Category: Headline

Last month, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund asked the comics community to Be Counted as members of the organization, and set a fundraising goal of $100,000 by October 31 to support their important legal and education work. Today, the Fund has raised over $77,000 of that goal, thanks to the generosity of those who heard the call to Be Counted, and the professional community supporting the campaign. Today, the CBLDF is asking anyone who hasn’t joined or renewed their membership the organization yet to sign up to protect free speech, and to take advantage of some of the unique rewards they’re offering to thank supporters during the drive!

All members signing up to Be Counted by 12 Midnight pacific time on October 31 will be able to receive signed thank yous, including the 2011 CBLDF Member Card featuring Green Lantern, and signed by Geoff Johns, with other rewards for members signing up at higher levels including signed prints from Neil Gaiman, Garth Ennis, and original art from Matt Wagner, Jeffrey Brown, Cliff Chiang, and more. If you’re not sure if you’re a member, you can see the current year member list here.

The Fund also has opportunities left for Lunch With Legends, including one last Neil Gaiman tea date, and lunches with Dave Gibbons, Frank Miller, Frank Quitely, and more. For aspiring pros, we also have professional development reviews withKaren Berger, Tom Brevoort, Dan DiDio, Gail Simone, Jennifer L. Holm & more!

If you’re not able to make a lunch date, the Fund also has some exclusive thank you drawings from Neil Gaiman, Frank Quitely, Chris Burnham, and Matthew Holm for members signing up during this drive.

The CBLDF exists because of the grassroots support of the comics community. If you value free expression, we’re asking you, right now, to please Be Counted as a member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund to help us perform our important work.

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In this month’s Diamond Previews, Retailers and Comic Shop Owners will find the most important item they will order this year — their CBLDF Retailer Membership! Retail Members are a vital component to the ongoing work of the CBLDF, and this Thursday is the deadline to sign up your store on the Previews order form and support the Fund en masse!

With the help of the retail community, over the past year the CBLDF has supported the rights of comic stores by fighting unconstitutional laws that would have affected the sale and display of comics in Utah, Massachusetts, Alaska, and California. The CBLDF’s efforts were even cited by the U.S. Supreme Court in Brown v. EMA, where the CBLDF’s brief outlining our industry’s struggle with censorship in the 1950s and beyond was included as part of the court’s decision to strike down a California law that would have given states the right to regulate violence. The CBLDF continues to keep watch and fight against laws that affect the Direct Market’s ability to do business.

Retailers that join this month will receive a number of incentive items, including variant covers of Action Comics #1, Ultimate Spider-man #160, and Liberty Annual 2011, signed by Frank Quitely, and an assortment of CBLDF branded items, such as signage, window clings, and a print set including “Conan” signed by Darick Robertson, “In Reilig Oran” signed by Neil Gaiman and Tony Harris, “Echo” signed by Terry Moore, and “The Boys” signed by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. These items and more are available as a “Thank You” to our retail members.

Right now the CBLDF needs help to defend a case that could affect the rights of individuals and stores everywhere. Right now a comics reader is facing a year in prison and registering as a sex offender because a Canada Customs agent unjustly accused of him of possessing child pornography because of horror and fantasy manga on his laptop. This case is important because it raises important precedent questions about the artistic merit of comics, and the right to sell adult comics to adult readers.

For twenty-five years, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has protected the rights of stores, and the rights of their customers. If you are a retailer, please help the CBLDF continue to stand up for the rights of our industry. Sign up for Retailer Membership on this month’s order form, and help us protect the First Amendment rights you depend on to do business!

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Artists are stepping up to Be Counted as CBLDF supporters with a round of auctions benefiting the organization on eBay this week. Frank Quitely, Jim Lee & Scott Williams, Cliff Chiang, Neal Adams, and other titans of comics have contributed prime pieces of original art that the CBLDF is auctioning off this week to individuals who support the Fund’s Be Counted membership drive. The CBLDF currently seeks to raise $100,000 by October 31 to support its urgent legal and education work, and has raised over $58,600 so far. Please sign up for membership today and Be Counted to help the Fund reach its goal! Read on for this week’s new auctions!

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