Dr. Bob Blackwood, professor emeritus, City Colleges of Chicago.  He is the author of From the Silent Era to The Sopranos: Italian American Gangsters in Trend-Setting Films and TV Shows. He is also co-author with Dr. John Flynn of Future Prime: The Top 10 SF Films of the 20th Century as Chosen by Worldcon Fans. Blackwood has also worked as a film reviewer for The Columbia River Reader (Washington/Oregon) since 2008.

He has been guest speaker on film panels at DragonCon (2005-present), various WorldCons, WindyCons, Capricons, etc. and is a reviewer of books on film for the American Library Association from 1969-present.  In addition, he has worked as assistant editor, editor, and special contributor for the Cook County College Teachers Union College Union Voice newspaper from 1969-2012.