Robert
J. Sodaro has been writing professionally for over 20 years. He began his
career by writing and producing radio ad copy for a number of radio stations
in Southwestern Connecticut. From there he branched out into print, working
predominantly in the collectibles field, concentrating on comicbooks, toys,
and trading cards. Eventually he moved on into other forms of writing ranging
from pop culture (penning columns on music and movies) to more serious matter
(op-ed, opinion). He has even taken a swing at technical writing, fiction,
marketing, and PR as well.Still,
where Bob really shines is in the filed he loves best—collecting—and
no where is it more evident than in his book, Kiddie Meal Collectibles where he has taken a long look at the toys and
premiums given out by fast food franchises. Assisted by his long-time
associate Alex Malloy (author of Comics Values Annual,
American Games
and Comic Collectibles and Their
Values who provided the price listings), Sodaro examines
the entire industry, profiling nearly 40 chains, and providing listings
and estimated prices stretching back nearly 30 years.
While
by his own admission, no one is going to get wealthy trading in fast food
toys, Sodaro feels that it is a fun, and entertaining hobby with its own
rewards (especially when you consider that even if the toys from it average
$5.00 to $10.00 you essentially got the toy free with a lunch that you purchased
for around $3.00).Assorted Writing Credits for Robert J. Sodaro
Books: Kiddie Meal Collectibles (Krause Books: 2001) author; Trivia Mania: Commercials and Ads (Zebra Books: 1984) co-author; Comics Values Annual (Krause Books: writer and Features Editor annually from 1994 to present); Comics Collectibles and their Values (Wallace-Homestead Book, Co.; 1996, contributor).
Fiction: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents scripts (JC Comics, 1998); The Real Avengers (Marvel Year in Review: 1994); Agent Unknown (Renegade Press: 1987–1988), creator/writer; Video Victor (Videogaming Illustrated; 1983–1984)
Marketing/Promotions: DC Comics, Dark Horse Publishing, i3 Mobile, Inc., Image Comics, JC Comics, Malibu Entertainment, Marvel Entertainment, Valiant (Acclaim) Entertainment
Columns: MoneyCard Collector (phone cards); Tuff Stuff‘’s Collect (trading cards), Flux Magazine (trading cards); Intermixx Offline Edition (Mixx Flixx—movies; FunnyBook City—comics); Hip (From the Shadow of the 14th Row——movies); Tunes ‘N’ Times (movies); Fairfield County Woman (Profile Male——opinion); The Guide to Computer Living (computergames); Amazing Heroes (comicbooks)
Magazines:
(Collectibles) Card Collector Price Guide, Country Accents Collectibles Flea Market Finds, MoneyCard Collector, Non-Sports Update, Collectable Toys & Values, Triton, Tuff Stuff’s Collect
(Comics) Advance Comics, Amazing Heroes, Arena, Cartoonist Profiles, Comic Book Collector, Comic Book Week, Comic Culture, The Comic News, Comic Shop News, Comics Buyer’s Guide, Comics Collector, Comics Interview, The Comics Journal, Comics Retailer, Comics Shopper, Comics Value Monthly, Combo, Entertainment Retailing, Fandom Feature, FantaCo’s Chronicles, Flux, Four Color, Hero Illustrated, Heroes’ World, Marvel Age, Marvel Special Edition (various), Marvel Vision, Marvel Year in Review, Overstreet’s Fan, Previews, Retail Express, Sales to Astonish, True Believer, Wizard
(Computers) Ahoy!, Commodore Magazine, Commodore: Microcomputers, Commodore: Power/Play, Computer Add-ons Buyer’s Guide and Handbook, Computer Living: New York, The Guide to Computer Living, IBM Personal Systems Developer, inCider, Run, TPUG, II Computing, Videogaming and Computergaming Illustrated
(Entertainment) Hip, Intermixx Offline Edition, Mixx, On Cable, NiteLife, Profiles, Tunes ‘N’ Times.
(Music) Blues Revue, Relix
(Newsletters—includes writing, editing, and layout, design and/or production) Ball & Chain, The Cowles Simba Report on Database Marketing, Electronic Advertising & Marketing Report, Electronic Education Report, Kolenu, Online Tactics, Pfizer for Living, The Rapp Up, The Seaport Sun
(Newspapers) CT Post, Fairfield County Weekly, Fairpress, The Hour, The News Times
(Other Publications) Card & Party, Connecticut Magazine, DateBook, Fairfield County Kids, Fairfield County Woman, Gray Areas, Party & Paper, Seaport Sun, New Woman
(Misc.) VSI Communication (scriptwriter, new media); The Production Group (scriptwriter, video), St. Philip Church (project director; writer, editor), Quantum Link (1986–1988), PlayNet (1985–1986)—hosted on-line chat rooms for both on-line networks
Production Credits
(Layout/Design—Journals) Intermixx Offline Edition Le Jacq Communications: The Journal of Clinical Hypertension; The American Journal of Medicine & Sports, Preventative Cardiology, The American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing