From Maspeth to the Stars, Giakoumis’ Sci-Fi Universe

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

A Lifelong native of Maspeth, Queens, Peter S. Giakoumis spent his childhood on the streets of his neighborhood, playing stickball with friends, visiting the candy store on Grand Avenue, and diving into comic books and science-fiction magazines. Those early experiences would later fuel a passion for storytelling that has now blossomed into an ambitious, multi-platform sci-fi project called Galactic Beat.

“As a Queens local, I love Maspeth. It’s just a great neighborhood to be in,” Giakoumis said. “When I grew up, there were kids on the block. We played in the street, played stickball… it was a lot of fun going to the candy store on Grand Avenue, getting comic books and sci-fi magazines.”

That passion for imaginative worlds and stories would guide Giakoumis from his local schools—PS 128 and Grover Cleveland High School—to Queens College, after a brief stint at the Military College of Vermont and spent most of his career as a civil servant. But it was his ongoing love for film, particularly sci-fi, that ultimately shaped his creative career. “I’ve always loved film, specifically sci-fi and adventure,” Giakoumis said. “As I got older, I realized I wanted to explore the medium more seriously, so I studied filmmaking at LaGuardia Community College and later took a certificate course at NYU Tisch on the business of entertainment.”

Giakoumis’ journey into filmmaking began long before he launched XG-3 Films. His love for Battlestar Galactica—the 1978 cult-classic sci-fi series that aired just after Star Wars—sparked a lifelong connection to the franchise and its fan community. Growing up watching the series on first-run television, Giakoumis became deeply engaged with its lore, following both the original and the 2004 reimagined version that honored the show’s roots while expanding its story. That passion eventually led him to co-create Interfleet Broadcasting, a live-streaming show and podcast launched during the pandemic. Named after the telecommunications crew in the Galactica fleet, the program brings together fans, creators, and filmmakers influenced by 1970s and ’80s sci-fi. Since its inception, Interfleet Broadcasting has produced more than 250 episodes, featuring interviews with writers, editors, video creators, and other industry professionals, all united by a shared love for classic science fiction.

Giakoumis credits a long-standing collaboration with his cousin, George J. Giakoumis, an Emmy-winning broadcast professional from Forest Hills, as a pivotal turning point in his creative journey. “George and I would go to the movies growing up and critique them for years,” he said. “I was like, you know what? Either we stop doing this, or we see if we can do better. And maybe we can.” Their shared analytical approach eventually evolved into a creative partnership that became XG-3 Films, a production company dedicated to writing, consulting, and producing entertainment media.

Joining them is Dr. Chris McAuley, an Irish-Canadian bestselling author and video game industry veteran, who Giakoumis met through their podcast. Together, the three formed a team that has now partnered with Glen Eric Larson, son of Glen A. Larson, the legendary creator behind classic TV series such as Battlestar Galactica, Magnum PI, and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.

The collaboration has led to the creation of Galactic Beat, a story that blends adventure, science fiction, and emotional depth. The narrative follows a widowed father and his preteen daughter as they are recruited from Earth to a distant alien planet. “The idea was, we wanted to emphasize the tribulations that the main character is going through… he has a daughter, and she’s going to school, making friends, and those other avenues that we can explore in the story,” Giakoumis said.

Unlike many independent projects, Galactic Beat is being developed as a full franchise from the start. Contracts have already been signed for an introductory novel with Crystal Lake Publishing, a stand-alone comic book with Scratch Comics, and a tabletop role-playing game with ABC Games, all scheduled to debut over 2026, with a video game expected in 2027. Meanwhile, a television pilot script and episode guides are complete, with the goal of eventually bringing the series to the small screen.

The project reflects the combined expertise of its creators. “You have to know who you’re getting involved in,” Giakoumis said. “Chris McCauley… he is a genius. And my cousin George and I, we’ve always been talking about comic books and TV… If we see things slightly different, we devise a way to compromise and bring it all together.”

“We’re building a universe that spans comics, novels, audio dramas, games, and even the potential for television and film, and my greatest hope is that audiences connect with its heart as much as they enjoy its action and spectacle,” said McAuley.

“Galactic Beat follows the legacy of great TV shows like Babylon 5, Stargate and even Star Trek with themes of hope and determination. I hope our franchise becomes another great series for decades to come.” said George J. Giakoumis, Co-Creator.

Giakoumis also emphasizes the value of community and indie creativity in reshaping the entertainment industry. “Artificial intelligence can be a tool, but you still need stories, you still need productions. Indie creators are important now more than ever. You can do a lot with little and still be taken seriously.”

For Giakoumis, the project represents a personal milestone, demonstrating that a local creator can reach a global audience. “It’s really cool that a local can actually get to where I’m going… Coming from Queens, it’s inspiring. It shows you can be from anywhere and still make it,” he said.

For aspiring creators, he offers a clear message: “What I’m doing, anybody else can do, as long as they take themselves seriously… Find your passion and pursue it.”

Fans can follow updates on XG-3 Films’ Facebook page and Giakoumis’s live-streaming podcast, Interfleet Broadcasting.

Courtesy NYC.Gov

Adams Exits, Mayoral Contest Heats Up

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Mayor Eric Adams announced on September 28 that he is ending his third-party bid for re-election, narrowing the field in the race to lead the nation’s largest city.

“Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue my re-election campaign,” Adams said in a video posted on social media on Sunday. “The constant media speculation about my future and the campaign finance board’s decision to withhold millions of dollars have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign.”

Adams, a lifelong New Yorker, rose from a childhood in Brownsville and South Jamaica to a career in public service that spanned four decades. He served as an NYPD officer and co-founded 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, later representing Brooklyn in the State Senate and becoming the borough’s first Black borough president. In 2021, he was elected the city’s 110th mayor, campaigning on public safety, equity, and economic recovery.

“Who would have thought that a kid from South Jamaica, Queens — growing up with learning disabilities — could one day become the mayor of the greatest city in the world?” he said.

The mayor touted achievements including record housing construction, a drop in shootings and murders, higher test scores and school attendance, and record job growth. “We lowered costs for working- and low-income families — expanding funding for rental vouchers, childcare, and household costs, while eliminating the income tax burden for more than half a million New Yorkers,” Adams said.

During his tenure, Mayor Eric Adams pointed to progress on public safety, economic recovery, and livability across New York City. His administration oversaw double-digit decreases in murders, shootings and burglaries, removed more than 15,000 illegal guns from city streets, and added 1,000 officers to the subway system, cutting transit crime by nearly a quarter. The city recovered all jobs lost during the pandemic and added nearly 300,000 more, while raising wages for delivery workers and nonprofit employees and launching a $2 billion plan to cancel medical debt. Adams also touted record-breaking affordable housing development, a landmark transformation of Willets Point, expanded child care access, and initiatives to make streets safer and cleaner — from pedestrian redesigns to trash containerization. He framed these efforts as part of a broader push to build a safer, more affordable, and more livable city for working New Yorkers.

But Adams’ accomplishments were often overshadowed by his federal corruption indictment, which — though later dropped by the Trump administration — left a lasting mark on his approval ratings and campaign prospects. Despite repeatedly insisting he would stay in the race, his campaign was hobbled by the loss of millions in public matching funds, poor fundraising, and record-low approval ratings.

“I also know some remain unsure of me after the unfortunate events surrounding my federal case. I was wrongfully charged because I fought for this city — and if I had to do it again, I would fight for New York again,” Adams said.

His exit comes after Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani’s Democratic primary win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is now running as a third-party candidate. Adams’ withdrawal could help consolidate support behind Cuomo, though his name will still appear on the November ballot because the deadline to remove candidates has passed. Limited polling has shown Cuomo benefiting most from Adams’ absence, though Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa also stands to gain.

Adams acknowledged his departure would reshape the race but pledged to keep working for New Yorkers until the end of his term. “Although this is the end of my reelection campaign, it is not the end of my public service,” he said. “I will continue to fight for this city — as I have for 40 years, since the day I joined the NYPD to make our streets safer and our systems fairer.”

The mayor warned against rising extremism in politics and urged voters to focus on results over rhetoric. “Beware of those who claim the answer is to destroy the very systems we built together over generations. That is not change. That is chaos,” Adams said.

“My fellow New Yorkers: this is your city. Its leaders work for you. I am one of you. My story is your story. I lived the struggle, but I never stopped loving this city,” Adams said. “That is why I ran for mayor — to turn my pain into purpose. And I will keep fighting for this city no matter what, from City Hall or beyond.”

With Adams out, November’s mayoral race is set to intensify, carrying high stakes for New York City’s future as residents weigh questions of safety, affordability, and leadership in the nation’s largest city.

Maspeth’s Marge Markey Remembered for Lifetime of Service

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Margaret M. “Marge” Markey, a trailblazing Queens lawmaker who championed community causes, elevated New York’s tourism profile, and spent more than a decade fighting to pass landmark protections for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, died Sept. 24 at her home in Maspeth. She was 83.

Her family said she passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

Markey, a Democrat, represented the 30th Assembly District — covering Maspeth, Woodside, and parts of Middle Village, Astoria, Sunnyside, and Long Island City — from 1998 until 2016. In office, she became known as a fierce community advocate who brought grassroots determination into Albany.

Her daughter, Margaret, said her mother’s entry into public service began long before Albany. “There was a fatality on 69th Street when I was very young,” she said. “My mom went out and gathered all the moms with strollers, whoever she could, and they marched for traffic lights. She kept at it until it got done. That’s just who she was — if she saw something that needed fixing, she wouldn’t let go until it was fixed.”

That determination carried into other local battles. Not long after, she led efforts to save a fire-damaged 19th-century police station in Maspeth, which city officials planned to demolish. Instead, with Markey’s persistence, it was preserved and transformed into Maspeth Town Hall, a nonprofit community center that today offers youth programs, arts, and senior services.

“She was also one of the people who stopped them from tearing down the old police station in Maspeth,” her daughter said. “Everyone thought it was an eyesore, but she kept saying, ‘We can use it.’ And because she pushed, that’s now Maspeth Town Hall. It’s still running today, and thousands of people use it. That’s her.”

Markey’s deepening civic involvement led her to serve as a Community Board member and Democratic District Leader. She later joined the office of Queens Borough President Claire Shulman as Assistant Director of Economic Development, where she helped oversee local business growth and job creation. She then became Queens’ first Director of Marketing and Tourism, launching campaigns that celebrated the borough’s cultural diversity, global cuisine, and festivals — long before Queens earned its now-famous reputation as the “World’s Borough.”

Elected to the State Assembly in 1998, Markey rose to chair the Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee, where she pushed for stronger support of cultural institutions, historic sites, and recreational facilities across New York. She was also active in caucuses, including the Legislative Women’s Caucus, and served as president of the Irish American Legislators Society, reflecting her pride in her heritage.

But the work that defined her career — and legacy — was her advocacy for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. In 2003, she introduced the Child Victims Act (CVA), which sought to extend the statute of limitations to give survivors more time to come forward.

The bill faced years of resistance, particularly from powerful religious and institutional lobbies. It was a battle that took personal courage: Markey, a devout Catholic, often endured backlash from the very communities and leaders she had long worked alongside. Critics targeted her, opponents sought to weaken the measure, and at times, progress seemed impossible.

Still, she persisted.

“She put that bill in year after year, even when everybody told her it wasn’t going anywhere,” her daughter said. “It was tough on her — she was a Catholic, and a lot of people gave her a hard time. But she would just say, ‘I know this is the right thing,’ and she wouldn’t back down.”

The law didn’t pass until 2019, three years after Markey left office, but her family said it remained the work she was proudest of. “It meant so much to her to know it finally got done,” her daughter said. “She fought for that for more than a decade, and survivors finally got a chance to be heard.”

Though she lost re-election in 2016, Markey lived to see her fight come to fruition. In 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Child Victims Act into law. The legislation opened a one-year window for survivors to file claims regardless of when the abuse occurred and extended the statute of limitations for future cases — reforms long sought by survivor advocates. Thousands of New Yorkers have since pursued justice under the law.

While her legislative work was often at the forefront, Markey’s family and friends remember her as a warm, curious, and compassionate woman who loved her neighborhood as much as she did the wider world. She cherished travel, especially to Ireland, and loved visiting museums and cultural sites. At home, she was just “mom” or “grandma Marge,” happiest when surrounded by family.

Family members say they will also remember her warmth and curiosity beyond politics. “She loved to travel, she loved art, she loved museums,” her daughter said. “But more than anything, she just loved talking to people. Everybody used to tell me, ‘Your mom really cared about me.’ And it’s true. She really did.”

Markey is survived by her husband, retired State Supreme Court Judge Charles Markey; her children, Charles, John (Endira), and Margaret (BJ); and her granddaughter, Camila.