Neil Kleid (writing) Jake Allen (art)
NOMINATED FOR 'GREAT GRAPHIC NOVELS'BY YALSA
In the 1930's, life in Brooklyn was murder.
"Jewish gangster" isn't a term you hear much in post-Holocaust society... but back when the Dodgers played in the East 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.
Follow the intertwined lives of Allie Tanennbaum, Abe Reles and scores of hoods organized by Louis Lepke Buchalter into the deadliest hit operation in Mafia history, "Murder, Inc.", as they escape the mean streets and lonely tenements of East New York., make themselves into the most dangerous men in America, only to eventually send their best friends and closest allies up the river.
Written by Xeric Award winner Neil Kleid.
"Gangsters have always been a popular subject for graphic novels, and Brownsville is a worthy addition to the Jewish side of the canon."
-Hadassah Magazine
"Forceful storytelling and deep passion for its characters and indeed for this dark chapter of Jewish-American history."
-The Jewish Chronicle
"The events and players come to life in the stark images in this historical overview."
-VOYA
"Smart, absorbing."
-Ray Olson, Booklist
"Beautifully moody evocation of a bygone Brooklyn inhabited by Jewish gangsters, Brownsville follows the career of some of the biggest names in the hoodlum business. A fine addition to the archive."
-Publishers Weekly
"This is a fine piece of graphic literature that should have strong appeal to the non-traditional comics reader."
-Moviepoopshoot.com
"Outstanding. Stands out as one of the best books of the year thus far. Highly recommended. Grade: 5/5."
-Comicbookgalaxy.com
"Weaves history and fiction into a visceral and moving story."
-Richard Pachter, Miami Herald
"***1/2. NBM's ComicsLit line delivers. As a history buff, I looked forward to this book written by Xeric Award winner Neil Kleid, and, once I had it in hand, it lived up to my lofty expectations."
-Ray Sidman, Comics Buyer's Guide
See his interview on Comics Waiting Room
6x9, 208pp., B&W, jacketed hardcover: $18.95
ISBN 978-1-56163-458-3, Sold Out
Trade paperback: 6x9, 208pp., B&W, $12.95
ISBN 9781561634590
JEWISH IN AMERICA, set of graphic novels by Neil Kleid
Art by Jake Allen and Nicolas Cinquegrani
Rising star and award-winning comics writer Neil Kleid explores two aspects of being Jewish in America in this banded set of his two highly praised graphic novels: Brownsville and The Big Kahn. Brownsville presents factually the rise and fall of ‘Murder, Inc.’, a group of assassin for hire Jews in the mob in the twenties. The Big Kahn, with its Rabbi who turns out to have never been Jewish, explores the very nature of faith.
Specially priced!
6x9, 390pp., banded set of two B&W trade paperbacks, $24.99
ISBN 978-1-56163-700-3