Category: Features

Listen to CBLDF: 25 Years of Protecting Creativity Panel from SDCC

by Betsy Gomez • August 2, 2011 • Comments Off

Bleeding Cool has posted audio and video for several panels from Comic-Con International. Among them is a recording of CBLDF: 25 Years of Protecting Creativity, which took place on Saturday, July 23, from 3:00 – 4:00 pm in Room 9. The panel description:

When the CBLDF was established in 1986 it was to defend a retailer who faced jail time for selling mature comics to an adult reader, because the common belief was that comics were for kids. Today, comics are a widely respected literary form, and they got there in part thanks to the Fund’s 25 years of protecting the industry’s creativity in court. Come learn how the CBLDF has stood up for comics in this informative presentation of their history, and look ahead towards the issues facing readers today.

Moderated by CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein, the panel offered a comprehensive history of comic book censorship and CBLDF’s work to prevent it. You can listen to the entire panel here.

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

Defending the Art: CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein Talks to Graphic Novel Reporter

by Betsy Gomez • August 1, 2011 • Comments Off

John Hogan with Graphic Novel Reporter recently took time to speak to CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein about CBLDF and how it’s mission has evolved over the last 25 years.

In addition to getting the latest details on CBLDF’s Canada Customs Case, Hogan asked about the specific challenges comics face. Brownstein succinctly described how the focus of CBLDF’s efforts has changed from protecting small retailers to protecting collectors themselves:

The challenges are always changing. When the CBLDF started, our work was most urgently needed to protect small comic book stores from prosecutions by local authorities because of mature readers comics they sold to adults. In the ’90s, our work shifted to help artists who were being prosecuted by authorities. In the late ’90s and early 2000s, the pendulum shifted back to helping retailers, and at the same time fighting against laws that targeted the internet and that would have made it impossible for retailers to display “harmful to minors” material—work protected for adults, but nebulously illegal for minors because of nudity and sexual content. Now we are seeing an increasing surge of prosecutorial efforts directed at readers for the comics they own and on their digital devices.

CBLDF at SDCC: The Roundup

by Betsy Gomez • July 29, 2011 • Comments Off

Comic-Con has come and gone, and with it, another exciting week of events with CBLDF!

From the debut of new t-shirts and new Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab fragrances to CBLDF Master Sessions with some of the biggest names in the industry to our annual benefit auction, the Fund had a great week at Booth 1920, talking to supporters old and new and getting the word out about our Canada Customs Case, thanks in large part to Bonfire Agency and their new consumer ad campaign.

Read on for more photos and coverage of CBLDF’s trip to Comic-Con!

Bill Willingham Auctions DOWN THE MYSTERLY RIVER to Benefit CBLDF

by Betsy Gomez • July 28, 2011 • Comments Off

Bill Willingham is the writer of the ever-popular and award-winning series Fables. He has also authored prose spin-offs of the series, including Down the Mysterly River, which will be in stores in mid-September.

To support CBLDF, WIllingham has donated an advance reading copy of the book, which you can bid on now!

During Comic-Con, Willingham took a moment to talk to CBLDF about the donation:

SDCC: Latest Donations for CBLDF’s Benefit Auction

by Betsy Gomez • July 23, 2011 • Comments Off

The CBLDF Benefit Auction, sponsored by TFAW, gets started at 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton Bayfront in the Sapphire Ballroom. You can see a most of the artwork in the slideshow below, but we’ve also added some great pieces onsite!

The gallery that follows features the latest additions, and you can find the bidding rules and a list of items in the auction after the jump. Visit CBLDF booth 1920 throughout the day to get your bidder number!

SDCC: First Look at CBLDF Booth 1920!

by Betsy Gomez • July 20, 2011 • Comments Off

Lines have formed and costumes have been dusted off — it’s almost time for Comic-Con!

CBLDF is on the scene and ready to go at booth 1920 with an amazing assortment of new items. Here’s your first peak at the booth! Don’t miss our new shirts from John Cassaday and Matt Wagner! We have new colors of our popular “I Read Banned Comics” shirt, including ladies’ sizes! Don’t miss the new luchador-themed scents from BPAL, which come with an inspired print from J.Gonzo! Finally, don’t miss our selection of signed premiums for kids — from Babymouse to Bone, we have a whole table of books for younger fans!

Click through for a sneak peek at the CBLDF booth. Come find us at Comic-Con, booth 1920!

SDCC: CBLDF Master Sessions & Panels!

by Betsy Gomez • July 18, 2011 • Comments Off

Throughout Comic-Con International, July 20-24, you’ll find amazing signed premiums and CBLDF exclusives at Booth 1920. But the action doesn’t stop there — CBLDF has an incredible series of panels throughout the weekend!

From learning at the feet of comics masters, such as Jaime Hernandez, Matt Wagner, David Peterson, and more, to getting the latest information about CBLDF’s Canada Customs Case, to our annual benefit auction, CBLDF offers plenty of opportunities to learn about the Fund and see some of our biggest supporters in action!

Read on to find out more about CBLDF’s Comic-Con International panels!

Bonfire Agency Launches CBLDF’s First Consumer Advertising Campaign

by Betsy Gomez • July 15, 2011 • Comments Off

With the recent announcement of CBLDF’s Canada Customs Case, CBLDF gained a valuable new partner in the fight for Free Speech: Bonfire Agency. Bonfire, a firm specializing in pop culture marketing, took on the heady task of helping CBLDF reach out to supporters with the first consumer advertising campaign in CBLDF’s history.

To support CBLDF’s defense of free speech, you can make a donation or become a member. Thanks to Bonfire, you can also run print ads, post a banner on your website, or provide an informative pamphlet to your customers. Download the print ad here. You can also download several sizes of animated or flat banners: 160 x 600 banner (swf or gif), 300 x 250 banner (swf or gif), or 728 x 90 banner (swf or gif). Finally, the pamphlet is available for download here.
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Judge Hears Arguments in Case Challenging Search of Electronic Devices at Borders

by Betsy Gomez • July 12, 2011 • Comments Off

In the past three years, nearly 12,000 people have had their electronic devices searched when crossing international borders into the United States. These searches are being challenged in Abidor v. Napolitano, a case that could have repercussions for anyone carrying electronic devices when crossing international borders into the United States.

The case sheds light on the border search issues that CBLDF has been tracking and about which we issued an advisory last spring. Abidor v. Napolitano pertains specifically to the search and seizure of Pascal Abidor’s laptop when he traveled by train from Canada to New York. Upon learning that Abidor, an American and French citizen and Islamic Studies graduate student, had traveled in the Middle East, US Customs and Border patrol agents pulled Abidor aside and ordered him to log into his laptop. They proceeded to examine the contents of his laptop, which included images of Islamic militants that Abidor was using for research purposes. Abidor was then handcuffed, placed in a jail cell, and interrogated for several hours by Department of Homeland Security agents. Abidor was released that night, but the DHS held onto his laptop for a further 11 days, returning it only after the ACLU inquired after it on Abidor’s behalf.

On September 10, 2010, the ACLU filed a lawsuit on behalf of Abidor, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), and the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), arguing that DHS’s practice of searching personal electronic devices is unconstitutional, violating both the First and Fourth Amendments. more

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

Babymouse Supports Free Speech with the CBLDF

by Betsy Gomez • July 11, 2011 • Comments Off

Babymouse, the star of the eponymous and award-winning graphic novel series, supports Free Speech and has plenty to say about it!

Fans of the extremely popular Babymouse series were treated to something special at this year’s ALA annual conference: the premiere of a CBLDF-exclusive Babymouse print, illustrated by series artist Matthew Holm!

As an extra bonus, on Saturday afternoon during the conference — shortly before being awarded another Newbery Honor — Babymouse author Jennifer L. Holm was on hand at the CBLDF booth to sign the prints and express her support for the Fund in person! Fans of every age stopped by to join the Fund and get a signed print, and the excitement was infectious as Jenni interacted with Babymouse readers.

The Holms created the print to generate interest in Free Speech and the First Amendment among younger readers. The Holms have enjoyed huge success with the award-winning Babymouse graphic novel series, and this signed print is an exciting addition to the many donation premiums available from the CBLDF!

The Babymouse print is now available in our online donation center, and it will be in stock in our booth during Comic-Con International in San Diego. CBLDF will also have copies of Babymouse and Squish, signed by both Matthew and Jenni Holm, at Comic-Con.

CBLDF thanks the Holms for creating this wonderful print and their continued support of Free Expression!

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