Membership

Fight Censorship! Celebrate Liberty!
Join the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund today!


Joining the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund puts you on the front line of the fight against censorship! Your membership dollars provide the tools to fight back when comic book readers, retailers, and artists are muzzled, censored, or attacked! When you become a CBLDF member, you are proclaiming that comics are important and that you are a protector of their First Amendment rights!

When you join the CBLDF, we’ll thank you with the best incentives and benefits in the free speech community, starting off with a stunning membership card by superstar creator Cliff Chiang! Channeling the classic depiction of Liberty through the influence of WPA art and comic book iconography, Chiang has created a powerful membership card that you’ll be proud to keep in your wallet. This card is your ticket to special events across the country and shows the world that you support free speech!

We have membership plans for donors in every budget, each with its own premiums and benefits, and all of them are tax-deductible. Of course, the number one benefit of membership is peace of mind. You’ll know that there’s someone at the other end of the phone when a retailer gets busted or an artist is brought up on charges for exercising their First Amendment rights. Become a member of the CBLDF, and help preserve comics as a vital medium for the next century!

Here’s How Your Donation Will Be Used:

Legal Action

Last September, the CBLDF contributed the first installment of the $150,000 in legal fees needed to defend Brandon X, an American citizen facing a minimum sentence of one year in Canadian prison and registration as a sex offender because Canada Customs alleges that Japanese horror and fantasy comics on Brandon’s laptop are child pornography. His case is important because it raises important precedent questions about the artistic merit of comics and the rights of readers and artists traveling with comics on their electronic devices. The CBLDF needs your help to pay the lawyers defending this case because we seek to establish a precedent that protects comics in Canada and influences courts in the United States.

Beyond Brandon’s case, the CBLDF needs your help to ensure we are able to continue our other important program services. In 2011 we fought against several unconstitutional laws, including the case of Brown v. EMA, which involved a California law that would have expanded the definition of unprotected speech to include violence. The CBLDF’s amicus brief in that case was cited by the United States Supreme Court in their majority decision.

Your membership dollars will pay for our membership in Media Coalition, which helps us track and fight unconstitutional legislation. You will also ensure we have the resources we need to pay our monthly retainer for routine First Amendment legal work.

Education

The CBLDF continues to assist librarians and retailers when comics and graphic novels are challenged. Often, this happens on a case-by-case basis, during which CBLDF staff gather defense materials for each individual incident. Your membership dollars support our work as a sponsor of the Kids’ Right To Read Project and Banned Books Week. They will also help support a variety of new information resources that we are creating throughout the year.

Here’s what you get for signing up:

MEMBER

At the $25 Member level, donors receive an exclusive CBLDF membership card. This sturdy, plastic card fits easily in a wallet and provides special access to CBLDF events across the country. The 2012 card will feature art by superstar comic artist CLIFF CHIANG.

SUPPORTER

With a $50 Supporter membership, donors receive:

  • The exclusive CBLDF membership card. This sturdy, plastic card fits easily in a wallet and provides special access to CBLDF events across the country. The 2012 card features exclusive art by superstar artist CLIFF CHIANG!
  • A button set featuring our logo and more!
  • A CBLDF window decal you can use to show the world that you support free speech!

ADVOCATE

With a $100 Advocate membership, donors receive:

  • The exclusive CBLDF membership card. This sturdy, plastic card fits easily in a wallet and provides special access to CBLDF events across the country. The 2012 card features exclusive art by superstar artist CLIFF CHIANG!
  • A button set featuring our logo and more!
  • A CBLDF window decal you can use to show the world that you support free speech!

Your choice of one of the following:

  • CBLDF Tote Bag, featuring art by the great Sergio Aragonés! This tote bag is durable canvas, measuring 14 by 15 inches, and the perfect way to carry comics and graphic novels while showing your support for a great cause.
  • The popular “I READ BANNED COMICS” t-shirt (Please indicate size preference in the memo section of the order form.)
  • A CBLDF branded water bottle, featuring the gone-but-not-forgotten Comics Code Authority emblem.

DEFENDER

With a $250 Defender membership, donors receive:

  • The exclusive CBLDF membership card. This sturdy, plastic card fits easily in a wallet and provides special access to CBLDF events across the country. The 2012 card features exclusive art by superstar artist CLIFF CHIANG!
  • A button set featuring our logo and more!
  • A CBLDF window decal you can use to show the world that you support free speech!

Your choice of TWO of the following:

  • CBLDF Tote Bag, featuring art by the great Sergio Aragonés! This tote bag is durable canvas, measuring 14 by 15 inches, and the perfect way to carry comics and graphic novels, while showing your support for a great cause.
  • The popular “I READ BANNED COMICS” t-shirt (Please indicate size preference in the memo section of the order form.)
  • A CBLDF branded water bottle, featuring the gone-but-not-forgotten Comics Code Authority emblem.

PROTECTOR

With a $500 Protector membership, donors receive:

  • The exclusive CBLDF membership card. This sturdy, plastic card fits easily in a wallet and provides special access to CBLDF events across the country. The 2012 card features exclusive art by superstar artist CLIFF CHIANG!
  • A button set featuring our logo and more!
  • A CBLDF window decal you can use to show the world that you support free speech!

ALL THREE of the following:

  • CBLDF Tote Bag, featuring art by the great Sergio Aragonés! This tote bag is durable canvas, measuring 14 by 15 inches, and the perfect way to carry comics and graphic novels, while showing your support for a great cause.
  • The popular “I READ BANNED COMICS” t-shirt (Please indicate size preference in the memo section of the order form.)
  • A CBLDF branded water bottle, featuring the gone-but-not-forgotten Comics Code Authority emblem.
  • Your name listed in a special “Thank You” section of the LIBERTY ANNUAL 2012.
  • A special limited edition, full-color print of the membership card artwork, numbered and signed by artist Cliff Chiang.

CHAMPION

With a $1000 Champion membership, donors receive:

  • The exclusive CBLDF membership card. This sturdy, plastic card fits easily in a wallet and provides special access to CBLDF events across the country. The 2012 card features exclusive art by superstar artist CLIFF CHIANG!
  • A button set featuring our logo and more!
  • A CBLDF window decal you can use to show the world that you support free speech!

All of the following:

  • CBLDF Tote Bag, featuring art by the great Sergio Aragonés! This tote bag is durable canvas, measuring 14 by 15 inches, and the perfect way to carry comics and graphic novels, while showing your support for a great cause.
  • The popular “I READ BANNED COMICS” t-shirt (Please indicate size preference in the “memo” section of the order form.)
  • A CBLDF branded water bottle, featuring the gone-but-not-forgotten Comics Code Authority emblem.
  • Your name listed in a special “Thank You” section of the LIBERTY ANNUAL 2012.
  • A special limited edition, full-color print of the membership card artwork, numbered and signed by artist Cliff Chiang.
  • Your choice of an autographed hardcover, signed on an exclusive “CBLDF Champion” bookplate, from one of the following creators:

– WATCHMEN, signed by Dave Gibbons
– MAUS, signed by art spiegelman
– PREACHER Deluxe Edition vol. 1, signed by Garth Ennis
– Y THE LAST MAN Deluxe Edition vol. 1, signed by Brian K. Vaughan
– THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, signed by Neil Gaiman

RETAIL MEMBERSHIP

Retailers are on the front lines of the fight against censorship! Independent comic book, manga, and book retailers are a vital part of today’s comic book culture, and, unfortunately, are also the first to be attacked when censorship rears its ugly head.

Since the CBLDF was founded in 1986, retailers have been among the strongest supporters, and they perform a valuable service by providing comics to their local communities and educating consumers. As the front line, they’re also among the first to support their brethren when they come under attack, and many are doing so as Retailer Members of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Sign up your store to be a member! Join the Fund today and receive special rewards that tell your customers you’re fighting the good fight. You’ll get exclusive comics, signed prints, and more as a thank you for your support!

The Retailer Advocate Member receives:

  • CBLDF Window Cling
  • 2012 LIBERTY ANNUAL, Signed Frank Quitely Variant
  • OPEN/CLOSE sign, featuring GRENDEL by Matt Wagner, and MILK AND CHEESE by Evan Dorkin!
  • A CBLDF Donation Can
  • Current Member Card

The Retailer “Defender” receives:

  • CBLDF Window Cling
  • 2012 LIBERTY ANNUAL, Signed Frank Quitely Variant
  • OPEN/CLOSE sign, featuring GRENDEL by Matt Wagner, and MILK AND CHEESE by Evan Dorkin!
  • A CBLDF Donation Can
  • CBLDF Branded Mouse Pad
  • Print set, featuring CONAN, signed by Darick Robertson, IN RELIG ORAN, signed by Neil Gaiman and Tony Harris, ECHO signed by Terry Moore, and THE BOYS, signed by Garth Ennis.
  • Current Member Card

The Retailer “Protector” receives:

  • CBLDF Window Cling
  • 2012 LIBERTY ANNUAL, Signed Frank Quitely Variant
  • OPEN/CLOSE sign, featuring GRENDEL by Matt Wagner, and MILK AND CHEESE by Evan Dorkin!
  • A CBLDF Donation Can
  • CBLDF Branded Mouse Pad
  • Print set, featuring CONAN, signed by Darick Robertson, IN RELIG ORAN, signed by Neil Gaiman and Tony Harris, ECHO signed by Terry Moore, and THE BOYS, signed by Garth Ennis.
  • Exclusive Signed, Numbered silkscreen Paul Pope print.
  • Current Member Card

The Retailer “Champion” receives:

  • CBLDF Window Cling
  • 2012 LIBERTY ANNUAL, Signed Frank Quitely Variant
  • OPEN/CLOSE sign, featuring GRENDEL by Matt Wagner, and MILK AND CHEESE by Evan Dorkin!
  • A CBLDF Donation Can
  • CBLDF Branded Mouse Pad
  • Print set, featuring CONAN, signed by Darick Robertson, IN RELIG ORAN, signed by Neil Gaiman and Tony Harris, ECHO signed by Terry Moore, and THE BOYS, signed by Garth Ennis.
  • Exclusive Signed, Numbered silkscreen Paul Pope print.
  • A piece of original comic art, donated by one of our many Artist Members.
  • Current Member Card

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP

If you’re a leader in the graphic novel industry, then you should be a corporate member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. CBLDF’s corporate members recognize that the First Amendment is the cornerstone of our business, and their efforts support the CBLDF’s important work to protect those rights for the comic book, manga, and graphic novel industries. Corporate members are listed on the CBLDF website, in all of our publications, and on event signage. They also have first access to partnership opportunities throughout the year. To learn more about the benefits of Corporate Membership, please contact Executive Director Charles Brownstein at Charles.Brownstein@cbldf.org.

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The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund are pleased to announce that the Crown has withdrawn all criminal charges in R. v. Matheson, the case previously described as the “Brandon X case,” which involved a comic book reader who faced criminal charges in Canada relating to comic books on his computer. The defendant, Ryan Matheson, a 27-year-old comic book reader, amateur artist, and computer programmer has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.

The total legal costs of this case exceeded $75,000. After taking the case last summer, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund contributed $20,000 to the defense, and the Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund contributed $11,000. The CBLDF also participated in shaping the defense, including recruiting expert testimony for the trial. The organization is currently seeking funds to help pay off the $45,000 debt Matheson incurred as a result of his case, and to create new tools to prevent future cases. To make a contribution to these important efforts, please visit www.cbldf.org. Learn more about the shocking details of this case and how you can support the CBLDF's efforts to fight back!Read the full post