Join CBLDF Tonight for ComicsPRO Auction!

Tnight, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is excited to present the Second Annual ComicsPRO Live Auction, which takes place at 8:30 pm during the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast in Norcross, Georgia! With a mix of original art, vintage prints, and surprise donations from our publishing partners, this Retailer Auction promises to continue a new tradition of fun and fundraising!

Dark Horse’s Scott Allie and IDW’s Dirk Wood (seated)

The Master of Ceremonies for this year’s auction will be Dirk Wood, IDW’s Vice President of Marketing and world-famous bon vivant. Special guests from across the comics world will pop in throughout the auction. (Last year saw some great guest auctioneers, including Dark Horse Editor-in-Chief Scott Allie, Dynamite Entertainment’s Founder and CEO Nick Barrucci, and Steve Rotterdam of the Bonfire Agency, among other luminaries). This event is made possible by ComicsPRO and is sponsored by Dynamite Entertainment.

This year’s auction includes many surprises, but the backbone is a donation from Diamond Comics’ Bill Schanes, a legendary figure who has helped shape the current comics market. The Schanes Collection features print sets from the early days of Pacific Comics and Schanes and Schanes Collectibles. The pedigree of artists in this collection is peerless, with work from Frank Frazetta, William Stout, John Pound, and more.

This is an awe-inspiring glimpse into the early days of the direct market and the birth of modern fandom, made possible by one of the foundational figures of the modern comics industry. CBLDF thanks Mr. Schanes for this donation, and is excited to see it move into new and loving arms over the course of the auction!

A few samples from the Schanes Collection:

Artwork from the motion picture Heavy Metal

Beautiful signed portfolio from the legendary Frank Frazetta.

Classic signed print from a much-missed genius, Jeffrey Catherine Jones.

Last year’s ComicsPRO Auction raised more than $8,000 in a short 90 minutes. Between publisher support, amazing donations from artists and other creators, and an enthusiastic crowd, we were able to turn a fun evening into an important fundraiser for CBLDF’s free speech work. More than anything, this is a testament to the dedication of comic shop owners towards the cause of Free Expression in comics, and we hope that our 2013 auction is bigger and better and continues to prove that when it comes to fighting for the rights of comic fans and creators, comics retailers lead the way!

We’re excited to see our retailer supporters at the Second Annual ComicsPRO Live Auction, tonight, February 22nd at 8:30 pm at the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast in Norcross, Georgia!

If you can’t make it to the auction, you can help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work by making a donation or becoming a member of the CBLDF!