Summer is here, friends, and in New York City (and even here in New Jersey, a stone’s throw across a river and one turnpike over), the vibe is quite nice.

Welcome to June, Jews and comics fans. The kids are out of school, and that means it’s nearly impossible to get any writing done at night, right?

WRONG. That’s when we find any bolthole we can find and lock the dang door.

Me, I’ve got plenty of writing to do and very few boltholes. But still—the work goes on. So let’s dive into it, shall we?

FIRST, THANKS

We’re going to stop talking about Medieval for a bit, as we continue to enthusiastically and positively search for a partner to produce the physical collection…but I did want to thank everyone who has read the comic and voted for it in the Ringo Awards. I appreciate you letting me hound you about it —it’s because Alex and I are so proud of what we created, and are really hoping your votes are enough to get us nominated. I’m just a writer out here asking readers to buy the most violent and endearing comic I have ever written, and I appreciate you all supporting that ask.

Seriously, we know you all support us and we appreciate every bit of it. Hopefully, not only will we get the Ringo nom and get a physical book out… but maybe we can figure out the second volume, tentatively titled Medieval II: This Freaking Guy. No, I’m kidding. We haven’t named it yet…but I do like the sound of that. It’ll probably be more about the plot when we’re ready, and I can tell you that the story for volume two centers around Gawain (remember him? Kind of a jerk in our book, but still fun to write) and his quest for the Holy Grail. So if you want to read that one, drop a line to our pals at Comixology Originals and tell them to Make Mine Medieval!

Oh, here’s an interview that Alex and I did about the book with the guys at Collector’s Confessions. We went on and got to to ramble about the comic and baseball—the interview was a freaking blast. More on those dudes below.

Here we are for Ink & Insight with Jameson Rohrer. 

And here’s a fun interview I did with Fanlight Zone about the playlists I compiled for Medieval. A taste:

“I cannot write with music or TV or noise in the background. I have a very hard time writing with ancillary noise, and rarely have anything else playing because I’ll just get distracted and focus on that other thing. So, for Medieval — like all my other books — I wrote it in silence at first…but I realized that for the first fight scene in issue one, I could not get Pink’s “So What” out of my head (“na na na NA na na na I want to start a fight”) so…I turned it on while I wrote the scene. And that was kind of that. For the rest of the series, I started thinking about what the soundtrack for that scene or moment might be if adapted to a movie or TV show, and that helped me really hone the pacing or beats for both the panel descriptions and dialogue. Ultimately, I knew Alex was going to translate all of that into fantastic artwork…so I gave him the playlists with the scripts and explained those were the songs I was thinking about or listening to when writing, so he could use them too, to help inform how he might bring those scenes to life.”

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT MOTHERFREAKING FUN FACTORY

So, last month we revealed the cover to my upcoming horror novel (out this October from Blackstone Publishing) and talked a little about the book, but this month it’s showing up on NetGalley and ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) have been arriving at folks’ homes… which you know, not nerve-wracking at all, right? Also, ha ha ha joke’s on me. Right, Netflix? Thankfully October 2026 comes before 2027, so go preorder my book, friends.

Here are mine, by the way. Ain’t they pretty?

You know, I never really considered myself a horror writer — the closest I ever came was The Panic, which ended up being more a thriller than something really scary or frightening. But ever since I finished Fun Factory, I’ve really been getting the itch to write more horror books — and read them too. In fact, this week I’m digging into this excellent medieval horror book (see what I did there?) titled Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman, set in 1348 during the Black Death (a real good time!)

I’m also reading some Joe Hill (Full Throttle, his short story collection) and I burned through nearly all of James Tynion and Werther Dell’Edera’s most-excellent Something Is Killing The Children series (and all it’s prequels and sequels) which, yeah, I know and realize that I have been sleeping on. Anyway, I think I…like writing unnerving, creepy books now? In fact, I’m working on a few more, stories I’ve labeled ‘Project Makkot’ (a ten-issue comic book series with creepy biblical ties) and ‘Project Coney Dog’ (this may be my follow-up to Fun Factory; a really bloody, contemporary novel set in a familiar world with familiar influences.)

Anyway, we’re already getting some really fantastic buzz for Fun Factory, with folks very excited to get and read their ARCs, and I look forward to sharing some quotes, reviews, and maybe even some videos. Had a look at the marketing plan for this book and damn I want to write more books. I’ve never seen a marketing plan like this in comics. Hey—if you want me to come sign at your bookshop or be on your podcast or show, let us know. I can tell you this: family members have been reading the novella, and my brother-in-law texted me to say “damn, your book is intense” while my fourteen-year-old daughter said she couldn’t read it past a certain time of night because it was too scary.

If you want to experience a book like that about toys and stuff, don’t go to Toy Story 5 this week and instead pre-order Return to the Motherfreaking Fun Factory right here, or if you’re able to, request an ARC via NetGalley. We’re five months away, and these toys aren’t gonna end up holding your hand when you’re headed to the incinerator. This October, you’ve got a friend in trouble. See you at the fun factory.

ANNOUNCING…BROWNSVILLE, AGAIN

So, this is a big deal for me — maybe not so much for those of you who already have a copy, or for the comics industry at large — but I’m thrilled to reveal Brownsville: The Rise and Fall of Murder, Inc., a new edition of the 2006 Jewish gangster / true crime graphic novel I co-authored with Jake Allen! We’ve brought the back back into print with our friend and colleague Nat Gertler and his publishing company About Comics.

This one is truly exciting, because I mentioned in last month’s installment I’ve noticed over the last year that several of my books and comics have fallen out of print. Either we ran through the print run, or the publisher chose to stop offering the books, or in some cases — looking at you, The Phoenix Chase, which only had about a year and a half of decent circulation— the publisher lost the license. 

Brownsville, which was originally published through NBM Publishing, has been out of print for a while now. It makes sense to bring it back in 2026 — this October is the book’s twentieth anniversary, as it’s been out since 2006, and has long been unavailable and hard to find. Jake and I are thrilled to get one of my most popular comics back into print for any older fans who missed picking one up, and new fans who have yet to read it. Brownsville means a lot to me, and I really am happy we were able to partner with About to print this new edition. Please, if you have family or friends who are remotely intrigued by the Jewish gangsters of the 1930’s, or that area of Brooklyn, this beautifully drawn book by my friend Jake (with my meager words) makes a wonderful gift. Get it here. 

Here’s what About Comics has to say about the book:

“Jewish gangster” isn’t a term you hear much about these days, but when the Dodgers played in New York and licorice cost a penny a bag, Brooklyn corners were lousy with semitic young toughs looking for adventure and excitement – none more so than in Brownsville. The graphic novel Brownsville: the Rise and Fall of Murder, Inc. by Neil Kleid and Jack Allen shows the intertwined lives of Allie Tannenbaum, Abe Reles and scores of hoods organized by Louis Lepke Buchalter into the deadliest hit operation in Mafia history, “Murder, Inc.”, as they escape mean streets and lonely tenements, making themselves into the most dangerous men in America, only to eventually send their best friends and closest allies up the river. This work is now available in a new edition just released by About Comics.

Previous editions published by NBM drew praise from the book field (Booklist called it “smart, absorbing” while Publishers Weekly said it was a “beautifully moody evocation of a bygone Brooklyn inhabited by Jewish gangsters”) as well as respected creators. Los Angeles Times Book Prize winner Carla Speed McNeil says that the book covers organized crime history “with grace, style and power. This book carries history. Read it.” Harvey Pekar, writer of American Splendor, said “This taut and suspenseful drama takes people to an era that no longer exists. I’m not saying Jews are untainted by crime these days – but at least they’re not out knockin’ heads like they used to be!”

Brownsville: the Rise and Fall of Murder, Inc., is written by Neil Kleid, the Orthodox Jewish graphic novelist acclaimed for his works Ninety Candles, The Big Kahn, and Nice Jewish Boys. Artist Jake Allen has been drawing comics for 30 years, and has brought his Joe Kubert School-trained abilities to his own barbarian comic Rengor (Outland Entertainment).

THE WORK GOES ON

Nothing else to report in terms of upcoming work, except to say that the 2026 Writing Plan^TM continues to evolve.

I’m at approximately 64,000 words in ‘Project Red’, and have been trying to hit 1,000 words per day (not always successfully.) I really do believe I can have a first draft done by the end of summer, even with some other things on my plate. This is a story I have been trying to tell for nearly two decades, yo — first as a comic, and now in prose. I believe in it, and all that’s holding me back is, well, me. So let’s get ‘er done.

Oh, I say “let’s get ‘er done” now. Yeah. I’ve been reading a lot of books about restaurants and the hospitality industry (inspired by a rewatch of The Bear at first, but perpetuated because of…reasons.) Most recently, I’ve completed Unreasonable Hospitality, a management book by restauranteur and and hospitality advocate Will Guidara, formerly the co-owner of fine-dining hall of famer Eleven Madison Park here in En-Why-Cee. The book, by the way, is a must read for not only folks in the restaurant business but anyone who wants to center people and the way they feel in their work or business. Wonderful insights. Well worth a buy for folks in product design or user experience. In the book, Guidara suggests you allow positivity to set the tone for your relationships, mentioning Randy Garutti, former CEO of Shake Shack. Guidara writes:

“Ask him how his day was going, and he’d say, ‘You know, man, I’m trying to make today the very best day of my life,’ I might have rolled my eyes, but that kind of unwavering positivity turned out to be impossible to resist, largely because Randy believed every bit of what he was saying – and before long, so did we.”

Now look, I’m the first to tell you that toxic positivity can be dangerous, too, in terms of suppressing true pain and emotions. But…there is something to be said for manifesting positive outcomes. And this week, I started that — instead of feeling anxious about my place in the comics industry, or the fact that other folks were announcing titles and projects and I was not, I found it to be healthier for me (as I normally do) to keep cheerleading the cool and amazing projects coming out from friends and colleagues — books and titles I am definitely going to want to read. I want to go into each day not with a feeling of dread, or anxiety, or even anger toward whatever situation I might be in (and yeah, I know as an author with upcoming books and a decent backlist, I have it better than most) but rather approach it with a positive outlook and can-do spirit. Sure, the day may not always lean my way…but if I start it like that, a sour outcome is always inevitable.

And folks, guess what? The very first day I tried that, later in the afternoon I got an email from someone I sent a springboard idea for a prose book back in February, mentioning they were intrigued and could I send over a full pitch?

Put out into the world what you’re hoping to get back, right? I know, easier said than done — and if my wife or kids or family are reading this, I can feel them rolling their eyes at these words because I am definitely not and never have been that guy.

But, you know, if I can change, and you can change, then maybe everybody can change. Right, Rocky? Too often it’s easy to focus on all the shit in life. Sometimes you have to recognize the wonderful things, as well and cling to good moments.

Anyway, all that to say that I’m now working on a pitch for ‘Project Hot Mess’ and also this week turned in a series of short solicited springboards for a different thing — a comic book license, one I really would love to write — we’ll call ‘Project Situation.’ I was also contacted by a former editorial pal about maybe writing a fun little non-fiction graphic novel for one of the “Big Five” book publishers… and if/when we announce it, some of you (like me) will see the irony behind the subject matter. Between those and the possibility of getting ‘Project Coney Dog’ greenlit, it could be a fun second half of the year… and maybe a fun 2027, as well. So cross your fingers for me, comics fam.

STATEN ISLAND?

Yeah, so last week, while most of the industry was at Heroes Con, I attended the very first Staten Island Comics Fest. 

Hosted by the gents at Collector’s Confessions (see? I told you we’d talk about them again), I was invited out to participate in this initial soiree, which took place inside the Flagship Brewery. Yeah, they emptied the place out (other than the bar) and stuck in a bunch of vendors and tables, and…

…honestly, it was kind of fun. I was one of only three creators tabling at the show, surrounded mostly by comics and toy shops selling back issues, Godzilla statues, and other pop culture knickknacks. There were panels…but they took place in the same room as the show, so while vendors tried to make sales and talk to one another, we were also listening to someone discuss Doctor Who or classic horror movies.

I will say, there’s something appealing about selling your comics with a free beer in your hand — and I have to say, the beer was delicious. The World Cup played on overhead monitors, and before the match we had both Family Guy and Beetlejuice running. I got to catch up with my table neighbor, acclaimed letterer Sal Cipriano, and to be fair I did pretty well for a dude with only a few books to shill. I sold out of every copy of Brownsville I had, and most copies of The Panic. (Makes sense; those are both very New York graphic novels.) And I sold one person a copy of every single minicomic I ever made, all printed before 2004, proving that there is always someone out there who is excited to read a story you made that you may think everyone has already read.

Look: it was definitely a dealer show. But all it cost me to get here are gas and tolls, I sold some books, and I got free beer so I guess it all evened out in the end.  Also, one person called my work “Eisner-esque” and so based on that alone, it was a successful day.

I will say that the highlight was meeting Ryan, 8, who (at the prompting of his encouraging parents) was excited to show me the 3 time travel “graphic novels” he drew. I gave him a minicomic & showed him how to make them, recommending to the parents that they invest in a long-arm stapler. His parents bought a copy of Ninety Candles, I signed it, and then Ryan and I shook hands, one comics creator to another.

Unique, for sure. But Staten Island Comics Fest was so worth coming to. Sometimes, your love of comics gets rekindled in the most unexpected places. Oh, and here’s a little Perry White I was asked to draw by someone familiar with mine and Dean’s short Perry/Wildcat story:

LIGHTNING ROUND!

• I mentioned that a lot of folks I know have some amazing comics and books and TV stuff out or coming out? Here are a few:

  

• Erik Burnham and Abram Books just released the prose novelization of TMNT: The Last Ronin, a fantastically driven and soul-searching look at a potential future of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the comic of which is published by IDW. It’s set in a dark, futuristic New York City where a lone, surviving Turtle seeks revenge for his fallen brothers. I dig the comic, and I’m planning on checking it out — you should too.

  

• Our pal Eric Palicki is teaming up with his sister Adrienne (you may have seen her on either Friday Night Lights or Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Javier Ortiz Mateo to crowdfund Nor Hell A Fury, billed as “John Wick meets Rosemary’s Baby.” That’s one hell of a pitch. They’re already well-funded, but you can get in on the action before the campaign closes on July 3rd.

• Carla Speed McNeil (Finder, which you should read) and Alex DeCampi (Bad Karma with Ryan Howe and Dee Cuniffe, which you should also read) are putting out a glorious, funny, ridiculous raccoon comic via Carla’s Patreon. Go check it out.

• Stephanie Williams, our man Ray-Anthony Height, and freaking SHAQ are putting out a comic through Archie Comics called Vengeance Unchained: The Legend of Black Caesar. I mean, that is one hell of a creative team. Also, congrats to Stephanie, who has been killing it lately, for bringing sports and horror together with IDW, something I've been trying to do, as well. I can't wait to read Any Given Smile.

• Our pal Rob Guillory and our other pal John Layman announced that their Eisner-winning comic, Chew, is getting a live-action TV adaptation… and that they’re crowdfunding Ghost Brawler, which is about a guy who punches ghosts. Check it out.

• Congrats to Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips, because That Texas Blood is so so good and deserves to get an adaptation from FX.

• Williamson and Sherman on Legion of Superheroes? Sign me up.

  

• Not one I know, but check out this beautiful Indiana Jones: The Further Adventures collection coming from Marvel. That’s gonna hit the ol’ wallet, for sure.

• Weird Al and DC Comics?!! Yeah, all right. Now we're making comics specifically marketed to one guy in my house. And that guy is me. Weird Al & Polka Dot Man = Polkamania!

• Oh, shit; I forgot…last month (thanks to Mrs. Newsletter, the best wife who ever wifed), I flew down to Miami to watch musical parody legend “Weird Al” Yankovic kick off his tour! It was such a blast. All the hits - both originals and parodies - with an excited, enthusiastic audience. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience. A fantastic, joyful, amazing show.

• Nice little shout out for Nice Jewish Boys by me, John and Ellie next to some great Jewish comics in this summer reading list—fantastic company to be in.

• Twenty years ago this month, my first Marvel story came out—“How To Be An Artist”, a Colossus short in X-Men Unlimited with my pal Mike Oeming. Hey, Marvel…I’d like to write some more.

  

• Did you watch that televised Punisher one shot? Look, I dig Jon Bernthal, and yeah I’m excited to see him play this character in the new Spidey flick, but that one shot’s ision of what life is like on New York streets is a lot like middle of America diehard Republicans’ vision of what life is like on New York streets. I mean sure there’s crime but i can still walk down the street and buy a bagel without getting struck in the skull by a baseball bat. I dunno; maybe I’m just not a Punisher guy.

• Thanks for everything Stephen Colbert, and thanks as well to Dave Letterman. I’m gonna miss guys on late night doing crazy things like this.

• Why can’t we have nice things, Detroit sports fans?

• For those comic book creators upset they weren’t nominated for a comics Eisner award this year, remember that awards are nice but ultimately meaningless and like me, you should be doing it for that fat comic book money. Oh, I voted for Deniz Camp. Like, a lot. By the way, for serious, I've won two awards (well, one was a grant) & my book sales + incoming offers didn't change at all. So take that for what it's worth. The biggest award you can win is the book in your hand and someone telling you that they read and loved it. Oh, also the money.

• RIP Marjane Satrapi. Brilliant creator, fierce advocate, genius book. Read Persepolis is for some reason you haven't had the chance. 56 is way too young.

  

• Last month I drove for an hour and had a great idea for a comic book on a non-superhero license that isn’t being used right now (as far as i know.) I went out on a limb and cold pitched it to an editor at that publisher, just to see what happens. It’s right up my alley, but I haven’t heard back from anyone yet. Maybe the timing is not right. I get it. I mean, I’ll just tell you—it was Robocop. Yes, I would like to write a Robocop comic in this day and age, where yeah, cops are very problematic and how would a robot cop deal with that kind of thing, especially in a city owned by a corporation? Let’s make that happen.

• You know what was fun? The Boys finale. Loved the comic, sure, but the TV show was big, over the top, hints from the comic all over the place. Nothing too deep, but I dug it. Super cathartic and yeah, it could have used a little more time to wrap up some of the character arcs but still really satisfying. Also, Mandalorian and Grogu was loud, dumb, space adventure and we all enjoyed it. Sure, plot holes. Sure, could have been 2-3 episodes. Sure, a few odd musical choices. But still: very enjoyable. It was worth bringing the Star Wars fan in your life to a showing and buying them an AT-AT popcorn bucket.

• “I believe in the X-Men.” Very excited for season three of X-Men ’97.

  

• As I said, I’ve been doing a Bear rewatch to prep for the final season and because it’s an influence on something I’m writing and I have “Save it for Later” by Eddie Vedder in my head and every now and then I growl “Francie Fuckin Fak” under my breath for no reason at all to my family’s annoyance.

• Guys, I think it’s pronounced “New York Ke-nicks.” (Look I’m not a Knicks fan necessarily but I dig this hopeful camaraderie vibe in the city now and it really gets me hopeful that this is what a Detroit Lions Super Bowl might feel like one day so LFG Knicks)

• Got a fun little birthday gift from my brother:  a box of 1991 DC Comics Cosmic cards. A huge hit with the kids — and with me! Best part was trying to guess the artists without checking the back…and hey, someone let me write this guy, hey?

Oh, right. I turned 51. Last year, year fifty, I gave Medieval to the world; got promoted at work; sold & wrote my first original horror novel; was in Kentucky, Nashville, Chicago, California, Mexico, Orlando, Normandy, and Paris; saw 5 concerts; wrote something at least once a day; and lost about 15 pounds…some of which I’ve gained back. So, should we top it? I think we can top it, friends.

Hey I’m feeling pretty good about writing stories and making books and comics today so nobody jinx it. And if you want to brighten your day, think about how many great comic books are being dreamed up and made right now and know that one of them is - or could be - yours.

Put on some sunscreen, hooligans, and read some comics. See you after the big honkin’ American holiday.

—Neil