Philly has no shortage of talent, but every so often, an artist rises with a message so needed, so raw, and so real that the entire city takes notice. That artist right now is LindoYES, a poet, storyteller, and now officially a published author. His first illustrated Comic book, Pawn Shop, drops Tuesday, July 15th, and it’s already buzzing with energy.
LindoYES isn’t just a poet by title, he’s a poet by lifestyle. Known for his signature “POET” logo and tattoo across his hands, Lindo’s dedication to using art as a tool for healing, his work is rooted in love, truth, and the lived realities of Black and brown folks navigating joy and pain in Philadelphia.
“I’m a poet first in every room I step into,” he said during his recent guest appearance on 98.5 FM WJYN. “For me, poetry was a remedy for my social anxiety. It helped me communicate without fear, without filters.”
That foundation led him to Pawn Shop, an illustrated comic book that blends Afrofuturism, emotional truth, and community care. The story explores themes like depression, heartbreak, and what it means to exchange emotional burdens in a world that commodifies everything, even our healing. Set in a fictional world where emotions can be pawned and redeemed, the book offers a poetic yet gritty reflection of life, especially for Black and urban communities, often left out of larger mental health conversations.
What makes Pawn Shop even more powerful is its Philly DNA. The illustrators behind the book, Jovan McKoy and Jaz Malone, are homegrown artists who’ve both contributed to the city’s art and poetry scene for years.
Beyond the page, Lindo’s impact can be seen across the city through his “Poetry Gumball Machines.” Placed in various neighborhoods, these machines dispense short poems, mental health hotline info, and wearable buttons, small tokens of healing meant to meet people where they are. “I wanted to make accessing mental health resources feel approachable,” he explained. “Art should be for the people, and poetry should be part of the everyday.”
Pawn Shop isn’t just a book, it’s a cultural moment. It’s part of a larger conversation about how Philly communities can use creativity to heal, organize, and imagine better futures. And it’s a reminder that poetry isn’t some lost art, it’s alive and thriving right here in our neighborhoods.
LindoYES is an artist who refuses to be boxed in, a storyteller with something to say, and most importantly, a resource for a community in need of both joy and truth.
Support the work. Read the book.
Pawn Shop is available for pre-order now through Barnes & Noble (search “LindoYES Pawn Shop”) or go directly to the link in his Instagram bio @LindoYES. This book is family-friendly, visually powerful, and rooted in the voices we don’t hear enough.