Complicity

About the Book

This graphic novel examines gang life. It depicts the troubled relationships between man and community, man and God, and man within himself. Through this tale, we see struggles between negative and positive choices. It is this external process, seeing through others’ eyes, that we too can deal openly and honestly with our fears, suspicions, and prejudices. It is the tragic story of Mad City Posse (MCP). It is a look at the gang life of drugs, violence, and justice—a world tainted with anger and hate. When Quentin Holmes (aka Q), the brother of founding member of the gang, Oscar Holmes, is murdered, MCP must either choose to seek revenge or peace. MCP decisions have life-altering repercussions.

About the Author

Leonard “L. C.” Collins is the executive director of the Cleveland Treatment Center and varsity track coach. He is an alumnus of Cleveland Benedictine High School (the Home of Champions) and proud member of the Bengal Nation. After serving as a member of the Army Reserve as a medic and as an instructor, he attended Cleveland Institute of Art/Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in medical illustration. He is the founder of the City of Cleveland’s Health Department Program for teens, Just Chillin’, and the cofounder, with Dr. Victoria Cargill (National Institute of Health HIV/AIDS Research), of the Stopping AIDS is My Mission Program. He hosted the Just Chillin’ with L. C. radio and TV programs on 91.1 FM and CLV TV 35 in Cleveland for eighteen years. He also served as chairman for the mayor‘s Youth Violence Council’s Youth Committee during the CTC’s administrations of George Voinovich and Michael White. One of the main programs of CTC’s Prevention Department is the Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs/Passport to Fishing program, which is sponsored by the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the Future Fisherman Foundation, CTC has received state and national recognition as a Best Practice model for aquatic education, ATOD/Violence prevention, and early intervention. CTC is recognized as Ohio’s first urban Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs program. When not fishing, L. C. finds time to present urban violence, cultural diversity, and empowerment trainings throughout the country. As a freelance medical illustrator, other consumers of L. C.’s artwork have included the City of Cleveland, medical institutions, lawyers, national celebrities, and authors. He was one of the dozen artists selected by the Cultural Art Committee of the 1996 Summer Olympics. L. C. is the author of Reflections Sweet and Sour, a cultural study that utilizes creative writing to examine the value and views of teens.