Phil Simmons - aka - FTKL was born in Detroit-area Michigan in 1966.  An avid comic book fan, he began drawing at age 7 and throughout his childhood, teen and early adult years took up fine art, commercial art and graphic design.  In 1992, he discovered fetish artists Franco Saudelli, Elmer Batters and Irving Klaw and became both fascinated and inspired by their work.  He spent the next five years experimenting with a rudimentary style he could call his own.  Several of his experimental pieces were published in MTJ Publishing's "Tales From the Asylum" in the late 90s.  In 2002, FTKL would team with a veteran mainstream comic colorist (who works under the penname BZ Tickler) to create an e-comic series for MTJ Publishing called "Vellicatrices Unlimited", which spolighted their talents for tongue-in-cheek espionage, bondage, foot and tickle fetish material.  "Vellicatrices Unlimited" has been MTJ's best selling e-comic since its initial release.  FTKL currently resides in Central Florida, where he works as a professional actor and has started producing a graphic novel, based on the VU continuum.