Entertainment for the evening will include the Premiere Fashion Show for the new COMICS-ON-TEES line of shirts by CBLDF Supporter JEFFREY BROWN! Featuring art by Jeffrey Brown, Anders Nilsen, Paul Hornschemeier, and Jeff Lemire, based on a story by Brown, these shirts show off some of the greatest talents in the alternative comics community and celebrate Chicago’s vibrant comics culture! This is the first look at this new series form the ultra-cool Comics-On-Tees line!

Raffle prizes will include a plethora of awesome Threadless swag, including original retail art, and great CBLDF items, including classic signed comics, exclusive prints, and more! Giant games of Mario Kart will be projected for attendees to play, with a guest DJ providing non-stop music, getting you in the mood for a weekend of comic con revelry. There will also be a “drawing wall” for ongoing Live Art throughout the night and plenty of beer, wine, and popcorn from the famous Threadless popper.  Celebrity guests from the world of comics will include Scott Snyder, Jeffrey Brown, Cliff Chiang, Sam Humphries, Ben Templesmith, and more!

To top it all off, THREADLESS and CBLDF will announce a major project for 2012, expanding their fundraising partnership and creating something awesome for comic fans of every stripe.  Don’t miss out on the first great comics party of 2012!

What: CBLDF/THREADLESS C2E2 Fashion Show Welcome Party
Where: The Threadless Atrium, 1260 West Madison
When: 9 PM
Why: To benefit CBLDF!
How much: Free for card carrying CBLDF members! $20 suggested door donation for non-members! 21 and up only!
How to get there: From McCormick Place, take US-41 N/S Lake Shore Dr north, and take a left on East Jackson Drive. Then take a right on S Michigan Ave. Take the first left on E Adams St, and the right on S Racine Ave. Then take a left on West Madion street — the Atrium will be on the right! (Approximately 15 minutes.)

McCulloch, who sits on the board of The Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund, the Canadian counterpart to the CBLDF, said “I’m very proud of our work on Gone to Amerikay and all the more proud to be launching it with a benefit for the CBLDF.  The CBLDF and the CLLDF recently worked together to defend a reader in a legal battle with Canada Customs, and I’m hoping that this benefit will help defray the costs of that defense.”

Hailed by J. Michael Straczynski as “THE book of 2012,” Gone to Amerikay is a century-spanning original graphic novel about the America that Ireland dreamed.  It tells the story of three generations of Irish emigrants to the United States:  Ciara O’Dwyer is a young woman raising a daughter alone in the Five Points slums of 1870; Johnny McCormack is a struggling actor drawn to the nascent folk music movement in Greenwich Village 1960; and Lewis Healy is a successful Irishman who’s come to present-day Manhattan on his wife’s anniversary-present promise to reveal the connection between him and them. The mystery originates with Ciara’s runaway husband, who disappeared after promising to join her in America, and carries into mid-century when Johnny, devastated by an unexpected romance and a lost shot at musical fame, gets a supernatural visitor.

Gone to Amerikay will be in stores on March 28.

Harbor Light restaurant is located at South Street Seaport Pier 17 3rd Floor, New York 10038.  Phone:  (212) 227-2800

About CBLDF
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1986 as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. They have defended dozens of Free Expression cases in courts across the United States, and led important education initiatives promoting comics literacy and free expression. For additional information, donations, and other inquiries call 800-99-CBLDF or visit them online at www.cbldf.org.

“The way Downtown Oakland has transformed itself over the last couple years is really inspiring, and I have a lot of admiration for all the people who made that happen,” said Image Comics publisher Eric Stephenson. “Being able to involve Image in an event that takes place within such a vibrant community feels really good.”

Many of the superstar creators appearing at the Image Expo will be in attendance for the Image Expo Party, including: Robert Kirkman, Brian K. Vaughan, Joe Casey, Jonathan Hickman, Erik Larsen, Jim McCann, Blair Butler, Rob Guillory, Fiona Staples, Tim Seeley, Sina Grace and Joe Keatinge.

CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein said, “The Bay Area is an incredible creative place, and we’re thrilled to be working with Image and iFanboy to make this killer celebration of art and music that thanks our members for supporting our important work! I can’t wait to meet everyone who comes out!”

The party will also which will feature a musical performance by The Philistines, as well as music from DJs Dollar Bin and Wall Piece and some special celebrity guest DJs.

“We’re super excited to be teaming up with Image Comics and the CBLDF for this event,” said iFanboy co-founder Ron Richards. “There’s nothing better than celebrating comics and rocking out on the eve of a great convention like Image Expo!”

Full event details:
The Image Expo Welcome Party
WHEN: February 24, 2012 — Doors open at 8 PM
WHERE: The Uptown — 1928 Telegraph Avenue  Oakland, CA 94612
FREE FOR CBLDF MEMBERS
SUGGESTED DONATION: $10/all others
Proceeds will benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

ABOUT IMAGE EXPO
Image Expo is a three-day comic book convention commemorating Image Comics’ 20th Anniversary and celebrating creator-owned comics, being held on February 24, 25, and 26, 2012 at the Oakland Convention Center. Image partners Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino, will be the guests of honor, appearing for signings, panels, and special events. Other special guests include Image founders Rob Liefeld, and Whilce Portacio, plus the creators of today’s best creator-owned comics, including Ed Brubaker and Brian K. Vaughan. For more information, visit www.imagecomicexpo.com

ABOUT THE COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics artform and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

ABOUT iFANBOY
iFanboy is one of the leading online comic websites for news, reviews and a vibrant community. Founded in 2001, iFanboy has become one of the most respected and valued sites in the comics media.  Home to the #1 audio and video podcasts about comics, iFanboy is known for it’s personal connection, bringing it’s audience deeper into comics than any other media property. iFanboy is owned by Graphicly, one of the most innovative sources for digital comics and digital publishing distribution. For more information, visit www.ifanboy.com

Artists Include:
David Petersen
Roger Landgridge
Robert Atkins
Guy Davis
Jeff Smith
Steve Epting
Frank Cho
Andy Kuhn
Georges Jeanty
Jonathan Hickman
David Mack
Chris Giarrusso
Erik Powel
Scott Wegener
And More!

Interested parties should visit the Ultimate Comics Online store on E-Bay. The auctions will be begin February 17 and run until March 9. Each week a different set of sketch covers will be available to bid on. Auctions start on Friday and run through the following Friday. 100% of the proceeds will go to the CBLDF.

About Ultimate Comics
Ultimate Comics is a comics seller in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. For more than eight years Ultimate Comics has been the areas’ #1 Comic Book destination. They are the sole sponsors of the NC Comicon (www.nccomicon.com). Visit www.ultimatecomicsonline.com for more information.

About Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals. Visit cbldf.org for more information.

OFFICE MANAGER
(Full-Time, Salaried)

Works with the Deputy Director in the further development of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, with an emphasis on managing the day-to-day financial and practical operations of the organization.

The Operations Manager’s responsibilities include:
• Bookkeeping and day-to-day financial management of the organization, including but not limited to: entry of all income; bank deposits; bill entry and payment; supervision of document retention; and preparation of materials for treasurer and accountants.
• Responsible for processing all invoices, payables, receivables, expenses, and general reporting.
• Management of all workplace compliance, and preparation and responsibility for insurance, utilities, and supply vendors, with the oversight of the Deputy Director.
• Management of shipping and processing premiums and donor acknowledgments. This includes oversight of physical inventories of fundraising premiums.
• Management of bulk mailings, mailing lists, and membership data.
• Recruitment, training, and supervision of volunteers and interns for office and off-site tasks.
• Managing logistics, staff preparation, material handling, vendor services, and shipping for off-site events and conventions.

Qualifications
• Extensive practical Quickbooks training and experience.
• Experience in human resources and insurance compliance useful.
• Education, training, and experience with bookkeeping sufficient to fulfill job description.

Additional qualifications:
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel.
• Strong financial, analytical and organizational skills.
• Experience with inventory management.
• Ability to work under pressure and balance numerous priorities simultaneously.
• Experience with project/organizational management and strategic planning.
• Experience with recruitment, supervision and training of interns and volunteers.

Please send cover letters, resumes, and inquiries to alex.cox@cbldf.org or submit a cover letter and resume by mail:

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
ATTN: Alex Cox
255 West 36th Street, Suite 501
New York, NY 10018

About CBLDF
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals.

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.”

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.

We are looking for writers to cover various topics related to the First Amendment and comics, including (but not limited to) the following:

• censorship of manga
• First Amendment legal issues related to comics
• comics censorship in libraries
• comics censorship in schools
• direct market censorship concerns

A contributor to www.cbldf.org should have excellent writing and communication skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and self-direction. If specializing in a specific topic, contributors should have extensive knowledge and understanding of the field. Journalism or blogging experience is a plus.

Contributors will be asked to identify and/or generate relevant content for www.cbldf.org on a weekly or semiweekly basis. In doing so, they will need to obtain editorial approval and respond to editorial guidance.

Positions are voluntary. Articles will be seen by visitors to www.cbldf.org and cross-posted on CBLDF’s Facebook page and Twitter feed, ensuring that several thousand people will see articles. Contributors will be able to work from anywhere, set their own schedules, build writing and blogging experience, and boost their resumes. In doing so, contributors will support the important First Amendment work of CBLDF.

To apply, please send your resume and a writing sample to betsy.gomez@cbldf.org.

ABOUT THE COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics artform and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals.

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!

The gallery below shows just a few of the pieces in the auction. You can view the rest here.

More details in the official press release:

Access to comic books, graphic novels, and manga is an increasingly hot topic in the library, creative, and free speech communities.  For libraries and other distributors, there are issues of why and how to collect and make available these materials, and how to handle challenges (including legal and policy challenges).  Creators need to know what support is out there if their materials are under attack, and how these attacks manifest themselves.  Free speech advocates are interested in how their support of basic principles of access to information applies to these materials.

To kick off our “Intellectual Freedom across the Globe” webinar series, OIF and IFLA FAIFE are pleased to present “Comics, Graphic Novels, Manga, and Libraries,” a one-hour look at how censorship affects comics around the world.  This webinar will discuss the history of comic book censorship, and highlight some of the current issues facing libraries and content creators around the globe, including a spotlight on Tokyo’s recent law affecting manga.  There will also be an overview of policies and best practices related to comic books, graphic novels, and manga in libraries.

Date: Wednesday, 9 November 2011

Time: 9:00 a.m. Central Standard Time, 1500 GMT

Cost: $30 USD – ALA members/members of IFLA institutional members; $35 USD – General attendees

Note:  There will be a small number of free spaces for participants who otherwise could not afford to participate. To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Jonathan Kelley at jokelley@ala.org.  Archived recordings of all “Intellectual Freedom across the Globe” webinars will be available for sale one month after the live events.

For more information and to register, visit http://www.ala.org/ala/onlinelearning/issues/classes/comics_and_libraries.cfm.  For information about the webinar series, visit http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/oifprograms/webinars/index.cfm.

Charles Brownstein is the Executive Director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit organization defending the First Amendment rights of comics and graphic novels since 1986.  Since joining the organization in 2002, Brownstein has overseen the CBLDF’s successful management of several First Amendment cases, including a notable win in Georgia v. Gordon Lee.  Most recently, the organization’s work has been cited by U.S. Supreme Court in the majority decision in Brown v. EMA. Brownstein also writes extensively about comics; his publications include the award winning books Eisner/Miller and The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen.

Yasuyo Inoue is Professor on Librarianship and School Librarianship courses at Economics and Business department of Dokkyo University, Japan.  She is currently a member of IFLA’s Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression, and has been a member of the Japan Library Association’s Committee on Intellectual Freedom since 1990.  She has written on such topics as “Manga as a study aid at school libraries” and children and young adult services in Japanese libraries.

Angela Maycock is Assistant Director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association. She provides guidance and support to librarians, teachers and others on the application of ALA’s intellectual freedom policies and the First Amendment in specific situations involving materials challenges and confidentiality in the library.  She also undertakes projects to educate librarians and the general public about intellectual freedom issues.