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…
Category: Features
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.
ComicsPRO Goes Big For CBLDF!
Last weekend the CBLDF’s Deputy Director Alex Cox visited the ComicsPRO Meeting in Dallas where he met with the industry’s best retailers and publishing professionals. He takes you into this ultimate insiders weekend, including full highlights from the exciting ComicPRO CBLDF Benefit Auction that raised more than $8,000 for the Fund!
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The Good Fighters: Cliff Chiang
Cliff Chiang does more than draw the best Wonder Woman around. In addition to his prodigious talent as an artist, he’s a witty and generous fellow, always ready to donate his dwindling spare time to a worthy cause. When CBLDF asked Chiang to create a new vision of Lady Liberty for our 2012 member cards, he fashioned an image as iconic as the Statue of Liberty herself.
In this installment of The Good Fighters, we sat down with Chiang for a quick chat about the impetus behind his Lady Liberty design and why he supports CBLDF.
Membership Cards Are Go!
If you joined the CBLDF as a 2012 Member, your membership kits are on their way! Our interns, volunteers, and staff are busy getting everything sorted and out the door, fulfilling Membership orders for one of our best launching drives ever!
CBLDF Deputy Director Alex Cox takes you behind the scenes at the CBLDF office and shows how our team is hard at work getting these rewards out to you, and has info on how you can be a part of it as an office volunteer!
Banned Malaysian Cartoonist Exhibits Work in London
Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque’s work is banned in his home country of Malaysia, where he is better known as political cartoonist Zunar. Because of his work, Zunar has had his office raided and his books banned, and he’s been detained by authorities on sedition charges. Zunar may ultimately have the last laugh later this month when his work goes on display in a London gallery.
CBLDF Live Auction at ComicsPRO Annual Meeting
by Alex Cox
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is excited to announce the First Annual Retailer Auction, at the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting, Friday, February 10th, at 9:00 p.m.!
Taking place in the Hilton Double Tree “Cypress Room,” the CBLDF will be auctioning a number of original art pieces form artist supporters such as Jeff Smith, Francis Manapul, David Lloyd, and more, as well as a variety of surprise items from our publishing and distributor partners! Expect surprise guest auctioneers, one-of-a-kind pieces, and exclusive, one-time-only prizes! Best of all, all proceeds go directly into the First Amendment work of the CBLDF!
Sponsored by BOOM! Studios, there will be a full bar provided, and this promises to be an easy social highlight of an already exciting weekend! All attending ComicsPRO members are invited; this is a great way to support our free speech work, and go home with some amazing artwork, and much, much more!
Why Tucson Matters
Last year, the state of Arizona passed HB 2281, a controversial bill that resulted in the termination of the highly praised Mexican American Studies program in the Tucson Independent School District. The program was ended despite an independent audit that advocated for its continuation.
Last week, TUSD released a list of books that would be removed from classrooms and put in indefinite storage. The banned books included contributions from a virtual who’s who of Mexican American and Native American authors and artists…
Please help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work by making a donation or becoming a member of the CBLDF!
Comics Should Be Good: Why Joining the CBLDF Matters
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!
CBLDF Joins National Organizations in Condemning Arizona School Censorship
In response to an Arizona state law banning the teaching of ethnic studies courses, the Tucson Unified School District released a list of books that have been banned from the classroom. Popular textbooks, novels, and collections by revered Mexican American and Native American authors were among the titles removed from classrooms. CBLDF has joined a coalition of organizations — including the ACLU of Arizona, ABFFE, ALA’s Freedom to Read Coalition, and many more — in a joint statement decrying this censorship.