Tag: history

How Czech Underground Comic Art Beat Communism

An art display at the Batalion Bar and Museum in Prague is celebrating underground comic artist Kaja Saudek and tells the tale of his first-hand experiences with censorship in the 1960s and ultimate triumph over a Cold War communist government…

1990s Attempts to Censor Rap Echo 1950s Attacks on Comics

With every new generation, there is a new form of media that becomes both actively embraced by American youth, as well as socially stigmatized and branded as “low class,” “obscene,” and “dangerous” by the morality police (aka grown ups). It…

Crime Comics (Still) Illegal in Canada

Did you know that there’s a law on the Canadian books that can land the owner of comics that depict crime in jail? From contemporary crime to even your favorite superhero book, Global News’ Elton Hobson talks about one of…

1955 Broadcast Brought Dangers of Comics to Your Living Room

“This comic book describes a sexual aberration so shocking that I couldn’t even mention the scientific term on television. I think there ought to be a law against them. Tonight, I’m going to show you why.” On October 9, 1955…

Will Eisner and the Mysterious Origin of the Graphic Novel

This year as part of our Spirit of Giving fundraiser, CBLDF is proud to offer a signed edition of board member Paul Levitz’s newest biography on comics luminary Will Eisner, Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel (you can still…

Comic Artist Tackles Censorship in Singapore

Comic artist Sonny Liew has done work for the biggest publishers in the industry, but now he is tackling a very important, highly personal, and potentially controversial project — a graphic novel depicting some of Singapore’s most controversial events. From…

Copyright as Censorship? A Look at the Early History of Copyright

Fun fact: The concept of “copyright” was not originally created to protect creators’ rights to their content. Nor were early copyright laws implemented to propagate a free and healthy publishing industry meant to encourage new content to be produced. Rather,…