Month: September 2011

Virtual Read-out of Banned Books Is Launched

by Betsy Gomez • September 13, 2011 • Comments Off

Readers from across the United States and around the world are demonstrating their support for free speech by participating in a virtual read-out of banned and challenged books that will culminate during the 29^th annual Banned Books Week (Sept. 24-Oct. 1), the only national celebration of the freedom to read. Individuals, libraries and bookstores are uploading videos to a special channel on YouTube, submitting either a reading of up to two minutes or a description of a local book challenge of up to three minutes.

CBLDF is a sponsor of Banned Books Week. Keep reading for more about the virtual read-out.

CBLDF Liberty Trading Cards in Stores this Week

by Betsy Gomez • September 12, 2011 • Comments Off

The wait for Cryptozoic Entertainment’s CBLDF Liberty Trading Cards is finally over! Featuring all of the epic First Amendment battles that comic books have faced, from the marathon Senate hearings of the 1950s to today’s attacks on readers, CBLDF Liberty Trading Cards hit shelves this week! All proceeds from the sale of the cards benefit the First Amendment legal work of the CBLDF.

These collectible trading cards come in packs of five cards for $3.50, making them a great way to support CBLDF and learn about the First Amendment challenges comics books have faced over the years. Look for exclusive autograph and sketch card inserts! You can visit both Comics Alliance and ICv2 to view additional images and get the latest list of artists who contributed autograph and sketch cards.

Help support free speech by picking up Cryptozoic Entertainment’s CBLDF Liberty Trading Cards, in stores tomorrow!

CBLDF Comics College Kicks Off with Fred Van Lente and Greg Pak on September 17!

by cbldf • September 9, 2011 • Comments Off

The CBLDF is proud to announce Comics College, a series of Master Sessions held at our New York City offices, featuring expert advice and insight from professionals of the industry. These sessions will be an opportunity for aspiring creators to learn about the craft and business of comics from experts.

Our first session delves into the secrets of self-publishing with Fred Van Lente (Action Philosophers, Incredible Hercules) and Greg Pak (Incredible Hercules, Incredible Hulk)! Join us for this in-depth workshop and q&a to learn the secrets of self-publishing from two of comics’ most popular creators.

Tickets are available at our webstore for a $50 donation. This session will be held on Saturday, September 17th from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at our New York office, located at 255 West 36th Street, Suite 501. Space is extremely limited, so get your tickets quick!

The Cartoons that Shook the World

by Betsy Gomez • September 9, 2011 • Comments Off

When Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks drew political cartoons that depicted the prophet Muhammad, he probably didn’t recognize just how much danger he was putting himself into. In the six years since, he’s gone to extreme lengths to preserve his safety. The Sydney Morning Herald ran an interesting article this week discussing the fallout of Vilks’s cartoons, both for him and for other cartoonists.

Jytte Klausen, a professor of comparative politics at Brandeis University and the author of a new book entitled The Cartoons that Shook the World, noted that cartoonists now self-censor themselves, a distressing development and a blow to free speech around the world. You can read the full article here.

Support CBLDF’s defense of free speech and coverage of issues like this by making a donation or becoming a member today!

Craig Thompson Talks SPX and Habibi

by Betsy Gomez • September 8, 2011 • Comments Off

CBLDF is delighted to launch Craig Thompson’s highly anticipated new graphic novel, Habibi, during SPX 2011. You can get one of 100 signed and numbered advance copies of this gorgeous book during the show! CBLDF is also auctioning an exclusive lunch with Thompson.

Thompson recently spoke with Mike Rhode at the Washington City Paper about the book, his other works, and his appearance at SPX, which benefits CBLDF. CBLDF came up when Rhode asked Thompson about splitting his projects between Top Shelf and Pantheon:

Right now I’m still doing Blankets for Top Shelf and I have another book in the next year or two. Beyond that I’m not even thinking about any one of my projects in terms of a publisher; I just want to work on them. It turns out the jump I made was really good initially. One, because I got an advance that I was able to carve out a nice chunk of time to devote to the book. And beyond that, honestly I got better contractual details that were good in terms of maintaining some of my rights as a creator. I feel that right now it’s making sense to have both publishers coexisting because you tap a far different market when working with a book publisher, but I never want to lose sight of my small comics press roots. Pantheon has been really great in that sense because when my publicist started organizing a tour, I said to her I want to be at SPX and APE and comic shops, and we have this CBLDF fundraiser kind of kicking off everything, and they really accommodated that. I had this fear that I would just be doing Barnes and Noble, but in fact I have a lot of comic book stuff happening.

You can read the full article here. CBLDF has a number of events during SPX, including the Jeff Alexander Memorial Benefit Auction and signings with Thompson. Look here for details soon!

Events at SPX to benefit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program

by Betsy Gomez • September 7, 2011 • Comments Off

The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce two fundraising events that will occur at the 2011 festival.

Roz Chast original cartoons

New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, known for her single-panel cartoons, illustration work and children’s books, will draw and sell original cartoons at the SPX signing table. Proceeds will be divided equally between SPX’s new Graphic Novel Gift Program and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Pen and ink drawings will be $25 and watercolor drawings $50; Ms. Chast will be drawing on Saturday, 1:30-3:30PM and 5:00-6:30PM, and on Sunday from Noon-1:30PM. Additionally, books will be available for purchase at the signing table from our good friends at Politics & Prose.

Jeff Alexander Memorial Benefit Auction

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the organizers of SPX are proud to honor the memory of former SPX Executive Director Jeff Alexander by launching an annual benefit auction in his name. Jeff Alexander was a friend to the small press community, both as a cartoonist and an organizer of SPX and the Ignatz Awards. He passed away earlier this year.

The first annual Jeff Alexander Memorial Benefit Auction includes pieces from Jeff’s personal collection that he donated to the CBLDF. Additional contributions have been donated by the SPX community, including Keith Knight, Raina Telgemeier, Jeffrey Brown and many more. more

SPX 11: Jeff Alexander Memorial Auction Preview – UPDATED

by cbldf • September 6, 2011 • Comments Off

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the organizers of SPX are proud to honor the memory of Jeff Alexander by launching an annual benefit auction in his name at this year’s convention. Jeff Alexander was a friend to the small press community, both as a cartoonist and an organizer of SPX and the Ignatz Awards. He passed away earlier this year.

The first annual Jeff Alexander Memorial Benefit Auction includes pieces from Jeff’s collection that he donated to the CBLDF, including original art by Charles Vess & Jeff Smith, Tony Millionaire, and Roger Langridge. The auction also includes contributions from the SPX community, including Keith Knight, Raina Telgemeier, Jeffrey Brown and many more.

Below is a full listing of items that will be available in the auction, which will happen this Saturday at 4:30 at SPX. Internet bids will be received by emailing charles.brownstein@cbldf.org by Saturday afternoon at 1 PM ET.

Mike Diana Talks to Richardson Magazine

by Betsy Gomez • September 2, 2011 • Comments Off

In 1997 — in spite of aid from CBLDF — Mike Diana became the first American artist to be convicted of obscenity in the United States. Diana is the controversial creator of the zine Boiled Angel, and his work contains graphic and often shocking depictions of society’s most serious problems: child abuse, date rape, and religious corruption.

Richardson Magazine recently interviewed Diana about his prosecution, conviction, and subsequent punishment. Diana describes his experience and how CBLDF got involved:

The first time I showed up to court to enter my plea I was mobbed with TV and radio reporters as well as two groups of concerned Christian citizens with protest signs. I plead not guilty and then contacted the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund for help. They got me a lawyer, Luke Lerot, and after much red tape and attempting and failing to get the case thrown out or moved to Tampa, where we felt we would get a better chance at a fair jury, it was time a year later to go to trial.

I was railroaded in court, the prosecution told the jury I was a suspect in the Gainsville murders even though the real killer was caught and had plead guilty just days before my trial started. They claimed that the art in Boiled Angel was made for killers and would turn people who read it into killers…

You can read the full interview here. (Note: The article contains NSFW images.)

Support CBLDF’s defense of free speech by making a donation or becoming a member today!

Creators Come to the Rescue With New CBLDF Auctions!

by cbldf • September 1, 2011 • Comments Off

Comic book artists nationwide are shocked by the details of CBLDF’s Canada Customs case, and are supporting the CBLDF’s efforts to raise $150,000 to fight the case by contributing original art being auctioned right now to benefit CBLDF!

This week on eBay, the CBLDF is proud to offer original art contributed by legendary creators including Bernie Wrightson, David Lloyd, Cully Hamner, Tony Harris, Camilla d’Errico and many more. The next $30,000 payment in this case is due this September, and these auctions will be crucial to helping CBLDF contribute that expense. Bid Now!

Click through for a gallery of the pieces up for auction!

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