Review Round Up: CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011

Since it’s release the week of New York Comic Con, CBLDF Liberty Annual 2011 has been universally praised by reviewers, and they have plenty to say about the latest issue of CBLDF’s annual anthology!

Chris Arrant with CBR’s Robot 6 blog would gladly pick up a copy of CBLDF Liberty Annual 2011 before eating, and Robot 6’s Graeme McMillan would also include the book in his buy pile.

Bleeding Cool’s Joe B. Pangrazio gave CBLDF Liberty Annual 2011 4.5 out of 5 stars, saying:

I’m always a sucker for these charity books. But this one was particularly poignant as it largely dealt with a “It Gets Better” message, along with some commentary on “Separation of Church and State.” The creative teams are, as ever, top notch and I’m glad to pay the 4.99 since it goes to a good cause. Great book, great cover, great talent, great message. What are you waiting for?

The boys at the Big Planet Comics podcast think the issue is worth it for the Craig Thompson and Kazim Ali story alone, but also praised  Carla Speed McNeil’s “Dunce” and Jeff Lemire and Mark Waid’s “Being Normal.” You can listen to the podcast here (the CBLDF review starts around the 26:14 mark).

Eric Whitman at the The Daily Blam had a lot to say about the Annual, summarizing his take with the following:

Is censorship ultimately a form of bullying? That’s what the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund would have us believe in its Liberty Annual book, which pushes boundaries with humor, heart, and a bit of preachiness. It’s also a great one-stop-shop to check out writers and artist to whom you mightn’t been exposed. Overall, good stuff!

Whitman also cites Speed McNeil’s “Dunce” and Thompson and Ali’s stories as standouts, further praising the Elephantmen story from Richard Starkings and Shaky Kane, Dara Naraghi and Christopher Mitten’s “The Conversation,” and Riley Rossmo and AJ Liberman’s hilarious commentary on book banning with Cowboy Ninja Viking. You can read the full review here.

Nick Hanover with Comics Bulletin gives the issue 4 out of 5 bullets, commending the unified theme of the Annual:

Covering works that are benefits for causes or charities is always a tricky proposition, because despite the best intentions these efforts are often poorly assembled messes, with a lack of cohesion or thematic consistency. But luckily that isn’t the case with the CBLDF’s Liberty Annual 2011, published by Image and featuring a healthy turnout of comic stars, from Mark Waid and Jeff Lemire to Frank Quitely, Craig Thompson and Matt Wagner. The Liberty Annual for this year is also wisely built around the It Gets Better concept from Dan Savage’s eponymous campaign, which enables most of the creators to explore their own experiences with bullying or intimidation and hostility over the years.

You can read the rest of Hanover’s review here.

If you don’t have a copy of the Annual yet or you’re looking for one of the variant covers, it’s available from CBLDF here. Pick up your copy of the hit issue today!

CBLDF urgently needs to raise $100,000 for our important First Amendment work by the end of October! Be Counted and support CBLDF’s First Amendment legal work by bidding on original artwork, making a donation, or becoming a member of the CBLDF!