Young Graphic Novelists Dropping Superhero Stories for Culture and Community

Copyright

Copyright © 2018 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 2018

-rico hollister

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?

Themission 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 Graphic Novel Anthology would not possible without the hard work of the 100 Black Men of Long Beach, Inc., special members who volunteered beyond measure to get this ediDon into print. Namely, Micheal Albright and Damon CagnolaG are the men who worked Drelessly as project managers to edit and format this book to compleDon. They live up to the 100 BMLB mantra of "Real Men Giving Real Time." Others who gave the necessary Dme at the June mentoring sessions to help manifest this work are: Eric AcDon Jackson, Ahmed Saafir, Howard Perry, Ammons Smith, Kane Nicholas, Asion Jackson, Jason Givens, Larry Dillon II, Victor Parker, Todd BarneU, Vincent Byrd, Gerald Burford, Art Gray, Jesse Johnson and Lance Robert.

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 and Mrs. Shakara BrembryAlbright, Magnet Coordinator. We appreciate your high expectaDons and support.

A special thank you goes out to Pastor Welton Pleasant of Christ Second BapDst Church for his endless support and acknowledgements.

We thank Pastor Gregory Johnson of the American University of Health Sciences for giving us the forum at AUHS to unveil this project to the public.

We also would like to acknowledge our sponsors for this years: Southern California Edison, Edison InternaDonal, AT&T, American University of Health Sciences, and Christ Second BapDst Church.

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 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 this book, their second publication.

It is noteworthy to mention that the the authors of this graphic novel range in age from 8-17 and that they completed this project at the African American Male Summer Literacy Academy. 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. We thank you for your support.

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

Hartman has the Power to shoot & into suicidal children.

His enemy is dR. brain. hE CONTROLS THE BRAINS OF ANYONE HE TOUCHES AND TELLS THEM TO KILL THEMSELVES.

hE LED THEM TO HIS LAVA PIT LIKE ZOMBIES.

lUNKILY, hARTMAN WAS THERE!!! dR. bRAIN tRIED TO GET hARTMAN TO KILL HIMSELF BUT HE MISSED.

hARTMAN FOUND dR. bRAINS LAIR WHERE HE HAD KIDNAPPED KIDS.

hARTMAN TRIED SHOOTING HIM BUT HE MISSED.

sO HARTMAN USES HIS SECRET WEAPON: the Heat seeking Dr. bRAIN WAS THE ONE DEAD & tHE CITY WAS SAVED! the end.

The Wrath Of Diabetes

There was a mayor in Clotstown who hated health. His villain name was Mr. Pretzel. He gave the city diabetes.

By Sadiq Potts

A boy named Bob and his friend Billy heard of this and wanted to help the city

They became scientists to find a cure for diabetes. The two boys found a cure and went to the city. When they arrived one the city, they discovered a factory putting serums in food.

The kids saw the mayor in the factory. They saw a robot. The robot had syringes that had diabetes gas in them. The boys needed to stop the robot.

The boys changed into Strawberry and Apple. They saw the mayor change into Dr. Pretzel. Strawberry got his drills and Apple got his hammers and destroyed the core of the robot.

Dr. Pretzel went to jail. Strawberry and Apple fed the cure to the people. The town was saved

Clotstown was now nondiabetic.

There is a town called Mettysburg, it was peaceful until.... 1

Something BIG came up from the ground and it was a powerful crystal. The flight touched the crystal 2

The fly burns down buildings, smashes cars and starts to trash the city. 3

4

When the flight sees him he starts to go towards him quietly and all of a sudden

he punches the fly in the face.

After FLIGHT sends the fly to Prison for his crimes. Flight returns to the community to repair and rebuild from the destruction. 5

The community loves and appreciate flight 6

BY: JAYDEN REDMOND

PEOPLE WERE DYING FROM THE BAD CHEMICALS INSIDE FOOD.

ONE DAY IT ALL STARTED IN TROPICAL CITY.

MR. BLUEBERRY’S HEAD HAS TOXIC JELLY HE IS PUTTING IN THE FOOD.

THE PEOPLE CAN NOT HAVE HEALTHY BODIES. MR. MARSHMELLO’S HEAD HAS THE POWER OF KINDNESS.

MR. MARSHMELLOW’S POWER BENEFITS THE CITY.

But also Mr. marshmellow head has a growth mindset about things.

So Mr. marshmallow went to go get seeds and fresh water.

PEOhe planted the seeds and now the world was great again.

BY: Joshua Henderson

It was a normal day for Jack in school getting pushed around in the halls. All the time. Everyday Jack was bullied at school. He thought it would never stop.

He began to have bad thoughts and feelings about hurting himself. He wished someone would do something but no one would. He had no hope until Anti-Bully Man showed up.

The Anti-Bully was tired of being picked on until one day, he found Super Gum.

The Gum allowed him to spit it on the bullies and make them stick to the wall anywhere.

It was then nobody ever bullied the Anti-Bully man again.

The AntiBullyman

One day in Winderixville, a man named hank found a ring on the floor.

Then, he saw a lady get robbed!

And all of a sudden, he flew over the bad guy and kicked his butt and got the purse.

by Wokkie B.

Later that day, he made a costume and committed to stopping crime. He saved people from a fire.

He saved a bank from being robbed.

he was doing great saving people’s lives, but some did not like him. Because of his color.

But he didn’t let that bother him. He was a strong black man!

The Sheep

BY: Mykal

It was 2005. supers were now legal and technology was better than ever!

Allen had been walking to school when…

the borg had broken out of jail by sneaking into the sewers. Allen was bored, so he decided to fight the Borg..

Allen knew he would be late to school. He knew he needed something to use in the fight against borg.

WHO WOULD’VE THOUGHT!

Allen look around and saw a toy machine with a bear animal spirit inside.

tHERE IT WAS! mY FIGHTER!!!

i’M GOING TO MAKE YOU BETTER!

Allen left, and told the bear to fight! grr!!!

BY: Restan Listenbee

Sorry but we can’t do that sir.

Fine. We will do this the hard way

You will give me your powers or else!

You’re not getting our powers try us jerk

You can’t handle my flaming plasma ball

Ok then I will. You’re strong.

By: Reese

5 mins later.

we will battle dead X Tonight.

one day, a superstar trio was having a meeting.

Where’s Red X?

He’s in his room.

…

No!

(Frosty Flakes) The boss said get down here now!

(Check more) Red x, Get down here!

i honestly don’t care. lets not fight him.

ok fine. then i guess Dead x will make you have surgery!

EUREKA!!!

(red x) fine! i’m coming!!!

You need to give Dead X a potion that will change his mindset and make him a good guy.

Your words here...

that’s not a bad idea!

I’ve finally been acknowledged!

Frosty Flakes send a text to Dead X!!!

no! I’m the leader. I decide what my job is!

Checkmate, your job is to distract Dead X so I can get the potion.

my job is to get the potion. your job is to distract Dead X!

ok! You’re the leader! (so unfair!).

what good things does check mate do as a leader?

What kind of assistant do i have?

meanwhile…

C’mon. we have to stop playing. i need to fight Dead X tonight!

Red X’s Phone.

i need to take a nap!!!

The conversation…

Dude, i’m taking a nap.

i called to inform you that flakey hates me as a leader. oh wow! this again? all I will say is, figure this out on your own. what the???

bye!

There BETTER NOT BE ANY DUST STORMS OR TORNADOES.

The Coyote population will be saved call the military!

To the headquarters! We must have our meeting. How are they doing down there?

Published by the 100 Black Men.

I’m glad we have a plan B! Not bad! 5 mins left. won’tThere be!

Ok boss! dialing now!

ok crew! For the past 5 years, i have noticed a decrease in the population of coyotes.

That’s terrible!

you’re right! Luckily, i have a plan.

“We attack from all sides!”

That plan won’t work! but if it does, then i’ll give you $10.

hypnotizer can’t hypnotize me.

5 seconds later…

1 down. 2 to go!

2 down. 1 to go.

back at hq come in.

you owe me bro! dude why didn’t you help us?

j.j. is on his way up here.

the next day…

i think i’ll start today off with some coffee

THERE’S GOES MY DAY! GOOGLE, TELL ME MORE.

Fine! After this, it’s light’s out! Do what you need to now!

“vILLAINS ON THE MOVE!”

“4 villains are exploding the population where coyotes are living.”

not on my watch!

death valley, ca

ok guys. here’s what i have in mind for plan b.

i’ll go out and sneak into their base!

junior, set a distraction. the military will open fire!

whoa! kinda hot!

guys, he’s waking up!

no! that’s my sister!!!!

3 days later. coyote island.

huh? where is this? explain now!

we discovered you had another weakness. Hot weather!

recorded 7 hours ago.

did you just dye your hair???

so, what’s the plan?

as you can see, i moved you around.

13 minutes later…

just do you!!!

now that plan will work!

prepare for crash landing!!!

Telekinesis slam robo coyote ko

sibling stomp halloween spirit ko uppercut hypnotizer ko

retreat!

justice is served!

back at hq time to get hype!

BY: TYLER SMALL

there were two african americans playing football. until a police officer came.

the two police officers ask the two african americans if they were selling drugs. y’all selling’ drugs???

the two african americans told the police officers, “no.” angrily, the african americans asked the police officers, “are you judging us based on our race?

the police officers said nothing. he immediately pulled his gun out and said, “get on the ground!”

suddenly, the police officer pulled him down. he immediately pulled his gun out. the police officer told them, “I felt something in your pocket.”

the other officer suddenly pulled the trigger! there was a sudden freeze.

the officer was completely frozen and the bullet shell came out of the gun.

there was a man. a black man. with a cape. he froze the police officer. the police officer saw that if he kills the black man he get fired.

he noticed that if he killed theses black people, then he would be known as a killer.

The super hero that’s doing all this: Black America!!!

one of the officers pulled out what was in their pocket.

“i am black america. i prevent police brutality towards african americans.”

It was all because of black america. he is a hero. without him those two african american boys would be dead. Black america continued to help people like trayvon martin and oscar grant.

black america will protect african americans from the police. So now African americans won’t die.

i will always continue to help people! especially african americans.

People were becoming heavily intoxicated!

by: Ammons Smith

the protector kept the normally intoxicated citizens sober and in their right mind.

one day, as Captain Sober was on patrol, he noticed something strange.

Smirnoff, Georgia

it was none other than king overdose

king overdose was intoxicating everyone!

Until captain sober flew in! eventually capt. sober used king overdose’s weakness.

why do you drink if it’s harmful to you?

common sense!

CaPT. Sober feels relieved!

he flies off looking for more citizens in need.

king overdose has a key!

hes escaping!!!

will capt. overdose be quick enough???

what is king overdose planning???

It is a typical day in Animal World everyone was playing and having fun.

Under the rule of JAGWING the animals had fun. But Jagwig was not just the ruler he was also their protector.

One day animals started to disagree but no one knew why Bullet caps started to appear and also guns

They found poachers coming in and hunting the animals

The animals did not know where it was coming from. So they started to keep watch for all things.

The animals returned back to their business

All the animals were doing their jobs, when they heard shots but none of the animals were hit.

10 miles from the animals they found the poachers campsite

Jagwing had secret powers, he was invisible, strong, fast and smart. He had the power of all the animals

Jagwig has a group of jaguars called the super secret asilence (SSA).

Jagwig and the SSA went to the enemies campsite to search out the poachers.

Knowing the poachers, jagwing told the ssa to setup fake animal targets.

While the targets were up all the animals were hidden.

It was going down , the poachers could barely see the animals and were just firing.

One bullet hit the youngest member of the ssa and jagwig healed and helped him.

After they won they had a huge celebration After a long fight Jagwing grabbed all the guns and the poachers flew away.

It was the year 1718 and 2 miners Warren and Jeff were searching for the Black Diamond.

By: CALEB SMITH

Jeff wanted to blow up the mine to uncover more Diamonds, but Warren said no. Jeff did it anyway. During the explosions the mine collapsed around them. ....300 Year’s passed

An explorer enters the abounded mine and finds a body. Then calls the police.The police call the doctor. They fly in the best doctor from Africa. The doctor informs them he is in a deep sleep.

When the doctors wake him up , he goes on a rampage. Right before they woke him up they implanted a chip inside of him and discovered that he as the power to regenerate health.

Your words here...

They found him in a pile of rubble at what used to be his dads house. The CIA recruited him because of his special power. His first mission was to stop gang violence.

Black Diamond arrives in the hood and sees dead bodies on the ground he knew it was about to get real. Black Diamond confronts the gang leader and shuts him down. The gangs cause no more problems because the know they will get a call from Black Diamond

By Nathaniel Albright

On a hot summer day in June. This kid named Mate was watching tv. When his mom said “want to go to the beach?”

While at the beach his mom said” I will go get some ice cream.”

Then Mate went into the water but did not notice the sign. It read do not cross.

Men working at the bay began pouring toxic chemicals into the water. The ambulance had to come and pull Mate from the water.

At the hospital they ran some tests to make sure that was alive. Once he got home his mom checked to make sure he was ok. The very next day he discovered he had the ability to clone himself.

Mate went outside and started telling everyone “let’s stop pollution”. The people heard and everyone went to the beach. Everyone was picking up garbage.

With the help of his clones he went through and collected all the bags of garbage picked up by the community. The beach was now clean and safe thanks to the Duplicator.

BY rICHARD kATER

eASTSIDE BROOKLYN.

qUIN HEARS GUNSHOTS OUTSIDE. family gets down.

qUIN dARIUS ENTERTAINS HIS

Convict, a known criminal, robs quin’s house while quin is home.

QUIN GOES TO THE LIBRARY AND FINDS A DARK MAGIC BOOK.

quin uses his newfound magic to subdue convict.

quin uses his newfound powers to clean up the streets of brooklyn. he takes a new name: the black hatter!

quin sees the bank getting robbed and waits until it’s over.

black hatter follows convict back to his hideout

While convict is counting his money, black hatter comes out the shadows.

meanwhile, convict is planning the biggest heist on the big bank of Brooklyn. the night of the heist, quin walks to the liquor store.

Black hatter confronts him. convict!

brooklyn is freed of you. i don’t care!

I still don’t care well you’re dead now!

Convict snapped his fingers and black hatter fell through a trap door! S

But Quin got back up and teleported in front of convict!

quin teleports convict to a different dimension.

see ya convict!

crime rates in brooklyn dropped 50%.

Black hatter saved the day. the people who were wrongly incarcerated were freed because of him.

By: By: Kingston Dion Banks

One day a man was working at NASA.

Oh no!

He had to do a secret mission.

He got shot back to Earth.

He had to drop it into space.

The dark matter got unstable.

Whoa!!!

He realized he had super powers

He was a Hero!!!

Go Time zone!

3 years later he met fans.

But he ignored one.

He wanted to get revenge.

He did the exact same thing that TimeZone did to get his powers.

As soon as he knew he had powers…

YES!!!!!

He faced TimeZone

He went back in time and stopped him from getting powers.

TimeZone knew he had no choice.

Time Travel!

No more powers for you!

Time Travel!

He saved the day and all his fans loved him.

Awww man!

It’s not over!

Not so fast!

Oh no!

To be continued…

There’s a robbery on 10th!!!

tHIS person’s name is bill. but throughout his life people have called him “bad luck” bill.

Your words here...

bill saw the bad and sad

Bill was intellectually gifted since he was born.

but every job bill tried to work for would shut down because of bankruptcy.

One day, he was contacted by the government. they offered. they offered to pay for his living expenses if he joined the company’s that were doing bad

bill was contracted to force bad companies under!

Your words here...

Using his intellectual gift, bill was able to make the company go bankrupt.

Bill starts with a company that sells drugs to people in impoverished neighborhoods.

so bill continued his contract with the government to stop companies from preying on those who can’t help themselves.

dude is that a spider?

One day in pretzel city

by: larry dillon

out of nowhere dry ice tripped over a rock!

well yea!!!

The glass broke and the spider fell in toxic waste.

Then the spider arrived!

the spider went for the school.

the

No one noticed the roof was gone. but then…

Meanwhile at the store… Heatster brought a can of shrink spray!

The spider smashed inside! Shrink

spider broke the roof off the school.

what did you say to me???

hey what are you doing at this school jerk!!!

The heatster sprayed the spider!

By Cameron Williams

Once there was a shop named the Recori shop. The owner were Jim and Crisatol. But they were secretly a superhero (Wolfblade ) and evil (Foxblade).

Jim and Jake (Thunderblade) come to rescue other blade from being destroyed, at the same time he begins to build a special blade suit.

Crisatol and his evil sidekick Kasi(Cloudblade) take over the world of blades. By catching other blades and turning them evil. They crush blades that refuse to join them.

Before Crisatol can make all the blades evil he has to get Wolfblades mighty blade, the Fantastic Blade.

Crisatol sets a trap for Wolfblade and invites Jim to his evil lair below the Blade shop. Jim quickly recognizes his arch enemy and realizes it’s a trap. Jim changes to Wolfblade for an Epic battle.

Fantastic Wolfblade and Foxblade battle. Wolfblade is victorious. Crisatol says” ha ha you’re to late my other blade suit has already been created. Dark Foxblade.

....Until we meet again Foxblade...

“RULING WITH SEPARATION OF POWER”

By Damon Cagnolatti

100 Black Men, Long Beach

WORLD ORGANIZATION ADDRESS

At the end of the film Black Panther, King T’Challa and his Sister Shuri visited Oakland, CA to establish an international outreach center. After they visited Oakland, King T’Challa came to Long Beach personally to establish another outreach center, where the youth learned about the Constitution, “separation of powers,” and “checks and balances” in government and how to rule with balance and power.

AJ

So what can a group of little boys from the Wakandan International Outreach Center teach us about governing with balance and power? Isn’t the president like “king” who gets to do whatever he wants?

T’CHALLA

Actually, I am a king. King T’Challa from Wakanda. The president is not a “king” at all. The Constitution has what is called “checks and balances” which separate the powers into 3 Branches of Government The executive (where the president, vice president, and his cabinet enforce the law); the legislative branch (where congress makes new laws); and the judicial branch (where the Supreme Court judges interpret all laws. These branches share power and each branch serves as a check on the power of the other.

Caleb stands

CALEB

The president is in charge of the Executive branch. He runs our military, enforces the law, and signs new law that congress passes. But I am held in check by my two brothers.

Boy 4 & 5 stand

BOY 4

I’m the Senate.

BOY 5

I’m the House of Representatives.

BOY 4 & 5

And together we are Congress.

BOY 4

There are 100 senators in Congress. 2 from each state.

BOY 5

There are 435 representatives from each state. Each one is determined based on its population. The higher the population, the more representatives.

BOY 4 & 5

Together we make new laws; approve Supreme Court Judges; and we can update the Constitution. We’re the strongest when we work together!

Boy 6 stands

BOY 6

The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and federal courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court in all the land. It’s made up of 9 Chief Justices who interpret the law according to the constitution.

ALL BOYS STAND

The separation of powers provides a model for maintaining freedom.

BOY 3

It helps us to govern with balance and power,

BOY 4 & 5

It preserves our liberty,

BOY 6

To ensure that our democracy endures and that justice is maintained, ALL BOYS

By the people, of the people, and for the people!

(BOYS exit stage) FADE OUT:

Hay en el comunidad mucha Basura.

By: Rico Hollister

Hombre sopa es un villano que arroja basura al agua.

There is a lot of trash in the community. Soupman is a villain who throws trash in the water. The people are mad.

El superhéroe es Hombre cuchara y él tiene explosiones.

The superhero is SPOONMAN and he has explosions.

Hombre cuchara se agacha y duerme toda la basura y luego explota Hombre sopa.

La comunidad tiene mucha basura

Después de la pelea, la comunidad parece limpia.

The community is with a lot of trash.

SPOONMAN swoops down and sweeps all the trash and then explodes Soupman.

After the fight the community looks clean.