For schools, libraries and youth programs

AI is the tool.The story is theirs.

Cooley Comics is a hands-on program where young people use AI to create, write and print their own comic book, guided by trained facilitators. All ages. All abilities. No drawing skills needed.

Bring it to your program See how it works

A parent, caregiver or creator? Classes and labs for families are here.

Trusted by schools, libraries and community organisations

Why now

AI is changing everything our kids will walk into.

Most are learning to let it think for them. We teach them to make it tell their story, and to build real skills while they do it.

In a Cooley Comics workshop, students invent a character based on who they are, write its story, direct AI tools to bring it to life, and hold the printed comic at the end.

The day the printed comics arrived at Edison Tech

What students build

Five skills, hidden inside a comic book

A partner librarian calls it “the hidden vegetable”: students are having too much fun to notice how much they're learning.

AI and digital skills

Students learn to direct AI tools with clear, descriptive language, and to judge what comes back.

Storytelling and writing

Every comic needs a character, a world and a plot. Literacy practice that doesn't feel like work.

Communication

They pitch ideas, give feedback, and present a finished book to a room.

Self-discovery

Characters are built from each student's own strengths, values and struggles.

Job skills

Deadlines, teamwork and a portfolio piece. Some participants go on to paid roles with us.

Case study

One school in Batavia, New York

With support from the Genesee County Economic Development Center, John Kennedy Intermediate School brought Cooley Comics to its students.

Students in a school gym holding their printed comic books above their heads

200+students explored how AI is used in today's world
12student stories went from ideas to printed comics

We saw an opportunity to let them use their creativity to create something really fabulous and tangible, and something that they're proud of.

Melissa Calandra, STEAM teacher, John Kennedy School

Having our kids have access to it, even in a creative way, will start to prepare them for their future.

Paul Kessler, Principal

In their words

What partners and students say

The kids were all so grateful and more engaged than I have ever seen them. This is something very special.

Rebecca C., Rochester, NY

A few months ago I didn't know anything about digital art and now I'm getting paid to make comic books, all because of the AI Comic Labs.

Justin, Rochester, NY

They're getting job skills, they're getting social-emotional support, they're getting literacy support, and they're doing it in a way that's fun and doesn't seem like work to them.

Miranda Stefano, Program Librarian, Rochester City School District

Teachers, librarians and young facilitators on what changed

A mother and daughter outside, each holding a copy of the daughter's printed comic book, with a trophy

The human element

The technology is new. What matters isn't.

Being seen. Being heard. Having fun. That's our motto, and it's what a room feels like when a student holds a book they made.

Facilitators sit beside every participant. About half of our staff and participants are neurodivergent, on the autism spectrum, or part of the disability community, and every session is built to be accessible.

Meet the team

Bring Cooley Comics to your program

Watch your students show up, speak up and create something they're proud of. Tell us about your group and book a free 30-minute call.

Book a free 30-minute call Workshops and prices