The Issues
A boy and his older brother Chance growing up in Smoketown in the 1970's and 80's.
They were 26 months apart, but with completely different arsenals. The little one armed himself with logic, wit, and arrogance. Chance had six inches, a calm that never broke, and an unapologetic sense of timing. What looks like a rivalry is really a negotiation neither of them ever wanted to settle, because doing so would have ended the game.
Short stories · new issues as they're drawn
In the order they were told
Nine months of growing the biggest afro on the block, and one mouth that couldn't leave it alone.
Galaxy · War, 1977
A cigar box of quarters, a blind widow's garbage, and the first record he ever bought with his own money.
Misstra Know-It-All · Stevie Wonder, 1973
First day at the school across town, where he was the only one from the neighborhood in the advanced class.
Cholly (Funk Get Ready to Roll) · George Clinton, 1978
He read the whole book in one night, showed up the next morning in a shirt and tie, and his brother had one question.
Every week he waited on the son and ignored the father. Then the old man opened the broom closet.