TALES FROM THE KIDS YOUNG ARTISTS CREATE COMIC BOOK WITH 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 ``L.A. Phoenix,'' which became a popular comic-book trilogy that received a lot of media coverage when it was published from 1994 to 1996.

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 avoiding drugs, cigarettes and alcohol.

On June 17, Brown held the unveiling of the latest ``Tales From the Kids'' at the Canoga Park Youth Arts 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 around $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'' 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.

``Whatever theme the L.A. Central Library has for their summer reading program is the theme we will use,'' Brown said.

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

Brown said he guides the children during the project and offers helpful tips when needed.

``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, which was titled ``Manga Madness.''

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

Carrillo said he really liked how the ``Manga Madness'' comic came out.

``(The stories in the comic book) were so visual and gave such a good message through the pictures,'' he said.

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

``He was supportive and very nice,'' Carrillo said. ``He tried to work on my ideas with me.''

Twenty students took part in putting together this year's comic book, which can be found at the Canoga Park Youth Arts Center and the L.A. Central Library.

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Photo:

Four of the young artists who worked on the comic ``Manga Madness'' sign some copies at the June 17 unveiling at Canoga Park Youth Art Center. From the left are Anthony Rodriguez, Juan Carrillo, Venessa Ruiz and Aidan Paskal.

Joyce O. Clarke/Special to the Valley News