TALES FROM THE KIDS COMIC BOOKS CREATED BY CHILDREN OFFER POSITIVE MESSAGES.

Byline: JOHAN MENGESHA Valley News Writer

In the wake of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots arose an idea by artist David G. Brown to create a comic-book hero whose mission was to heal the deep scars of the city. Just like the mythical phoenix rising from its own ashes, black superhero L.A. Phoenix rose from the ashes of the city, showing children there is a better way of solving conflicts than by violence.

Brown received a grant from the city, helping him put together the ``L.A. Phoenix,'' which became a popular comic-book trilogy and received a lot of news media coverage from 1994 to 1996, when it was published.

Brown's newfound popularity got him invited to several schools to speak about his project. After many children expressed an interest in making their own comic books, Brown created the ``Tales From the Kids'' comic book in 1996. Since then, he has put together seven issues.

In ``Tales From the Kids,'' children create their own illustrations and stories and later have them published in a comic book with positive messages, such as staying away from drugs, cigarettes and alcohol.

On June 17, Brown held the unveiling of the latest ``Tales From the Kids'' at the Canoga Park Youth Art Center, where he teaches many of his comic-book workshops.

Brown said the children, ranging from 10 to 17 years old, learn practical skills they can use in the future.

``It empowers kids by letting them tell their own stories,'' Brown said.

The Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department gives Brown about $11,000 for each comic-book project. With the funds, he creates and publishes the comic book and holds workshops for children.

Every ``Tales From the Kids'' book has a theme. The theme for this year was Manga, which are Japanese comics with a distinct illustration style known for having characters with big, round heads, large, glaring eyes and small noses.

The children who were a part of the project worked on the book for a long time. They started in the fall of 2005, working on it for three eight-week semesters, one day a week at the Canoga Park Youth Art Center.

Brown said he guides the children during the project.

``I try to get the kids to come up with their (stories),'' he said. ``I challenge them to come up with solutions to their problems.''

Juan Carrillo, 12, was one of the children working on the comic book.

``It was really fun learning new techniques,'' said Carrillo, who enjoys making his own comics at home.

Carrillo only had good things to say about his mentor for the project.

``He was supportive and very nice,'' Carrillo said. Twenty students took part in putting together this year's comic book, which can be found at the Canoga Park Youth Art Center and the L.A. Central Library.