Young Graphic Novelists Dropping Superhero Stories for Culture and Community (Vol. 2)

Copyright

Copyright © 2019 by Collec4ve Authors All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmiAed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any informa4on storage and retrieval system, without the wriAen permission of the publisher except where permiAed by law.

Printed in the USA

Typed and edited by: Gentleman Micheal Albright and Gentleman Damon CagnolaM 100BMLB 2019

The 100 Black Men of Long Beach, Inc. is a 501C3 nonprofit professional membership organization consisting of caring and committed men. We are a chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. an international organization with more than 108 chapters around the world including the United States, Europe and the Caribbean. Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. is the current Chairman of the Board.

Several prominent and concerned African-American men met on board the Queen Mary in 2007 to discuss ways to empower the African American community, especially African American young males. After several meetings Jesse B. Johnson, Jr. (Founder and President Emeritus) persuaded the core of the focus group to form a 100 Black Men of Long Beach Interest Group. With his leadership and the help of committed and devoted African American men of the greater Long Beach area, a charter was granted in December of 2008 by the 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

The 100 Black Men of Long Beach, Inc. programs mirror that of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. which are (“Four for the Future”) Mentoring, Health & Wellness, Education and Economic Empowerment in addition to Leadership Development. Mentoring (youth) is our primary program and is held at California State University, Long Beach. CSULB is one of our corporate partners, proving in-kind services on a continuous basis (Provide campus facilities for our Mentoring and Educational Programs). Edison International, another corporate partner since our inception has provided funding for our education, mentoring and community activity programs.

For the past ten years the 100 Black men of Long Beach has been a consistent flagship mentoring organization in the city of Long Beach. In order to normalize going to college, we meet with mentees every third Saturday of the month at California State University Long Beach.

We also offer a wide variety of free academic academies relevant to Literacy, STEM, Law and leadership, which aim to help boys thrive in school and in life. We function using a group mentoring model that consists of the members of the 100 BMLB giving time as volunteers. We have learned from the 100’s of boys that we have served that having a mentor empowers young people to make smart choices that put them on a path to making better life decisions. And Students who have mentors are more likely to stay in school.

100 Black Men of Long Beach mentoring projects give participants an advantage across a lifetime.

SO WHAT DOES THE 100 DO?

The mission of the 100 BMLB is to improve the quality of life within our local communities through education, health and wellness, economic opportunities, and the provision of leadership and mentoring.

WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT?

The Vision is to be the premier community organization that serves as a catalyst to improve the quality of life for African Americans.

and to provide the tools to become productive and community minded citizens.

The Objective and Purpose of the 100 BMLB is to foster and promote the advancement of its members in civic, economic empowerment and charitable endeavors through mutual cooperation, joint planning and organized execution; and to provide charitable service to the various communities of it members so as to foster and promote the advancement of each such community.

This second Graphic Novel Anthology would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of some special members of the 100 Black Men of Long Beach, Inc., who volunteered beyond measure to get this edition into print. Namely, Michael Albright (Big Mike) and Damon Cagnolatti (Prof. Cag) are the men who worked as enthusiastic project managers to see this book to completion. It is also necessary to acknowledge their action team members: Nelson Williams, Steven Kemp, and Dr. Roshawn Graham, who delightfully reviewed and formatted these masterpieces that the children wrote and illustrated. These men exemplify the 100 Black Men of America, Long Beach chapters’ mantra of “Real Men giving real time.” Others who gave and give their valuable time to our youth are those who mentor throughout the year and who worked at our African American Male Literacy Academy and STEM computer building project in June. They are: Ahmed Saafir, Eric Action Jackson, Victor Parker, Esq., Howard Perry, Vincent Byrd, Dr. Art Gray, Kevin Eddington, Larry Dillon II, Dr. Todd Barnett, Jesse Johnson (Founding President), Jerry Buford, Stephon Bell, Michael Hughes, Rickie Smith, Brian Bailey and Dr. Lance Robert. We wish to thank Ryan Hoyle who documented the graphic novel experience in film and photos too.

Thank you goes out to the University of California, Los Angeles’s California Reading and Literature Project Director at Center X, Mrs. Shervaughnna Anderson- Byrd.

We also must thank California State University Long Beach, for being our outstanding and consistent host for the past ten years.

This year we’ve been encouraging our youth to consider going to HBCUs. We want to thank Grambling State University and Langston University for allowing us to use their logos and for their support of students from the west coast.

A special thank you goes out to Pastor Welton Pleasant of Christ Second Baptist Church for his endless academy support and partnerships with our youth development programs.

We thank Pastor Gregory Johnson of the American University of Health Sciences for giving us the forum to unveil our first graphic novel project and for his ongoing support in introducing the youth in the community to the careers available in the health care profession, including pharmacology.

We would also like to thank our sponsors for this year and past years: Southern California Edison, Edison International, AT&T, CSULB, AUHS, Christ Second Baptist Church, First Bank, the Network for Good, and County of Los Angeles Employees Charitable Giving Campaign.

Volume 2, 2019

Our protégés did it again. They wrote and illustrated this forth publication and this second epic Graphic Novel. Keeping with the traditions of our African Griots, these young writers and illustrators artfully weave amazing superhero tales that uphold the community and advance the culture in the most positive light. The idea for the first compilation was hatched at a 100 Black Men of Long Beach, Inc. mentoring session at California State University Long Beach. The young men were asked to reflect on the movie, The Black Panther as their inspiration. Our mentors then led a discussion on all of the attributes, qualities and characteristics of superheroes.

We wanted them to know that they too possess the power to make the world around them a better place. We then challenged them to write and illustrate their own superhero tales. The results of their creative efforts are reflected in volume one. This year they met the challenge again and produced another masterpiece. It is noteworthy to mention that the authors of this graphic novel range in age from 8-18 and that they completed this project at the African American Male Summer Literacy Academy. We love the fact that when we challenge they young me to produce, they rise to the challenge.

This African American Male Literacy Academy is hosted at Christ Second Baptist Church in Long Beach and cosponsored by, UCLA Center X California Reading and Literature Project and the 100 Black Men of Long Beach, Inc. We hope that you enjoy, Young Graphic Novelist Dropping Superhero Stories for Culture and Community: Volume Two. We thank you for your support.

Dr. Lance Robert President, 100 Black Men of Long Beach, Inc.

One day, there was a kid named Cloack.

By: Banks

What was that?!

He was playing with his best friend, Onndrea when he heard a loud bang.

My parents took a different ship than me.

We were separated and I landed on a strange planet. I still look for my parents everyday.

Now, I spend my time on this planet as a Super Hero -- Saving the planet from gang violence.

There was also a guy named GANG MAN!

A factroy exploded on our tiny planet and we had to evacuate.

It was a tough battle. Though I lost my leg, I WON!

He was controlling the gangs.

I gathered all of the policemen.

I had to stop him!

Somewhere in a jail far away...

...and then we fought!

I WILL GET OUT!!

BLACK LIVES

That’s some good stuff

And that sums up our lesson on Jackie Robinson.

Pack up and have a good weekend

I’ve got an idea

Man,Jackie Robinson made a difference

By: Reese Whitman

But how can I do the same thing

I’ll invent time travel

For years people were asking questions about if it exists.

I’m gonna make it real

5 minutes Later.....

Just how hard can it be?

U gh! Stupid internet why are there pictures of time machines with labels .

Junior’s phone

What does he want? Today is Friday!

By: Curtis Williams Jr.

I want to stop homelessness

Tyler is a kid who wants to stop homelessness

I think I'll make breakfast.

Tyler was entered into the lottery

Tyler waited day...

Tyler turned on the T.V. and saw that he won the lottery!!!

Your words here...

The money is yours.

Not convinced bro.

Dude we already knew the Red team was better than the Green

BY CORBIN D

HEY YOU NEGROES

HMmH... WHO saID tHat... Where are you

A man steps out

Little did he know these weren’t normal kids

The boys begin to Glow with energy

Brothers Kevin and William

I’ll teach you if you admit the red team is better than the green Ok fine .. later though Sounds cool

I thought these were normal negroes

I will use my power to destroy you.

Wow your powers can do that

By: Elijah Saafir

Sr.: He's trying to rob the bank again!

Garzon Sr.: Do you remember when Jacob Lee robbed that bank?

Jr.: Let's get him!!

Garzon Jr.: Yeah, I remember that! We caught him in the act and sent him straight to

Sr, and Jr. jumped and landed on the roof of the bank. Then they jumped off of the

Jr.: Look it's Jacob Lee again!

Sr.: Why can't he learn his lesson?!

When Jacob saw Garzon and Jr., he started running.

Your words here...

They put him in handcuffs and sent him back to prison.

Sr and Jr: WE GOT YOU!!

They started to chase Jacob until he tripped and

Another day in the life of Garzon and Garzon Jr.

After going to prison so many times, Jacob lee finally learns his lesson.

Jacob: Prison isn't

Instead, he got married and is living happily.

GARZON SR.

ILove Superheroes

I give you the power to evilize him

by sean tatum

Running Man do me a favor and get me ladybug and can Noir Meraculses

Ahh a man wants to help his wife. Running man can get me lady bug and can noir their meraka las

Yes Hawkmoth

NO MORE BAD STUFF!

HELLO,

MY NAME IS GW. MY PARENTS DIED 2 WEEKS AFTER I WAS BORN. MY GRANDMOM TOLD me MY DAD AND MOM WENT SOMEWHERE, AND TWO DAYS LATER, MY MOM AND DAD DIED IN A CAR CRASH. AND WHEN MY GRAND MOM DIED, I WENT TO A FOSTER HOME.

I LIKE MATH, BUT MY FOSTER PARENT SAID, "YOU'RE NOT THAT GOOD."

I DID NOT LIKE TO SEE HOMELESS PEOPLE,

I BECAME SUPER-FLY TO HELP ALL HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT NEEDS HELP, BUT MY FOSTER MOM SAID, "HE CAN'T HELP NO HOMELESS PEOPLE, yOU HOMELESS YOURSELF." HE SAID IN MY DREAMS, HE WAS HELPING THE HOMELESS, AND WHEN HE MET A NEW SUPER-VILLIAN NAMED, "TRASH-BOY" AND HIS POWER IS TO PUT HOMELESS PEOPLE ON THE STREET.

by giovanni whatley

super-fly will try his best to help homeless people who need his help!

HELLO, MY NAME IS SUPER FLY!!!

ONE DAY, TRASH-BOY WAS PUTTING HOMELESS PEOPLE ON THE STREET.

THAT'S WHEN SUPERFLY KILLED TRASHBOY.

THEN, THERE WAS NO MORE HOMELESS PEOPLE ON THE STREET.

SUPER-FLY MADE IT TO THE END.

HE MADE SURE THERE WAS NO MORE HOMELESS PEOPLE IN THE STREETS.

I DID IT! THANK GOD!

THAN K GOD!

TRASH AND homeless

people everywhere

There was a black kid named Zack who was dropped off at a fire station. The firemen set him up for adoption and he was adopted by two rich white people. Zack had a family before he was adopted but they were adopted first so he was by himself when the people adopted him.

Created by: Joakeem Whatley

Zack got in trouble then a light flashed and something hit him. Zack turned into a superhero and because he liked to play with spray cans everyone called him spray can.

Spray can always wanted to be rich because he was poor and wanted to give back to the black community.

Finally I am rich!

Spray canwas out doing good and got beat up by the enemy. After he went to his shop to upgrade his powers, he got super speed, fast release and could fly.

Zack wanted to go to school and he loved it. He was a superhero and successful in school.

He got caught by the police because he was protecting the people. The police said, “put your hands behind your back.” Zack’s foster parent bailed him out of jail.

Spray can had become rich and famous. His white foster parents were so proud of their foster black kid (AKA spray can).

i'm tired of you. i'm leaving you guys. momma!

by dante l.

yo momma left us son, but everything will be fine!

9 years later...

DAD!!!

CAN I STAY AT YOUR HOUSE. I'M DROPPING OUT

AYE

OK

BRO, I'M GOING TO START HIGH SCHOOL AND PLAY FOOTBALL TO HONOR MY DAD

CLASSGRADUATING OF 2022, WITH A TOTAL OF 21 COMMITTEDOFFERS. TO UCLA... "TERELL REDEMPTION

COLLEGE SCOUT

HE'S A GOOD PLAYER

SELECTED AS A 1ST ROUND

DRAFT PICK BY THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, "TERELL REDEMPTION"

NUMBER 28 IS A STAR

BARACKOBAMA THANK YOU, mR. President!

you are being awarded a metal of honor for inspiring kids on and off the football field

What will change him?

¿Que lo cambiara?

Why are you doing all of this

By: RICO HOLLISTER

I’m lonely

Then I will never change

Pedro you’re nunca cambiar

Ni yo

Nor I

I’LL COME BACK AND GET REVENGE

¿Porque Estes haciendo todo Estonia?

BUT IWILL NEVER CHANGE

PERO YO NUNCA VOY A CAMBIAR

The NEXT DAY El SIGUIENTE DÍA

Estonia solitarily

Your words here...

How should I destroy the city

Regresare Por mi vengaza

¿COMO PUEDO DESTUIR LA CIUDAD?

Very soon the city will be destroyed

¡Ya se! Magic

You’ll never get away with this even if I’m tied up

¡

pronto la ciudad sera destruida!

But

I’ll always use my words

Muy

by deandre garmon

Let

What

Dion i see you doing your thang out there. Remember balance the fun and seriousness of the game.

Dion i was just going to ask you, how to make school fun because my grades aren't the best.

I just want to be good in school like i am in football.

Dion you have superpowers of making things interesting fun and cool to learn about.

Remember the greatest villain is your actions

For example little rock faced so much backlash for attending an all white school so your balancing superpower.

Helps young black men to take school serious and not be a fool. So you can have a proper education to build a successful life. To use your superpowers to help younger students make school fun so they perform at high levels.

Yo Pop i did it. I made school fun and graduated with a 4.0 High Honor Roll!

My time is over. No spread your knowledge and powers with others.

Yo you right there, can you help me make school fun.

Also make your people proud or what they fought for. Balance fun and hardwor

Luckily that's my superpower, so you don't let your own actions bring you down.

When Justice man woke up he got dressed.

Have you seen any crime?

Yes. At the school!

By: Semaje Williams

Nice. New coffee!

Then Justice Man made some special coffee.

Then Justice Man found the class they were in.

So Justice Man went to the school.

Should I use my power Ha Ha!!!!

Please STOP!!! (he cried)

The bully continued to make fun of Carol…so Justice Man swung into action!

Justice Man saw him making fun of Carol because of his skin color.

Make me!

Stop being mean or you’ll go to jail!

I hope you learned your lesson! I’m sorry!!!!

Justice Man took him to jail.

Whew! That day was rough!

Once he was in jail, the bully regretted it.

Then Justice Man went to finish his coffee

By: Dante Wilson

He Keeps trying I’m the best Qb here

I wanna play Qb Your gonna play wide receiver

That’s all I need

You have 1 shot

A chance to prove myself

I got it

Well kid you are the best QB but we just can’t use you there.

I’m leaving the team that’s no5 fair. I’m going to tryout for another team.

Wow

Thank

Now I’m the mvp

kid your amazing you just earned the starting job as QB.

you so much. I’m won’t let you down.

The championship game

By: Jalen Ransom

One day a 13 year old named Michael attended Staples Center Middle School. As an 8th grader, he joined the Young Black Scholars, played basketball, and football for the King James Lakers.

One day, Michael walked down the hallway when he saw George and three other boys picking on a kid. They were pushing and kicking the kid. George even threw his bag and books. He called the kid names and made fun of him just because he was Black.

You little scrub!

Hey!!!

Michael was very popular. He always stood up for people who couldn’t stand up for themselves.

I love my city!

So Michael finally accomplished his mission. He saved the kid and helped make his community safer.

I see crime!

Michael walked up and went to go help the poor boy.

Created by:

Nasir jenkins

One day this kid named Jalen a young black man. He was a big brother.

He was sleeping at his house when he hears something.

What is that noise?

The green light hypnotized

Jalen heads downstairs and sees his brother being kidnapped. He sees them taking his brother from the house.

Jalen went looking for his little brother and while searching he saw a green light.

O my god, I have powers

Now Jalen uses his power to help save kids all over the world that are getting kidnapped. His name is now savorman.

By: Brandon Anderson

Patrick Anderson was going to his job at Morehouse College. By day, he was Prof. Anderson; by night he was MR. STEM!!!!

One night Mr. Stem ran into his arch nemesis while on night patrol: Dr. Zero!

Dr. Zero was unto no good, trying to make kids not go to school.

Dr. Zero’s

Another day saved!

Mr. Stem fights back and overwhelms Dr. Zero

Using his intelligence and physical abilities together, Dr. Stem saves the day and the kids from

attack.

Your words here...

Assassinatio n Man! I see he's destroying buildings!!

Galaxy Man and Assassination Man battle it out.

Assassination man gets knocked into the water and Galaxy man throws him in jail.

By: Nasir Aldonza

So long San Francisco.

Assassination Man uses a laser beam!

Galaxy Man counters with a lightening crack.

I SMELL CRIME

THE DUPLICATOR AND THE PROTEST

Nate woke up early on Saturday morning. As usual he had bowl of his favorite cereal.

By: Nathaniel Albright

Nate have a seat I want to talk to you about the civil rights movement

The civil rights movement.

Not too long ago blacks and whites had to use different bathrooms.

That was wrong

Nate’s watch started buzzing letting him know there was trouble in the community.

There were protests and sit-ins.

When he got there all he could see a huge protest.

After seeing the crowd and looked no at their signs he knew they were wrong.

He went near the crowd and tried to talk to them but they did not listen. People started throwing stuff. please stop people are going to get hurt

Nate became the Duplicator and began duplicating himself to help people.

He began pulling out of the crowd so the would not be hit and grabbing others so the police could take them to jail

The community was quiet and people were calm again. But for how long.....

DON’T TOUCH THAT BUTTON!

BY: Harper Whitman

his nefarious plans begin to hatch as he thinks to himself… I’ll wipe out all positivity and promote alienkind.

One day Dr. Evil had a genius plan!

Positivity, be gone!

10 mins later, Zombie boy & Scorpio release their secret weapon…the love bug!!!

Don’t worry scorpio. i got your back!

man i wish i wasn’t dead

all of the evil doers are full of positivity!

asforyou!!

scorpio proceeds to slap some… COMMON SENSE…INTO THE MASCOT

eaquae mil inisti seri con

Behind bars.

By: Navien Pitts

Chris grew up in LA with his mom and dad. He was a great athlete and an amazing student in school. He was part of the photography club and majored in communications.

He moved to Alabama once he received his acceptance into Alabama University. While in college, Chris was looking for ways to help his new community. One day he went out to find the Boys and Girls club.

The city he lives in was full of run-down houses and homeless folk. But the Boys and Girls club worked to help people get off the street after the storm that hit Alabama.

HELP!

By: jORDEN

to HELP AID THE RECOVERY EFFORTS, cHRIS AND THE cLUB DECIDED HELP OUT BY GATHERING DONATIONS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES.

i NEED MONEY! HERE YOU GO!

After the storm people lost their homes, tons, and had no place to live. The number of homeless skyrocketed almost overnight. Many began asking for money, food, and shelter. Some even resorted to stealing in order to survive.

Visionman is a 13 year old boy. his parents suffered from Blindness and died early in his life. he has no brothers or sisters.

Visionman takes a trip with his uncle through an old street where e learns about his history. Here, he discovers his powers!

You can give people visions.

bY: Saeed Acklin

A night as regular as any.

As Yobid (YoBidness) lands on Earth, he is greeted by four Earthlings.

No he's not. PESTER him and INVADE his space. Be TOO "considerate".

By: Xavier Burgess

Weno! I've had enough. I won't let you rule ANYMORE!

And how will you stop me?

...and his new rival, Weno (We Noisy).

No. Please. Mind your business.

You Ok?

I guess he said he's ok.

I'm OK.

LIKE THIS!!

Weno persisted...

By: Ammons Smith

Fast forward 3 years: Centurion sees the super villain Omega spreading crime and hate across the Oakland

Steal and destroy everything

They continue to brawl with Omega coming out on top until he sees that the people have turned against him after seeing his cruelty.

Centurion meditates and sees his grandfather in the nether”

Who are you?

andI’myou’regrandfather I’msickofseeingyou gain.useyourpowersforselfish Useyourpowersforthepeoplewhoreally need

it.

shows Ace images of him saving Black Panthers

After Ace meditates and connects to the past life of his grandfather. He discovers that, like him, he had powers but used them for good and helped break wrongly convicted black panthers out of prison.

Ace Centurion is patrolling the roofs of Oakland when he sees a man starting a riot in the streets.

They continue to brawl with Omega coming out on top until he sees that the people have turned against him after seeing his cruelty.

Banding together they help Centurion defeat omega and vow to band together in order to protect the community.

by: Cameron Williams

At the Museum of Black History their is an original video game designed by the Brothers in Black Organization, led by C.I.W & L.R.J. It's called "The Games of Games" and is worth 100 million dollars. Knowone in the entire video game world has defeated this game.

The museum has decided to host a worldwide video game tournament. Whoever makes it to the finals and defeats the Game of Games wins 5 million dollars. This game has 200+ levels and goes from old to new school video usage formats.

All kinds of players came from around the world to play the game, well over 1 million players attented. Among them were two of the top players Captain Unclelot and Vicious Videogamer (VV). The tournament lasted 2 weeks. Then Unclelot and VV were in the semi finals along with Jason the Mighty and Gerald the Slayer. It came down to the finals between Unclelot and VV. It was a ferocious battle but Unclelot won and completed the game. He was a champion!

VV got so mad that he went home. Later he saw and read the newspaper article about Unclelot which made him even more furious that it made his anger overtake his his video game intelligence and he became evil. He left home and started attacking the city. Captain Unclelot came to the rescue, they had a massive battle. VV sent Captain Unclelot to the video game realm and VV followed him where they fought again. Captain Unclelot only had one thing that could stop VV from destroying the world. Unclelot pulled out a mega digital cannon- he said "take that you vile villain!" Captain Unclelot blast them back into reality, where the police were waiting to take VV to jail.

By Lance Robert

Life is good!

One day in a city named La Mansion a Robert lived a boy named LL.

WeKILLwill everyone!!!

It was the Adcub!!! an evil terrorist organization with only one way of being defeated. but no one could remember.

One time, LL was sitting down when suddenly…

Wearethe Adcub.

LL got up. The Adcub threats reminded him of the KKK and the public hangings his father told him about.

Let’s march! I can’t let them kill anyone.

He then knew what to do.

And so, everyone marched and it scared the Adcub away!

Ahhhhh!!!!

Unity is our Super Power!