Tag Archives: free speech

CBLDF Reveals 2012 Member Benefits!

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Fight Censorship!  Celebrate Liberty!

Join the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund today!

Today, the CBLDF unveiled its 2012 Membership Drive, featuring the best incentives and benefits in the free speech community, starting off with a stunning membership card by superstar creator Cliff Chiang! Channeling the classic depiction of Liberty through the influence of WPA art and comic book iconography, Chiang has created a powerful membership card that you’ll be proud to keep in your wallet. CBLDF offers membership plans for donors in every budget, each with its own premiums and benefits, and all of them are tax-deductible!

Joining the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund puts you on the front line of the fight against censorship! Your membership dollars provide the tools to fight back when comic book readers, retailers and artists are muzzled, censored, or attacked! When you become a CBLDF member, you are proclaiming that comics are important and that you are a protector of their First Amendment rights! Join now!

Membership starts at $25 per year, and every membership includes Chiang’s amazing membership card. At the $50 Supporter level, members receive a membership card, a car window decal, and a button set that includes a badge that proudly proclaims membership in the CBLDF.

The $100 Advocate members receive all of the Supporter premiums and also their choice of a CBLDF Tote Bag, featuring art by the great Sergio Aragonés; our popular “I READ BANNED COMICS” t-shirt; or a CBLDF branded water bottle, featuring the gone-but-not-forgotten Comics Code Authority emblem.

With a $250 Defender membership, donors receive the Supporter package, and their choice of TWO of the Advocate premiums. With the $500 Protector membership, members receive the entire Supporter and Advocate packages. At the Protector level, members will also have their name listed in a special “Thank You” section of the LIBERTY ANNUAL 2012, and they will receive a limited edition, full-color print of the membership card artwork, numbered and signed by artist Cliff Chiang!

The $1000 Champion membership includes everything in the other membership premium packages, plus the member’s choice of an autographed hardcover, signed on an exclusive “CBLDF Champion” bookplate, from one of the following creators:

  • WATCHMEN, signed by Dave Gibbons
  • MAUS, signed by art spiegelman
  • PREACHER Deluxe Edition vol. 1, signed by Garth Ennis
  • Y THE LAST MAN Deluxe Edition vol. 1, signed by Brian K. Vaughan
  • THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, signed by Neil Gaiman

Of course, the number one benefit of membership is peace of mind. You’ll know that there’s someone at the other end of the phone when a retailer gets busted or an artist is brought up on charges for exercising their First Amendment rights.

Become a member of the CBLDF today, and help protect comics in 2012 and beyond!

About CBLDF
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals.

Around the Tubes

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So…. yesterday was kind of awesome…. I want to start today’s news by thanking the other comic book websites that went dark and the creators that spoke out.  For those that didn’t I can only think of that speech from The People vs. Larry Flynt where he condemns the media for his having to go to jail to defend their rights.

The fight over the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA) is not over, there’s still a long way to go.  I hope you’ll continue your support and we’ll see even more.

For those who were so patient with a lack of news yesterday, here’s what you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

CBLDF – Attempt to Ban Mohammad Cartoon Sparks Global Debate – Support free speech!

Bleeding Cool – 4Chan Liefeldizes The New 52 – So fantastic.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews:

EE Times – Locke & Key

CBR – Prophet #21

Seattle PI – Tank Girl: Bad Wind Rising

Complex – Review: Scott Snyder’s “Batman” Continues The Hottest Storyline In Comics

Around the Tubes

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We had the biggest comic book publisher so far come out against SOPA and many more individuals added their name to the list that oppose.  While you ponder adding your name, here’s the news you might have missed.

SOPA/PIPA News:

GamePolitics – Riot Games Comes Out Against SOPA and PIPA

Mashable – Prime-Time TV Network News Ignoring SOPA

 

Around the Blogs:

Marvel – Marvel & IAVA Provide Free Comics for Veterans – Good for Marvel. Still doesn’t make up for the evil shit.

The ComiChron – 2000 for 2011: Top 1000 Comics and Top 1000 Trades, with Comichron estimates – Interesting stats.

CBLDF – Study Questions Supreme Court’s Protection of the First Amendment – I’m in a fighting mood.  Bring it.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews:

Comicsgirl – Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Promise Part 1

CBR – Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #1

MTV Geek – Peanuts #1

Geeks of Doom – Scarlet Spider #1

Paste Magazine – Comic Book & Graphic Novel Round-Up (1/11/12)

Complex – Review: The 300th Issue Of “Wolverine” Kicks Off One Of 2012’s Biggest Stories

Fantagraphics Books Comes Out Against #SOPA

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We’ve been fighting the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act for months now, but unfortunately the chorus of others in the comic book industry vocally opposed have been few (but growing).

Yesterday I received the below and can proudly say that Fantagraphics Books has added their voice to those opposed to the legislation making them the largest publisher to do so.  Below is a statement from their President:

“We are opposed to SOPA on the grounds that it gives the state too much unilateral authority to censor or exercise its power so that the result is effectively censorship once removed. It doesn’t provide sufficient safeguards to mitigate our concern over potential harm to free speech. Fantagraphics Books has been traditionally a proponent of 1st Amendment rights —we have vigorously fought four private lawsuits that have attempted to violate those rights— and although we also believe in intellectual property rights, we believe this bill is deleterious to the former and too draconian for the latter.” – Gary Groth, President of Fantagraphics Books

We applaud their stance and willingness to speak out and hope this encourages others in the comic book industry to join the growing vocal publishers, creators and bloggers opposed to this trampling on free speech.  We also encourage everyone to show their support for Fantagraphics by Tweeting thanks and more importantly buy their books!

CBLDF News Amazing Arizona Con Starts Today! Spirit of Giving Recap!

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CBLDF Kicks Off The Convention Year
At Amazing Arizona Comic Con!

The Amazing Arizona Comic Convention debuted to huge crowds last year, and it looks to be even bigger in 2012, with superstar guests Robert Kirkman, Rob Leifeld, Greg Capullo, Scott Lobdell, and more! This year, CBLDF will be part of the first comic convention of 2012, exhibiting at booth #123!

The Amazing Arizona Comic Con takes place January 6 – 8, at the Mesa Convention Center (263 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85211). Come on out and use get the gifts you really want and support Free Speech from the CBLDF! We’ve got a great array of grab bags, signed comics, signed graphic novels, and more! Get the best collectibles for a great cause from CBLDF at booth #123 during Amazing Arizona Comic Con, this weekend in Mesa, Arizona!

SPIRIT OF GIVING Helps Raise
Over $75,000 For CBLDF!

Last holiday season, The Will & Ann Eisner Family Foundation sponsored The Spirit of Giving, a holiday gift drive encouraging membership and donations to CBLDF with incentives that included signed and personalized graphic novels by some of the industry’s greatest creators. Over 450 donations came in over the course of the Spirit of Giving campaign, including more than 200 memberships. All told, the Spirit of Giving drive contributed to raising more than $75,000 for the CBLDF’s important First Amendment program work as we closed 2011, allowing us to pay off all of our 2011 program obligations and enter 2012 with a clean slate.

CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein says, “Everyone on the CBLDF staff and Board of Directors is extremely grateful to the holiday generosity shown by our community of supporters and the Eisner Family Foundation. We’re currently in the midst of some extremely important casework, and this surge of support insures we can enter 2012 in a positive position to perform that work. We’re thankful to everyone who contributed for their extraordinary support.”

Carl Gropper, of the Will & Ann Eisner Family Foundation says, “The CBLDF was important to Will Eisner and its goals are as important today as when it was founded. We must maintain our vigilance over our Constitutionally-granted rights and liberties in order to stop those who would take them away. The Foundation is fortunate to be in a position where it can continue Will Eisner’s good work.”

The CBLDF is grateful to everyone who contributed during the campaign, and to the creators who generously gave of their time and talent to support it. Very special thanks to all of the creators who contributed their time to personalize graphic novels for this program: Jason Aaron, Brian Azzarello, Chester Brown, Ed Brubaker, Dan Clowes, Evan Dorkin, Garth Ennis, Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Jaime Hernandez, Jonathan Hickman, Robert Kirkman, Paul Levitz, Larry Marder, Scott McCloud, Carla Speed McNeil, Frank Miller, Terry Moore, Seth, Gail Simone, Jeff Smith, art spiegelman, Adrian Tomine, Brian K. Vaughan, and Brian Wood.

You Can Be Against #SOPA and Be a Publisher

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via Thwipster

Publishers and creators have been rather quiet to denounce the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act.  But, the same can’t be said in the video game industry.  While the Entertainment Software Association supports the legislation, many publishers are denouncing the legislation, saying it goes too far.  They realize, you can be against this legislation and still be against piracy.

If you want to add your name to our list and show you support free speech, against censorship and the further erosion of our civil rights (due process), let us know.  Cong. Lamar Smith has called us that disapprove of the legislation a “vocal minority,” lets prove him wrong.

If you can’t get them to implement your law….

Wikileaks is just one example of a website that would likely be shut down due to the passage of SOPA and PIPA.  Many think the legislation is in response to the site.  Well, thanks to that site and 100 leaked documents, we’ve learned that the United States was instrumental in getting Spain to pass strict anti-piracy law.

Via GamePolitics:

In a letter dated December 12th sent by US Ambassador Alan D. Solomont to the Spanish Prime Minister’s office, the US expressed “deep concern” over the failure to implement the SOPA-style law.

“The government has unfortunately failed to finish the job for political reasons, to the detriment of the reputation and economy of Spain,” read the letter obtained by El Pais.

Solomont gave one last push to Spain before the president left office:

“I encourage the Government of Spain to implement the Sinde Law immediately to safeguard the reputation of Spain as an innovative country that does what it says it will, and as a country that breeds confidence,” he wrote.

The letter, which was also sent to Minister of Culture Ángeles González-Sinde, he noted that Spain is already on the Special 301, the annual report prepared by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) detailing ‘trade barriers’ based on intellectual property issues.

Hmmm, interesting.  So I guess this backs up my belief that the SOPA and PIPA are direct attempts to circumvent international sovereignty.  The fact is, corporations should fight these fights using the laws of the countries in which violators reside or under international law.  And why is the United States becoming the personal lobbyist and prosecutor for the entertainment industry?

If you need further convincing….

Forbes has a great editorial as to why SOPA and PIPA and wrong.

Around the Tubes

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Did you stay up all night to watch the Iowa Caucus results!?  Ok, that might have just been me… well, here’s the comic book news you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

Bleeding Cool – The Goon Dies, Relaunches, Turns Gay, Racebends, Gets Religion And Goes Socialist In An Attempt To Get Your Hard Earned Dollar – Too funny not to link to.

The Beat – DC’s red hood lady gets a name: Pandora – Like the music streaming service?

CBLDF – ACLU Asks Missouri Library to Stop Censoring Websites – Yay!

MTV Geek – B-List Breakouts: 12 Characters Primed for the Spotlight In 2012 – Not sure all these are really B-list.

The Wall Street Journal – Tibet Goes KABOOM! – An article covering the “Hero, Villain, Yeti” exhibit.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews:

Swamp of Boredom – The Unwritten Volumes 2, 3 & 4

CBLDF News – Last Chance! 2011 Tax-Deductible Giving & Eisner Matching Funds Ends 12/31!

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Last Chance To Support CBLDF In 2011!

Don’t miss out! There’s still time to support the CBLDF in 2011 by making a tax-deductible contribution by midnight on December 31! If you haven’t yet joined or renewed your membership, now is the best time, because all new, renewing and gift memberships made by December 31 will be matched with a $5 contribution from the The Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation. Please make a difference by making a tax-deductible contribution to CBLDF today!

Right now the CBLDF needs your support to pay for expert testimony and legal bills in a case supporting Brandon X, an American citizen facing a minimum sentence of one year in prison for possessing horror and fantasy manga on his laptop computer. His case is expected to go to trial in 2012, and legal expenses are estimated to run $150,000. Please make a tax-deductible contribution to CBLDF today to help us defend this case, and to create tools for retailers, librarians, and readers to help protect against cases like this happening in the future!

The CBLDF exists because of the grass-roots support of individuals like you! Please support our work by making a tax-deductible donation, signing up or renewing your membership, or signing up a friend for a gift membership. Your donations help us protect the First Amendment rights of everyone in the comic book field. Please make a difference in supporting that work by making a donation today.

Today In Comics Showcases First Wave of
Comics Code Censorship Articles

57 years ago today the first news of how the recently formed Comics Code Authority censored comics hit the wires, and Tim Stroup’s excellent “Today In Comics” blog has the clippings. Stroup gathers stories from five news services that covered Comics Code administrator Charles Murphy’s press conference touting the organization’s work to diminish the impact of images containing sexuality and violence within comic books.

Earlier this year the Comics Code Authority closed its doors and the CBLDF acquired the intellectual property rights to the Code’s Seal of Approval. Thus ended an era of censorship that sanitized the medium’s output, and established a stigma against comics that would endure until recent years. Dr. Amy Nyberg created a short history of the Seal of Approval for the CBLDF.

Comics Reporter Talks To CBLDF’s
Larry Marder and Charles Brownstein!

The Comics Reporter’s Tom Spurgeon spoke to CBLDF President Larry Marder and Executive Director Charles Brownstein in an extensive interview on the organization’s current work. Check it out here!

Around the Tubes

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It’s Friday and only a few days left of the year.  I’m doing my best to catch up on reviews, so expect a flurry today.  While you wait for the first roll out, here’s news you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

ICv2 – Marvel Owns Ghost Rider – Shocker…

Focus Taiwan – Website launched to promote Taiwanese comics – I might have to check out some Taiwanese comics now.

CBLDF – Today In Comics Showcases First Wave of Comics Code Censorship Articles – Some good history.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews:

CBR – American Vampire #22

CBR – Aquaman #4

Open Book Society – Pariah #4

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