MADE Collaborative – It’s the Made Collaborative’s mission to give kids a voice through the magic of storytelling and creativity.

We develop original comics and creative content with the participation of after-school programs and youth. And we've created this virtual platform so that you can participate in this collaborative process.

The Back of the Yards comic book series, a Made Collaborative production, is a project that was born in collaboration with participating urban youth in the West Side of Chicago. It is a Creative Commons project (meaning everyone can access and share it here digitally for free, as well use the characters for their own projects) and with this virtual creative studio platform, we will continue those collaborations with interested parties here virtually.

Our virtual Studio Cards are designed to facilitate collaboration with you by providing you context on topics, concepts, characters and the people behind our comic project, along with related opportunities for you to provide your own collaborative input to us (i.e., your “Studio Notes”) which we will use as a basis for our weekly virtual Zoom workshop sessions. And it all starts with a click on the back of any card!

or

Pick a Card … any Card!

Who is…
Draymond Carter?

Draymond Carter

Summary

Draymond Carter is a comic character developed as part of the Back of the Yards comic series, a Creative Commons project produced by the Made Collaborative Studio. Draymond is Russell Patterson’s fiery-tempered younger cousin. But the cousins are more like brothers ever since Russell moved in with his Auntie (Draymond’s mother).

Core Personality Traits & Values

Draymond’s extroverted and assertive personality is a stark contrast to Russell’s more gentle and introverted nature.

Primary Archetype

The Sidekick

Motto

“You're going to lose.”

Collaboration Background

Draymon was developed by Jimmy Briseno and Len Kody in 2015 as part of the initial Issue 1 scripting process.

Debut

Issue #1 of the Back of the Yards comic series

Who is…
Big Earl?

Big Earl

Summary

"Big Earl" is a comic character developed as part of the Back of the Yards comic series; a Creative Commons project produced by the Made Collaborative Studio. Big Earl is a big man with a big heart. Beloved by all in the neighborhood, everybody knows his name and has heard a story or two about this gentle giant.

Core Personality Traits & Values

Earl was the neighborhood football hero before an injury pushed him to the sidelines. And undiagnosed dyslexia prevented him for excelling in school. But Earl’s kind soul and balanced nature granted him resilience through life’s toughest struggles.

Primary Archetype

The Everyman

Motto

“If I didn’t get hurt, then I would never have found me.”

Collaboration Background

Big Earl was developed by Jimmy Briseno and Len Kody in 2015 as part of the initial Issue 1 scripting process.

Debut

Issue #1 of the Back of the Yards comic series

And Action!
Create a Character!

Action Card #2: Create A Character!

Collaboration Summary

With this first collaboration, we will help you develop your own characters which you can use for own creative projects. You can also submit your newly created characters to us if you would like us to help further develop your character ideas, and in some instances, include these new characters as part of Back of the Yards comic series.

Collaboration Background

At the heart of our project’s collaborative is the creation of new fictional characters. This all started in 2013 as part of a supplemental art program in the West Side of Chicago where participating youth would help create the original characters of the Back of the Yards comic series. With this collaboration, we are simply trying to extend this same collaborative opportunity to others virtually.

This & That

Action Card cover illustrated by Andrew Dimmett. Content developed by Jimmy Briseno, Len Kody and … you? Learn more on how by linking to the QR Code above.

And we will regularly highlight collaborative submissions made by you on this virtual platform here within this "This & That" project blog, as well as announce any new creative projects, Studio Cards, and upcoming virtual Zoom workshops!