CBLDF Be Counted Membership Drive Closes at Midnight Tonight!

Last month, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund asked the comics community to Be Counted as members of the organization, and set a fundraising goal of $100,000 by October 31 to support their important legal and education work. Today, the Fund has raised over $77,000 of that goal, thanks to the generosity of those who heard the call to Be Counted, and the professional community supporting the campaign. Today, the CBLDF is asking anyone who hasn’t joined or renewed their membership the organization yet to sign up to protect free speech, and to take advantage of some of the unique rewards they’re offering to thank supporters during the drive!

All members signing up to Be Counted by 12 Midnight pacific time on October 31 will be able to receive signed thank yous, including the 2011 CBLDF Member Card featuring Green Lantern, and signed by Geoff Johns, with other rewards for members signing up at higher levels including signed prints from Neil Gaiman, Garth Ennis, and original art from Matt Wagner, Jeffrey Brown, Cliff Chiang, and more. If you’re not sure if you’re a member, you can see the current year member list here.

The Fund also has opportunities left for Lunch With Legends, including one last Neil Gaiman tea date, and lunches with Dave Gibbons, Frank Miller, Frank Quitely, and more. For aspiring pros, we also have professional development reviews withKaren Berger, Tom Brevoort, Dan DiDio, Gail Simone, Jennifer L. Holm & more!

If you’re not able to make a lunch date, the Fund also has some exclusive thank you drawings from Neil Gaiman, Frank Quitely, Chris Burnham, and Matthew Holm for members signing up during this drive.

The CBLDF exists because of the grassroots support of the comics community. If you value free expression, we’re asking you, right now, to please Be Counted as a member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund to help us perform our important work.

Here’s how your contribution will be used:

Legal Action

Last September, the CBLDF contributed the first installment of the $150,000 in legal fees needed to defend Brandon X, an American citizen facing a minimum sentence of one year in Canadian prison and registration as a sex offender because Canada Customs alleges that Japanese horror and fantasy comics on Brandon’s laptop are child pornography. His case is important because it raises important precedent questions about the artistic merit of comics and the rights of readers and artists traveling with comics on their electronic devices. The CBLDF needs your help to pay the lawyers defending this case because we seek to establish a precedent that protects comics in Canada and influences courts in the United States.

Beyond Brandon’s case, the CBLDF needs your help to ensure we are able to continue our other important program services. Your membership dollars will pay for our membership in Media Coalition, which helps us track and fight unconstitutional legislation. You will also ensure we have the resources we need to pay our monthly retainer for routine First Amendment legal work.

Education

The CBLDF continues to assist librarians and retailers when comics and graphic novels are challenged. Often this happens on a case-by-case basis, during which CBLDF staff gather defense materials for each individual incident. We currently seek funds to develop more substantial preventive tools, including joining an important anti-censorship coalition that protects the right to read.


Be Counted Membership Incentives

$25 MEMBER— Members who join CBLDF at our $25 level will receive their 2011 Member Card, featuring Green Lantern and signed by Geoff Johns! This offer is good while supplies last.

$50 SUPPORTER — Members who join CBLDF at our $50 level will receive a CBLDF exclusive print of The Boys signed by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson! This offer is good while supplies last.

$100 ADVOCATE — Members who join CBLDF at our $100 level will receive a CBLDF exclusive print of In Reilig Oran, signed by Neil Gaiman and Tony Harris, as well as the signed The Boys print and the signed Green Lantern Member Card! This offer is good while supplies last.

Be Counted Professional Supporters & Membership Incentives

Scott Allie

SOLD OUT!Professional Development Review: Scott Allie — Dark Horse editor Scott Allie will offer a Professional Development Review for members joining at $500 or greater. This is an incredible opportunity to receive some one-on-one guidance with one of comics’ top decision makers while supporting the CBLDF.

Brian Azzarello

Lunch With Legends: Brian Azzarello in Chicago — Donors who contribute a membership of $250 or more will join Brian Azzarello, the award-winning creator of 100 Bullets and Spaceman and the architect of the new Wonder Woman launch, for lunch in Chicago! CBLDF will coordinate with winning donor to schedule a date for the lunch.

Professional Development Review: Brian Azzarello — Veteran comics writer Brian Azzarello will provide a Professional Development Review to one donor online. This opportunity is available for donors who join for a membership level of $250 or greater. This is an incredible opportunity to have one of the masters of the art form give you hard earned advice to help your craft.

Karen Berger

Professional Development Review: Karen Berger — Karen Berger changed the landscape of modern comics when she established Vertigo as an imprint designed to usher in new voices and new directions for comics storytelling. Now the legendary editor who has helped guide work from talent including Neil Gaiman, Grant Morrison, and Peter Milligan will review your work and provide one-on-one feedback to help improve your comics! Karen is offering five of these opportunities, to review over email or phone to donors who make a tax-deductible contribution of $400 or better to the CBLDF! ONLY TWO LEFT

Tom Brevoort

Professional Development Review: Tom Brevoort — Marvel’s Senior Vice President of Publishing will offer a Professional Development Review for one member joining CBLDF for a donation of $1,000 or greater. This is an incredible opportunity to receive targeted, one-on-one feedback to improve your comics skills from one of the most experienced editors in the field while supporting the CBLDF!

Chris Burnham

Professional Development Review: Chris Burnham Batman Incorporated artist Chris Burnham will provide a Professional Development Review via email to donors who join for a membership level of $250 or greater. This is an incredible opportunity to have one of the most versatile and talented artists in mainstream comics give you hard earned advice to help your craft.


Lunch With Legends: Chris Burnham in Chicago
— Enjoy a unique opportunity to have lunch in Chicago with Chris Burnham, the exciting artist on Batman Incorporated when you join CBLDF for a membership contribution of $250 or more! CBLDF will contact the donor to arrange a time for this event that coincides with Chris’ schedule.

Personalized Postcard Sketch: Chris Burnham — Chris Burnham has graciously agreed to send a personalized sketched postcard as a thank you to contributors who join the CBLDF at levels of $250 or greater.

Dan DiDio

Lunch With Legends: Dan DiDio— For donors who contribute at a membership level of $1,000 or more, DC’s co-publisher and the writer of OMAC will join you for lunch in NYC. This is a great opportunity to get the inside buzz on the new 52 and have an unforgettable time talking comics while supporting a great cause.

Professional Development Review: Dan DiDio — DC Comics co-publisher Dan DiDio will offer a Professional Development Review with one member joining CBLDF for a donation of $1,000 or greater. This is an incredible opportunity to receive some one-on-one guidance to improve your comics from one of comics’ top decision makers while supporting the CBLDF.

Neil Gaiman


SOLD OUT!
Lunch With Legends: Tea With Neil Gaiman in NYC — One member joining CBLDF with a $5,000 contribution or greater will have the opportunity to go to tea with Neil Gaiman and one guest of their choice in New York City! This once in a lifetime opportunity to visit with the masterful author of American Gods, Sandman, and Coraline is a terrific way to support the important work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. CBLDF will contact the donor to arrange a time for this event that coincides with one of Neil’s visits to this city.

Lunch With Legends: Tea With Neil Gaiman in Los Angeles — One member joining CBLDF with a $5,000 contribution or greater will have the opportunity to go to tea with Neil Gaiman and one guest of their choice in Los Angeles! This once in a lifetime opportunity to visit with the masterful author of American Gods, Sandman, and Coraline is a terrific way to support the important work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. CBLDF will contact the donor to arrange a time for this event that coincides with one of Neil’s visits to this city.

SOLD OUT!Lunch With Legends: One-on-one Tea At An Upcoming Neil Appearance — One member joining CBLDF with a $5,000 contribution or greater will have the opportunity to go to tea with Neil Gaiman and one guest of their choice at an upcoming Neil Gaiman appearance! This once in a lifetime opportunity to visit with the masterful author of American Gods, Sandman, and Coraline is a terrific way to support the important work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. CBLDF will contact the donor to arrange a time for this event that coincides Neil’s event schedule.

Personalized Sketched Postcard by Neil Gaiman — Neil Gaiman has graciously agreed to send a personalized sketched postcard as a thank you to contributors who join the CBLDF at levels of $1,000 or greater. (5 available)

Dave Gibbons

Lunch With Legends: Dave Gibbons in London — One member joining CBLDF with a $1,000 contribution or greater will have the opportunity to go to lunch with Dave Gibbons and one guest of their choice in London. This once in a lifetime opportunity to visit with the co-creator of Watchmen, and the author of incredible comics like The Originals is a terrific way to support the important work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. CBLDF will contact the donor to arrange a time for this event that coincides with Dave’s schedule.

Professional Development Review: Dave Gibbons — Legendary storyteller Dave Gibbons will provide a Professional Development Review via Skype to donors who join for a membership level of $500 or greater. This is an incredible opportunity to have one of the masters of the art form give you hard earned advice that will help your craft.

Jennifer & Matthew Holm

Win A Walk-On Role In Babymouse 17! — Support intellectual freedom by bidding on this auction to win a walk-on role in the next volume of Jennifer & Matthew Holm’s hit graphic novel series Babymouse! The winner of this auction will have their name or the name of someone they choose given to a character in Babymouse 17, coming from Random House in Spring 2013. The proceeds of this auction benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s work to protect the First Amendment rights of the comics art form. Membership in the organization is included with this auction. Bid on this auction at myworld.ebay.com/cbldf

Skype Visit With Babymouse Creators Jennifer & Matthew Holm!
— Invite the creators of Babymouse and Squish into your home over Skype to support intellectual freedom! Join the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund in this auction and you’ll be able to have a 15 minute Skype visit with these incredible creators and talk about all things Babymouse! Bid on this auction at myworld.ebay.com/cbldf

Professional Development Review: Jennifer L. Holm — Jennifer L. Holm, the three-time Newbery honored NY Times Bestselling author of Turtle in Paradise, Penny from Heaven as well as the graphic novel series Babymouse and Squish offers a rare opportunity to review your writing and provide hard-earned knowledge to help you improve your craft. This rare opportunity to learn from one of the masters of modern young adult fiction. This professional development review is for writers of prose or comics, and will be conducted over Skype. It is available for a tax-deductible $1,000 membership contribution to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

Professional Development Review: Matthew Holm — Matthew Holm, co-creator and illustrator of the graphic novel series Babymouse and Squish is offering a professional development review to a donor joining the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund for a tax-deductible donation of $500 or greater. This is a rare opportunity to gain insights to help improve your art from one of the prolific masters of modern kids comics! This review will be conducted over Skype.

Personalized Sketched Postcard: Matthew Holm — Matthew Holm has graciously agreed to send a personalized sketched postcard as a thank you to contributors who join the CBLDF at levels of $250 or greater.

Paul Levitz

Professional Development Review: Paul Levitz — Veteran writer, editor and publisher Paul Levitz will provide a Professional Development Review via email for donors who join the CBLDF for a contribution of $250 or greater. This is an incredible opportunity to receive some one-on-one guidance on how to make your scripts stronger by one of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts. ONLY ONE LEFT!

Frank Miller

Lunch With Legends: Frank Miller & Bob Schreck in NYC — One member joining CBLDF with a tax-deductible contribution of $5,000 or greater will have the opportunity to go to lunch with comics master Frank Miller, his long-time editor Bob Schreck, and one guest of their choice in NYC! This once in a lifetime opportunity to visit with the game changing author of Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, and Holy Terror and a terrific, tax-deductible way to support the important work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. CBLDF will contact the donor to arrange a time for this event that coincides Frank’s schedule.

Terry Moore


SOLD OUT Professional Development Review: Terry Moore
— For one donor contributing a membership of $500 or greater, pioneering artist and self-publisher Terry Moore will provide one professional development review on Sunday, October 16, during NYCC. This is an incredible opportunity to receive expert advice from one of the industry’s most revered artists and support the CBLDF!

Greg Rucka

SOLD OUT Professional Development Review: Greg Rucka
— Veteran comics and thriller writer Greg Rucka will provide members who join CBLDF for a level of $250 or greater with a Professional Development Review for writers during NYCC or over Skype. This review is for a standard 22-page comic script or a 22-page excerpt of a longer work, with appropriate explanations as to how it fits into the larger project. This is a great opportunity to learn more about your craft and get tips from one of the modern masters of comics writing.

Bob Schreck

Professional Development Review: Bob Schreck — Legendary editor Bob Schreck will offer a Professional Development Review in NYC or via email for a member joining at $500 or greater. This is an incredible opportunity to receive some one-on-one guidance with one of comics’ top decision makers while supporting the CBLDF.

Gail Simone

Professional Development Review: Gail Simone — Veteran writer Gail Simone will provide a Professional Development Review for writers via email to members who join CBLDF for a level of $500 or greater. This review is for scripts without licensed characters. This is a great opportunity to learn more about your craft and get tips from one of the modern masters of comics writing.

Jeff Smith

Lunch With Legends: Jeff Smith in Columbus, OH — Donors who join CBLDF for $500 or more can have the opportunity to go to lunch with Jeff Smith, the innovative creator of Bone and RASL! This is a terrific opportunity to meet one of the all time great graphic novelists and support the CBLDF!


Ben Templesmith

Professional Development Review: Ben Templesmith — Iconoclastic cartoonist Ben Templesmith will provide a Professional Development Review for artists in NYC or over email to members who join CBLDF for a level of $250 or greater. This is a great opportunity to learn more about your craft and get tips from one of comics’ contemporary greats!

SOLD OUT Lager With Legends: Ben Templesmith & Friends at NYCC — Get a chance to get drinks with Ben Templesmith and friends during NYCC! Members who contribute $250 or greater will have an opportunity to go out for a drinks with Ben and friends during one of the evenings of NYCC!

Frank Quitely

Professional Development Review: Frank Quitely — Legendary creator Frank Quitely will provide a Professional Development Review via email to donors who join for a membership level of $500 or greater. This is an incredible opportunity to have one of the masters of the art form give you hard earned advice to help your craft.

Lunch With Legends: Frank Quitely in the UK — Enjoy a unique opportunity to have a one-on-one lunch with Frank Quitely, one of the most singular masters of modern comic art when you join CBLDF at $500 or more to the CBLDF! CBLDF will contact the donor to arrange a time for this event that coincides with Frank’s schedule.

Personalized Sketched Postcard by Frank Quitely — Frank Quitely has graciously agreed to send a personalized sketched postcard as a thank you to contributors who join the CBLDF at levels of $1,000 or greater. ONLY THREE LEFT!