As often happens, couples split and Mom and “the boys” packed up and headed to the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. A few short years after that, a little independent film came out that took the world by storm and instilled in Paul a deep yearning to do something creative with his life. That film was Star Wars. Paul remembers he and his brother, Joseph, creating elaborate environments for their Star Wars action figures; playing beneath the giant trees that surrounded their home. The roots of those trees making perfect forts and camps for Luke, Leia and Han.

In those early years, Paul developed a love for music and constantly dabbled with the piano and a plastic recorder acquired from his grade school music teacher. This interest grew and Paul began taking clarinet lessons in the fifth grade, which evolved into him playing the saxophone and then, much later, drums. Joining the Concert Band, Chorus (which he became president of his senior year) and the Marching Band, Paul enjoyed playing for many an audience and got to march in a packed Philadelphia Philly’s Stadium! He had even formed a small rock band with two close friends, first calling themselves “The Influence” and then “Trilogy.”

During high school, his English teacher, a wonderfully gregarious woman introduced Paul to his next interest, the written word. He especially loved the old British Literary works of Chaucer and of course, the Bard, William Shakespeare. But his all time favorite classical author was an American writer named Edgar Allen Poe. Paul became the co-editor of the Cardinal Quill, his school’s newspaper and did most of the photography for the semi-monthly publication. His status as an amateur photographer was short lived as his first paying job was as a resort photographer.

It was also in high school that Paul met and dated the woman that would eventually become his sole reason for existence . . . but we’ll get to her in a bit.

After high school, Paul discovered yet another interest, magic. The budding magician found that his large hands and long fingers were perfect for the many slights and manipulations needed to make common objects appear and disappear before a spectator’s very eyes. This combined with his stage presence, made him a very popular opening act for several local bands. As The Grand Illusionist, the name taken from one of his favorite musical bands, Styx, he specialized in slight-of-hand trickery, but also performed elaborate stage illusions in the scope of David Copperfield, disappearing off stage one second, reappearing a hundred yards away, behind the audience, the next. There were even dancing girls! Paul's favorite medium of magic is a deck of cards. With a regular deck of playing cards, Paul can make the cards appear blank in one instant, then fully printed the next. He'll make you pick a card, place it face down in the deck, have you wave your hand over the stack, then riffle through the cards, only to find your card laying face up in the middle of the deck.

It was his combined love for magic and the written word that caused him move down to Orlando, Florida. His father was opening a bookstore and wanted Paul to perform his magic to attract customers. The store was located on International Drive and smack dab in the middle of all that Orlando had to offer. Paul was placed in charge of the comic book section of the store and that set the course that remains to this day.

After several years in Orlando, Paul returned to the Poconos and resumed his career as a writer, picking up freelance gigs from several of the local newspapers. Then an editorial position opened at This Week in the Poconos Magazine and Paul was hired as the Assistant Editor and Graphic Designer of the local tourist publication. There, Paul honed his skills on computer programs like Photoshop, PageMaker and begin dabbling in web design.

On a trip to a comic book convention in Pittsburgh, Paul ran into an artist that had illustrated the cover of a magazine that Paul wrote for. The artist's name was Matt Busch and the two began a partnership that has grown into a lasting friendship. Matt inspired Paul to create his own web design firm that has grown into PMK's IMAGINTATION. Matt's site was the very first web page Paul built and it has grown to the be most popular by far. Matt's done everything from Star Wars Art and is currently doing stuff for the brand new Hulk movie. He is billed as the premiere Entertainment Illustrator and has earned that title with every piece he completes. Five years later, and logging well over a million hits, www.mattbusch.com is the cornerstone of PMK's IMAGINATION.

His career wasn’t the only thing taking off. One day, his high school sweetheart came calling and the fiery romance of his youth not only sparked up again, it engulfed him. He married Heather Lyn Eckman on May 15, 1999 and his been playing with fire ever since. The wedding took place high a top a mountain, at a Christmas Tree farm. With acres of beautiful evergreens surrounding them, Paul and Heather exchanged wedding vows, her's being engraved on his ring - a constant reminder, "Here is My Heart, Guard It Well."

Wedding done, career on the rise, Paul found he needed to broaden his knowledge. Considering himself a perpetual student, he enrolled himself at Allentown Business School, seeking a diploma in Visual Communications. His goal was simple, he'd expect nothing less of the 18 month course than a 4.0 GPA. Taking classes at night, three nights a week with a campus over an hour away from his wife and apartment, Paul succeeded in his goal making and graduated not only with a 4.0 but with the honor of getting and "Outstanding Student" award.

Today, with PMK's IMAGINATION a huge success and opportunities opening up everywhere, Paul is content in his life. A homeowner in Northern New Jersey with his wife and dog, Cherokee, Paul is hard at work on his first independent comic title, The Perfect Victim, with artist Chris Ring. If there's a comic con Paul can get to, you'll see him there, chatting it up with comic creators and potential clients.

Favorite Comic Book: Dark Knight Returns
"This is the book I started with . . . In '86 I was around 14 and never really picked up a comic book. There just wasn't a comic shop in the Poconos at that time. We went to visit my dad and he had a copy of the first issue and the cover was just so cool. I judged the book by it's cover and read it through, and thirsted for more!! Still do!!"

Favorite Book: Fletch by Gregory McDonald
"The book was a million times better than the movie - and I loved the movie! Gregory McDonald captures dialog in a way, no other writer can. If you haven't picked up this book yet, do yourself a favor!"

Favorite Movie: Star Wars
"There is just something about that movie. That scene where Luke looks out over the waste lands of Tatooine and the twin suns are setting, there's this powerful musical theme running in the background. I still get chills when I see that scene.

Favorite Television Show: MacGyver
"They say television is bad for kids. I couldn't disagree more. I like to think this show helped mold me into the man I am today. The morals and ethics of the lead character are solid. Plus, he was just down right cool!!"
Current Favorite: CSI & Smallville

Favorite Actor: Sean Connery
"What can I say . . . the guy is just awesome! First, he's James Bond, one of my favorite characters of all time. And all these years later, he's still going strong. I want to be as dignified as he does when I am his age!"

Favorite Actress: Michelle Phiffer
"Oh yeah . . . what more can I say . . . First saw her in Lady Hawk and had a crush ever since. Michelle as Catwoman . . . Proves it . . . there is a God!!"

Favorite Director: Michael Bay
"The guy gets a ton of flack for making what they call "popcorn" films, but his visuals are just dizzying. Plus he likes to work with Hans Zimmer, a terrific composer!"