Who is Eric Nyamor?

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.
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!

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.

Related Studio Cards

Who is…
Tamia Parker?

03 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Brief

For Issue #3, we're opening the next stage in the journey of Tamia Parker - another character born from our earliest youth collaborations - to collaboration. As Tamia's dreams begin to blur with reality and she senses that something within her is changing, we're inviting you to help us explore what her transformation might become—and what it could ultimately mean for her.

Core Personality Traits & Values

Tamia is extremely bright, curious, introspective and creative. She is an artist at heart, with empathy that forms connections with others in ways that she even doesn’t fully understand yet…

Archetype

The Creator

Motto

“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” - Leonard Cohen

Collaboration Background

Tamia’s character was initially developed during the original Made Collaborative in-person classroom collaborations with youth in the fall and winter of 2013, as part of an after school program in the West-Side of Chicago.

Debut

Issue #1 of the Back of the Yards comic series

Who is…
Jimmy Briseno?

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.

Who is…
Draymond Carter?

Beyond the Issue | Bonus Studio Collaboration

Brief

Draymond Carter is a fiery-tempered young character in the Back of the Yards comic series, a Creative Commons project developed by the Made Collaborative Studio. The younger cousin of Russell Patterson, Draymond shares a brotherly bond with Russell, who moved in with Draymond and his mother, Evelyn, years earlier. Bold, passionate and sometimes unpredictable, Draymond's personality contrasts with Russell's quieter, more imaginative nature. With this bonus Studio collaboration, we invite collaborators to explore Draymond's family relationships, his connection to Russell, and the experiences that shape his identity, helping imagine how his story might unfold in future issues of Back of the Yards.

Core Personality

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

Archetype

The Sidekick

Motto

“You're going to lose.”

Collaboration Background

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

Debut

Issue #1 of the Back of the Yards comic series

Who is…
Cerria Cortez?

05 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Brief

For Issue #3, we're opening the story of Cerria Cortez - one of the newest characters entering the world of Back of the Yards - to collaboration. A military veteran, young Chicago police officer and Nick Zomski's new partner, Cortez carries her own history into the neighborhood. We're inviting you to help us explore the people, places and experiences that shaped her, including the tattoos she carries and the stories behind them.

Core Personality Traits & Values

Cerria is fiercely independent, emotionally guarded, highly intelligent, and driven by a deep belief that truth, justice, and personal determination can still challenge broken systems

Archetype

TBD - [Eric to Determine]

Motto

TBD - [Eric to Develop]

Collaboration Background

Cerria Cortez was developed by Eric Nyamor in collaboration with Tony Maldonado, Len Kody, and Jimmy Briseno as part of the Issue #3 pre-production workshops during the summer of 2026.

Debut

Issue #3 of the Back of the Yards comic series

Who is…
Nick Zomski?

06 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Brief

For Issue #3, we're also introducing Nick Zomski - a veteran Chicago police officer whose past may hold clues to what is happening in the present - and opening his story to collaboration. More than thirty years ago, a younger Zomski crossed paths with Darius King and an investigation that was never fully resolved. As Zomski makes his debut in Issue #3, we're inviting you to help us explore what he remembers from 1994, and what he may recognize today that others do not.

Core Personality Traits & Values

Quiet, observant, and deeply pragmatic, Zomski values fairness, survival, loyalty, and maintaining order within systems he no longer fully trusts.

Archetype

TBD - [Tony to Determine]

Motto

TBD - [Tony to Develop]

Collaboration Background

Nick Zomski was developed by Tony Maldonado in collaboration with Eric Nyamor, Len Kody, and Jimmy Briseno as part of the Issue #3 pre-production workshops during the summer of 2026.

Debut

Issue #3 of the Back of the Yards comic series

Who is…
Russell Patterson?

Beyond the Issue | Bonus Studio Collaboration

Brief

Russell Patterson is a shy, imaginative young student at New City High and one of the original characters from the Back of the Yards comic series. A grade or two younger than the other principal youth characters, Russell often retreats into his extraordinary imagination and vivid dream life. With this bonus Studio collaboration, we explore Russell's mysterious past, emerging abilities, and relationships with Tamia and Draymond, inviting collaborators to help imagine how his story might unfold in future issues of Back of the Yards.

Core Personality Traits & Values

Russell Patterson has an extremely vivid imagination and a very active dream life. He just may be the most talented and creative student at New City High, but he lacks confidence so he too often daydreams as a means of escape.

Archetype

The Dreamer

Motto

“It is okay to live a life that others don't understand”

Collaboration Background

Russell’s character was initially developed during the original Made Collaborative in-person classroom collaborations with youth in the fall and winter of 2013, as part of an after school program in the West-Side of Chicago.

Debut

Issue #1 of the Back of the Yards comic series

All Stories Start With

A Great Character!

04 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Brief

With this collaboration, we're putting our original Create a Character process to work on an actual open question from Issue #3. You'll have an opportunity to help develop the young man's appearance, background, personality, motivations and history - and ultimately help us answer a simple question: Who does Dex see?

Background

Early in Issue #3, Dex Coleman encounters a young man he doesn't recognize. We know this character will matter to the developing story. What we haven't fully decided is exactly who he is.

This & That

Selected ideas and artwork may be featured through Made Collaborative and considered as we develop the character who ultimately appears in Issue #3. Contributors whose ideas are incorporated into the finished comic will be credited as part of its development.

The Monahans!
Andre’s Favorite Comic!

11 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Brief

The Monahans began as a mock comic book cover commission, but now they're finding a place within the world of Back of the Yards. In Issue #3, readers may catch a glimpse of their comic tucked inside Andre Davis's backpack - a small detail that could open the door to a much larger story. For this collaboration, we're inviting writers, artists, and other creative minds to help imagine that story. Using the Hero's Journey as a creative starting point, we'll explore who the Monahans might be, what adventures await them, and how their fictional world might take shape. Whether through storytelling, original artwork, or simply describing an idea, collaborators can help develop a fictional universe that may someday extend beyond this brief appearance.

When

The Monahans will be introduced through Andre's storyline in Issue #3, with opportunities to develop its fictional history and world through our ongoing Studio collaborations.

Who

The characters, personalities, and world of the Monahans are still largely unexplored. That's where participating writers, artists, and other creative collaborators come in.

Why

To create a backstory for the Monahans and imagine the places where their adventures might unfold. Artists can contribute original background illustrations, while non-artists can describe settings in words. Selected ideas may help shape the comic's fictional world and potentially inspire future stories.

Who is…
Andre Davis?

09 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Brief

For our second Issue #3 collaboration centered on Andre Davis, we're opening the pages of his notebook - and inviting young creators, artists, and storytellers to help fill them. Earlier, we explored Andre's emerging abilities and what becoming extraordinary might mean for him. This time, we're turning to his creative side: What might Andre draw, sketch, write, or imagine when no one else is looking? Selected contributions may ultimately appear inside Andre's notebook in the finished comic, giving collaborators an opportunity to leave their creative mark on Issue #3 of Back of the Yards.

Core Personality Traits & Values

Andre is bright, inquisitive and self-reliant, always searching for the truth and a greater understanding of himself and others … but he may also be susceptible to the trappings of his newfound power …

Archetype

The Hero

Motto

“To dare is to do.”

Collaboration Background

Andre’s character was initially developed during the original Made Collaborative in-person classroom collaborations with youth in the fall and winter of 2013, as part of an after school program in the West-Side of Chicago.

Debut

Issue #1 of the Back of the Yards comic series

Who is…
Dex?

10 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Brief

For Issue #3 of Back of the Yards, we're taking a closer look at Dex Coleman - one of the neighborhood Elders whose sharp wit and colorful past may conceal more than anyone realizes. Dex has lived through decades of neighborhood history, including his connections to Darius King and Chicago's criminal underworld. As the past begins to intersect with the present, we're inviting collaborators to explore what Dex might recognize, who he might see, and what those encounters could reveal about the larger story unfolding around him.

Core Personality Traits & Values

Dex is a wisecracker, a sharp dresser and a straight talker. Even though his moral compass has evolved over the years into that of a respectable citizen of Back of the Yards, he’s still known to indulge in a few vices.

Primary Archetype

The Rebel

Motto

“I ain’t got time for dreamin’. I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”

Collaboration Background

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

Debut

Issue #1 of the Back of the Yards comic series

My Skill

Web Designer 50%

Who is Eric Nyamor?

The Call to Adventure: Eric’s Early Journey

Trials and Triumphs: Erihii’s Rise

The Final Ascent: Erihii’s Path to Legacy

Let’s Collaborate!

Table of Contents

Related Studio Cards

03 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Who is Jimmy Briseno?

Beyond the Issue | Bonus Studio Collaboration

05 | Issue #3 Collaborations

06 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Beyond the Issue | Bonus Studio Collaboration

04 | Issue #3 Collaborations

11 | Issue #3 Collaborations

09 | Issue #3 Collaborations

10 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Submit Your Artwork

Submit Your Artwork

Submit Your Artwork

Submit Your Artwork

Submit Your Artwork

Submit Your Artwork