Who is Jimmy Briseno?
| Summary | Nothing to see here. Jimmy is ordinary ... check that, he's underordinary. Just made up a word to describe Jimmy. It's fitting. |
|---|---|
| Core Personality Traits & Values | TBD |
| Archetype | The Magician |
| Motto | TBD |
| Collaboration Background | TBD |
| Debut | Eric started working with Jimmy Briseno and Manny Dominguez in the very early days of this Made Collaborative project back in 2014, during initial meetings with youth in the after school programs of Chicago. |
Introduction to Eric Nyamor
[Background on Eric, plus education and credentials. Include John’s art to further promote his work.]
[TBD - Links to Eric's sites and other works/projects to be inserted]
More space for John to introduce his interests and projects, etc.
And Then Came Made Collaborative and a New Comic, the Back fo the Yards!
REVISE TO INCORPORATE JOHN’S WORK ON THE PROJECT MORE SPECIFICALLY. It was by way of Chicago’s community of comic creators that Len crossed paths with Jimmy Briseno, founder of the Made Collaborative project. The two met for coffee in Logan Square during what turned out to be Len’s final week in Chi-Town. Great changes were afoot in Len’s life at the time — he was about to relocate to Los Angeles.
Even so, Jimmy’s pitch captivated him:
Made Collaborative is a social entrepreneurship enterprise that uses the magic of comics and storytelling to empower urban youth and give them a voice.
Len loved the idea because comic books had provided him so much purpose and direction; this was an opportunity to share that with others. When Len and Jimmy concluded their first meeting with a handshake, it was the beginning of a prosperous partnership and a beautiful friendship.
Let’s Collaborate! [WORK WITH ERIC TO CREATE A GOOGLE FORM THAT TARGETS HIS OWN PROJECTS AND INTERESTS AND SOLICITS OTHERS TO HELP/COLLABORATE, ETC.]
Table of Contents
Related Studio Cards
Studio Card #1 | Let’s Create a Character(s)!
Studio Card #[__]:
Studio Card #4: Our New Comic Hero
Studio Card #11: Our Gentle Giant Everyman
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Studio Card #2 | Creating Your Own Hero’s Journey!
Who is Manny Dominguez?
Who is Dan Dougherty?
Studio Card #7: The Mysterious Mentor
Studio Card #3 | Our New Comic Series!
Who is Eric Nyamor?
| Brief | Erihii Nyamor (aka Eric) keeps things grounded and real while being one of the team’s biggest dreamers. His anime-influenced art adds both vibrance and credibility to the project. Since the launch, he’s played a key role in artistic and character development. |
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| Core Personality Traits & Values | Eric combines his passion for storytelling with a strong belief in the transformative power of art. He’s both a visionary and a collaborator, using creativity to connect and inspire. |
| Archetype | The Creator |
| Motto | "No matter how hard or impossible it is, never lose sight of your goals." |
| Collaboration Background | Erihii has been creating dynamic art and characters for as long as he can remember. His recent projects include collaborations with the Nashville Black Market and illustrations for children's books across Tennessee. |
| Latest Work | Linked below you'll find Erihii's Instagram for the latest on work and appearances. Further info can also be found on his "I Can Draw" website. The Yas x Yen IG is a production journal of Nyamor's graphic novel in progress. |
The Call to Adventure: Eric’s Early Journey
Erihii Nyamor, born in Grand Rapids to Nigerian parents, discovered his love for art at an early age. His passion for drawing often got him into trouble, but it was his unwavering determination to create that set him apart.
From sketching his early characters to collaborating with authors and local creatives, Erihii’s journey as an artist was always fueled by his vibrant imagination and desire to inspire through his work.
Trials and Triumphs: Erihii’s Rise
As Erihii continues his artistic journey, he stands at the threshold of a new chapter. Having faced the trials and tribulations that shaped his path, he is now more determined than ever to push the boundaries of his creativity. His work, infused with a blend of cultural pride and imaginative flair, continues to inspire those around him.
With each new project, Erihii not only hones his craft but also empowers others to find their own artistic voice. His journey has been one of growth, resilience, and transformation, but the ultimate adventure lies ahead—one where he fully realizes his potential and leaves an enduring legacy in the creative world.
The Final Ascent: Erihii’s Path to Legacy
Erihii now stands at the threshold of a new chapter. After facing the trials that shaped his path, he’s more determined than ever to push his creative limits. His work, rich with cultural pride and imagination, continues to inspire.
With each project, Erihii sharpens his craft and empowers others to discover their artistic voice. His journey has been one of growth and resilience, but the greatest adventure lies ahead—where he fully realizes his potential and leaves a lasting legacy.
Let’s Collaborate!
Yaz x Yen is Erihii's current graphic novel project.
Yas is an emo angel from Paradise. Unlike most angels, she’s a badass. She cusses, listens to metal, and loves dark clothing.
Yen is a demon from the Phantom Realm. Unlike most demons, she’s a softie. She’s kind, likes fairies, and loves sunflowers.
Sunflowers do not grow in the Phantom Realm, so Yen goes to Purgatory to pick some. There, she meets Yas, and the two form an unlikely bond.
Table of Contents
Related Studio Cards
Studio Card #6: Our Young Dreamer
Who is Eric Nyamor?
Action Card #4: Create an Illustration!
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Studio Card#17: Who is Draymond Carter?
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Who is Manny Dominguez?
Studio Card #[__]:
Who is John Golden?
| Summary Traits | John is a master illustrator who can take any transform any idea into illustrative magic. He is the owner of his own independent art studio, the Mortal Mirror Studio, and he was one of the early participating artists for Made Collaborative, his art featured in both Issues 1 and 2 of the Back of the Yards comic series. |
|---|---|
| Core Personality Traits & Values | John is smart, creative and always open for a new challenge. He hails from the great state of New York, moved to the windy city of Chicago, ending up where he is today in the mountain tops of Colorado, where he continues to apply his creativity to new creative projects. And if you'd like to collaborate with him, just hit the "Let's Collaborate" button on the left to start the conversation! |
| Archetype | The Magician |
| Motto | TBD |
| John's Projects | TBD |
| Debut | John started working with Jimmy Briseno and Manny Dominguez in the very early days of this Made Collaborative project back in 2014, during initial meetings with youth in the after school programs of Chicago. |
Introduction to John Ashton Golden
[Background on John, plus education and credentials. Include John’s art to further promote his work.]
[TBD - Links to John's sites and other works/projects to be inserted]
More space for John to introduce his interests and projects, etc.
And Then Came Made Collaborative and a New Comic, the Back fo the Yards!
REVISE TO INCORPORATE JOHN’S WORK ON THE PROJECT MORE SPECIFICALLY. It was by way of Chicago’s community of comic creators that Len crossed paths with Jimmy Briseno, founder of the Made Collaborative project. The two met for coffee in Logan Square during what turned out to be Len’s final week in Chi-Town. Great changes were afoot in Len’s life at the time — he was about to relocate to Los Angeles.
Even so, Jimmy’s pitch captivated him:
Made Collaborative is a social entrepreneurship enterprise that uses the magic of comics and storytelling to empower urban youth and give them a voice.
Len loved the idea because comic books had provided him so much purpose and direction; this was an opportunity to share that with others. When Len and Jimmy concluded their first meeting with a handshake, it was the beginning of a prosperous partnership and a beautiful friendship.
Let’s Collaborate! [WORK WITH JOHN TO CREATE A GOOGLE FORM THAT TARGETS HIS OWN PROJECTS AND INTERESTS AND SOLICITS OTHERS TO HELP/COLLABORATE, ETC.]
Table of Contents
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Who is Eric Nyamor?
Studio Card#17: Who is Draymond Carter?
Older Studio Card #1 | Let’s Create a Character(s)!
OLD Studio Card #1 | Let’s Create a Character(s)!
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Who is Len Kody?
| Brief | Storyteller, troublemaker and a native son of Chicago, Len Kody serves as the Creative Director and Chief of Marketing for the Made Collaborative Studio. Professionally, Len's career has seen many moons and seasons, including six years as a public school English Teacher in both Chicago and LA. |
|---|---|
| Core Personality Traits & Values | Made Collaborative's mission marries Len's most ardent aspirations with his prolific passions. He's a crusader and a creator who believes in the power of comics and creativity to change the world. |
| Archetype | The Magician |
| Motto | “I can do this all day.” |
| Collaboration Background | As a writer, Len has been collaborating to create comics for casual consumption since he was a kid. His recent efforts include Chicago: 1968 (with Tony Maldonado) and Master Jesus (with Steve Bialik). |
| Debut | Project founder Jimmy Briseno tapped Len shortly after Made Collaborative's initial outreach to urban youth. |
A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Man
Len Kody was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, not far from the real Back of the Yards neighborhood. He was 8 years old when his late mother bought him Marvel Tales #227 off the spinner rack at a 7-Eleven. It was a Spider-Man story written by Stan Lee with Todd McFarlane art on the cover.
The comic’s action-packed interior illustrations and Stan Lee’s wise-cracking dialog immediately captivated young Len Kody. It changed the course of his life forever.
Creative Explorations
How does one become a comic book writer when they grow up? Len didn’t know. But he knew that was what he wanted. Through determination and quite a bit of good luck, Len actually snagged his first professional writing gig before graduating high school.
He continued pursuing comics work during and after college. Ultimately, his master’s degree in Journalism was more a follow-up than preparation for creating content and putting it out there. By writing, producing and promoting his own comics, Len learned about web-presence and graphic storytelling from the school of hard knocks–he just did it and saw what worked.
As a young adult, he partnered with a number of local Chicago-area artists and plugged into a nationwide community of creators.
The Birth of 'Back of the Yards'
It was by way of Chicago’s community of comic creators that Len crossed paths with Jimmy Briseno, founder of the Made Collaborative project. The two met for coffee in Logan Square.
Jimmy’s pitch captivated him:
Made Collaborative is a social entrepreneurship enterprise that uses the magic of comics and storytelling to empower urban youth and give them a voice.
Len loved the idea because comic books had provided him so much purpose and direction; this was an opportunity to share that with others. When Len and Jimmy concluded their first meeting with a handshake, it was the beginning of a prosperous partnership and a beautiful friendship.
Studio Card #3 | Our New Comic Series!
Let’s Collaborate!
The hardscrabble, DIY world of independent comic books taught Len everything he knows about graphic storytelling and marketing from the school of hard knocks–he just did it and saw what worked.
A couple of his recent efforts include Chicago: 1968 (with Tony Maldonado), a political drama about the Democratic National Convention, and Master Jesus (with Steve Bialik), a metaphysical martial arts epic.
Click below to collaborate with Len on his creative projects. You can provide constructive feedback and join the conversation.
Table of Contents
Related Studio Cards
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Who is Len Kody?
The Monahans!
Who is Jimmy Briseno?
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Studio Card #5: The Hero’s Journey (Part II) – Initiation
Studio Card #5: The Back of the Yards Heroine!