checkout and get 15% off your entire order! · Insanely custom stickers crafted to survive the PNW and beyond! Promo Code: GRITCITY15

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Chi-Town Pizza | Spanaway WA | Facebook
• Atomic Age Alien Series Enamel Pins by Mark Monlux — Kickstarter — A series of enamel pins featuring aliens from Atomic Age science fiction cinema.
• The Grit City Podcast: GCP: Puget Sound Plungers - Renate Rain — Renate Rain, the founder of Puget Sound Plungers, sits down with the guys to discuss creating the group Puget Sound Plungers and her local business.
• Kaleidoscope (TV Mini Series 2023) - IMDb
• What Tacoma/Tacoma adjacent Podcasts are a must listen? : Tacoma — I am big on Podcasts, Most Channel 253 are quality, my favorite being Grit and Grain Pod.
• C.L.A.W. - Artist Guild, Formerly the Cartoonist's League of Absurd Washingtonians (Tacoma, WA)
• Mark “Grand PooBah” Monlux (@markmonlux) / Twitter — Self-aggrandizing whimsical cartoonist, and author. I do my best to screen who I follow.
• MAMEdev.org | Home of The MAME Project — MAME is a multi-purpose emulation framework.
• Pierce County Library > Home
• Halloween Kills - Official Trailer - YouTube
• Birds of Prey (2020) - IMDb
• Tacoma, Washington — Welcome to r/Tacoma, The Subreddit of Destiny. Much like the city, this forum is a dusty old jewel of Puget Sound

00:10 – Justin kicks off the episode sharing his excitement for the characters at the event, Jeff reveals the days safe word, and Justin talks about the merch they have there for sale. He talks about seeing a kid dressed in a Freddy Krueger costume, they share their memories of the movie, and Justin talks about his favorite TV movie edits. He talks to Justin Hunt, the artist shares what got him into making comic art, and other events he does in the PNW.

15:23 – Jeff shares a weird gift he got as a kid, Justin shares the most peculiar gift he’s ever received, and Ken talks about his. Justin talks with Bruce Smith, creator of the game Halloween Town, his favorite part of the game, and Bruce explains the rules and objectives of it. He discusses the different teams he’s made, how he goes about putting the miniatures together, and the fabulous turnout they’ve had at the show.

30:01 - David talks about being the chief librarian for the non-profit Alexandria RPG Library, how much the library has grown since it opened in 2017, and being sponsored by Renegade Game Studios to attend GinCon. He talks about the podcast they run, the importance of having a business manager, and reflects on when he and Justin hung out at the same store playing Magic back in the 90s.

45:51 – RJ from SEALUG talks about there being no limit for building things with LEGOS, gives his thoughts on the LEGO Masters TV show, and discusses the recent PNW LEGO convention. He shares how it is an adult club, the other events they attend, and other opportunities for community engagement. Justin talks with author Carrie Avery Moriarty, Carrie shares one of her son’s favorite strange food combinations, and what it’s been like for her to attend conventions like the comic show.

Sponsored By:

• Cosmic Bottles: Tap into the universe of craft beer! CRAFT BEER FOR YOU! Tired of the same old grocery store beer selection? Looking for a beer selection that caters to your taste? At Cosmic Bottles the choice is always yours. Every day: 11am - 10pm 27116 167th Place SE Suite 108 Covington, WA 98042
• Die Cut Stickers: Use the code GRITCITY15 at checkout and get 15% off your entire order! · Insanely custom stickers crafted to survive the PNW and beyond! Promo Code: GRITCITY15

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Art of Justin Hunt (@artofjustinhunt) • Instagram — Comic book cover artist (Coffin Comics, Codex Entertainment, Big Dog Ink, Marvel, Sourcepoint Comics, Mountaineer West, Counterpoint Comics, and more)
• Awesome Fans of Justin Hunt Art | Facebook — A place where we can celebrate the wonderful and versatile art of Justin Hunt.
• AlexandriaRPG.com — We are a nonprofit charity based in Washington State.  We travel with a lending library to events to share role-playing games with others. 
• Renegade Games Studios
• Seattle Area LEGO Users Group — The Seattle Area LEGO® Users Group (SEALUG) is an association bringing together Adult Fans of LEGO® (AFOLs) within a supportive community committed to creativity and cooperation. 
• Welcome to PSLTC.org — We are an invitation-only association of adult Lego fans who exhibit our unique train-themed Lego layouts in the Greater Seattle / Puget Sound area, mostly at traditional model railroad shows.
• Citron European Bistro | Tacoma WA | Facebook
• Carrie Avery Moriarty — Carrie Avery Moriarty was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, where she still lives with the love of her life. She raised two wonderful, if not slightly warped, children who both live close to home. When she’s not yelling at her hometown sports team on the television, she’s cheering them on from the stands. She loves nature and spending time enjoying it with her family. And you don’t want to attempt to beat her in any board game, they are meant to be played to the death.
• Grit City Comic Show - Tacoma, WA Comic Book Convention — An Old School Style Comic Book Convention at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center
• KenzoFKC – I make stuff. — I’m Ken. I’m a dork who likes to make stuff. When not preserving the historic structures of Washington State’s Capitol Campus I make movies, write novels, draw comic books, play guitar, build things with my hands, play D&D, drink booze and contemplate the futility of existence. From the ether of my imagination to the digital or physical world, come take a peek inside my head!

00:15 – The show kicks off with Scott talking about Nate Diaz fighting the night of the recording, Jeff reveals the code word of the day, and talks about having fun in the discord. Justin gives a shout-out to the GCP’s dedicated listeners, comic book grading services they’ll offer at Grit City Comic Show, and their plans to have Ken back on the podcast. They make plans for a GCP after party during the event, special guests to have at the party, and Justin shares Mark Monlux’s kick starter for his Atomic Age Alien Series.

18:07 – Justin gives props to Michael J Fox in the Teen Wolf movie, Jeff and Scott share their recent man date at The Valley, and who they saw perform there. They discuss plans to meet with the Peterson brothers to talk about their next adventure, reflect on Rainer Beer commercials from the past, and other upcoming guests they’re going to have on.

35:25 – Justin talks about the recent TikTok celebrity he met, plans to have them on the podcast, and encourages listeners to keep track of what’s happening at their local libraries. He talks about visiting the Tacoma Moon Festival, Jeff talks about partying it up in Tacoma, and enjoying the late night food at Matador. Justin dives into Grit City Grub, talks about two older Tacoma restaurants with new owners, and the soft re-opening of the Pine Cone Café.

53:04 – Justin talks about who took over Spuds Pizza Parlor, what changes people should expect with the restaurant, and why chicken and jojo’s are one of his fave comfort foods. Scott talks about making wonton nachos, they discuss plans to visit the fair to enjoy some fair food, and Justin closes out talking about who they plan to speak with at the Union Club next week.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Atomic Age Alien Series Enamel Pins by Mark Monlux — Kickstarter — This project is a series of enamel pins featuring creatures brought to life from Cold War paranoia.
• Harlis Sweetwater on Facebook
• Walk, Don't Run: The Story of the Ventures - TFF OPENING NIGHT | — We are kicking off the 17th annual Tacoma Film Festival with a special hometown preview of local filmmakers Isaac Olsen and Justin and Rob Peterson's new documentary on Tacoma rock'n'roll royalty, The Ventures!
• CatLuminati on Facebook — Thanks to Tacoma News Tribune for this awesome interview! Read about it here https://www.thenewstribune.com/.../article264866104.html
• Tacoma Moon Festival - Tacoma Moon Festival — Presented by the Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation (CRPF), the Tacoma Moon Festival is an annual outdoor celebration held in the month of September at the Chinese Reconciliation Park to honor the rich diverse cultures of the Puget Sound region, brought here by our immigrant communities over the 150 years of the city’s history.
• Matador | Tacoma Restaurants | Downtown, Waterfront, Happy Hour — Our downtown Tacoma restaurant and bar is as rich in authenticity as the city it thrives in. Located near the waterfront and minutes from the Tacoma Dome, Matador Tacoma's classic landmark building has been around for a long time — and so have our team members, many of whom have been with us since we opened in 2006!
• The Pine Cone Cafe in UP has new owners who will be familiar to locals - Dine Pierce County — The Pine Cone Cafe in University Place is here to stay. 
• Spud's Pizza Parlor - Tacoma | Facebook — Spud's Pizza Parlor & Trophy Room is a South Tacoma icon known for handcrafted pizzas & sandwiches, scratch made spaghetti, spudder chips & world famous salads!

01:47 – Ethan talks about how he's been, Justin congrats Ethan on winning the WAC belt, Ethan talks about winning the belt and how well Destiny City Comics has been doing. He talks about questioning going back to wrestling, the great people he meets from the community at the shop, and his plans to do joint events with other businesses in the area. Justin shares his love of the Weird Elephant, kicks off coaster questions, and Jeff reflects on his love of wrestling as a kid.

22:09 – Justin talks about the comeback of Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers, Ethan discusses why Disney became so much more successful than Looney Tunes, and how John Cena knocked Peace Maker out of the park. Justin compares the difference between DC and Marvel characters, Ethan talks about people coming into the store interested in the b and c comic book characters and Peace Makers background story in the comic book.

44:22 – Jeff talks about how the Batman Return of the Phantasm is a cinematic masterpiece, he asks Ethan another coaster question, and Justin expresses his love of the Y: The Last man comic books. Ethan shares his favorite comic book based TV series, what sold him on the show, and they give props to John Cena's improv in Pease Maker. Ethan gives props to James Gunn for the casting of Guardians of the Galaxy, Justin talks about James's movie Super and how he brilliantly casted the main character.

66:32 – Ethan talks about being on the pulse of discovering artists in the area, his appreciation for the writing style of Kayden Phoenix, and his shift in business due to Covid. Jeff shares how he got his son interested in comic books, Ethan discusses how he is a comic book trade paperback person, and talks about buying comic books he loves for himself then reselling them in his store at a discount. He talks about starting collecting vinyl, the record treasures he finds, and Justin talks about cool records he's found.

Thanks, Ethan, for rejoining the crew to discuss what you've been up to since you were last on!

Special Guest: Ethan HD.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• ETHAN HD (ALL CAPS) (@ethanhd312) on Instagram — Pro Wrestler. Owner of @destinycitycomics.
• Weird Elephant — THE GRAND CINEMA'S EVERY-OTHER-WEEK LATE-NIGHT CINEPHILE INFUSION 
• Kayden Phoenix LatinaSuperheroes.eth (@kayden_phoenix) on Twitter — A LA BRAVA, Latina Superhero comics
• Destiny City Comics — Tacoma's #1 Destination for Comic Books, Graphic Novels, and Pro Wrestling Memorabilia
• ETHAN HD (ALL CAPS) (@REALEthanHD) ON Twitter — He/Him, Worldwide Scoundrel, Pro Wrestler, Owner of @DestinyCityComx, Stand-up Comic, Int'l Pro Wrestling Coach.
• Destiny City Comics on Facebook
• Destiny City Comics 🗻 (@destinycitycomics) on Instagram photos and videos — Tacoma's Unapologetically Black and LGBTQ+ Friendly comic shop. WE SHIP ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. Comics, graphic novels, pro wrestling merch, and toys!
• ETHAN HD - Wikipedia
• Around_Seattle (@Around_Seattle) / Twitter

2:34 – Justin explains what their Boot To Boot event is, gives props to the Camp Bar in Tacoma, and James Taylor tells the guys about the Jet City Comic show happening in October. He explains where the idea for the convention came from, Justin talks about Emerald City Comic con being bought out by ReedPOP, and their intent to keep the JCCS convention local. They discuss the benefits of doing so, how people can get more information on the convention, and James gives his review of having the convention at the Tacoma Convention Center.

12:45 – James talks about making the decision to move the convention from Seattle to Tacoma, Justin brings up the budding nerd culture Tacoma has had, and James gives his thoughts on conventions happening on a weekly basis around the country. They talk about the rising cost of living in Seattle, James shares the cost to attend the JCCS, and he talks about the Drink and Draw that happens Friday the before the show starts.

27:40 – James discusses the different panels that they have at the convention, the shows that resounded with him when he was younger, and Justin shares his past love for the 90’s show Kindred: The Embraced. Brogan talks about his disappointment in the Discovery Channel, including the show Cooper’s Treasure, and if he would rather watch that show or National Treasure. He recommends the guys watch Kon-Tiki, they share their love of the movie Brotherhood of the Wolf, and Justin brings up the epic shows and movies that have ended this year.

41:14 – Justin talks about the Disney+ being the Netflix killer, he talks about how comic books help people improve their reading skills, and James talks about what comic books he feels would be good for kids getting started in reading them. Brogan brings up the show ‘Bully Beatdown’, him making up with his childhood bully, and James shares how people can find out more information on Jet City Comic Show.

Thanks James for a great conversation and information on Jet City Comic show!

Special Guest: James Taylor.

Sponsored By:

• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• About Us - Jet City Comic Show — Jet City Comic Show began during a changing of comic book convention landscape 2009.
• Bully Beatdown — Bullies are matched in the ring with MMA-trained fighters for cash prizes.
• Emerald City Comicon Sold to ReedPop Article — Emerald City Comicon Sold to National Pop Culture Event Chain ReedPop.