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

Craig Thompson Talks SPX and Habibi

CBLDF is delighted to launch Craig Thompson’s highly anticipated new graphic novel, Habibi, during SPX 2011. You can get one of 100 signed and numbered advance copies of this gorgeous book during the show! CBLDF is also auctioning an exclusive lunch with Thompson.

Thompson recently spoke with Mike Rhode at the Washington City Paper about the book, his other works, and his appearance at SPX, which benefits CBLDF. CBLDF came up when Rhode asked Thompson about splitting his projects between Top Shelf and Pantheon:

Right now I’m still doing Blankets for Top Shelf and I have another book in the next year or two. Beyond that I’m not even thinking about any one of my projects in terms of a publisher; I just want to work on them. It turns out the jump I made was really good initially. One, because I got an advance that I was able to carve out a nice chunk of time to devote to the book. And beyond that, honestly I got better contractual details that were good in terms of maintaining some of my rights as a creator. I feel that right now it’s making sense to have both publishers coexisting because you tap a far different market when working with a book publisher, but I never want to lose sight of my small comics press roots. Pantheon has been really great in that sense because when my publicist started organizing a tour, I said to her I want to be at SPX and APE and comic shops, and we have this CBLDF fundraiser kind of kicking off everything, and they really accommodated that. I had this fear that I would just be doing Barnes and Noble, but in fact I have a lot of comic book stuff happening.

You can read the full article here. CBLDF has a number of events during SPX, including the Jeff Alexander Memorial Benefit Auction and signings with Thompson. Look here for details soon!

Events at SPX to benefit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program

The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce two fundraising events that will occur at the 2011 festival.

Roz Chast original cartoons

New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, known for her single-panel cartoons, illustration work and children’s books, will draw and sell original cartoons at the SPX signing table. Proceeds will be divided equally between SPX’s new Graphic Novel Gift Program and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Pen and ink drawings will be $25 and watercolor drawings $50; Ms. Chast will be drawing on Saturday, 1:30-3:30PM and 5:00-6:30PM, and on Sunday from Noon-1:30PM. Additionally, books will be available for purchase at the signing table from our good friends at Politics & Prose.

Jeff Alexander Memorial Benefit Auction

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the organizers of SPX are proud to honor the memory of former SPX Executive Director Jeff Alexander by launching an annual benefit auction in his name. Jeff Alexander was a friend to the small press community, both as a cartoonist and an organizer of SPX and the Ignatz Awards. He passed away earlier this year.

The first annual Jeff Alexander Memorial Benefit Auction includes pieces from Jeff’s personal collection that he donated to the CBLDF. Additional contributions have been donated by the SPX community, including Keith Knight, Raina Telgemeier, Jeffrey Brown and many more. more

SPX 11: Jeff Alexander Memorial Auction Preview – UPDATED

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the organizers of SPX are proud to honor the memory of Jeff Alexander by launching an annual benefit auction in his name at this year’s convention. Jeff Alexander was a friend to the small press community, both as a cartoonist and an organizer of SPX and the Ignatz Awards. He passed away earlier this year.

The first annual Jeff Alexander Memorial Benefit Auction includes pieces from Jeff’s collection that he donated to the CBLDF, including original art by Charles Vess & Jeff Smith, Tony Millionaire, and Roger Langridge. The auction also includes contributions from the SPX community, including Keith Knight, Raina Telgemeier, Jeffrey Brown and many more.

Below is a full listing of items that will be available in the auction, which will happen this Saturday at 4:30 at SPX. Internet bids will be received by emailing charles.brownstein@cbldf.org by Saturday afternoon at 1 PM ET.

Mike Diana Talks to Richardson Magazine

In 1997 — in spite of aid from CBLDF — Mike Diana became the first American artist to be convicted of obscenity in the United States. Diana is the controversial creator of the zine Boiled Angel, and his work contains graphic and often shocking depictions of society’s most serious problems: child abuse, date rape, and religious corruption.

Richardson Magazine recently interviewed Diana about his prosecution, conviction, and subsequent punishment. Diana describes his experience and how CBLDF got involved:

The first time I showed up to court to enter my plea I was mobbed with TV and radio reporters as well as two groups of concerned Christian citizens with protest signs. I plead not guilty and then contacted the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund for help. They got me a lawyer, Luke Lerot, and after much red tape and attempting and failing to get the case thrown out or moved to Tampa, where we felt we would get a better chance at a fair jury, it was time a year later to go to trial.

I was railroaded in court, the prosecution told the jury I was a suspect in the Gainsville murders even though the real killer was caught and had plead guilty just days before my trial started. They claimed that the art in Boiled Angel was made for killers and would turn people who read it into killers…

You can read the full interview here. (Note: The article contains NSFW images.)

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

Creators Come to the Rescue With New CBLDF Auctions!

Comic book artists nationwide are shocked by the details of CBLDF’s Canada Customs case, and are supporting the CBLDF’s efforts to raise $150,000 to fight the case by contributing original art being auctioned right now to benefit CBLDF!

This week on eBay, the CBLDF is proud to offer original art contributed by legendary creators including Bernie Wrightson, David Lloyd, Cully Hamner, Tony Harris, Camilla d’Errico and many more. The next $30,000 payment in this case is due this September, and these auctions will be crucial to helping CBLDF contribute that expense. Bid Now!

Click through for a gallery of the pieces up for auction!

Listen to Charles Brownstein Talk About CBLDF

According to their website, the folks at Galactic Watercooler are “a community of friendly people who enjoy and participate in geekdom as a whole.” They love all things geeky, and in this week’s Galactic Watercooler podcast, you can listen to an interview with CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein.

Galactic Watercooler podcaster Audra discovered CBLDF during Comic-Con, so she spoke with Brownstein about CBLDF’s origin and mission. Brownstein discussed the Comics Code, CBLDF’s Canada Customs Case, and CBLDF’s work in libraries. You can listen to Brownstein’s interview and a discussion about free speech here. The interview starts around the 72:10 mark, and the discussion about free speech closes out the podcast.

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

Craig Thompson’s HABIBI Debuts at SPX 2011 to Benefit CBLDF!


The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is proud to host Craig Thompson at this year’s Small Press Expo, and to premiere his eagerly awaited graphic novel HABIBI! Through a special arrangement with Random House, a benefit preview edition of 100 signed & numbered copies of the graphic novel will be available to donors who contribute $100 or more to the CBLDF at SPX. These copies will be available on a first-come, first served basis when the show opens on Saturday, September 10. HABIBI hits stores on September 20.

In addition to this rare preview, the CBLDF is also auctioning off lunch at SPX with Craig and #1/100 from this preview edition on eBay starting on Tuesday, August 30th, and ending on Thursday, September 8th. Bid on this exciting auction now!

Craig Thompson says, “It’s very exciting to be able to launch HABIBI at SPX in a way that gives back to the CBLDF. I got my start in small press comics, and have always been supportive of the CBLDF. Being able to help out in this way, and to appear at the show with HABIBI feels like a homecoming.”

Sprawling across an epic landscape of deserts, harems, and modern industrial clutter, HABIBI tells the tale of Dodola and Zam, refugee child slaves bound to each other by chance, circumstance, and love. We follow them as their lives unfold together and apart; as they struggle to make a place for themselves in a world fueled by fear and greed.

At once contemporary and timeless, HABIBI gives us a love story of astounding resonance; a parable about our relationship to the natural world, the cultural divide between the first and third worlds, the common heritage of Christianity and Islam, and the magic of storytelling.

This is a rare opportunity to spend time with one of the great modern cartoonists, and receive an extremely limited edition of what is sure to be the biggest graphic novel event of 2011.

All proceeds from this auction will immediately benefit the First Amendment legal work of the CBLDF.

Join the “Demon Circle” for CBLDF

The main character of “Demon Circle,” Athis, is an apprentice wizard in the Crimson Keep, and he isn’t the brightest flame in the candelabra. So, when he and another apprentice named Belid summon a demon and then panic, trouble ensues—trouble that threatens to snowball wildly out of control. Will they and their fellow student Klaria be able to deal with the consequences before their master finds out? Will the Crimson Keep still be standing when it’s all over?

“Demon Circle” is an original novella from Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman, Bob Greenberger, Glenn Hauman, Aaron Rosenberg, and Howard Weinstein, the writers behind the new author-driven publishing venture Crazy 8 Press. Written live at ShoreLeave33, proceeds from the sale of “Demon Circle” benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which protects the First Amendment rights of comic book writers, artists, retailers, and fans.

The novella is available for download from ComicMix.com, which is giving a greater portion of the proceeds to CBLDF. You also can choose to make a larger donation to CBLDF when you purchase your copy.

Enjoy the comedic fantasy of “Demon Circle” and support the CBLDF by downloading your copy today!

Start Your Week with Auctions Benefiting the CBLDF

Whether CBLDF runs it or an outside party graciously donates their time and effort, online auctions are one way CBLDF raises the money it needs to defend cases such as the Canada Customs Case. Right now, you’ll be able to find a number of online auctions benefiting CBLDF.

CBLDF has a number of exclusive items up for auction right now. Read on for more!

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

Dale Cendali Appointed Secretary of CBLDF Board of Directors


The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Board of Directors has unanimously elected noted litigator Dale Cendali to the office of Secretary. Cendali, who joined the board in 2010, replaces retiring Board Member Louise Nemschoff in the role.

Dale Cendali is a nationally recognized leader in the field of intellectual property. She is a partner in the prestigious law firm of Kirkland & Ellis, where she heads the firm’s Copyright, Trademark and Internet Practice Group. She has successfully litigated and tried numerous high profile cases and has argued before the United States Supreme Court. Her clients include myriad prominent individuals and companies who rely on her for her expertise in copyright, trademark, patent, Internet, trade secrets, defamation, false advertising, privacy and contractual matters. She has extensive experience representing clients in the entertainment, consumer products and technology sectors. Managing Intellectual Property Magazine named her trial victory for J.K. Rowling in the well-known “lexicon” fair use case the “Copyright Trial of the Year.”

Submission Deadline Extended for InvestComics’ ONE AND DONE Anthology to Benefit CBLDF

Invest Comics and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund are proud to announce that the chance to submit your 1-page story for ONE AND DONE has been just been extended to September 16th!

“We’ve received some really amazing submissions for the collection. But, a large call for an extension on the submission deadline has also come our way.” says Invest Comics President Jay Katz. “Ultimately, this is about creation to benefit a worthy cause and so, if we need to extend to get even more people involved, then that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

Read on for more information about ONE AND DONE.

Syrian Cartoonist Beaten, Hands Broken

Early today, Syria’s best-known political cartoonist, Ali Ferzat, was abducted and beaten. His abductors broke both his hands as a warning to stop drawing the satirical political cartoons for which he is best known.

Ferzat recently drew a cartoon comparing Syria’s president, Bashar Assad, to Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi, and relatives believe the cartoon led to the attack. MSNBC ran the Associated Press article with the following quote:

“This is just a warning,” the gunmen told Ferzat, according to a relative who asked that her name not be used for fear of reprisals. “We will break your hands so that you’ll stop drawing.”

Click through for more on the attack.

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

Road Report: Baltimore Comic-Con

This past weekend, CBLDF staffers Charles Brownstein, Alex Cox, and Dave Grilli attended Baltimore Comic-Con at the Baltimore Convention Center. CBLDF had an array of exclusive items making their East Coast debut, including our new John Cassaday and Matt Wagner T-shirts and our two new Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab scents, La Mano del Destino and El Nuevo Puritano.

Baltimore Comic-Con is always a great show, and the CBLDF booth was surrounded by great creators, including Stan Sakai, Charles Vess, Terry Moore, and Jeff Smith. Hundreds of attendees dropped by our booth to learn about our current case work and check out our new donation premiums.

Every dollar donated at Baltimore Comic-Con goes directly to fund our current case, in which an American faces jail time for crossing the Canadian border with comics on his electronic devices. Thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth — we look forward to seeing you again next year! Next stop: SPX in Bethesda, MD!

More Sneak Peeks Of Liberty Annual Online

CBLDF Liberty Annual 2011 will be in stores on October 12, and you may have noticed a spate of exclusive previews online recently.

Bleeding Cool ran an exclusive of the JH Williams III pages from the issue and Rich Johnston spoke with CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein, who described why the CBLDF continues to be relevant and the importance of the Canada Customs Case

Read on for more exclusive sneak peeks of CBLDF Liberty Annual 2011!