Category: News Blog

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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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First Amendment Center Comments on Doonesbury Censorship

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This week, the print edition of the Chicago Tribune chose not to run Garry Trudeau’s Doonesbury comic strip because it did not meet their “standards of fairness.” The strip included excerpts from Joe McGinniss’s upcoming biography of Sarah Palin, and the move by the Tribune has many decrying the silencing of satire.

First Amendment Center President Ken Paulson offered his opinion in a recent column for the First Amendment Center website.

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Publishers Weekly Reports on SPX

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CBLDF wasn’t the only group to have a stellar Small Press Expo — Heidi McDonald and Calvin Reid reported on the event for Publishers Weekly, noting SPX’s record-breaking attendance and great sales!

PW cited the attendance of comics superstars Chester Brown and Craig Thompson, the latter of which debuted advance copies of his new graphic novel Habibi to benefit the CBLDF, as a large part of the reason SPX was so successful this year. You can read PW’s full report, including coverage of CBLDF’s attendance at the show, here.

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Larry Marder’s CBLDF Liberty Cards Diary: CBLDF Liberty Trading Cards are ON SALE NOW!

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Help support free speech by picking up Cryptozoic Entertainment’s CBLDF Liberty Trading Cards, in stores NOW!

Hi, Friends of Liberty!

After a year of collaboration, preparation and production with Cryptozoic Entertainment, I finally had the finished product in my hands: factory sealed, unopened boxes of CBLDF Liberty Trading Cards.

Like any project I’ve ever worked on, there is always that nervous moment when you take the product out of its shipping case and are about to discover if everything actually came out the way it was intended.

I decided to open up five boxes and see what treasures were hidden inside.

Keep reading for pictures of the cards Larry discovered in his boxes!

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SPX Raises $12,500 for CBLDF!

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Last weekend the art comics world stepped up their support for CBLDF by contributing $12,500 towards our program work during SPX 2011!

Comics royalty, including Craig Thompson, Roz Chast, and Sara Varon, performed exclusive fundraisers for the Fund. Thompson premiered his new magnum opus Habibi in a special signed and numbered preview edition of 100. Varon signed her brand new graphic novel Bake Sale, and Chast made original drawings to benefit the CBLDF and the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program. The Fund also hosted the first Jeff Alexander Memorial Benefit auction, which raised $2,200. A limited number of copies of the Habibi preview edition are available now in the CBLDF Rewards Zone, along with copies of Bake Sale.

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Virtual Read-out of Banned Books Is Launched

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Readers from across the United States and around the world are demonstrating their support for free speech by participating in a virtual read-out of banned and challenged books that will culminate during the 29th annual Banned Books Week (Sept. 24-Oct. 1), the only national celebration of the freedom to read. Individuals, libraries and bookstores are uploading videos to a special channel on YouTube, submitting either a reading of up to two minutes or a description of a local book challenge of up to three minutes.

CBLDF is a sponsor of Banned Books Week. Keep reading for more about the virtual read-out.

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CBLDF Liberty Trading Cards in Stores this Week

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The wait for Cryptozoic Entertainment’s CBLDF Liberty Trading Cards is finally over! Featuring all of the epic First Amendment battles that comic books have faced, from the marathon Senate hearings of the 1950s to today’s attacks on readers, CBLDF Liberty Trading Cards hit shelves this week! All proceeds from the sale of the cards benefit the First Amendment legal work of the CBLDF.

These collectible trading cards come in packs of five cards for $3.50, making them a great way to support CBLDF and learn about the First Amendment challenges comics books have faced over the years. Look for exclusive autograph and sketch card inserts! You can visit both Comics Alliance and ICv2 to view additional images and get the latest list of artists who contributed autograph and sketch cards.

Help support free speech by picking up Cryptozoic Entertainment’s CBLDF Liberty Trading Cards, in stores tomorrow!

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CBLDF Comics College Kicks Off with Fred Van Lente and Greg Pak on September 17!

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The CBLDF is proud to announce Comics College, a series of Master Sessions held at our New York City offices, featuring expert advice and insight from professionals of the industry. These sessions will be an opportunity for aspiring creators to learn about the craft and business of comics from experts.

Our first session delves into the secrets of self-publishing with Fred Van Lente (Action Philosophers, Incredible Hercules) and Greg Pak (Incredible Hercules, Incredible Hulk)! Join us for this in-depth workshop and q&a to learn the secrets of self-publishing from two of comics’ most popular creators.

Tickets are available at our webstore for a $50 donation. This session will be held on Saturday, September 17th from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at our New York office, located at 255 West 36th Street, Suite 501. Space is extremely limited, so get your tickets quick!

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