In our first origin story, Sparks From a Bus, we shared how a series of ordinary bus rides through Chicago eventually inspired the idea behind Made Collaborative.
But having an idea is one thing. Actually putting it into practice is something else entirely.
Our next entry takes us back to one of the earliest classroom sessions, when a handful of young people on Chicago’s West Side were invited to help create comic stories of their own.
Among them was a young man named Andre, whose imagination would help lay the foundation for much of the fictional world we’re still developing today.
Here’s how that first creative spark began to take shape.
By Jimmy Briseno
The room looks like any other ordinary high school classroom. A long counter stretches across the front for the teacher, while rows of single desks line the room from front to back. I stand at the front of the classroom.
Sitting with me are a small group of students who had already been given a brief description of the project. I can feel their scrutiny as I bring my presentation to a close.
“So, that’s the idea in a nutshell. Basically, we’re going to develop comic stories based on your ideas. And you’ll be able to participate in the development of those stories from beginning to end, so long as you’d like to participate in the project.”
Silence.
I try to gauge the reaction.
Surely, they see right through me.
I mean, I’m no teacher. Hell, I’m barely a lawyer, apart from the degree I somehow fleeced from my law school. So what am I doing at this after-school program on the West Side of Chicago, working with these kids to develop comic stories based on their interests and ideas?
They have to know I have no idea what I’m doing.
It is then that one of the youth, a stout male named Nehemiah, finally raises his hand.
“So, like, these stories can be about anything we want them to be? I mean, can we just make stuff up or do they have to be true stories?”
“They can be about whatever you want—made up or based on real experiences. It’s entirely up to you.”
Another youth, a young African American female named Tamia, then raises her hand.
“Can they be about relationships?”
“Yep. Relationships. Friendships. School. Family. Or they can be completely made up and based on some sort of alternative reality.
Anything you want.”
I look around to see if the other youth seem engaged. I recall a conversation with one of the participating project artists, a former teacher, who had offered one simple piece of advice.
Fight silence. Even if you have to repeat yourself. Fight silence in the room. Any interaction is better than no interaction.
“So… like I said, anything you want. Anything.”
“The only limit is your imagination.”
Good God, I think to myself.
Did I just say that?
I promised myself I wasn’t going to say that. Such a lazy cliché.
These poor kids.
Yet somehow, despite my ineptitude, I notice one of the other students – a tall, angular kid named Russell sitting in the back of the room – looking as though he’s just on the verge of saying something.
And just as suddenly, another youth – an animated young man named Andre sitting in the front row – proclaims boldly,
“I’ve got an idea. I know what story I want to tell. And it’s going to be great!”
Holy s@#&, I think to myself.
Is that genuine interest I hear?
It can’t be.
The kid is setting me up.
Brace yourself…
Here it comes.
It is then that Nehemiah quickly responds,
“Damn, that was all sudden, man. So, what’s your idea? All passionate and stuff.”
Andre smiles.
“Well, that’s because it’s a great idea, if I do say so myself.”
He collects himself before continuing.
“Alright, so there’s a lot to it, but it all starts with me walking to a party that me and my friends heard about. You know, just a small house party a few blocks from my place. No big deal. And us being teens, we’re just thinking we’ll head down there, have a little fun, and hang out.”
I listen attentively as Andre’s hand gestures become more animated. Like me, Andre talks with his hands. I don’t know this kid from Adam, but I already like him.
“So, we get to this party, and it’s cool. Me and my boys arrive, and we see some people we know and some we don’t, but everyone’s hanging out and the vibe is cool.”
“And then, out of nowhere, we hear this commotion outside.”
“Commotion?” I ask. “What kind of commotion?”
Andre pauses for a moment.
“I don’t know… something like a ringing bell, maybe. But it’s different. It’s a sound that immediately draws me and two other guys outside into the alley where it’s coming from.”
To my surprise, I begin to picture the comic unfolding panel by panel in my mind.
“So, we go out into the alley, and we see these stairs – like translucent, glowing stairs – rising out of nowhere and stretching up into the sky. Me and these two dudes, who I don’t really know but who were at the party, are just looking at each other like… holy #$^%!”
“And I’m kind of scared, but at the same time I see those two guys start walking up the stairs, and I immediately follow them. I’m thinking I’ve GOT to see what’s at the top!”
“So, we get to the top of the stairs, and that’s when we see this god-like figure. He kind of looks like Zeus, and he’s holding this long staff. We’re all looking at each other, not sure what’s happening, and I’m thinking to myself… is this a dream? But it feels so vivid and real that I’m just going out of my mind! And eventually I ask this Zeus-like dude to make me a God!”
As Andre continues describing his story, I realize I’m no longer listening to a teenager simply describe a superhero comic. Beneath the action, he’s really talking about power, morality, and what it means to carry extraordinary responsibility while still trying to navigate an ordinary life on Chicago’s West Side.
“I mean, there’s a lot to it. There’d be a council of secret chiefs that would advise me as I develop my powers.”
“And I want death to be a central theme in my story. Actually, I want Death to be a character in my story that I’ll eventually have to confront.”
“I know that probably doesn’t make sense right now, but I can explain it more as we get into it.”
“The main thing is that this story will have a lot of different elements. It’s going to be deep. But I also want it to be fun. Kind of like me. I mean, I’d still be me, living in this neighborhood with the same family and friends.”
“So, there’s always going to be that normal stuff I’ve got to deal with as a kid around here.”
“I’d just be A GOD at the same time!“
Nehemiah is the first to respond.
“Yeah, that’s pretty good. I like that. You can do a lot with a story like that. Lots of action, too.”
Greg chimes in.
“Action and romance!”
“Romance? What, you in love with yourself? I didn’t hear any romance.”
Andre laughs.
“Yeah, I forgot to mention that one of the fellow gods I meet later is a young woman that I end up falling in love with.”
Nehemiah shakes his head. “Of course. And she probably looks like Beyoncé.”
Andre lights up.
“Now that’s not bad! Maybe I should introduce her at the beginning of my story!”
The boys laugh.
Eventually, we wrap things up for the day. The students gather their bags and begin the walk home through the neighborhood.
After they leave, I sit alone, going through my project notes.
And for perhaps the first time since starting this project, I think to myself:
Maybe… just maybe… we actually have something here.
Something that could genuinely bring value to both the participating youth and the artists who had volunteered their time.
But there was still one fundamental problem.
I had absolutely no idea how to transform these ideas into a complete comic story.
And on that score, I knew a great deal of work – and uncertainty – lay ahead.
Some special pieces may be selected to appear in the Back of the Yards comic book. iPad/iPhone users, submit images from FILES (NOT from Photo Library).
Some special pieces may be selected to appear in the Back of the Yards comic book.
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Some special pieces may be selected to appear in the Back of the Yards comic book.
UPLOAD YOUR IMAGES BELOW
Some special pieces may be selected to appear in the Back of the Yards comic book.
UPLOAD YOUR IMAGES BELOW
Some special pieces may be selected to appear in the Back of the Yards comic book.
UPLOAD YOUR IMAGES BELOW
Collaborate with professional artists by contributing some artwork of your own! Some special pieces may be selected to appear in the Back of the Yards comic book.
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