Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Jeffrey Brown’s Inspiring Membership Cards

by Betsy Gomez • April 18, 2011

As any past and present member knows, CBLDF membership has its benefits, including a number of incentives and premiums.

We have a membership level for everyone, and each membership level has its own incentives. Everyone gets a membership card — this year’s features Green Lantern — but if you sign up for the CBLDF Defender Membership at a $250 donation, you will also get a hand-drawn membership card! You can choose a card by celebrated comics artists Jeffrey Brown, Matt Wagner, Eric Powell, Cliff Chiang, or Dean Haspiel.

Brown just sent us a slew of eye-catching, full-color cards! We’re inspired both by these gorgeous cards and by the time Brown donated to make the cards for us, and we hope this inspires you to become a defender of Free Speech for the comics community. Become a member now!

Premiums

ALL-STAR SUPERMAN vol 1, signed by Morrison and Quitely

by Betsy Gomez • April 15, 2011

The first volume of the groundbreaking series by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, this Eisner-winning and best-selling comic took elements from 70 years-worth of Superman adventures and reinvented them for a new millennium.

After a rescue trip into the Sun, Superman returns more powerful than ever but stricken with a terminal condition. With little time left, he has to complete Twelve Legendary Labors. Along the way, we see new visions of the characters and locales in Superman’s world that fans have come to love, including Bizzaro, Lex Luthor, Jimmy Olsen, the Phantom Zone, Kandor, and Lois Lane.

Already considered a classic, All-Star Superman is a perfect series for old and new fans alike.

This softcover edition is signed by both Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Get your copy now!

Fundraising, News Blog

CBLDF Stumps for Free Speech at Stumptown Comics Fest

by Betsy Gomez • April 14, 2011

CBLDF jets back to the West Coast this weekend for Stumptown Comics Fest 2011, April 16-17 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon!

Like CBLDF, Stumptown is no stranger to volunteerism — it was started in 2004 by a group of dedicated volunteers who wanted to produce a comics show that focused on creators. Since, Stumptown has grown enormously in size and accolades, and this year looks to be the biggest show yet, chock full of spectacular comics guests! You’ll be able to find CBLDF at booth 308 throughout the show.

To get Stumptown off to a roaring start, the convention and sponsor Dark Horse Comics have assembled an all-star cast of creators to take part in an exclusive dinner auction, the proceeds of which benefit CBLDF! Where else could you join Matt Wagner (Grendel, Mage, Green Hornet, Sandman Mystery Theater), Eric Powell (The Goon), Brandon Graham (King City), Steve Lieber (Underground, Whiteout), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), and more for a bite to eat?! The auction is on now, and you have until 10:00 a.m. PDT on Thursday to bid on one of ten seats at dinner, which takes place Friday, April 15, at BridgePort BrewPub in Portland’s historic Pearl District. Winners also get sketches from each of the creators and a free weekend pass to Stumptown. Bid now!

On Saturday, April 16, you can get to know CBLDF President and Beanworld creator Larry Marder during The Leguminous Life of Larry Marder panel in Room A105 from 12:00 – 12:45 p.m. The lowdown from Stumptown’s schedule:

Beans have been part of Marder’s life since the day he was born. This rich visual presentation covers the entire history of his peculiar fantasy dimension, including discussion about Marder’s many influences. This is your opportunity to discover why Beanworld has captivated readers from grade school to grad school since its first publication as a series of comic books in the 1980s. Now Beanworld is at Dark Horse Comics entertaining an entire new generation of fans. Get a glimpse into Marder’s next original Beanworld graphic novel “Something More!” And what exactly is “Beanworld 3.5” anyway?

We’ll see you at Stumptown Comics Fest in Portand, Oregon, this weekend, April 16-17. Look for us at booth #308! Don’t forget to bid generously on the chance to dine with Stumptown’s finest guests — the auction ends soon!

Premiums

Exclusive CBLDF Print by FRANK QUITELY, SIGNED!

by Betsy Gomez • April 12, 2011

A brand-new, one-time-only print by superstar artist Frank Quitely (All-Star Superman, We3, Batman and Robin, The Authority), created exclusively as a fundraiser for the CBLDF. Signed by the artist, all proceeds from this gorgeous print benefit CBLDF!

This 11″ by 17″ print is only available through the CBLDF, and is a “must have” item for any fan of Mr. Quitely’s work. Available now in the full-color edition or the signed and numbered limited-edition black and white facsimile (limited to 50 copies).

Homepage, Legal, News Blog

CBLDF Applauds Amendment to 2010 Massachusetts Law Removing Restrictions on Internet Speech

by cbldf • April 12, 2011

Following a successful legal challenge from the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, local booksellers, and others, including the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Governor Deval Patrick yesterday signed into law an amendment to controversial 2010 legislation that imposed severe restrictions on Internet content, including discussion of topics such as literature, art, and sexual and reproductive health.

The amendment, which goes into effect immediately, is a direct response to the granting of a preliminary injunction by U.S. District Judge Rya Zobel last fall that found the law likely violated the First Amendment. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed the bill in order to address the constitutional flaws in the existing law. CBLDF joined the Harvard Book Store, Porter Square Books, the Photographic Resource Center, a licensed marriage and family therapist, trade associations, and the ACLU of Massachusetts in filing suit last July to block the law because it made providers of constitutionally protected speech on the Internet criminally liable if such material might be deemed “harmful to minors.”

“Comic book creators and retailers are pleased to see this amendment go into effect, because it protects their constitutionally protected works as they are circulated and sold online,” said Charles Brownstein, Executive Director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

Features, Fundraising, Homepage, News Blog

CBLDF Has a Wonderful Time at WonderCon 2011

by Betsy Gomez • April 11, 2011

Hey, hey, hey, everyone! It’s your intrepid Web Editor here with a quick report about WonderCon.

What’s to say about WonderCon 2011?! WOW! What a year! WonderCon keeps on growing, topping all previous years with a jam-packed exhibit hall and programming schedule. CBLDF was kept plenty busy slinging free speech, putting hot signed premiums in fans’ hands, and signing up new members!