Author: Betsy Gomez

Mike Diana Talks to Richardson Magazine

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In 1997 — in spite of aid from CBLDF — Mike Diana became the first American artist to be convicted of obscenity in the United States. Diana is the controversial creator of the zine Boiled Angel, and his work contains graphic and often shocking depictions of society’s most serious problems: child abuse, date rape, and religious corruption.

Richardson Magazine recently interviewed Diana about his prosecution, conviction, and subsequent punishment. Diana describes his experience and how CBLDF got involved:

The first time I showed up to court to enter my plea I was mobbed with TV and radio reporters as well as two groups of concerned Christian citizens with protest signs. I plead not guilty and then contacted the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund for help. They got me a lawyer, Luke Lerot, and after much red tape and attempting and failing to get the case thrown out or moved to Tampa, where we felt we would get a better chance at a fair jury, it was time a year later to go to trial.

I was railroaded in court, the prosecution told the jury I was a suspect in the Gainsville murders even though the real killer was caught and had plead guilty just days before my trial started. They claimed that the art in Boiled Angel was made for killers and would turn people who read it into killers…

You can read the full interview here. (Note: The article contains NSFW images.)

Support CBLDF’s defense of free speech by making a donation or becoming a member today!

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Listen to Charles Brownstein Talk About CBLDF

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According to their website, the folks at Galactic Watercooler are “a community of friendly people who enjoy and participate in geekdom as a whole.” They love all things geeky, and in this week’s Galactic Watercooler podcast, you can listen to an interview with CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein.

Galactic Watercooler podcaster Audra discovered CBLDF during Comic-Con, so she spoke with Brownstein about CBLDF’s origin and mission. Brownstein discussed the Comics Code, CBLDF’s Canada Customs Case, and CBLDF’s work in libraries. You can listen to Brownstein’s interview and a discussion about free speech here. The interview starts around the 72:10 mark, and the discussion about free speech closes out the podcast.

Support CBLDF’s defense of free speech by making a donation or becoming a member today!

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Join the “Demon Circle” for CBLDF

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The main character of “Demon Circle,” Athis, is an apprentice wizard in the Crimson Keep, and he isn’t the brightest flame in the candelabra. So, when he and another apprentice named Belid summon a demon and then panic, trouble ensues—trouble that threatens to snowball wildly out of control. Will they and their fellow student Klaria be able to deal with the consequences before their master finds out? Will the Crimson Keep still be standing when it’s all over?

“Demon Circle” is an original novella from Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman, Bob Greenberger, Glenn Hauman, Aaron Rosenberg, and Howard Weinstein, the writers behind the new author-driven publishing venture Crazy 8 Press. Written live at ShoreLeave33, proceeds from the sale of “Demon Circle” benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which protects the First Amendment rights of comic book writers, artists, retailers, and fans.

The novella is available for download from ComicMix.com, which is giving a greater portion of the proceeds to CBLDF. You also can choose to make a larger donation to CBLDF when you purchase your copy.

Enjoy the comedic fantasy of “Demon Circle” and support the CBLDF by downloading your copy today!

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Start Your Week with Auctions Benefiting the CBLDF

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Whether CBLDF runs it or an outside party graciously donates their time and effort, online auctions are one way CBLDF raises the money it needs to defend cases such as the Canada Customs Case. Right now, you’ll be able to find a number of online auctions benefiting CBLDF.

CBLDF has a number of exclusive items up for auction right now. Read on for more!

Support CBLDF’s defense of free speech by making a donation or becoming a member today!

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Submission Deadline Extended for InvestComics’ ONE AND DONE Anthology to Benefit CBLDF

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Invest Comics and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund are proud to announce that the chance to submit your 1-page story for ONE AND DONE has been just been extended to September 16th!

“We’ve received some really amazing submissions for the collection. But, a large call for an extension on the submission deadline has also come our way.” says Invest Comics President Jay Katz. “Ultimately, this is about creation to benefit a worthy cause and so, if we need to extend to get even more people involved, then that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

Read on for more information about ONE AND DONE.

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Listen to CBLDF: Censorship Then & Now

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CBLDF recently attended Baltimore Comic-Con. During the convention, Executive Director Charles Brownstein presented a riveting history of comics censorship. Internet radio website blogtalkradio was onsite to record the talk, which you can listen to here.

Support CBLDF’s defense of free speech by making a donation or becoming a member today!

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Syrian Cartoonist Beaten, Hands Broken

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Early today, Syria’s best-known political cartoonist, Ali Ferzat, was abducted and beaten. His abductors broke both his hands as a warning to stop drawing the satirical political cartoons for which he is best known.

Ferzat recently drew a cartoon comparing Syria’s president, Bashar Assad, to Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi, and relatives believe the cartoon led to the attack. MSNBC ran the Associated Press article with the following quote:

“This is just a warning,” the gunmen told Ferzat, according to a relative who asked that her name not be used for fear of reprisals. “We will break your hands so that you’ll stop drawing.”

Click through for more on the attack.

Support CBLDF’s defense of free speech and coverage of issues like this by making a donation or becoming a member today!

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Road Report: Baltimore Comic-Con

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This past weekend, CBLDF staffers Charles Brownstein, Alex Cox, and Dave Grilli attended Baltimore Comic-Con at the Baltimore Convention Center. CBLDF had an array of exclusive items making their East Coast debut, including our new John Cassaday and Matt Wagner T-shirts and our two new Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab scents, La Mano del Destino and El Nuevo Puritano.

Baltimore Comic-Con is always a great show, and the CBLDF booth was surrounded by great creators, including Stan Sakai, Charles Vess, Terry Moore, and Jeff Smith. Hundreds of attendees dropped by our booth to learn about our current case work and check out our new donation premiums.

Every dollar donated at Baltimore Comic-Con goes directly to fund our current case, in which an American faces jail time for crossing the Canadian border with comics on his electronic devices. Thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth — we look forward to seeing you again next year! Next stop: SPX in Bethesda, MD!

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More Sneak Peeks Of Liberty Annual Online

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CBLDF Liberty Annual 2011 will be in stores on October 12, and you may have noticed a spate of exclusive previews online recently.

Bleeding Cool ran an exclusive of the JH Williams III pages from the issue and Rich Johnston spoke with CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein, who described why the CBLDF continues to be relevant and the importance of the Canada Customs Case…

Read on for more exclusive sneak peeks of CBLDF Liberty Annual 2011!

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Support CBLDF During Baltimore Comic-Con 2011

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The CBLDF is excited to be attending Baltimore Comic Con! From August 20 – 21, you can find us at booth 1404 with a full array of great donation premiums and opportunities to support Free Speech! Come by and say hello, learn about our current case work, and check out some of our new exclusives!

We will have new t-shirts from John Cassaday and Matt Wagner and a new version of the hugely popular “I READ BANNED COMICS” t-shirt. Our kid’s section features great new premiums, such as signed copies of Raina Telgemeier’s Eisner-winning memoir Smile and the smash hits Babymouse and Squish by Jennifer and Matt Holm.

We will also have the two newest benefit fragrances from Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs, La Mano Del Destino and El Nuevo Puritano, as well as an accompanying print by graphic designer, writer, and artist J. Gonzo! All this, plus an assortment of signed books, donated by publishers and creators, all of whom are helping us fight for Free Expression.

A comics fan is facing jail time, and CBLDF needs your help now! Show your support for CBLDF and Free Speech by visiting us at booth 1404 during Baltimore Comic-Con, August 20-21!

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