Sneak Peek: Trinity City Comics Issue #2

Putting together an issue of an afrofuturist comic set in “New New Orleans” takes a village– and Trinity City Arts is so lucky to have an extraordinarily talented village!

Three young writers, all members of the 826 New Orleans Teen Artists’ Board, wrote the story of Issue #2. Alexander Warren (current sophomore at Paul Quinn College and Walter Cohen High graduate), Cherielle Clark (junior at George Washington Carver High) and Je’Miyah Suggs (current sophomore at Tulane University and Livingston Collegiate graduate) all worked with mentor Kennedi Andrus to push our three protagonists further into their adventure. Then, professional comic creator Keith Knight adapted their story into thumbnail sketches and dialogue for the issue.

From there, three teen illustrators – all of whom have experience working with TC Arts – drew the comic under the mentorship of visual artist and Issue #1 illustrator Steve Prince. Zion Mercadel (senior at New Orleans Science Math & Science Charter High School, YAYA artist), Keith Singleton (current student at Southeastern Louisiana University and New Orleans Science Math & Science Charter High School graduate, YAYA artist) and London Salvant (current senior at Morris Jeff High) spent the summer working solo and in group intensives, each of them illustrating a chapter of the book. The team also received incredible mentorship from local professional comic book letterer Leo McGovern and Senior Director of Programs and longtime youth mentor at YAYA Arts Center Timeka Junius. 

1. (L to R from bottom) Zion Mercadel, Keith Singleton, Carolina Hernandez, London Salvant, Timeka Junius, Leo McGovern. | 2. London Salvant works on his Issue #2 illustrations.

In Issue #2, our heroes Rowan, Marcus and Blake navigate the youth incarceration system with some special help from their elders. Check out the pages below to get a taste of the action!

Rowan and Marcus argue after they are wrongfully jailed. Illustration by London Salvant.

Rowan and Marcus meet the “mysterious man” in their cell. Illustration by Keith Singleton.

Rowan worries about her missing sister as help arrives to get her out of jail. Illustration by Zion Mercadel.

It was incredible to watch this story come to life in our artists’ drawings, and Issue #2 is almost ready– come see our artists’ in-process work at the Trinity City Artivist Awards on October 20th, and join us in celebrating them!