Mike was a trend setter from the get go.

Mike's dad loved comics and quickly got his child addicted.

Mike enjoyed quite a bit if scifi in his youth but Star Trek sealed the deal for life.

Dad took Mike to Disney World just as Epcot had broke ground. It was part of a larger trip but Disney was incredible

Star wars has consumed Mike's life. It kept his store float. It got him a solid comics gig. It has given highs and lows. Mike still has all of his toys from the 70s and 80s

Mike met Cockrum, one of his handful of comics heroes, at a comic con in Pittsburgh. Cockrum gave him a portfolio review and solidly set Mike on a path that never ends. Sequential art is king!

Mike saw this several times in its origial release. It was the first vhs he rented, the first purchased, the 2nd dvd and the first bluray. This movie is holy and has continued to influence Mike. He cringes every time someone adds to it.

First saw Macross on VHS before Robotech. Launched Mike's obsession with anime and japanese culture

Mike designs an ad for a japanese catalog company his senior year of high school

Graduated with a BFA in 4.5 years

Mike enjoyed a post-gig dinner with Gilbert, one of his favorite comedians

Mike made friends with Emo, discussing unreleased films, comedy as art, and life in general.

Lifelong friends and a solid understanding of the entertainment industry was gained

Mike got to work front of house for a 2 show gig. Carlin spent time discussing comedy and movies with Mike

Esposito was on campus giving a lecture on racism. Mike got to spend time with him and a group in a private discussion

Mike has been starstruck twice. The first time was with Bobcat who told him to calm down, he was just a person. A great conversation followed

Mike opened a comic shop with his soon to be wife

The greatest woman in the world decided to share her life with Mike

Mike got his first pro contract from Jim Shooter only to have Defiant go bankrupt the day he received his first script

Mike worked every job in the cinema, managing more than 8 theatres and becoming a training manager for way too many years

Cher rented out the cinema so she and her crew could watch The Sixth Sense

Tom Pinchuck and Mike created Ruin and launched Mike's steady involvement in Indie comics

Mike painted the first cover and had a four part story, Closed System, serialized.

Mike guested, was brought on full tie, and was unjustly booted off a once popular comic book podcast. Too much drama, but Mike made a lot of friends and got a lot of respect for his knowledge of the business

Mike was a featured artist

Mike finally works with fancy new technology

Mike goes it alone for a couple years

Mike learned to host birthday parties, how mascots work, how to work a kitchen, and taught children gambling.

Returned home to aid his ailing father

Mike's current non-art gig

Disgusted with the direction of the world, Mike does his part to educate the youth

Mike's brother ryan took the family to Disney!

you are soaking in it