Category: News Blog

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Be Counted Week 2 Launches With SNL Tickets, Tom Brevoort, Chris Burnham & Bleeding Cool!

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This week the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund continues its Be Counted membership drive with brand new membership rewards including Saturday Night Live tickets and a meet and greet with Seth Meyers; a professional development review with Marvel SVP of Publishing Tom Brevoort; a variety of thank you’s from Batman Incorporated artist Chris Burnham, and a chance for professionals to get out of (or into) Bleeding Cool free!

Since launching the Be Counted campaign last Thursday, the CBLDF has raised over $19,000 towards its goal of raising $100,000 by October 31 for its legal and program work. If you aren’t a member of the CBLDF, now is the time to Be Counted and sign up for membership, which starts for as little as $25 a year and includes rewards like a Green Lantern membership card, and at higher levels, CBLDF tote bags, prints, and original art. Membership contributions are tax deductible and you’ll be thanked on our CBLDF Member List.

Check out all of our Be Counted member rewards, which include opportunities to meet supporters like Brian Azzarello, Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Mike Mignola, Gail Simone, Jeff Smith, Frank Quitely & more! Please join the CBLDF today!

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Charity Art Auction at Webcomics Con Benefits CBLDF

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Webcomics Con is a brand new convention celebrating online funnies October 1-2, 2011, in Norwalk, Connecticut. One of the events at the inaugural edition of Webcomics Con is a charity auction benefiting CBLDF and Hero Initiative! If you’re attending, don’t miss the auction, which will take place from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. in the Sawmill Room of the Dolce Hotel and Resort.

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CBLDF Comics College Hits the Left Coast with PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY IN COMICS

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The CBLDF is proud to announce our next Comics College Master Session: Promotion and Publicity in Comics! Join author Sam Humphries (Our Love is Real, Fraggle Rock) and journalist Andy Khouri for this in-depth workshop and Q&A. Learn the secrets of promotion from both sides of the publicity equation! Humphries will be sharing lessons from the marketing of Our Love Is Real, and Khouri will be sharing insights from his experience as the Associate Editor of Comics Alliance.

This ticketed event will be held on September 27, 6:00 p.m. PDT, at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles, California (7522 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90046; 323-851-7223). Tickets are available for a $50 donation.

Don’t miss this singular opportunity for aspiring creators to learn about the craft and business of comics from experts. Space is extremely limited, so get your tickets quick!

If you can’t make it to this stellar event, you can still support CBLDF by bidding on rare items in the Our Love Is Real charity auction. The auction closes soon!

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It’s Banned Books Week!

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This week, we celebrate the freedom to read with Banned Books Week!

CBLDF is a sponsor of this important week-long event. You can show your support by reading some of the books and comics that have been challenged in libraries around the country and by becoming a member of the Fund. You can also join the celebration by posting a video of yourself advocating for your favorite banned comic in the Virtual Read-Out.

There are any number of ways to celebrate Banned Books Week and your freedom to read! Click through to discover more about Banned Books Week.

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NYC: Volunteer Recruitment Party on Sep 27!

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The CBLDF Wants You! Sign up to volunteer at the CBLDF’s NYC Volunteer Recruitment Party at Jim Hanley’s Universe (4 West 33rd St.). As New York Comic-Con approaches, the CBLDF needs the help of dedicated volunteers more than ever.

If you have a talent and the desire to put it to work for a good cause, we want you on board! As a volunteer for CBLDF, you’ll have a chance to boost your resume, build teamwork and leadership skills, and meet some great people along the way. This event is an opportunity for volunteers past and present to mingle, learn about what the Fund has been up to, and how you can help. Pizza will be served.

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Manga Is Not A Crime!

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The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund are pleased to announce that the Crown has withdrawn all criminal charges in R. v. Matheson, the case previously described as the “Brandon X case,” which involved a comic book reader who faced criminal charges in Canada relating to comic books on his computer. The defendant, Ryan Matheson, a 27-year-old comic book reader, amateur artist, and computer programmer has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.

The total legal costs of this case exceeded $75,000. After taking the case last summer, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund contributed $20,000 to the defense, and the Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund contributed $11,000. The CBLDF also participated in shaping the defense, including recruiting expert testimony for the trial. The organization is currently seeking funds to help pay off the $45,000 debt Matheson incurred as a result of his case, and to create new tools to prevent future cases. To make a contribution to these important efforts, please visit www.cbldf.org.

Learn more about the shocking details of this case and how you can support the CBLDF’s efforts to fight back!

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Comics College Report: Fred Van Lente and Greg Pak Talk Self-Publishing

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This past Saturday, dynamic duo Fred van Lente (Action Philosophers, Incredible Hercules, Comic Book Comics) and Greg Pak (Incredible Hercules, Incredible Hulk, Vision Machine) kicked off the season’s Comics College with a two hour workshop on the secrets of self-publishing. The intimate workshop covered the relationships among creators, publishers, distributors, journalists, and retailers. Van Lente and Pak brought comics and books to hand out to attendees and shared their personal journeys to success. more

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ARTISTS TO THE RESCUE, WAVE II — ORIGINAL ART AUCTIONS BENEFIT CBLDF!

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With the Canada Customs Case drawing closer, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund continues its vital fundraising auctions with help from artists across the wide spectrum of the comic book industry. In an effort to raise over $100,000 by the end of October, artist supporters and Fund members have truly stepped up and provided benefit material ranging from pin-ups to original pages to covers, all in support of defending a comic fan from the threat of prison and hopefully setting a precedent that allows creators, retailers, publishers, fans alike to travel freely across the border without fear of persecution or harassment.

Keep reading for a look at the latest pieces up for auction, including gorgeous pieces by Mike Mignola and Charles Vess!

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OUR LOVE IS REAL Auctions and Events Benefit CBLDF

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The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is currently raising money for an incredibly important case — a case that could potentially set a precedent that would protect comic book content crossing the border into Canada. With this urgent case on the horizon, the creators of Our Love Is Real, one of the most provocative comics of 2011, have come to the aid of the CBLDF, offering a series of exciting fund-raising events to benefit this vital case!

Keep reading for more information about the auctions and an exciting new addition to CBLDF’s Comics College!

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Creators and Retailers Unite for CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011 Signings

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CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011 hits shelves on October 12. In celebration, retailers around the world are having signings with several of the creators who contributed to the best LIBERTY ANNUAL yet!

CBLDF is delighted to have the support of retailers and creators not only for CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011, but also for UNITED AGAINST CENSORSHIP, a series of in-store signings that will take place the day the book hits store shelves! Click through to find an event near you!

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