About this project

What is Traffick, inc.?

Traffick, inc. is a graphic novel that uses realistic, documentary-style episodes inspired by true events to explore a difficult subject: human trafficking.

[image of Page 2 of Traffick, inc.]

Created within Meet Justice, a small non-profit group, the graphic novel explores the challenges and successes of advocacy; labor trafficking incidents here in the U.S.; the court case of an Atlanta pimp; and the actions that ordinary concerned citizens can take to dismantle this trade.  Our goal is to create a novel that will make such a complex, frightening issue accessible to the general public (as young as 15 years old). It will be a powerful tool not only for advocates, but also for parents, teachers, and at-risk children. 

Chris G. Allen took on the role of volunteer Executive Director for Meet Justice in 2010.  Surrounded by a loyal band of justice-lovers, together we determined to confront the tragedy of human trafficking in Atlanta and beyond.  Not qualified. Not rich. Not powerful.  But full of care and creativity, we are spending our scarce time, resources, and skills on creating change.  Every hour we work, every dollar we spend, something shifts because awareness works.  When people talk, things change. Their voices accumulate into the kind of weight that moves finance, law, and economy.  We tell the stories that can change lives.

That's why we need your help to create Traffick, inc.

If we had the money, we would have produced Traffick, inc yesterday.  We need to raise at least $4,000 to get the novel produced.  The more we raise the more we will spend fighting for freedom.  This first step should lead to a great leap forward helping at-risk populations recognize and avoid the great three drivers of human trafficking: Force, Fraud, and Coercion.

MJ has launched a number of cool ideas, but Traffick, inc.  is one of the best.  The art form allows a head on look into a tragic part of humanity without the wrenching stomach flip that real life photographs exact.  Sustaining awareness for dirty rotten subjects like this is tough because our nature is to protect our hearts and minds through denial and other defensive reactions.  Traffick, inc will be an artful balance of reality and pain, in an amount that keeps you reading without shutting down.

The power of art–words or pictures–to change lives has been proven time and again, and we look forward to partnering with you and your network to increase awareness of trafficking and consequently drive this deadly economy out of our neighborhoods, our schools, our cities, our nation, and ultimately, our planet.

Our production team is awesome!

The production team includes some of the top artists in the nation.  Jason Allen, an experienced cartoonist, brings these heart-wrenching stories to life. Josh Elder, an award-winning author and editor, provides editorial and production support. Both men are passionate about fighting human trafficking and about using the graphic novel medium to impact society in a positive way. Their most recent collaborative project, Just James, was published in the Reading With Pictures Anthology and is now being developed for various media outlets. 

[author / illustrator Jason Allen at work]

Tell me more about the production team!

JASON ALLEN graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in theater from Southern Illinois University in 2004.  He earned his Master of Arts in digital media and production design at the University of Georgia.

Jason worked as illustrator on Frisky Dingo, part of Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, and his work appeared in the book Acting Lessons for the Animator (2008).  In 2009, he was hired as a character and prop illustrator on FX’s Archer.  In 2010, Jason co-authored and illustrated the short “Just James and the Playground of the Living Dead,” which was published in the Reading with Pictures Anthology (2010). 

Jason is currently earning his Master of Science in strategic advertising and media management at the University of Southern Illinois.  In addition to his studies, Jason works an editorial cartoonist for theGateway Journalism Review.  

JOSH ELDER is the founder and president of the educational non-profit organization Reading With Pictures and an award-winning writer across various media. In 2005, his graphic novel Mail Order Ninja won the grand prize in Tokyopop’s Rising Stars of Manga Contest, and was soon picked up as a syndicated comic strip in over 45 newspapers, including the LA Times, Denver Post and Boston Globe. Josh’s other works include several issues of the DC Comics’ all-ages action/adventure title The Batman Strikes, a trilogy of stories for the StarCraft: Frontline anthology series, a stint as a videogame writer/designer for Disney Interactive and a recently completed novel for Disney Publishing.

However Josh is most proud of his work at Reading With Pictures. The organization performs a vital role in advocating for the use of comics in the classroom, developing resources for educators, facilitating academic research and creating high-quality educational content. 

JESSICA REIS graduated from Clemson University in May 2010 with a B.A. in English (writing and publications).  She serves on the selection committees for the Atlanta Film Festival, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, and Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers.  She is heavily involved in developing Traffick, inc's story lines, and she has been instrumental in the development of Meet Justice's websites and social media branding.