Author: Betsy Gomez

Craig Thompson Helps CBLDF Bring in $4,700 During APE!

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CBLDF landed in sunny San Francisco over the weekend to celebrate independent comics during the Alternative Press Expo. Team CBLDF spent the weekend putting exclusive signed premiums into the hands of fans, raising $4,700 to help CBLDF fight the Canada Customs Case!

The aisles were packed, as indie comics fans picked up the latest work from their favorite creators and discovered new talents. Special Guest Craig Thompson’s new graphic novel, Habibi, proved to be one of the hits of the show, with vendors around the room running out of copies the first day of the show! Thompson joined CBLDF for three signings, enthusiastically chatting with CBLDF supporters. Delighted fans walked away with gorgeous sketches in their copies of Habibi, Blankets, Carnet de Voyage, and Good-bye Chunky Rice.

CBLDF thanks Thompson for the support he showed the Fund over the course of the weekend. Thanks also go out to CBLDF volunteer Ricardo Gomez.

You’ll find CBLDF next at New York Comic-Con, October 12-16, 2011!

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The Good Fighters: Kathryn & Stuart Immonen

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To meet Kathryn and Stuart Immonen is a bit like meeting a modern-day Nick and Nora Charles. Sure, they’re a bit more profane, but they have all the sharp and witty repartee of the bantering married duo that defined the Thin Man movies. (You can enjoy some of this banter on their blog.)

The Immonens have been in the comic biz for several years, working individually and together. Their work is irreverent, entertaining, and classic. Stuart is known for his distinctive art style and storytelling ability, on display in the cult hit Nextwave and most recently in the hit series Fear Itself from Marvel Comics. Kathryn is known for her fearless, honest writing, with several Marvel titles under her belt, including the beloved Patsy Walker: Hellcat, Wolverine and Jubilee, and Heralds. Together, they created Moving Pictures, a critically acclaimed web comic and graphic novel set during the Nazi occupation of Paris.

The Immonens recently donated several pieces from their personal art collection to the CBLDF as part of our Artists to the Rescue campaign. They also took a moment to answer a few questions for The Good Fighters.

CBLDF thanks the Immonens for their generous donation and support. Please help support CBLDF’s First Amendment legal work by bidding on the pieces they donated to CBLDF, making a donation, or becoming a member of the CBLDF!

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Latest Artists To The Rescue Auctions Include FEAR ITSELF and SANDMAN Originals!

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Last week, we announced the latest wave of Artists to the Rescue auctions, with gorgeous pieces by Mike Mignola — donated by Kathryn and Stuart Immonen, no less! We have more pieces from the Immonen’s personal collection up for auction this week!

First up, we have a gorgeous Sandman page by Jill Thompson! The page comes from the Brief Lives story arc, and features the Egyptian goddess Bast and Dream.

Next, we have the pencils for the cover of the first issue of the hit Marvel series Fear Itself. Drawn by Stuart Immonen, the pencils feature the Avengers and would make a great addition to any art collection!

We round out the auction with a number of original sketches and pinups from Fund supporters including Dean Haspiel, Denys Cowan, Jimmy Palmiotti, Chris Giarusso, and Steve Lieber! Show your support for the CBLDF and take home an amazing piece of art — bid now!

Keep reading for a gallery of pieces in the auction!

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Charity Art Auction at Webcomics Con Benefits CBLDF

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Webcomics Con is a brand new convention celebrating online funnies October 1-2, 2011, in Norwalk, Connecticut. One of the events at the inaugural edition of Webcomics Con is a charity auction benefiting CBLDF and Hero Initiative! If you’re attending, don’t miss the auction, which will take place from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. in the Sawmill Room of the Dolce Hotel and Resort.

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CBLDF Comics College Hits the Left Coast with PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY IN COMICS

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The CBLDF is proud to announce our next Comics College Master Session: Promotion and Publicity in Comics! Join author Sam Humphries (Our Love is Real, Fraggle Rock) and journalist Andy Khouri for this in-depth workshop and Q&A. Learn the secrets of promotion from both sides of the publicity equation! Humphries will be sharing lessons from the marketing of Our Love Is Real, and Khouri will be sharing insights from his experience as the Associate Editor of Comics Alliance.

This ticketed event will be held on September 27, 6:00 p.m. PDT, at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles, California (7522 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90046; 323-851-7223). Tickets are available for a $50 donation.

Don’t miss this singular opportunity for aspiring creators to learn about the craft and business of comics from experts. Space is extremely limited, so get your tickets quick!

If you can’t make it to this stellar event, you can still support CBLDF by bidding on rare items in the Our Love Is Real charity auction. The auction closes soon!

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It’s Banned Books Week!

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This week, we celebrate the freedom to read with Banned Books Week!

CBLDF is a sponsor of this important week-long event. You can show your support by reading some of the books and comics that have been challenged in libraries around the country and by becoming a member of the Fund. You can also join the celebration by posting a video of yourself advocating for your favorite banned comic in the Virtual Read-Out.

There are any number of ways to celebrate Banned Books Week and your freedom to read! Click through to discover more about Banned Books Week.

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Comics College Report: Fred Van Lente and Greg Pak Talk Self-Publishing

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This past Saturday, dynamic duo Fred van Lente (Action Philosophers, Incredible Hercules, Comic Book Comics) and Greg Pak (Incredible Hercules, Incredible Hulk, Vision Machine) kicked off the season’s Comics College with a two hour workshop on the secrets of self-publishing. The intimate workshop covered the relationships among creators, publishers, distributors, journalists, and retailers. Van Lente and Pak brought comics and books to hand out to attendees and shared their personal journeys to success. more

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ARTISTS TO THE RESCUE, WAVE II — ORIGINAL ART AUCTIONS BENEFIT CBLDF!

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With the Canada Customs Case drawing closer, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund continues its vital fundraising auctions with help from artists across the wide spectrum of the comic book industry. In an effort to raise over $100,000 by the end of October, artist supporters and Fund members have truly stepped up and provided benefit material ranging from pin-ups to original pages to covers, all in support of defending a comic fan from the threat of prison and hopefully setting a precedent that allows creators, retailers, publishers, fans alike to travel freely across the border without fear of persecution or harassment.

Keep reading for a look at the latest pieces up for auction, including gorgeous pieces by Mike Mignola and Charles Vess!

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OUR LOVE IS REAL Auctions and Events Benefit CBLDF

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The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is currently raising money for an incredibly important case — a case that could potentially set a precedent that would protect comic book content crossing the border into Canada. With this urgent case on the horizon, the creators of Our Love Is Real, one of the most provocative comics of 2011, have come to the aid of the CBLDF, offering a series of exciting fund-raising events to benefit this vital case!

Keep reading for more information about the auctions and an exciting new addition to CBLDF’s Comics College!

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Creators and Retailers Unite for CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011 Signings

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CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011 hits shelves on October 12. In celebration, retailers around the world are having signings with several of the creators who contributed to the best LIBERTY ANNUAL yet!

CBLDF is delighted to have the support of retailers and creators not only for CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011, but also for UNITED AGAINST CENSORSHIP, a series of in-store signings that will take place the day the book hits store shelves! Click through to find an event near you!

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