Author: Betsy Gomez

MTV GEEK Supports CBLDF With Original Art Auction

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During New York-Comic-Con, MTV Geek held a private party for staff and contributors. In attendance were some of the biggest names in comics, many of whom created live art to benefit CBLDF. Now you have the chance to own some of that art!

Creators who joined MTV Geek at the party included Jim Lee (Justice League), Todd McFarlane (Spawn), Frank Quitely (All-Star Superman), Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time), Brad Neely (China, IL), Richard Starkings (Elephantmen), Paul Pope (Batman: Year 100), Jon Schnepp (Metalocalypse), Steve Ellis (High Moon), and more. While enjoying music from DJ Aub Driver (Dark Horse Comics), several joined the massive live art session. The art created during the party is now being auctioned to benefit CBLDF. You can bid on the art here.

“Many thanks go to Bradley Hatfield, Chris Moeser, and Tom Akel with MTV Geek for organizing the event and lending their support to CBLDF,” said CBLDF Development Manager Alex Cox. “MTV Geek has been a terrific supporter of the Fund since they launched, and with this event they brought in some amazing talent. The art produced will help us raise much-needed funds to defend Brandon X in Canada.” (Learn more about the Brandon X case here.)

Don’t miss your chance to win gorgeous original art by some of the biggest names in comics! Follow MTV Geek (@MTVGeek) and the CBLDF (@cbldf) on Twitter for spotlight auctions over the next several days!

Click through for a gallery of pieces in the auction. You can also view them here.

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The Good Fighters: Jason Gonzalez

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One way to describe Jason Gonzalez, a.k.a J.Gonzo, is sharp. From the bold lines and colors of his designs and tattoos to the quick-witted ease with which he converses, Gonzalez is also an enthusiastic fan and creator of comic books, including his self-published opus to luchadores, La Mano Del Destino. His stories and artwork are steeped in tradition, from his Chicano background, to his embrace of the mythological hero’s quest, and finally to his love for the vintage imagery that once populated advertising.

Gonzalez is also a dedicated supporter of CBLDF, as you’ll see in this episode of The Good Fighters.

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Susie Cagle Talks to Comics Alliance About Her Arrest

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Last week, cartoonist Susie Cagle was arrested during the latest round of violence that has marred the Occupy Oakland protests. Laura Hudson with Comics Alliance interviewed Cagle about the arrest.

Cagle describes the moment the police came to arrest her, along with several other demonstrators:

I found this doorway, and there were tons of people crammed in there — maybe 20 or 30. Many of them had the bright green National Lawyers Guild legal observer hats, and I thought, that is a good place to be. So I ran in there and we all put our hands up thinking this should be all right. We’re away from the action, clearly peaceful, and I have my press badge around my neck. The police come up to the doorway and are basically about to beat us, and we have to scream, “No, no, please please.” About 20 seconds later, they said, “Everyone get on the ground, you’re under arrest.”

Read the rest of Cagle’s interview here.

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REMINDER: Registration For Webinar on Comics & Manga Censorship Closes Today!

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Throughout November, the American Library Association presents “Intellectual Freedom Across the Globe,” a series of online learning opportunities focused on intellectual freedom issues. CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein will be participating on November 9, during a webinar on comics and manga censorship around the globe, and you can join in! Registration for the November 9 session closes today, don’t miss out!

Keep reading for more details in the official press release…

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Cartoonist Arrested During Occupy Oakland Protests

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Despite wearing a press pass and being recognized by one of her arresting officers, cartoonist and journalist Susie Cagle was arrested last week, during the latest round of violence that has marred the Occupy Oakland protests. Cagle wrote about her experience on her blog:

I was detained for 15 hours and ultimately charged with the same misdemeanor as other demonstrators and NLG legal observers: PC 409, failure to leave the scene of a riot. Our arraignment dates are a month from now, and we were explicitly warned against returning to the plaza in the meantime. As I told ABC7, I feel like the OPD does, I think: confused.

Keep reading…

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Celebrate Neil Gaiman’s Birthday with a CBLDF Fundraiser!

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Perennial Fund supporter Neil Gaiman celebrates his birthday on November 10, and the ladies with the Fangirls: Comics Club and A Comic Shop are ready to party! You can join them at The Geek Easy inside A Comic Shop (114 S. Semoran Blvd, Winter Park, FL) on November 10 from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. for comics, music, games and more. Neil will be calling in so everyone can sing Happy Birthday to him! To celebrate, the organizers are also holding a raffle to raise funds for CBLDF.

For more details, visit the Facebook event page here.

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Beguiling Raises Funds for Canadian Side of Customs Case

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If you’re in Toronto, you can join The Beguiling and Steamwhistle Brewery for TORONTO DRAWS TINTIN, an exhibit featuring the work of dozens of Canadian creators. The opening party is tonight, from 7:00 – 11:00 pm at the Steamwhistle Gallery (255 Bremner Blvd) in Toronto. Several of the contributing artists will be in attendance, and the original pieces will be auctioned to benefit Canada’s Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund, one of CBLDF’s partners in the Canada Customs Case. For more info and a preview of the artwork, visit www.torontodrawstintin.com.

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Be a “Redshirt” with IDW’s Star Trek Comics Contest, Benefitting CBLDF

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CBLDF stands ready to defend retailers against censorship. Are you ready to do the same? Test your mettle with IDW Publishing’s “Be a Redshirt” contest, benefitting CBLDF!

More details in the official press release from IDW:

Are you a comics fan who loves your local comics store? Are you willing to “die” to protect your retailer? Prove it, with the Star Trek “Be A Redshirt” contest! Starting today, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), IDW Publishing and CBS Consumer Products are giving Star Trek fans a chance to “Be a Redshirt” on the cover of an upcoming Star Trek comic.

Originating in the classic Star Trek episodes and expanding to pop culture at large, a “redshirt” is a character that dies soon after being introduced. With the “Be a Redshirt” contest, the winning fan will have the honor of “dying” while heroically saving their retailer. The grand prizewinner will be featured as a “redshirt” on an upcoming cover of IDW’s new STAR TREK ongoing series, placing themselves between their local retailer and a phaser blast. The “Be a Redshirt” contest is open to any comics reader who thinks their local retailer is the best in the business.

“As redshirts are famous for always catching the phaser in Star Trek episodes, and as comic fans can be so loyal in defending their local retailer, it’s the perfect contest,” said Dirk Wood, IDW’s Director of Retailer Marketing, “And partnering with the CBLDF is perfect, because no one knows more about defending retailers than they do.” Keep reading…

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Mid-Ohio Comic Con Delivers Much Needed Support for CBLDF

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Last weekend, Laughing Ogre Comics founder Gib Bickel and volunteers Patrick Watson and Brett Montgomery took it upon themselves to represent CBLDF at Wizard World Mid-Ohio Comic Con. Together, they manned a table to raise funds and increase awareness of CBLDF and it’s important First Amendment work, all the more important in light of our current Canada Customs Case. CBLDF would like to thank Gib, Patrick, and Brett for all of their hard work! Further thanks go to the staff of Laughing Ogre Comics and Wizard World for helping to make this possible!

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!

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CSUN Student Newspaper Gets to the Heart of the Canada Customs Case

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In an editorial for California State University, Northridge’s Daily Sundial, opinion writer Braulio Campos gets to the heart of the Canada Customs Case: that drawings do not constitute child pornography. Campos spoke with fellow students about the case, and asked for their take on the case, finding support for Brandon X:

“I don’t think he should have been arrested if it was just drawings,” said 23-year-old Psychology Major Manisha Perera.

You can read the full article here.

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!

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