News Bulletins

Release: Neil Kleid�s RANT COMICS! Unveils publishing plan for 2002-2003
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New York Small press creator/alternative cartoonist Neil Kleid released the 2002-2003 publishing plan for his imprint, RANT COMICS! Kleid, most notable for his weekly webcomic ONE OFF at SlushFactory.com, as well as being a coordinator and contributor to Alternative Comics 9-11:EMERGENCY RELIEF, mentoned a wide range of upcoming projects from graphic novels to minicomics to stories only available for online viewing.

While much of his work does stem from traditional illustration, Kleid has been quite vocal in his attempt to push the realm of digitally created comics. A graphic designer by trade, a bulk of his work is "assembled" with digital imaging programs such as Adobe PhotoShop and QuarkXpress. Aside from the weekly single sheet comics he presents in ONE OFF, Kleid also has begun to author a series of mixed media comic books. The first, STABLE RODS, premiered in late 2001 at local New York comic shops and on the RANT COMICS! website.

While I love to draw and create comics with the old pen-ink-paper method, Kleid explains, Creating comics within the digital realm really allows me the freedom to not only correct mistakes, but also combine my design skills with a love for storytelling. We've seen how recently comics have raised the bar on the art direction that packages the comics we read, but I think it's about time we focus on what's inside the package. Creators like Brian (COUSCOUS EXPRESS, PUBLIC DOMAIN) Wood show the comics medium that graphic design can play quite an impact on how you take in a book.

STABLE RODS, a 12 page comic about fathers, sons, rules and the Jewish
Defense League sold out its� first print run at Midtown Comics in New York. Draper Carlson at ComicsWorthReading.com reviews RODS, saying, This is an impressive piece of work that rewards repeated reading. Small Press fans had a chance to pick up free copies of STABLE RODS at fan favorite Lea (RUMBLE GIRLS, KILLER PRINCESSES) Hernandez's table at this year's Alternative Press Expo.

Borne directly from a daily sketchbook, RANT COMICS is for men and women who simply wish to vent about the decay of western society. Each page has been emblazoned with an illustration and small rant that deals with the day-to-day travails that John Q. Average comes across in his/her workaday life: from Monday mornings to rude waiters to dreaded hangovers - it's all there in unforgiving black and white.

Neil Kleid/RANT COMICS! publishing plan for 2002-2003:

STABLE RODS - currently available at Midtown Comics, NYC
Rant Comics (January 2002); 12pp $2.00

STABLE RODS is the first in a series of 5 mixed media minicomics to be
collected under the titles of "FAMILY VALUES." RODS is a father/son tale about rules, society and the Jewish Defense League. ONE OFF fans will appreciate these minis, as they are created in the same "graphic design" style as the single sheets. STABLE RODS is available at Midtown Comics in New York, and copies can be purchased this summer at the MOCCA Arts Festival here in NYC and SPX in September. STABLE RODS is a two-dollar black and white minicomic and can be purchased by emailing neilkleidSTOP-@-SPAMhotmail.com.

RANT COMICS #1 - currently available at Midtown Comics, NYC
Rant Comics (January 2002); 24pp $3.00

The first in a collection of illustrated rants and musings on life. RANT COMICS 1 is available at Midtown Comics in New York, and copies can be purchased this summer at the MOCCA Arts Festival here in NYC and SPX in September. RANT COMICS #1 is a three-dollar black and white minicomic with color covers and can be purchased by emailing neilkleidSTOP-@-SPAMhotmail.com.

THREADS #3 � available for purchase March 2002
Committed Comics (March 2002); 24pp
"Bit City: A Random Tale" - art by Dustin Weaver & Victor Miller Sr.; 8pp

Small press publisher Committed Comics is unveiling its flagship title, THREADS this month at the NYC Comicon. THREADS is a 24-page book containing three interconnected stories. Issue 3 is based on a concept Neil Kleid created entitled BIT CITY. set in a futuristic world where things may not be as they seem. Other stories were written by A. David (9-11:EMERGENCY RELIEF) Lewis and J.L. Reid. More information can be found at www.committedcomics.com

EMPATHY � available for purchase April 2002
Rant Comics (April 2002); 12pp $2.00

The second in the "FAMILY VALUES" series, EMPATHY is a look into how we deal with death - especially when it affects those we love. Production on EMPATHY began this week. EMPATHY will be available at Midtown Comics in New York, and copies will be available for purchase this summer at the MOCCA Arts Festival here in NYC and SPX in September. EMPATHY is a two-dollar black and white minicomic and more information can be found by emailing
neilkleidSTOP-@-SPAMhotmail.com.

MADE REDUNDANT
Opi8.com - April 2002

MADE REDUNDANT is the first of two short stories to be offered at opi8.com, "a purveyor of dark culture." Opi8 offers many great comics and lots of wonderful prose such as Andrew (HAPPYDALE) Dabb's SLICES and Adi Tantimedh's ANNA PASSENGER. MADE REDUNDANT asks the question "where does one go when they're let go from Hell?" Fans of Chynna Clugston Major's BLUE MONDAY from Oni Press will really take to the artwork on this story.

THIRD EYE PUBLISHING ANTHOLOGY 2002
Third Eye Publishing (May 2002); 80pp $3.95
"Secret Agents" - art by Jason Narvaez; 8pp

The second anthology offered from Third Eye Publishing - a collective of writers self-publishing an anthology designed to present their stories and ideas to the viewing public. The 2002 Anthology begins to serialize Kleid�s superhero epic, SECRET AGENTS. AGENTS is an ensemble series in the vein of Kurt Busiek's ASTRO CITY. The art is provided by Jason (9-11:EMERGENCY RELIEF) Narvaez. The 2002 Anthology will premiere at one of the major cons this summer, and copies will be available for purchase both online and at the MOCCA Arts Festival here in NYC, where Neil and Jason will be appearing.
Check out Third Eye at http://thirdeyepublishing.homestead.com/main.html or contact Mark Bourne for more information at borneioSTOP-@-SPAMaol.com.

REFLECTED GLORY
Opi8.com - May 2002
Art by Dash Shaw; 8pp

The second of the two shorts for opi8, GLORY depicts one man's struggle with suicide and his conscience. Dash Shaw, creator of the NYC underground book, LOVE EAT BRAINS! provides the art for this one, and if you're into good, dark, ink drenched work, you'll get a kick out of Dash. Check out his work at www.dashshaw.com.

RHINOCEROS JONES, UNDERWORLD HITMAN
Story by Neil Kleid. Pencils/Inks by Marc McKenzie; 64pp

Mafioso. Big Guns. James Ellroy. Fine Scotch. Insane Asylums. 'Splosions. A two ton African Rhinoceros. Who wants more? Did we mention it's being drawn by Marc McKenzie whose samples can be viewed at http://www.neilkleid.addr.com/rant-rhinosamples.html? We thought we did. At press time, RHINOCEROS JONES is being shopped around to publishing houses. More information can be found by emailing neilkleidSTOP-@-SPAMhotmail.com.

RANT COMICS #2
Rant Comics (May 2002); 24pp $3.00

The second in the RANT series, issue 2 will collect roughly 14 illustrated rants, as well as an original 8-page comic entitled "A TRAIN ETHICS." RANT COMICS#2 will be available this summer at Midtown Comics, the MOCCA Arts Festival in NYC as well as at SPX in September. RANT COMICS #2 is a three-dollar black and white minicomic with color covers, and more information can be found by emailing neilkleidSTOP-@-SPAMhotmail.com.

LATE NIGHT BLOCK
Rant Comics (June 2002); 28pp $2.00

LATE NIGHT BLOCK will collect the two opi8 stories and "Nostalgia," Neil�s entry in the 2001 Third Eye Anthology, into one 28 page book. LATE NIGHT will be produced twice a year, offering three new stories that come from the "dark side" of the human psyche. LATE NIGHT BLOCK will be available this summer at Midtown Comics, the MOCCA Arts Festival in NYC as well as at SPX in September. LATE NIGHT BLOCK is a two-dollar black and white minicomic and more information can be found by emailing neilkleidSTOP-@-SPAMhotmail.com.

SINGLES NIGHT
Rant Comics - 2003; 64pp

Men like Women. Men and Women date. Men hate Games. A treatise on dating from the male perspective, SINGLES NIGHT offers an alternative to the "Sex and the City" mindset pervading America- the MALE view. Dean (BILLY DOGMA, OPPOSABLE THUMBS) Haspiel, who knows a thing or two about romance comics, had this to say about the script: Great script! I truly enjoyed it. Hilarious. Dark. A page turner. I can't wait to see this drawn. Wait no further. Production has begun, and the plan is to have it finished by year's end. While nothing is final, autobiographic comic fans may just be able to view this Modern Tale of dating and men sooner than they think...

ONE OFF: MY PALINDROME YEAR; 124pp

ONE OFF, a series of single sheet musings about life and non-sequiter comic ramblings, is serialized weekly at www.slushfactory,com alongside comics from Dean Haspiel, Jen Sorenson and Tony Millionaire. "ONE OFF" is a term used by graphic designers for a single printed sheet. Within the framework of the comic, it takes thoughts and images and creates a single, cohesive design. MY PALINDROME YEAR collects the full run of ONE OFF from 2002, as well as roughly fifty-two more. At press time, ONE OFF is being shopped around to publishing houses. More information can be found by emailing neilkleidSTOP-@-SPAMhotmail.com.

OBSCURITY; 124pp

Kevin Hall wants to be a cartoonist more than anything in the world. The only thing is, not every wanna be creator makes a name for himself. A lovely little art book detailing the life of a minor-league comic book artist, one year per page. OBSCURITY is a charming little book created with ink, charcoal and watercolor, all detailing Kevin�s rich, full life. At press time, OBSCURITY is being shopped around to publishing houses. More information can be found by emailing neilkleidSTOP-@-SPAMhotmail.com.

POCKET CRACK
Art by Neil Vokes; 48pp

POCKET CRACK is a graphic novel story told in the tenor of films such as THE USUAL SUSPECTS and SWINGERS. Focusing on a bar during a St Patrick's Day celebration, POCKET CRACK tells the stories of four men who may or may not be the prime suspect in the murder of a young girl. Questions abound during this seedy tale of intrigue, drugs, murder and pool. Celebrated artist Neil (TARZAN, SUPERMAN ADVENTURES) Vokes will handle art chores for this book as soon as current obligations are completed. At press time, POCKET CRACK is being shopped around to publishing houses. More information can be found by emailing neilkleidSTOP-@-SPAMhotmail.com.

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A Detroit transplant to NYC, Neil Kleid is working on perfecting the art of "rant" comics with RANT COMICS, a series of minicomics borne from a daily sketchbook; SINGLES NIGHT, his upcoming autobio novel; and ONE OFF, a weekly mixed media webcomic appearing weekly at SlushFactory.com. He co-founded the THIRD EYE PUBLISHING anthology and also helped coordinate and contribute to Alternative Comics' 9-11:EMERGENCY RELIEF - his ten page story, "Letters from a Broken Apple" was illustrated by Insight Studios. Neil is currently working on several projects - from graphic novels to short stories for opi8.com - including collaborations with artists Neil Vokes (SUPERMAN ADVENTURES), Dash Shaw (LOVE EAT BRAINS!) and Marc McKenzie (RHINO JONES). He is also scripting partner Jason Narvaez's DECADES; a creator owned limited series that might get them sued. Big time. Neil authored STABLE RODS, a father/son tale look at the Jewish Defense League past and present, and the first in a series of "family" oriented mixed media minicomics. A graphic designer from nine to five, he harbors notions of writing comic books full time. Weep for him.

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Peruse the RANT COMICS! website at www.rantcomics.com

Check out Neil Kleid's weekly mixed media webcomic, ONE OFF at
www.slushfactory.com.

RANT COMICS! � 2002 Neil Kleid. Any and all questions or request for
information regarding Neil Kleid and RANT COMICS! may be directed to RANT COMICS! 750 Columbus Ave. Apt 5L, New York, NY 10025 o 212.280.7245 or email neilkleidSTOP-@-SPAMhotmail.com

If you have a comment or question about Small Press then feel free to contact me