On the Mic with Tim Drake

Episode 212 - Juliette Calderon

On today's episode I have Juliette Calderon! 

Juliette continues our San Diego Comic-Con series of the many incredible panelists and artists coming to SDCC next week! When Juliette reached out to me we realized how truly of a small world it is as we both work at Warner Brothers, quite literally a few hundred yards apart. Juliette works on the accounting side for film and tv , analyzing tax incentives. She will also be part of two panels this year!

I talked with Juliette about how she got into film and tv through accounting, how she first got involved with Comic-Con, finding the courage to find the people to help advance your career, the upcoming video games panel, her fandom of the show Manifest, and so much more! 

A huge Thank You to Juliette for taking the time to come on the show. Juliette will be on TWO panels at SDCC next week. The first will be "Video Games To Be Excited For in 2025 and Beyond" on Saturday, July 27th from 11:00AM-12:00PM in the Omni Grand Ballroom, and the second is "Manifest: Enter the Glow One More Time", Sunday, July 28th 3:30-4:30PM, Room 23ABC. Make sure to follow Juliette on all of the links below and go make sure to go see her in San Diego! 

Thanks, Juliette!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 211- Gareth Von Kallenbach of Skewed and Reviewed

On today's episode I have video game and movie critic, writer, and author, Garth Von Kallenbach of Skewed and Reviewed!

This episode continues our series on the incredible talent coming to San Diego Comic-Con next week, and Gareth has such a rad story of how he became a part of the madness we all love. Long before we had sites like Nerdist, there was Skewed and Reviewed! This episode starts off the way that every episode should in my opinion; with cat chat! Gareth and I are big cat people and our cats made themselves known as we started recording. 

I talked with Gareth about finding his love for film and video games, getting access to them as a kid on base in Saudi Arabia, how he started writing reviews, the video games he's looking forward to, the best gaming console and tv pairing, becoming a part of San Diego Comic-Con, and so much more! Garth will be hosting the panel "Upcoming Video Games To Be Excited For" on Saturday, July 27th from 11:00-12:00PM at the Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, on the 4th floor. You will not want to miss it!

A huge Thank You to Gareth for taking the time to join me on the show. It was so good to get to know him and learn all about how Skewed and Reviewed got it's start. Make sure to follow Gareth and Skewed and Reviewed on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com And go see him at San Diego Comic-Con next week! 

Thanks, Gareth!

Enjoy the episode! 

Episode 210 - Vince Alvendia aka Eggdrop Ramen

On today's episode I have writer and artist Vince Alvendia, also known as Eggdrop Ramen!

I have been a fan of Vince's for a while now and was thrilled when he reached out to be a part of our San Diego Comic-Con shows. Vince will be back in Artist Alley at Booth DD-02 this year, and he has some incredible pieces he's bringing with him. Personally, I can't wait to get my hands of some of his Masters of the Universe prints! 

I talked with Vince about growing up in San Diego and finding out about comic-con, getting into art, finding how to make art a career, his early inspirations, working on graphic novels like Dark Agents: Book 1, Violet and the Trail of Trauma, and Horrorgasm, 200 Days of Star Wars, and so much more. 

A huge Thank You to Vince Alvendia for taking the time to join me on the show. Make sure to visit him in Artist Alley at Booth DD-02, and go and see his panel on Saturday, July 27th in room 29AB from 7:30-8:30PM and learn all about how to get your first novel and comic book off the ground. Make sure to follow Vince on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com and go see him at San Diego Comic Con. 

Thank, Vince!

Enjoy the episode! 

Episode 209 - Sean Forney

On today's episode I have artist and comic book artist, Sean Forney! 

Sean continues my series highlighting the insurmountable talent at San Diego Comic-Con as one of the incredible artists you'll find in artist alley. Sean's art and work has been seen in everything from Marvel and Disney projects, to his own comic series created by Sean and his wife, "Scarlett Huntress". 

I talked with Sean about growing up in Ohio, finding his way to comic books and art, his biggest inspirations, meeting his wife (who is also a phenomenal artist), turning art into a career, is hilarious series "Do You Pooh", San Diego Comic-Con, "Scarlett Huntress", and so much more!

A huge Thank You to Sean Forney for joining me on the show. Make sure to visit Sean and his wife at San Diego Comic-Con in a few weeks. You'll be able to find them in two locations this year! Sean will be in Artist Alley at booth EE-03 and in Small Press at Booth K-03. You can pick up their SDCC exclusive cover of "Scarlett Huntress" at both booths, as well as more of Sean's incredible art pieces. Make sure to follow Sean on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com

Thanks, Sean!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 208 - Mario Adrion

On today's episode I have former model turned standup comedian, Mario Adrion!

You may know Mario from his viral moment on "American Idol" where he performed in a speedo, and then had a catwalk off with Katy Perry. Mario's YouTube has amassed close to a million subscribers with his hilarious on the street and reaction videos as a German in America. 

I talked with Mario about growing up in Germany and discovering modeling, the culture shock of moving to New York from a small German town, learning how to model, AI and union protections for models, finding his way to making YouTube vlogs, his drive to create and make videos, protecting models against sexual assault and harassment, how he started writing comedy, find the balance of making YouTube content and writing standup, American Idol, and so much more. 

A huge Thank You to Mario Adrion for taking the time to join me on the show! Mario is currently on his "German Efficiency" stand up tour around the country. Make sure to follow him on all of the links below and go see him when he performs in your city. 

Thank You, Mario!

Enjoy the episode. 

Episode 207 - Tomás Gómez Bustillo

On today's episode I have writer, director, and producer, Tomás Gómez Bustillo!

His new film, "Chronicles of a Wandering Saint" opens in theaters in New York this Friday, June 28th, and Los Angeles, and other cities July 5th. I was so intrigued by the story and the trailer to the film (see below) was so captivating that I had to learn more about this film and more about Tomas ever growing career in film making. "Chronicles of a Wandering Saint" initially premiered at SXSW last year, winning the Adam Yauch Hornbolower Awards, as well as earning itself 3 Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations! 

I talked with Tomas about growing up in Argentina and moving around the world, his early film influences, studying politics, the art of filmmaking, moving to Los Angeles to attend AFI (American Film Institute), creating the story of "Chronicles of a Wandering Saint", and so much more. 

A huge Thank You to Tomas Gomez Bustillo for taking the time to join me on the show. This all came together last minute as he was getting ready to fly out to New York for the release and I was honored that he made time to come on the show in the midst of travel prep. Please support this film and get out and see it as it comes to a city near you! Check out the trailer and follow Tomas on the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com as well! 

Thanks, Tomas!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 206 - Anthony and Zoe from Alpha to Zeta Industries

On today's episode I have cosplayers and cosplay builders, Anthony and Zoe of Alpha to Zeta Industries!

This episode continues the series talking to the incredibly talented creators at San Diego Comic-Con. Anthony and Zoe have such a great story about how they got into cosplaying, which ultimately led to them launching their company, Alpha to Zeta Industries. Their cosplay props are next level and could be used in film and television. They're that good! I'm definitely going to be scooping up some of the Moon Knight crescent darts for my own personal collection. 

I talked with Anthony and Zoe about how they met, playing video games, attending their first convention and discovering cosplay, creating their Master Chief cosplay (which is phenomenal), launching the company, donating to charities, and so much more!

A huge Thank You to Anthony and Zoe for taking the time to join me on the show. It was such a great time learning their story and seeing some of their incredible pieces. Make sure to follow them on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com Take your cosplay to the next level and work with Alpha to Zeta to make the items you need. I can't wait to see their cosplay in person in San Diego. 

Thanks, Anthony and Zoe!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 205 - Lisa Merback of Victron Printing

On today's episode I have Lisa Merback of Victron Printing! 

This episode is the first in a number of episodes leading up to San Diego Comic-Con where I've invited artists, vendors, cosplayers, and panelists to join me on the show to talk about their involvement with the convention, and Lisa kicks things off with a bang! Victron Printing is a small family run business made by artists FOR artists, and as you'll hear from Lisa, their passion is what makes their work so great! 

Lisa talked with me about how the company was started, why great art matters to them, giving artists a safe space for their art, consulting with artists to make sure the print matches their vision, the importance of being sex positive and supporting LGBTQ artists, finding new ways to support artists at live shows and conventions, and so much more!

A huge Thank You to Lisa for coming on the show and introducing us to your incredible company. Lisa's passion and joy for the work is contagious and encouraging and will encourage you to keep making art. Make sure to follow Lisa and Victon Printing on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com And as a bonus, Lisa and Sharon have an offer for all On the Mic listeners! Now through July 28th, use the code OTMP on their website and receive 10% off your print order! Support a small business and support artists and print with Victron Printing. 

Thanks, Lisa!

Enjoy the episode! 

Episode 204 - Alex Pardee

On today's episode of the podcast I have artist Alex Pardee!

It's crazy that I have been a fan of Alex Pardee's work for over 20 years now. I first came across Alex's work for the cover art for the band The Used on their album "In Love and Death". Alex did a few covers for The Used and I've been a fan and collector ever since. My wife and I have A LOT of Alex Pardee art covering our walls and it is an honor to have him on the show today. 

I talked to Alex about his inspirations, how he got involved with The Used, using art for mental health, the stories behind his characters, Brightmares, James Gunn wearing his merch at SDCC, the horror art community of artists, and so much more. 

A huge Thank You to Alex Pardee for taking the time to join me on the show. Make sure to visit his website and follow him on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com If you're going to SDCC, make sure to stop by his booth and pick up all of his incredible exclusives. 

Thanks, Alex!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 203 - Jeremy Weinreich

On today's episode, I have comedian Jeremy Weinreich!

Jeremy is somebody I am honored to call a friend and co-worker and I was so excited to have him on the show. He is one of the most unique and funny comedians currently on the rise, and I wanted to make sure everybody who listens to the show got a chance to meet him. 

 

I talked with Jeremy about growing up in Washington D.C., finding his way to comedy, trying out standup in college, making the move to Los Angeles, his love for LOVE, and so much more. With everything we talked about, we ran out of time to talk about one of Jeremy's hobbies that always just blows my mind, and that his is love for cycling. Now riding a bike isn't what blew my mind, it's the distances that Jeremy usually does for fun, in the realm of 100 miles in a day!!! 

 

A huge Thank You to Jeremy for taking the time to join me on the podcast. If you're in Los Angeles, make it a point to go see Jeremy perform. Follow him on all of the links below to find out when he performs next. 

 

Thanks, Jeremy!

 

Enjoy the episode!