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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!