Who is John Golden?

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

Related Studio Cards

Who is…
Jimmy Briseno?

Who is Jimmy Briseno?

QR Code for 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.
Read more

Who is…
Russell Patterson?

Beyond the Issue | Bonus Studio Collaboration

QR Code for 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
Read more

Who is…
Andre Davis?

02 | Issue #3 Collaborations

QR Code for 02 | Issue #3 Collaborations
Brief
For Issue #3, we're opening the next stage of Andre Davis' - our comic's first created character during those early classroom collaborations - journey through collaboration. As Andre's abilities begin to emerge, we're inviting you to help us explore what he can do, how those changes affect him, and what becoming something extraordinary might ultimately mean for him.
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
Read more

The Monahans!
Andre’s Favorite Comic!

11 | Issue #3 Collaborations

QR Code for 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.
Read more

All Stories Start With

A Great Character!

04 | Issue #3 Collaborations

QR Code for 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.
Read more

Who is…
Cerria Cortez?

05 | Issue #3 Collaborations

QR Code for 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
Read more

Who is…
Big Earl?

Beyond the Issue | Bonus Studio Collaboration

QR Code for Beyond the Issue | Bonus Studio Collaboration
Brief
“Big Earl” Perkins is one of the neighborhood's beloved Elders in the Back of the Yards comic series, a Creative Commons project developed by the Made Collaborative Studio. A big man with an even bigger heart, Earl is known throughout the neighborhood for his warmth, wisdom and the stories he's collected over the years. But behind this gentle giant lies a lifetime of experiences and untold stories. With this bonus Studio collaboration, we invite collaborators to explore Earl's past, his relationships within the community, and the moments that shaped him, helping imagine how his story might unfold in future issues of Back of the Yards.
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
Read more

Who is…
Draymond Carter?

Beyond the Issue | Bonus Studio Collaboration

QR Code for 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
Read more

Who is…
Erihii Nyamor?

Who is Eric Nyamor?

QR Code for 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.
Read more

Who is…
Nick Zomski?

06 | Issue #3 Collaborations

QR Code for 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
Read more
My Skill
Web Designer 50%

Submit Your Artwork

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). 

Submit Your Artwork

Some special pieces may be selected to appear in the Back of the Yards comic book.

UPLOAD YOUR IMAGES BELOW 

Submit Your Artwork

Some special pieces may be selected to appear in the Back of the Yards comic book.

UPLOAD YOUR IMAGES BELOW 

Submit Your Artwork

Some special pieces may be selected to appear in the Back of the Yards comic book.

UPLOAD YOUR IMAGES BELOW 

Submit Your Artwork

Some special pieces may be selected to appear in the Back of the Yards comic book.

UPLOAD YOUR IMAGES BELOW 

Submit Your Artwork

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.

UPLOAD YOUR IMAGES BELOW