OPEN MOUTH
Hey all-
There's a nice big article up this morning at Newsarama in which Chris Arrant chats me up about BROWNSVILLE, the graphic novel about the Jewish Mafia that Jake Allen and I are creating for NBM Publishing.
More information and an advance review of BROWNSVILLE can be found here.
The article also serves as a "one year later" point for NINETY CANDLES, my Xeric winning experimental graphic novel.
Brian Wood, Eisner-nominated writer of CHANNEL ZERO and the highly popular COURIERS graphic novels, had this to say about Ninety Candles: "This one sneaks up on you... from a casual little page-turner to a deep, sophisticated story that grabs your heart strings and refuses to let go. Neil Kleid's created a little masterpiece here."
Have a read and keep your eyes peeled for BROWNSVILLE, hitting shelves from NBM Publishing in late 2005.
Have a Happy New Year!
OPEN MOUTH
As this week is the last of the year, I feel the need to pause and reflect on 2004, the year I made some considerable progress.
First and foremost, this is the year that I put out my first graphic novel. With NINETY CANDLES hitting the shelves, I finally felt proud enough to call myself a "comics professional" without laughing at myself deep down in my gut. Sure, I had several short anthology stories, but now I was an official "cartoonist" for better or worse. The book got some really great reviews and is selling fairly well for a debut graphic novel from an unknown and as many reviewers said, it's only my first - wait til they see what I do next.
2004 was also the year that the comics industry started talking to me. Artists decided they wanted to work with me, publishers decided they wanted to hire me and readers decided that they liked what I was offering. At the beginning of 2004 I had two books in the works (NINETY CANDLES and BROWNSVILLE), one of them having JUST been contracted. Here now, at the end, I have one on the shelves, four in production and scheduled for release, two being worked on and actively pitched to interested parties and two in creation for interested parties. I'd say that's fucking progress, wouldn't you?
Personally, 2004 was the year that my apartment situation really coalesced - for the first time in my life I'm comfortable with where I'm living and who I'm living with. I enjoy being at home - something I had never had in all the time I've been in NY. I'm comfortable with ME, something I haven't been in a long time.
2004 was a year for great comics. Andy Diggle stole my breath with THE LOSERS for Vertigo and ADAM STRANGE for DC. It was the year that gave us more Spiegelman and fascinated me with Satrap's PERSEPOLIS. Sam Hiti dropped demon science on us with his Xeric-winning graphic novel TEMPOS FINALES while guys like Oni and AIT-PlanetLar reaffirmed that graphic novels are the future - even when serialized like SCOTT PILGRIM and in comic book format like DEMO. It was the year that saw the rise of the independent publisher - from Speakeasy to Kandora to Geekpunk to 88MPH. It was the year that shook off the shackles of the 80's nostalgia books and embraced the all ages market and bookstore crowd with imprints forming in Scholastic, Penguin/Puffin, Henry Holt and more. It was the year that finally gave us memorable endings in BONE and CEREBUS while embracing the new and unique in titles like STREET ANGEL, THE WALKING DEAD and SEAGUY.
It was the year in which we began to remember why Charles Schultz was a genius and graphic novels and manga reached out and grabbed the mainstream press by the balls.
What does this mean for the future?
More quality comics. Further handholds in the struggle to pull comics and sequential art into the spotlight. Inspiration and education of the future cartoonists of the world via comic book classes and college programs popping up left and right. More rock, less talk.
What does it mean for me?
More books. More writing. More drawing. More loving. More living. More creativity.
Just MORE.
See you in the future.
OPEN MOUTH
Twas the day before Christmas and all through the office,
Everyone but me was taking the day off and I figured out that rhyming sucks.
Sitting in the day job space, alone and screwing around on the intraweb-ama-thon 2005 while I wait for the hour tick down so I can go home and nurse this hangover. Lord, did I drink last night - went to an '80s theme fuck-you-we're-Jewish-and-it's-Christmas party. Yeah, I know - lame theme, but the boys and I actually did up some really eye catching Ghostbusters costumes with coveralls, goggles and patches and everything... and much carousing was done.
All is quiet at year's end, what with the vacations and plodding away at this and that... it feels like a silent moment in time where I can step back from the madness of the day job and rising load of the comics work and just watch some TV, spend time with friends, talk to family... it's a nice change of pace but it's going to be harder to ebb and flow back into the page-a-day routine and five to ten pages of script nights. But we'll do it, because we're the A-Team.
Contracts are apparently on their way for the new mini-series and I'm about to begin scripting the third issue while my pals respectively draw the first and plot/write the second. We're in the midst of a name change battle as the publisher in question already has a title similar to ours with an already existing fanbase - he doesn't want to create confusion in the marketplace and I can agree with that. Still... it's hard to come up with a title for a book about men in robotic bear suits without using the word "bear."
Ah, the woes and pitfalls of working in the comics industry.
Apart from that, things progress. I've been in zen pitching mode - sent along several short springboards to a few rising publishers and am waiting to hear back. I'm also in the middle of a decent-to-extensive interview with Newsarama abtou BROWNSVILLE, so those of you looking forward to that book should keep your eyes peeled in the coming month.
Other news of note:
-- I will be doing my first New York in-store appearance, signing copies of NINETY CANDLES at Jim Hanley's Universe on January 5th alongside pals Dean Haspiel, Josh Neufeld and others. With any luck I'll also have 50 brand new BROWNSVILLE preview samplers created specifically for the signing. Swing by and hang out if you can.
-- I'm also going to be teaching a one night class for kids at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan that has the possibility of becoming a longer thing. It's called "Create-A-Comic" (not my choice) and will basically be me helping kids come up with their own hero or heroine and putting together a 4 page ashcan. Looks to be fun - if you know any kids aged 10-13, send 'em along.
-- Just finished writing a 5 page short for the HERO HAPPY HOUR SUPER SPECIAL 2005. For those who recall, last year's edition featured a 4 page story I did with Neil Vokes entitled "Secret Origin" which was essentially a dig at the Fantastic Four. This year's story, "Secret Identity", incorporates more of Dan Taylor and Chris Fason's First City heroes while taking a unique look at a hero who isn't all that he seems. The story will be illustrated by Ignatz nominee Pat Lewis and the book should hit the shelves right around convention season.
-- Finally, work continues on three other projects. I'm 25 pages into the script for MIGDAL DAVID for Seraphic Press. The holidays and day job have cut into my writing time, but the goal is to finish the script in and around Feburary so I can get drawing March 1st. With any luck, that will get the book set for a second half of 2006 release. Additionally, Tom Beland has begun drawing the first issue of WALLY MEIERS and I am set to start on the fourth issue after my BEAR SUITS responsibilities are finished. He's got three scripts to play with right now and I hope to shop the project around this summer when I attend SDCC. Finally, I am starting to work on the pitch for a brand new superhero series that I'd like to take to the "big" boys. It's a neat rethinking of 1970's superheroes (Ghost Rider, Jack of Hearts, Werewolf by Night, Captain Universe, 3-D Man... I can go on, if you like?) that explores the psyche of a superhero - or someone that USED to be a superhero. I'm calling it THE UNHEROES.
That's about it on this end. I'm gonna wrap this post up in a pretty little bow, send it on it's way down the electronic superfreeway and then go write five pages of drunken men in bear suits.
You all have yourselves a wonderful holiday with your mistletoe, goose and talking Jesus dolls. I'll be over here humbugging with my menorah and crucifix.
OPEN MOUTH
NINETY CANDLES, my experimental Xeric-winning graphic novella, has gotten some great feedback from folks in and around the comic book industry. Here are are a few things that the pros and publishers are saying:
"This one sneaks up on you... from a casual little page-turner to a deep, sophisticated story that grabs your heart strings and refuses to let go. Neil Kleid's created a little masterpiece here."
Brian Wood (Channel Zero, Couriers)
“Neil Kleid's Ninety Candles chronicles the life of a dreamer and the cost of making dreams come true. He uses one panel to depict each year of his protagonists life, and somehow that crazy format works! It's well-written, well-drawn, and I recommend it to anyone who makes comics, wants to make comics, or wants to understand a cartoonist.”
Jim Rugg (Street Angel)
“I enjoyed it, it was a novel concept presented in a engaging and formally clever way... it's a very promising book.”
Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics
"...an interesting experiment, a tale told via crystallized time...It's a touching story, pretty well done..."
Steven Grant (Badlands)
NINETY CANDLES, a 48 page graphic novella from Rant Comics, is re-listed as STAR of the Month in this month's Diamond PREVIEWS (Item Number JUL04 3096)
OPEN MOUTH
Good: Twenty pages into MIGDAL DAVID and one page drawn. Pushing forward, going strong.
Bad: Can't seem to nail the last page of the introduction...
Good: Contacted by a well known small press publisher who wants to publish a mini series I pitched him. I've been wanting to publish with these guys for a while, so I'm excited and hope all the red tape gets squared away.
Bad: We have to change the title of the mini series... apparently the publisher already puts out a book with a name quite similar to ours and he doesn't want confusion. Which is fine, except that it's such a great title.
Good: BROWNSVILLE is going strong, pushing forward for Late 2005. Newsarama is going to be interviewing me for this and NINETY CANDLES.
Bad: Jake has to go back and alter the first 10 pages of art to match the more recent pages... plus we need to do an extensive dialogue edit due to a fuck up on my part.
Good: Long hour and a half phone conversation with pal and colleague Tom Beland about everything from comics to self publishing to reality TV. It was a lot of fun and we got to iron out the kinks in our upcoming project.
Bad: I ran up and hour and a half phone call to Puerto Freaking Rico.
Good: The , letting me catch up quickly on a great book I've been wanting to read for years.
Bad: IDENTITY CRISIS #7. What a bag of fuck THAT was.
Good: My new decked out apartment - Nintendo, DVD with a wall projector and surround sound speakers. Plentiful beer and framed Tony Harris and Peter Snejberg STARMAN art on the walls.
Bad: Goodbye, work output.
OPEN MOUTH
Having this conversation with a co-creator/collaborator via email...
If you read comics, do you feel narrative captions are useful or insulting? I tend to not use them in my writing, as I write in the style of "movies on paper" which allows the audience to connect the dots on their own via the art and dialogue. Most writers these days don't use them - Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, and half the mainstream... I think Kurt Busiek uses them in ASTRO CITY but they're more like "voiceovers" than narrative captions.
We were talking about Jeff Smith's BONE, and that's where I first noticed an epic cartoon story that didn't have captions or blocks of copy that "directed" the reader.
Any way, I'd love to hear most folks' thoughts on this. Anyone wanna weigh in?
OPEN MOUTH
So in my spare time here at work I've been checking out all my old improv comedy websites - the most notable being Yesand.com established and maintained by Asaf Ronen. While flipping through old message board threads, I discovered this little gem from when I was still doing the STAND UP COMICS forums.
Have a read - this is the day a fanboy first "discovered" alternative/independent comics and started making his inroads to a burgeoning career slapped together with shit and baling wire:
"So last evening I decided to venture to the Virgin megastore at Union Square to check out the Bizarro Comics HardCover signing. For those of you out of the know, DC Comics just released a hardcover book with about twenty short stories about DC Heroes told from the mind of Bizarro (reference: Seinfeld and Superman). Each story was written and drawn by creators from outside the sphere of influence of "mainstream" creators - more of the independent creators who do work such as "Milk and Cheese", "Love and Rockets" and so forth. I must admit, I had an ulterior motive - i wanted to hand out flyers for the upcoming comics/media symposium with Joe Quesada (Editor in Chief of Marvel Comics), Mike Carlin (Executive Editor of DC Comics) and Ka-Baam (hey, Asaf!) which i am hosting in two weeks (for those of you who were there, and took a flyer, please drop by - it'll be fun. For those of you who have no idea what i'm talking about go to www.genesisrep.org and check out "Stand Up Comics")....
Man, I haven't spoken to my friend Kelly in AGES.
OPEN MOUTH
Thought I'd post up a quick little excerpt from WALLY MEIERS #1
Happy Holidays!
Page 13 (6 PANELS)
PANEL ONE
Sobel firmly shuts the window, scattering snow from the ledge.
SOBEL: WHATEVER IT IS YOU’RE SEARCHING FOR IN LIFE, MR, MEIERS, YOU WON’T FIND IT OUT WINDOWS.
PANEL TWO
INT. MEIERS’ CAR- AFTERNOON
Susan is driving home through the snow. A sullen Wally – dressed in winter clothes - stares out a frost-rimed passenger window.
SUSAN: — DOWN THERE SO MANY TIMES I SHOULD PACK A LUNCH!
SUSAN:ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?
PANEL THREE
Wally pulls his attention away from the outside and back to his mom.
WALLY: YES, MOM.
SUSAN (OP): IF YOU DON’T START PAYING ATTENTION, THEY’LL LEAVE YOU BACK, WALLY.
PANEL FOUR
Wally turns on the radio.
WALLY: CAN I TURN ON THE RADIO?
SUSAN: NO, I’M TALKING – HEY! WHAT DID I JUST SAY?
SUSAN:WHAT WORLD ARE YOU LIVING IN?
RADIO: …CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE…
PANEL FIVE
Wally leans back against his window, tired and spent.
SUSAN: I’M TALKING TO YOU, MISTER!
WALLY: … I MISS DAD.
PANEL SIX
Shot through the passenger window – Wally, leaning against it, stares out into the snow. His mom, suddenly quiet and worried, looks sidelong at him while trying to steer home through the snow.
Page 14 (5 PANELS)
PANEL ONE
INT. MEIERS HOME- EVENING
The foyer and living room are dark, but we can clearly make out stockings hanging from a mantle, a small tree and decorations. The couch is a mess, with blankets and pillows tossed about. In our foreground, an end table rests against a loveseat, and on that table are various family photos featuring Susan, Wally and DAVID MEIERS, the now deceased patriarch. We can see the front door too.
PANEL TWO
Same shot, but now Wally and Susan come in the front door, turning the light on and shaking the snow off.
SUSAN: MARCH UPSTAIRS AND GET THAT HOMEWORK OUT OF THE WAY… I’LL GET DINNER ON.
WALLY: HOMEWORK? ITS CHRISTMAS EVE, MOM!
PANEL THREE
Susan places her car keys on the mantle, next to a small red glass orb, some photos and tinsel. The red orb is actually a snow globe featuring a small inn.
SUSAN (OP): BE GLAD I’M STILL LETTING YOU HAVE CHRISTMAS, YOUNG MAN!
SUSAN (OP): MARCH!
PANEL FOUR
Wally trudges up the stairs, dejected. He stops and looks over his shoulder.
SUSAN (OP): WALLY?
PANEL FIVE
He looks down the stairs. His mom, standing at the foot, has her arms wrapped around her body.
SUSAN: I MISS HIM TOO. ESPECIALLY AROUND THE HOLIDAYS.
WALLY: I KNOW, MOM.
Page 15 (5 PANELS)
PANEL ONE
She looks over at the window – frost and ice cover the pane and holiday decorations hand on the outside.
SUSAN: YOU DIDN’T REALLY HEAR A TALKING BIRD, DID YOU?
WALLY (OP): I REALLY DID, MOM.
PANEL TWO
She closes her eyes and turns her back to Wally.
SUSAN: GO UPSTAIRS, WALLY. NOW.
WALLY: BUT I DID HEAR IT. IT TOLD ME TO —
SUSAN: WALLY MEIERS, GET UP THOSE STAIRS THIS INSTANT.
PANEL THREE
At the top of the stairs, Wally slams his door shut behind him.
WALLY: NO ONE EVER BELIEVES ME! IT ISN’T FAIR!
PANEL FOUR
Susan looks down at the snow globe in her hand – the little inn glimmers brightly in the gently falling snow.
SUSAN: NO, IT ISN’T FAIR.
SUSAN: NOT NOW, DAMN YOU.
PANEL FIVE
Alone in the festive house, she looks out the window, searching for something that isn’t there.
SUSAN: DON’T YOU TAKE HIM TOO.
Page 16 (5 PANELS)
PANEL ONE
INT., WALLY’S ROOM – NIGHT
It’s decorated like almost any other kids room – rock posters, sports pennants, toys everywhere. School books all over the floor. There’s a desk with a computer and an open closet jammed with messy odds and ends. There’s a great deal of baseball equipment. A mitt, a few bats, some baseballs… And end table near Wally’s bed is filled with a Batman lamp, some candy and a little alarm clock. Currently, Wally is passed out on the bed as it’s pretty late.
PANEL TWO
His window, beyond his bed, is slightly open now. A breeze blows into the room and Wally (whose face is to us) shivers a bit, pulling the covers atop his body.
WALLY: MM… BRRR…
PANEL THREE
A shadow flits by Wally’s face and his eyes pop open.
PANEL FOUR
He wakes up, tossing the covers off. He’s dressed in p.j.s (much like Nemo in SLUMBERLAND) and looks about wildly.
PANEL FIVE
The shadow stirs to his left and his head darts around.
WALLY: MOM?
WALLY: WHO’S THERE?
Page 17 (5 PANELS)
PANEL ONE
Wally reaches down and grabs a football from the floor.
PANEL TWO
The shadow flies by and he lets loose with football toss.
WALLY: GOTCHA!
PANEL THREE
The ball hits some books, knocking them off the shelves. Toys domino to the floor, as well.
NICK (OP): ‘EY! WHAT’S THE IDEA?!
NICK (OP): WATCH WHERE YER TOSSIN’ THAT THING!
PANEL FOUR
Wally peers over the bed, looking at the mess he just made.
WALLY: WHO’S…WHO’S THERE…?
PANEL FIVE
Larger panel – Looking up at us (we’re on the bed looking down) is one PIGEON NICK, familiar and guide for the campaigner. Nick, decked out in his eye patch and brushing snow from his wings, glares up at us with one good eye.
NICK: WELL, IT AIN’T SANTY CLAUSE.
That's THE SECRET LIFE OF WALLY MEIERS from Xeric-winning cartoonist Neil Kleid and Eisner-nominated cartoonist Tom Beland.
OPEN MOUTH
This month, as you get swept into the rush and dazzle of family,
friends and the joys of this giving holiday season, Rant Comics would
like to take a moment to ask you to consider giving NINETY CANDLES, a
Xeric-winning improvisational graphic novella from Neil Kleid.
This cartoon book follows the life of cartoonist Kevin Hall from birth
to death, each panel representing a single year. It's a personal
exploration of life, comics, fatherhood and legacy.
Ninety Candles is relisted in this month's Diamond PREVIEWS, and if
you missed your chance to experience this unique book, Rant Comics
asks you to consider a second look.
Garnering praise and acclaim from various print and online reviewers,
Alan David Doane of Comic Book Galaxy calls Ninety Candles "about the
most unique graphic novel I've read so far this year... what might
happen if Chris Ware were to have created The Family Circus." Randy
Lander and Don MacPherson of the Fourth Rail both gave Ninety Candles
a 10/10, calling it "the kind of debut that points the way toward an
exceptionally bright future in comics."
Beth Gallaway, a reviewer for Voice of Youth Advocates Magazine, says
"Ninety Candles is perfect for holiday gift-giving because it has
appeal to such a wide range of ages, and it is very affordable! I am
using it for two Yankee swaps, one stocking stuffer, and keeping one
as a gift to myself." Ninety Candles makes a wonderful stocking
stuffer or Hannukah tidbit for friends or family - especially budding
artists, devotees of comic books and those who enjoy touching,
heartwarming family stories.
Ninety Candles is available from Diamond Comic Distributors and can be easily reordered through your favorite local comic book retailer by
giving them the Diamond Item Code (JUL043096). To find a comic store
near you, please refer to The Master List.
More information, reviews, interviews and previews of Ninety Candles
can be found here.
Tonight marks the first night of Hannukah - the first of eight candles
will be lit in homes across the world. Rant Comics wants to thank
fans, retailers and those who have supported the book thus far and we
look forward to sparking all ninety candles in the homes and hearts of
new readers
Thanks again and we wish you a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.
Neil Kleid
Rant Comics
NINETY CANDLES: 48 pp., hunter green ink on off white stock; Diamond
Item Code: JUL04 3096, $5.95. rantcomics.com
OPEN MOUTH
No matter what I do, I can't get myself off this chair.
I've been sinking and sinking into an exhausted lazy depressive state that always surfaces nearer and nearer to the New Year. Perhaps it was the planning and successful implementation of the first apartment party I've thrown (with my roomates, natch) and perhaps it's a simple sense of running myself down with the oncoming miserable weather. My throat hurts and my eyes are drooping.
More likely, it's the onset of a whirlwind social calendar.
Besides the party this past Saturday night (big ol' keg, 200 people, nice DJ set up and much, much, MUCH booze) I've been at Jigsaw here and there along with meeting creative folks for drinks, constant fruitless dates and assorted days with friends and family.... it's all taking me away from the two places I NEED to be: the gym and the studio.
In the past month I've slowly pulled away from the comics industry. Less message board posting, less promotional hype, less blogging. However I've also been doing less WORK, which is not good. I finished WALLY MEIERS #3 and the pitch for MIDGAL DAVID, both which took a lot out of me, but now I have a new Work For Hire project on the horizon and the actual creation of MIGDAL DAVID and I'm just sitting around playing Super Mario Bros and Gradius on my Nintendo simulator.
I'm trying to start writing MIGDAL and I find myself stuck for an introduction. I have a lot of vague ideas but nothing to touch off of and power through... and every time I sit down to write someone or something pulls me away for personal matters. I started some character sketches and whatnot but nothing's solid or set. It's all scribbles in my head and sound bytes in my notebook.
I HAVE to start writing and drawing again... or I never will. And THAT'S a scary thought. That this lazy, dozy, fatigued funk will never lift from my brow.
Okay. I have to start small.
I'm going to put a press release together for NINETY CANDLES holiday promotion.
And then I'm going to get an introduction written for MIGDAL DAVID.
I need some encouragement and inspiration. Help me motor through Chanukah 2004 and have a happy AND creative holiday....
OPEN MOUTH
It's December now, which means that 2005 is right around the corner. 2005 is shapin' up to be a big deal for me, what with three books on the horizon, so I'm playing it slow and steady until we hit January as far as creative output goes. Writing here and there while I sketch up samples for MIGDAL DAVID.
The reason I haven't been around a lot is due to a social focus.... spending time with cute girls and friends is the "end of year agenda" here at Rant Comics, both things I've slacked off on due to work and comics.
That doesn't mean though that the shop is closed. Like I said, MIGDAL DAVID is on the table along with finishing DEAD RONIN and THE BIG KAHN rewrite. I also am preparing for another NINETY CANDLES push now that it's being relisted in this month's PREVIEWS (JUL043096). So while I get ready for all of that, here's a few choice tidbits:
There's a really flattering review of NINETY CANDLES up at this month's Sequential Tart. I'm quite the ST fan and it's probably the only webzine I read religiously every month. I've met a lot of my colleagues, contributors and pals via the Tart message boards and the folks who run it are great people. They've even run a few of my rantings and ravings in their Redirected Male section. Swing over and check it out - tell 'em I sent ya.
From the review: "Kleid made a practical — and bold — decision to never allow us to hear Kevin directly. All the captions are lines that Kevin hears, comments directed at him or spoken about him in his presence. The strategy works as a matter of practicality, as the story begins when Kevin is still a fetus and ends after Kevin’s death, two states in which he cannot vocalize. As a matter of literary import, Kevin increasingly becomes a spectator in his own life, while others provide the color commentary. Eventually, he stops expressing himself, even through his chosen medium, comics."
Aside from that, I am excited that though I missed out on THE LAST STARFIGHTER, THE MUSICAL I can still check out KARATE KID, THE MUSICAL.
"Give him a bodybag!"
Wax on wax off, kiddos.