Report Censorship
Report Censorship or Request Assistance

CBLDF is committed to supporting the comics community. Fill out our form to request assistance or report censorship today!

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Report Censorship
Report Censorship or Request Assistance

CBLDF is committed to supporting the comics community. Fill out our form to request assistance or report censorship today!

MORE
Features, Homepage, News Blog

Listen to CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein Talk to the Annual Conference on Libraries and the Future

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Recently, CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein addressed the Long Island Resources Council’s Annual Conference on Libraries and the Future. The theme of this year’s meeting was “Extinction is not an Option: Ensuring OUR Future,” focusing on the future of libraries in an increasingly digital environment. Brownstein spoke about the history of comics censorship and the challenges comics will face in the future. You can listen to the discussion and download a PDF of the presentation here.

Please help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work by bidding on original artwork, making a donation, or becoming a member of the CBLDF!

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Features, Homepage, News Blog

The Washington Post Tells the Tale of Two Occupy Cartoonists

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Two weeks ago, cartoonist Susie Cagle was arrested during a night of violence that marred the Occupy Oakland protests. Despite wearing a press badge and participating peacefully, Cagle and several other nonviolent protesters were taken in for failure to leave the scene of a riot.

Michael Cavna with The Washington Post recently examined Cagle’s work in his blog, Comic Riffs, and compared it to the work of cartoonist Nate Beeler. Both cartoonists are situated in the middle of the action — Cagle in Oakland and Beeler at Occupy D.C. And both have divergent takes on the events taking place:

From his drawing board, Nate Beeler can survey it all. The block-lettered signs and dirt-caked tents, the makeshift meals and ever-present drums. The political cartoonist sits perched in the K Street NW newsroom of the Washington Examiner, on the block neatly overlooking the Occupy D.C. encampment. As the protestors go through their rhythms established from six weeks of autumn squatting, Beeler — amused — can’t help but smirk.

On the opposite coast, in the middle of Occupy Oakland, another talented young cartoonist, Susie Cagle, finds her city’s scene engrossing. So much so that she decides to draw closer, to commune with the plaza’s protestors and understand what makes them tick and picket.

You can read the rest of Cavna’s fascinating article about how these two cartoonist exercise their right to Free Speech here.

The diversity among the cartooning voices covering the Occupy movement is only possible because of the First Amendment. Please help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work by bidding on original artwork, making a donation, or becoming a member of the CBLDF!

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Features, Fundraising, Headline, Homepage, News Blog, Press Releases

MTV GEEK Supports CBLDF With Original Art Auction

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During New York-Comic-Con, MTV Geek held a private party for staff and contributors. In attendance were some of the biggest names in comics, many of whom created live art to benefit CBLDF. Now you have the chance to own some of that art!

Creators who joined MTV Geek at the party included Jim Lee (Justice League), Todd McFarlane (Spawn), Frank Quitely (All-Star Superman), Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time), Brad Neely (China, IL), Richard Starkings (Elephantmen), Paul Pope (Batman: Year 100), Jon Schnepp (Metalocalypse), Steve Ellis (High Moon), and more. While enjoying music from DJ Aub Driver (Dark Horse Comics), several joined the massive live art session. The art created during the party is now being auctioned to benefit CBLDF. You can bid on the art here.

“Many thanks go to Bradley Hatfield, Chris Moeser, and Tom Akel with MTV Geek for organizing the event and lending their support to CBLDF,” said CBLDF Development Manager Alex Cox. “MTV Geek has been a terrific supporter of the Fund since they launched, and with this event they brought in some amazing talent. The art produced will help us raise much-needed funds to defend Brandon X in Canada.” (Learn more about the Brandon X case here.)

Don’t miss your chance to win gorgeous original art by some of the biggest names in comics! Follow MTV Geek (@MTVGeek) and the CBLDF (@cbldf) on Twitter for spotlight auctions over the next several days!

Click through for a gallery of pieces in the auction. You can also view them here.

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Features, Homepage

The Good Fighters: Jason Gonzalez

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One way to describe Jason Gonzalez, a.k.a J.Gonzo, is sharp. From the bold lines and colors of his designs and tattoos to the quick-witted ease with which he converses, Gonzalez is also an enthusiastic fan and creator of comic books, including his self-published opus to luchadores, La Mano Del Destino. His stories and artwork are steeped in tradition, from his Chicano background, to his embrace of the mythological hero’s quest, and finally to his love for the vintage imagery that once populated advertising.

Gonzalez is also a dedicated supporter of CBLDF, as you’ll see in this episode of The Good Fighters.

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Features, Homepage, News Blog

Susie Cagle Talks to Comics Alliance About Her Arrest

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Last week, cartoonist Susie Cagle was arrested during the latest round of violence that has marred the Occupy Oakland protests. Laura Hudson with Comics Alliance interviewed Cagle about the arrest.

Cagle describes the moment the police came to arrest her, along with several other demonstrators:

I found this doorway, and there were tons of people crammed in there — maybe 20 or 30. Many of them had the bright green National Lawyers Guild legal observer hats, and I thought, that is a good place to be. So I ran in there and we all put our hands up thinking this should be all right. We’re away from the action, clearly peaceful, and I have my press badge around my neck. The police come up to the doorway and are basically about to beat us, and we have to scream, “No, no, please please.” About 20 seconds later, they said, “Everyone get on the ground, you’re under arrest.”

Read the rest of Cagle’s interview here.

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Features, Homepage, News Blog, Press Releases

REMINDER: Registration For Webinar on Comics & Manga Censorship Closes Today!

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Throughout November, the American Library Association presents “Intellectual Freedom Across the Globe,” a series of online learning opportunities focused on intellectual freedom issues. CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein will be participating on November 9, during a webinar on comics and manga censorship around the globe, and you can join in! Registration for the November 9 session closes today, don’t miss out!

Keep reading for more details in the official press release…

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Features, Headline, Homepage, News Blog

Cartoonist Arrested During Occupy Oakland Protests

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Despite wearing a press pass and being recognized by one of her arresting officers, cartoonist and journalist Susie Cagle was arrested last week, during the latest round of violence that has marred the Occupy Oakland protests. Cagle wrote about her experience on her blog:

I was detained for 15 hours and ultimately charged with the same misdemeanor as other demonstrators and NLG legal observers: PC 409, failure to leave the scene of a riot. Our arraignment dates are a month from now, and we were explicitly warned against returning to the plaza in the meantime. As I told ABC7, I feel like the OPD does, I think: confused.

Keep reading…

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Features, Fundraising, Homepage, News Blog

Celebrate Neil Gaiman’s Birthday with a CBLDF Fundraiser!

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Perennial Fund supporter Neil Gaiman celebrates his birthday on November 10, and the ladies with the Fangirls: Comics Club and A Comic Shop are ready to party! You can join them at The Geek Easy inside A Comic Shop (114 S. Semoran Blvd, Winter Park, FL) on November 10 from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. for comics, music, games and more. Neil will be calling in so everyone can sing Happy Birthday to him! To celebrate, the organizers are also holding a raffle to raise funds for CBLDF.

For more details, visit the Facebook event page here.

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Fundraising, Homepage, News Blog

Come See The CBLDF At MIX!

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This weekend, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is headed to MIX, the Minneapolis Indie Xpo! We’ll have a booth open both days, where we’re thanking donors with a terrific array of signed books from authors including Charles Burns, Dan Clowes, Michael Kupperman, Jeff Lemire, Craig Thompson, Jim Woodring, and more! The Fund’s Charles Brownstein will also present Censorship Then & Now, the Fund’s history of censorship in comics on Sunday at 2:30. A party benefiting CBLDF happens on Friday night.

Dedicated to promoting small press and art comics, MIX is free to the public and showcases an incredible roster of art comics royalty including Zander Cannon, Kris Dresen, Mike Dawson, Sara Glidden, Sam Hiti, Dustin Harbin, Kevin Huisenga, Robert Kirby, Jon Lewis, Corinne Mucha, MariNaomi, Tom Neely, Anders Nilson, John Porcellino, Jim Rugg, Zak Sally, and Julia Wertz. CBLDF joins exhibitors including Ad House, Koyama, La Mano, MCAD, Sparkplug, Secret Acres, Top Shelf, and Uncivilized Books.

Charles Brownstein says, “I’m very excited to be going to MIX. Sarah Morean and her team have done a lot of hard work to make a showcase for great cartoonists, and to ensure that the CBLDF is able to raise money for our important work. The community in Minneapolis has always been extremely generous to the Fund, especially the folks at MIX, MCAD and MCBA, so it’ll be great to go out and thank them personally for all they do to help the Fund!”

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Homepage, Legal, News Blog

CBLDF Congratulates General Counsel Robert Corn-Revere On Winning CBS Super Bowl Wardrobe Malfunction Case!

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The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund congratulates Robert Corn-Revere, who represents the organization as General Counsel, on his victory in CBS v. FCC in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

The federal agency fined CBS Corporation television stations $550,000 for airing the “wardrobe malfunction” that exposed singer Janet Jackson’s breast during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show. The Third Circuit had previously thrown out the fine, but the Supreme Court remanded the case for reconsideration following their ruling on the fleeting material policy in Fox v. FCC. The Third Circuit re-affirmed its decision in a 2-1 split. Robert Corn-Revere argued the case for CBS.

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Features, Fundraising, Homepage, News Blog

Beguiling Raises Funds for Canadian Side of Customs Case

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If you’re in Toronto, you can join The Beguiling and Steamwhistle Brewery for TORONTO DRAWS TINTIN, an exhibit featuring the work of dozens of Canadian creators. The opening party is tonight, from 7:00 – 11:00 pm at the Steamwhistle Gallery (255 Bremner Blvd) in Toronto. Several of the contributing artists will be in attendance, and the original pieces will be auctioned to benefit Canada’s Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund, one of CBLDF’s partners in the Canada Customs Case. For more info and a preview of the artwork, visit www.torontodrawstintin.com.

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Features, Fundraising, Headline, Homepage, News Blog, Press Releases

Be a “Redshirt” with IDW’s Star Trek Comics Contest, Benefitting CBLDF

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CBLDF stands ready to defend retailers against censorship. Are you ready to do the same? Test your mettle with IDW Publishing’s “Be a Redshirt” contest, benefitting CBLDF!

More details in the official press release from IDW:

Are you a comics fan who loves your local comics store? Are you willing to “die” to protect your retailer? Prove it, with the Star Trek “Be A Redshirt” contest! Starting today, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), IDW Publishing and CBS Consumer Products are giving Star Trek fans a chance to “Be a Redshirt” on the cover of an upcoming Star Trek comic.

Originating in the classic Star Trek episodes and expanding to pop culture at large, a “redshirt” is a character that dies soon after being introduced. With the “Be a Redshirt” contest, the winning fan will have the honor of “dying” while heroically saving their retailer. The grand prizewinner will be featured as a “redshirt” on an upcoming cover of IDW’s new STAR TREK ongoing series, placing themselves between their local retailer and a phaser blast. The “Be a Redshirt” contest is open to any comics reader who thinks their local retailer is the best in the business.

“As redshirts are famous for always catching the phaser in Star Trek episodes, and as comic fans can be so loyal in defending their local retailer, it’s the perfect contest,” said Dirk Wood, IDW’s Director of Retailer Marketing, “And partnering with the CBLDF is perfect, because no one knows more about defending retailers than they do.” Keep reading…

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Features, Fundraising, Homepage, News Blog

The CBLDF Thanks You For Being Counted!

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Thanks to our generous community of supporters, CBLDF raised over $82,000 for our important work to protect comics and the First Amendment during our Be Counted fundraising campaign. We’re grateful to the many donors, professionals, organizations, and volunteers who made this possible. These contributions will help the CBLDF perform our important legal work.

CBLDF’s Executive Director wrote this personal message to thank all of the people who made a difference in this important campaign.

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Fundraising, Headline, Homepage, News Blog

CBLDF Be Counted Membership Drive Closes at Midnight Tonight!

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Last month, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund asked the comics community to Be Counted as members of the organization, and set a fundraising goal of $100,000 by October 31 to support their important legal and education work. Today, the Fund has raised over $77,000 of that goal, thanks to the generosity of those who heard the call to Be Counted, and the professional community supporting the campaign. Today, the CBLDF is asking anyone who hasn’t joined or renewed their membership the organization yet to sign up to protect free speech, and to take advantage of some of the unique rewards they’re offering to thank supporters during the drive!

All members signing up to Be Counted by 12 Midnight pacific time on October 31 will be able to receive signed thank yous, including the 2011 CBLDF Member Card featuring Green Lantern, and signed by Geoff Johns, with other rewards for members signing up at higher levels including signed prints from Neil Gaiman, Garth Ennis, and original art from Matt Wagner, Jeffrey Brown, Cliff Chiang, and more. If you’re not sure if you’re a member, you can see the current year member list here.

The Fund also has opportunities left for Lunch With Legends, including one last Neil Gaiman tea date, and lunches with Dave Gibbons, Frank Miller, Frank Quitely, and more. For aspiring pros, we also have professional development reviews withKaren Berger, Tom Brevoort, Dan DiDio, Gail Simone, Jennifer L. Holm & more!

If you’re not able to make a lunch date, the Fund also has some exclusive thank you drawings from Neil Gaiman, Frank Quitely, Chris Burnham, and Matthew Holm for members signing up during this drive.

The CBLDF exists because of the grassroots support of the comics community. If you value free expression, we’re asking you, right now, to please Be Counted as a member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund to help us perform our important work.

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