Author: Betsy Gomez

Four Charged for Plot to Attack Danish Paper that Printed Muhammad Cartoons

In 2005, Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten gained worldwide attention when it published a series of 12 editorial cartoons, several of which depicted the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Depictions of Muhammad are forbidden by the Islamic faith, and the publication of the cartoons led to protests — many of which became violent — around the world. The Jyllands-Posten offices also became targets, weathering several threats. Most recently, four Swedes have been charged for allegedly planning a shooting attack on the offices. The four men have been charged with terrorism. For more on the story, visit The Washington Post and The New York Times.

Please help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work and reporting on issues such as this by making a donation or becoming a member of the CBLDF!

Last Round of The Muppet Show Sketch Variants Up for Auction!

For the past few weeks, Ultimate Comics has been auctioning sketch variants of The Muppet Show #1 to benefit CBLDF. The last round of sketch covers went up last week, and it’s a doozy! This week’s batch includes covers by Geof Darrow (Shaolin Cowboy), David Mack (Kabuki), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Guy Davis (B.P.R.D.), Casey Jones (New Warriors), Lance Sawyer (Geek Box), Robbi Rodriguez (Maintenance), and more! To bid, visit Ultimate Comics’ eBay page here. All funds raised by the auction go to CBLDF’s important First Amendment work.

Click through for a preview of the items up for auction!

ABFFE and NCAC Protest PayPal’s Erotic Content Policy

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and the National Coalition Against Censorship have written a letter to PayPal and parent company eBay in protest of PayPal’s threat to deactivate the accounts of publishers over certain kinds of erotic content.

Last week, it was revealed that PayPal had sent letters to several publishers threatening deactivation of their accounts if they did not remove content depicting incest, pseudo-incest, rape fantasies, bestiality (including non-human fantasy characters), and BDSM. In response, independent publisher e-books Smashwords notified its authors that they would need to remove the content in question because, in its words, “It is not feasible for us to switch to another provider, should such a suitable provider even exist.”

Read the full text of ABFFE and BCAC’s letter after the jump.

Manga Bookshelf Examines Apple’s Policies for Adult Content

This week, Melinda Beasi at Manga Bookshelf took some time to examine how Apple handles adult content in their iOS App Store. Beasi opened her article by recalling past concerns over how Apple has handled LGBTQ content, rejecting mild sexual LGBTQ content while allowing similar heterosexual content, seemingly without reservation. Apple has since embraced LGBTQ publishers, but Beasi’s article indicates that LGBTQ material may still be singled out by Apple, affecting manga publishers in particular.

Keep reading…

PayPal Threatens Deactivation of Publishers’ Accounts Over Erotic Content

Starting February 18, PayPal began contacting independent e-book publishers about new policies regarding erotic content. PayPal told publishers that they cannot sell erotic material that depicts incest, pseudo-incest, rape fantasies, bestiality (including non-human fantasy characters), and BDSM. Selling these materials will result in the deactivation of the publishers’ PayPal accounts. As a result of PayPal’s new policy, many publishers are taking down erotic work.

More after the jump…

One Million Moms Targets Toys “R” Us Over LIFE WITH ARCHIE #16

One Million Moms — a division of the American Family Association, a conservative non-profit organization that “promotes traditional family values” — recently made news over their boycott of retailer JC Penney over hiring lesbian TV host Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson. They are in the news again with recent reports that they will be boycotting Toys “R” Us over the display and sale of Life with Archie #16, which features the marriage of openly gay character Kevin Keller.

Keep reading…

Latest Round of Ultimate Comics’ Muppet Auctions Include Sketches from Christian Slade, Roger Langridge, and More!

We announced Ultimate Comics’ The Muppet Show #1 sketch variant cover auctions just last week, and an all-new new round of nine covers just went up!

Click through for a sneak peek or head over to Ultimate Comics’ eBay page to view all of the covers and bid on your favorite sketch! Proceeds from the auction benefit CBLDF’s important work in defense of the First Amendment!

Free Speech Hero Barney Rosset Passes Away

Barney Rosset’s Grove Press published some of the best known names in modern literature: Samuel Beckett, Allen Ginsberg, Henry Miller, William Burroughs, and more. Throughout his tenure as a publisher and filmmaker, Rosset was a crusader against obscenity laws. Rosset recently passed away at the age of 90. More after the jump…

The Good Fighters: Eric Stephenson

In many ways, Eric Stephenson has changed the face of comics publishing. Under his guidance as Publisher, Image Comics has become a juggernaut of innovative and creative comics projects, many of them critically acclaimed and instant sell-outs. Under Stephenson’s guidance, Image has become the go-to place for new ideas and new creators.

In addition to being an advocate for new creative work, Stephenson is also an advocate for free speech. His support for CBLDF is as fierce as his support of creators. Under Stephenson’s watch, Image Comics has become a corporate member, sponsored numerous parties, and published the CBLDF Liberty Annual, raising nearly $100,000 for CBLDF’s important First Amendment work.

For this edition of The Good Fighters, we took a moment to talk to Stephenson the eve of the first ever Image Expo, which takes place this weekend in Oakland, California.

Image Comics, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and iFanboy present the Image Expo Welcome Party

Experience Creativity with comics’ greatest creators at the Image Expo Welcome Party sponsored by Image Comics and iFanboy to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund! The party is free for CBLDF members and kicks off at 8 PM on February 24, 2012 at The Uptown in Oakland, California. This party jump starts a weekend of celebrating independent comics and free speech at the Image Expo, taking place at the Oakland Convention Center. Proceeds from the Image Expo Welcome Party will benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, who will have a gift bag for members and donors!

Keep reading for all the details!