Case Files

U.S. v. Christopher Handley

A manga collector is put in jail for the mere possession of comics.  The CBLDF agrees to provide expert testimony, but the matter never gets its day in court when defendant Christopher Handley pleads guilty, setting a chilling example for years to come. more…

Georgia v. Gordon Lee

With the help of the CBLDF, comic book retailer Gordon Lee wins the fight against the alleged distribution of obscene material to a minor. more…

Richie Bush – Top Shelf Productions v. U.S. Customs

US Customs officials seize shipments of Stripburger comics anthologies, featuring parodies of Richie Rich and Peanuts, claiming the books contain stories that violate registered copyrights, and the CBLDF steps in to successfully defend distributor Top Shelf Productions. more…

Kraft Foods v. Stuart Helm

When Kraft Foods, Inc, sues cartoonist Stuart Helm for trademark dilution and infringement for making underground comics under the name King Velveeda, the CBLDF aids his defense. more…

Texas v. Jesus Castillo

The CBLDF defends Jesus Castillo, a comic book store employee in Dallas, Texas, who was charged with two counts of obscenity for the sale of adult comic books from the adult section of his store to an undercover police officer. more…

Starbucks v. Kieron Dwyer

The CBLDF aids comic book creator Kieron Dwyer when Starbucks Corporation sues him for his parody of their corporate logo. more…

Oklahoma v. Planet Comics

When the owners of Planet Comics in Oklahoma City, Michael Kennedy and John Hunter, are prosecuted for the display and sale of various adult comics, the CBLDF finances their defense. more…

California BOE v. Paul Mavrides

The CBLDF helps Paul Mavrides, artist of the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, defeat the state of California in its attempt to collect back taxes on his artwork after the state reclassified comic book creators as independent contractors rather than artists. more…

Winter Bros. v. DC Comics

When Joe Lansdale, Timothy Truman, and Sam Glanzman—the creators of Jonah Hex: Riders of the Worm and Such—and publisher DC Comics are sued by musicians Johnny and Edgar Winter for alleged defamation, the CBLDF helps defend the creators’ right to satirical speech. more…

Florida v. Mike Diana

The CBLDF defends comic book artist Mike Diana’s right to create art after Diana was convicted for obscenity in Florida and helps Diana in his effort to get the obscenity conviction overturned. more…

Friendly Frank’s – Illinois v. Correa

When Michael Correa, manager of Friendly Frank’s, a comic book shop in Lansing, Illinois, is arrested for obscenity, Denis Kitchen asked for aid in Correa’s defense, resulting in an overturned obscenity conviction and the founding of the CBLDF. more…

Seth Kushner Photography