ONE AND DONE: Anthology Benefits CBLDF


Posted Friday, February 3rd, 2012

by Betsy Gomez

When InvestComics called for submissions to their One and Done anthology, they received an overwhelming response. The assembled creators each drew a one-page story in which someone dies, shown or implied. One and Done is finally available, and proceeds from the sale of the book benefit CBLDF!

For more on the anthology and to get your own copy, visit InvestComics website here.

The official press release:

InvestComics Announces “One and Done” Anthology Available for Purchase Online

Charitable anthology of “deadly tales” features contributions from industry creators to support Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF)

(West Palm Beach, Florida; January 31, 2012) – Comic book and entertainment information website InvestComics is proud to announce that “One and Done” − a charitable anthology to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund − is now available for purchase on the Mira Publishing website at www.mirashartshop.com. “Today marks the beginning of InvestComics’ fight against censorship and the right for Freedom of Speech,” said Jay Katz, President of InvestComics. “We are proud to support such a great cause and will always be a strong supporter of CBLDF.”

Bob Heske, a graphic novelist, web columnist and editor on the anthology, added, “We’re thrilled to get a book out that features worldwide talent for such a great cause. The one-page graphic tales that each end in death are like a box of chocolates − you don’t know what you’ll get until you bite inside!”

“I am proud to be a part of such a fantastic charity like CBLDF” echoed Sebastian Piccione, also an editor on the book and a regular contributor to the InvestComics website. “The mix of stories and styles from accomplished and emerging creators makes this book unique and fun to read.”

InvestComics reached out to industry creators with a call for submissions on its website in June 2011. The rules were simple: Stories could be of any genre as long as they were one page in length and the last page ended in death (shown or implied).

According to InvestComics Katz the response was overwhelming. “This unique anthology asked creators to be generous in their submission and extremely creative in their content. And I’m proud to say they’ve stepped up to the plate big time and hit it out of the park,” says Katz in reference to the quality of submissions received. The InvestComics One and Done Anthology features contributors from all over the globe including established industry pros like Mark McKenna, Duncan Eagleson, Rob Jones, and Peter Palimotti and emerging talent on the cusp of being recognized. Nearly 50 “One and Done” tales were accepted. There is also a special section called “Killer Extras” featuring additional original works by Bob Heske, Duncan Eagleson, David Paul, and also a pinup page from cover artist Gary T. Becks.

Orders can be placed directly on line at http://www.mirasmartshop.com/ at this URL:

http://www.mirasmartshop.com/InvestComics-Presents-One-Done_p_322.html

Also, if you are in Florida, the One and Done Anthology can be purchased at Tate’s Comics in Lauderhill, Florida. Tate’s Comics web address is www.tatescomics.com.

InvestComics will announce random winners of prizes to be given out by Tate’s Comics as well as interviews to be carried on the InvestComics website and InvestComics TV website. The first interview will be posted the week of January 23rd featuring South African creators Arno Hurter and David Edwards who had five stories accepted for the book (the most of any creator team), and will appear in Bob Heske’s popular IndieCreator column.

About InvestComics

InvestComics™ started as a magazine in 2006; the first issue wasn’t released until June of 2007. The magazine was distributed as a free comic book Investment Guide throughout local comic shops in South Florida. It was also a giveaway on Ebay for any winning bid to receive with their order.

Although the InvestComics™ web site was on line in 2005, it wasn’t until 2007 the web site became the main focal point and the magazine ceased. InvestComics™ wanted to start reaching a broader audience and began to rapidly expand. InvestComics™ became the “Entertainment” Investment Guide as a result of covering many areas in the industry, focusing on entertainment as well as highlighting investment opportunities. Most recently the launch of InvestComics TV (ICTV) has made the site multi-media, attracting some of the biggest names in the industry to appear in a split-screen 10-12 minute interview format.

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. If you wish to support CBLDF, you can visit their website at http://cbldf.org/.

Please help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work by making a donation or becoming a member of the CBLDF!

Who Would You Team With Lady Liberty?


Posted Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

by Betsy Gomez

Comics Should Be Good over at CBR is having some fun with Twitter in honor of CBLDF! Brian Cronin with The Line Is Drawn posted this week’s challenge, calling for entries from CSBG’s Twitter followers:

In honor of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund‘s 2012 Membership Drive, team-up various comic book characters with Lady Liberty, the symbol of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund!

Get the details on how you can enter your Lady Liberty dream team here!

Please help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work by making a donation or becoming a member of the CBLDF!

Betsy Gomez is the Web Editor for CBLDF.


Last Day to Bid on Latest Round of Signed Exclusives from CBLDF


Posted Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

by Betsy Gomez

CBLDF currently has a load of amazing signed books — including Elektra: Assassin, George R.R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight, Bloom County, a copy of the Halo graphic novel signed sketched by Moebius, Rasl, and more — up for bid. But your chance to take one home is coming to a close! The auctions end today, so head over to CBLDF’s eBay site to place your bids now!

Betsy Gomez is the Web Editor for CBLDF.

Big Easy Turns Out Big Time For CBLDF!


Posted Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

By Charles Brownstein

Last week, the CBLDF launched the first Member Appreciation events of 2012 in New Orleans with a party at Crescent City Comics and a booth at Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con. The events raised a combined total of $2,600, and I got to meet scores of our loyal supporters from all over the south.

The events started on Friday night at Crescent City Comics whose crew hosted a Member Appreciation Party for CBLDF supporters. Crescent City is one of my favorite comic shops in the country because it has a great, knowledgeable crew that cares a lot about helping customers navigate their incredible inventory of comics, graphic novels, back issues, zines, and assorted weird cool stuff. They were all on hand providing warm hospitality for the full house of folks who came out to support the CBLDF. I got to give a short talk about the Fund’s current casework, and to talk to a bunch of the great people who came out for the party. Although the best part was probably giving away the raffle prizes. Check out the happy expression on grand prize winner Matt Ray:

Our other winners were just as chuffed:

Creators Andy Kuhn and Derec Donovan were there:

So was Caesar Meadows:

All told the event raised $300 for the CBLDF, including a generous contribution of 15% of the night’s sales from the store. We’re grateful to the great crew at Crescent City, who are pictured below, for putting it together.

Les Arceneaux and Leo McGovern:

Jill Carter & Clark Allen:

If you’re a retailer and would like to host a Member Appreciation event like this one at your store, please drop us a line. We can’t always send a staffer, but we can send raffle prizes and gifts for CBLDF members. We’ll also be happy to write it up on this website.

The next morning Wizard World’s New Orleans Comic Con kicked off, bringing a very busy crowd to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. I spoke to supporters from all over the Gulf who were coming out to get sketches, fill in their collections, and get autographs from the celebs on hand. I also spoke to supporters from even farther away, including one fellow from Germany and a lady from Australia, who was sent up for a corporate conference and was excited to find out that a comic book show was happening right across the street from her hotel. I pointed them to our Advisory about traveling with comics, because if there’s one thing the Brandon X case proves it’s that you can never be too careful when dealing with customs.

Attendance at the show was solid, and we were slammed from about noon til five on Saturday, and through the middle part of Sunday. I gave away a lot of copies of About Comics’ 24 Hour Comics collection to members who showed up with their membership cards to claim this appreciation reward. I also collected a lot of donations from folks who were excited by the range of books we had from supporting pros. I ran out of books by Robert Kirkman, Neil Gaiman and Dave Gibbons pretty early on Saturday, which means I underestimated the demand for these items. Shame on me. If you were there and missed out on one of these killer donation rewards, you can get most of them in our Rewards Zone. Ditto the CBLDF Grab Bags, which was hands down our most popular item. I brought 60 of these to offer as a thank you for folks donating $20 and ran out of them about an hour before the show closed on Sunday.

The Wizard World team did a fine job putting this con together. The floor had a positive energy and attracted a really solid mix of comic book fans, cosplay fans, and pop culture fans. This was good for the CBLDF, because we got to meet supporters from a region we don’t frequently reach, and we were able to introduce a lot of people to our work for the first time. This show wasn’t wall-to-wall comics the way a show like HeroesCon or Baltimore Comic-Con is, but it was wall-to-wall fandom. Before Big Bang Theory and The Walking Dead became the phenomenons they are, it was easier to make a case against the co-mingling of comics and media under the banner of a Comic Con. But today that case is becoming as outmoded as the stereotype that comics conventions are smelly affairs full of sad dudes in wrinkled t-shirts. Today fandom is mainstream, and this show embraced that in a positive way.

I’m grateful to the team at Wizard World who donated our space to exhibit, to Les, Leo, Jill & Clark at Crescent City, and especially to the hundreds of you who stopped by the table and talked with me about the First Amendment and made a contribution to our important work.

Next up for the CBLDF is the ComicsPro meeting in Dallas, where Deputy Director Alex Cox will be conducting events to thank the retail community supporting the Fund. My next trip will be to Image Expo in Oakland, where we’ve lined up an extremely cool Member Appreciation giveaway that I can’t wait to announce. If you see us at one of these shows, please come by and say hello!


Charles Brownstein is the Executive Director for Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Jill Carter contributed photography to this article.

Comics Should Be Good: Why Joining the CBLDF Matters


Posted Monday, January 30th, 2012

by Betsy Gomez

CBLDF Deputy Director Alex Cox and co-founder of the Comics Should Be Good blog at Comic Book Resources took a moment to explain why people should join the CBLDF on today’s CSBG blog. Head over to CBR to get the low down on CBLDF, comic book censorship, and how CBLDF protects your right to make, sell, buy, and read comics!

Please help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work by making a donation or becoming a member of the CBLDF!

Betsy Gomez is the Web Editor for CBLDF.

Comics Alliance Talks to Cliff Chiang About the CBLDF Member Card Artwork


Posted Friday, January 27th, 2012

by Betsy Gomez

Comics Alliance sat down with superstar artist Cliff Chiang to talk about the gorgeous original artwork he created for the 2012 member card. Chiang told Comics Alliance about his motivation:

“I wanted the membership card art to evoke patriotism and reflect our proud legacy of free speech, while also reminding us of the need to defend it vigorously,” Chiang told ComicsAlliance. “Free speech is the cornerstone of our industry, so it’s vitally important to support the efforts of the CBLDF.”

CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein also spoke with Comics Alliance:

“We love the image that Cliff created for our 2012 member card!” said CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein. “He has created a modern take on the classic image of Liberty and placed her in a context that says everything about the CBLDF’s important work. We’re proud to have this image to reward our members for signing up and elated that Cliff was able to create such a flawless visual statement about what the CBLDF stands for.”

You can read more about the artwork and view exclusive behind-the-scenes images at ComicsAlliance.com.

Fight Censorship! Celebrate Liberty! Join the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund today, and get your own membership card, featuring a stunning and exclusive portrait of Lady Liberty by Cliff Chiang! Join today!

Betsy Gomez is the Web Editor for CBLDF.

CBLDF Member Appreciation Events In New Orleans This Weekend!


Posted Friday, January 27th, 2012

Member Appreciation Party, Free Gifts For Members & Librarians, and Much More!

This weekend the CBLDF thanks the members supporting our  First Amendment legal work at Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con! The festivities kick off at Crescent City Comics tonight, where we’ll have a Member Appreciation Welcome Party with free gifts for CBLDF members, a raffle, and more!

Tonight we’re meeting local members to celebrate the start of Wizard World New Orleans at the CBLDF Welcome Party at Crescent City Comics! Hosted and sponsored by New Orleans’ premiere comic and graphic novel superstore, Crescent City Comics, the CBLDF Welcome Party will feature appearances by creators and include raffles for original art and signed books for folks donating to the Fund! Come meet some of the best creators in comics and stand up for the First Amendment at the CBLDF Wizard World New Orleans Welcome Party at Crescent City Comics, 4916 Freret Street. Call the store at 504-891-3796 for more details.

Then, you can visit us all weekend at Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con booth #806, where we’ll be offering free gifts to members and librarians and a vast range of signed items for CBLDF supporters!

Members of CBLDF can come to the CBLDF booth with their 2011 CBLDF membership card, featuring Green Lantern, or sign up at the show for 2012 membership to receive a FREE copy of 24 Hour Comics or 24 Hour Comics All Stars as a special thank you (available while supplies last).

Public or school librarians are welcome to present their business card or other proof of their status as a librarian to receive a FREE reading poster for their libraries. The poster is signed by Raina Telgemeier, the creator of Smile (while supplies last).

CBLDF will be offering comics and books signed by comics legends such as Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Robert Kirkman, Jim Lee, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Frank Quitely, and many more at our booth. We’re also bringing our famous CBLDF Grab Bag, sponsored by HeroesCon. Every single grab bag includes signed and rare comic books!

CBLDF’s Executive Director Charles Brownstein will be managing the CBLDF’s appearance at the event and will be on hand to talk about new issues in comic book censorship.

Join tens of thousands of fellow fans as they converge on the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con to celebrate the best in pop culture. Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con brings it all — Movies, Comics, Toys, Video Gaming, Games, TV, Graphic Novels, Horror, Wrestling, MMA, Original Art, Collectibles, Anime, Manga & More! This is Louisiana’s best new Comic Con!

Don’t miss out on CBLDF Member Appreciation events when we come through your town!
Join The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Today

CBLDF Announces 2012 Member Benefits!


Posted Thursday, January 26th, 2012



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

Today, the CBLDF unveiled its 2012 Membership Drive, featuring 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. CBLDF offers membership plans for donors in every budget, each with its own premiums and benefits, and all of them are tax-deductible!

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! Join now!

Membership starts at $25 per year, and every membership includes Chiang’s amazing membership card. At the $50 Supporter level, members receive a membership card, a car window decal, and a button set that includes a badge that proudly proclaims membership in the CBLDF.

The $100 Advocate members receive all of the Supporter premiums and also their choice of a CBLDF Tote Bag, featuring art by the great Sergio Aragonés; our popular “I READ BANNED COMICS” t-shirt; or a CBLDF branded water bottle, featuring the gone-but-not-forgotten Comics Code Authority emblem.

With a $250 Defender membership, donors receive the Supporter package, and their choice of TWO of the Advocate premiums. With the $500 Protector membership, members receive the entire Supporter and Advocate packages. At the Protector level, members will also have their name listed in a special “Thank You” section of the LIBERTY ANNUAL 2012, and they will receive a limited edition, full-color print of the membership card artwork, numbered and signed by artist Cliff Chiang!

The $1000 Champion membership includes everything in the other membership premium packages, plus the member’s 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

 

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 today, and help protect comics in 2012 and beyond!

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.

Come Support CBLDF At Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con!


Posted Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

by Charles Brownstein

This weekend come support the CBLDF’s First Amendment legal work at Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con! The festivities kick off at Crescent City Comics on Friday night, where we’ll have a Member Appreciation Welcome Party with free gifts for CBLDF members, a raffle, and more! Then, you can visit us all weekend at Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con booth #806, where we’ll be offering free gifts to members and librarians and a vast range of signed items for CBLDF supporters!

Members of CBLDF can come to the CBLDF booth with their 2011 CBLDF membership card, featuring Green Lantern, or sign up at the show for 2012 membership to receive a FREE copy of 24 Hour Comics or 24 Hour Comics All Stars as a special thank you (available while supplies last).

Public or school librarians are welcome to present their business card or other proof of their status as a librarian to receive a FREE reading poster for their libraries. The poster is signed by Raina Telgemeier, the creator of Smile (while supplies last).

CBLDF will be offering comics and books signed by comics legends such as Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Robert Kirkman, Jim Lee, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Frank Quitely, and many more at our booth. We’re also bringing our famous CBLDF Grab Bag, sponsored by HeroesCon. Every single grab bag includes signed and rare comic books!

CBLDF’s Executive Director Charles Brownstein will be managing the CBLDF’s appearance at the event and will be on hand to talk about new issues in comic book censorship.

On Friday night, CBLDF invites fans to celebrate the start of Wizard World New Orleans at the CBLDF Welcome Party. Hosted and sponsored by New Orleans’ premiere comic and graphic novel superstore, Crescent City Comics, the CBLDF Welcome Party will feature appearances by creators and include raffles for original art and signed books for folks donating to the Fund! Come meet some of the best creators in comics and stand up for the First Amendment at the CBLDF Wizard World New Orleans Welcome Party at Crescent City Comics, 4916 Freret Street. Call the store at 504-891-3796 for more details.

Join tens of thousands of fellow fans as they converge on the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con to celebrate the best in pop culture. Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con brings it all — Movies, Comics, Toys, Video Gaming, Games, TV, Graphic Novels, Horror, Wrestling, MMA, Original Art, Collectibles, Anime, Manga & More! This is Louisiana’s best new Comic Con!

Charles Brownstein is the Executive Director for CBLDF.

Amazing Arizona Comic Con Raises $1,500 for CBLDF


Posted Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

The convention year began last weekend at Amazing Arizona Comic Con in Mesa, Az. Robert Kirkman, Rob Liefeld, and Greg Capullo led off the show’s guest list, signing autographs throughout the weekend. CBLDF was there offering a wide variety of items for donations including grab bags and exclusive prints, all of which raised $1,500 for the organization. CBLDF thanks Jimmy Jay of the Amazing Arizona organization and Jeff Kuperschmidt who volunteered to run the CBLDF’s booth.

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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! Join now!Read the full post