In early November, cartoonist and journalist Susie Cagle was arrested while covering the Occupy Oakland protests. Thanks to assistance from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Oakland Police Department has dropped all charges against Cagle. SPJ wrote a letter to Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and interim Police Chief Howard Jordan condemning Cagle’s arrest. Keep reading…
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Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Fest Helps CBLDF Raise $1350!
Last weekend, CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein and newly minted Deputy Director Alex Cox took the train to Brooklyn for The Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival. The CBLDF was just one of the exhibitors celebrating art comics, and fans and supporters of Free Speech helped us raise $1350 during the free, one-day show!
Keep reading for a rundown of the some of the cool folks we spotted at BCGF!
CBLDF Joins Celebration of Comics at The Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival
On Saturday, CBLDF heads across the bridge for The Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival, a one-day show celebrating comics and graphic design. This free festival takes place December 3, from noon to 9:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (275 North 8th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn), and features an electrifying assortment of creators, publishers, exhibitors, and programming.
CBLDF will be on hand, exhibiting with exclusive signed premiums, including a wide range of autographed graphic novels from Jaime Hernandez, Mike Mignola, Jim Woodring, Dan Clowes, and more. The money raised during the festival will support CBLDF’s defense of an American citizen who faces prosecution Canada because of the comics he carried on his laptop. Come out and support free speech and comics this weekend at The Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival!
Alex Cox Named CBLDF Deputy Director
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is pleased to announce that Alex Cox has been named to the position of Deputy Director. In this new capacity, his responsibilities will expand to include full oversight of the CBLDF home office and fundraising program. Cox joined the CBLDF in the fall of 2010 as Development Manager.
Since joining the CBLDF last year Cox has improved the organization’s membership program and convention presences. Under Cox’s watch, membership in both the retailer and individual capacities has shown dramatic increases. Cox has also overseen the creation of a more robust volunteer program in the New York home office. Prior to CBLDF, Cox was a 15-year veteran of comics retail, including owning and managing the nationally recognized comic book store ROCKETSHIP.
Speaking about the promotion, Cox said, “I’m extremely grateful to be in a position to help the comics community fight back against anyone that would threaten free expression in this art form that we all love. As a comic fan and student of the art form for close to 30 years, I never thought that I would see anything like the panic caused by SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT in my lifetime. But with the current case in Canada, the creeping specter of censorship and persecution is rearing its head again, making the CBLDF even more important. I’m proud to be a part of it and I look forward to working with our members, retailers, and the creative community in the years to come.”
“Alex has been a great addition to the CBLDF, and we’re excited to be able to develop a space for him to grow even further within the organization” says Charles Brownstein, CBLDF’s Executive Director. “Alex has made great strides in developing our fundraising program in a very difficult time, and his leadership in the office has helped us bring in even more talented volunteers to help us fulfill our work. He’s an extremely valuable member of our team, and we’re glad to see him take on this new role.”
CBLDF Looking for Writers to Contribute to Website
In our ongoing mission to protect the creators, retailers, publishers, and collectors of comic books and to promote the awareness of First Amendment issues, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is looking for additional contributors to its website.
Whether you’re a journalist or a supporter of CBLDF who has excellent writing skills, we need your help to expand the coverage of First Amendment issues in the comics community. Your work will be shared on www.cbldf.org, Facebook, Twitter, and in print publications. Keep reading…
Last Day to Bid in MTV GEEK Original Art Auction!
Thanksgiving is nigh, as is the end of the MTV Geek Original Art Auction! With pieces by Todd McFarlane (Spawn), Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time), Brad Neely (China, IL), Richard Starkings (Elephantmen), Jon Schnepp (Metalocalypse), Steve Ellis (High Moon), and more, you can’t afford this chance to own artwork by some of the best established and up-and-coming artists in comics! All proceeds benefit CBLDF’s important First Amendment work. View the artwork and place your bids here!
Image Comics Expo Celebrates Creator-Owned Comics While Supporting CBLDF
Next February, you’ll have a chance to mingle with the partners and creators of Image Comics and lend your support to CBLDF at the same time! In celebration of 20 years of Image Comics, Image Expo will take place February 24-26, 2012. In addition to an all-star line up of guests — Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino, Rob Liefeld, and Whilce Portacio to name a few — Image Expo will feature a number special events to benefit CBLDF, including a mammoth benefit auction!
Keep reading for more details in the official press release.
The Spirit of Giving – Get The Best Holiday Gifts When You Support CBLDF!
Celebrate The Spirit of Giving this holiday season by getting once-in-a-lifetime presents for the fans in your life in support of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund! When you do, The Will & Ann Eisner Family Foundation will make a contribution to the CBLDF for every donation and membership placed during this campaign!
CBLDF is offering the best presents in comics, including graphic novels personalized to the fan in your life by icons including Neil Gaiman, Art Spiegelman, Frank Miller, Dan Clowes, Robert Kirkman, Dave Gibbons, and many more. Plus you’ll get an exclusive Will Eisner gift card that tells them your gift helped do good for comics!
When you support the CBLDF’s Spirit of Giving drive between now and December 16, the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation will make a contribution of $1 for every donation and gift order placed on the CBLDF’s website. In addition, they will contribute $5 for each new, renewing or gift membership made from now until December 31!
Be a hero this holiday by giving the most unique gifts that make a real difference when you support the CBLDF with the Spirit of Giving!
MTV GEEK Supports CBLDF With Original Art Auction
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.
Cartoonist Arrested During Occupy Oakland Protests
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.