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Small Press Expo Presents the Annual Library of Congress Lecture: Comics & The Power of Intellectual Freedom

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This year’s annual Small Press Expo Lecture is The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund: Comics & The Power of Intellectual Freedom.

 

Where: Library of Congress Madison Building
West Dining Room, 6th floor
Metro Stop: Capitol South
When: Friday, September 15, 2017, 12:00 noon-1:00 PM

A trend that began in the 1940s continues today—challenges to comic books! Charles Brownstein, Executive Director of the non-profit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, will share the history of comic book censorship from the medium’s origins to the present day.

Participants will learn about the history of comic book censorship, and how that history still informs challenges to graphic novels happening right now. Learn what CBLDF does to protect this valuable medium, discover some of the most frequently challenged comics and graphic novels, and what you can do to make a difference.

Emerge from this session with a new or renewed passion for comics, graphic novels, and manga and as a strong advocate for protecting this form of free speech!

A selection of comic books from the Serial and Government Publications Division will be on display.

This is the sixth annual SPX festival program sponsored by the Serial & Government Publications Division.

 

Valiant and CBLDF’s Secret Weapons #1 SDCC Liberty Variant by Eisner Award Nominee Erica Henderson!

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Valiant has announced its support for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) with the Secret Weapons #1 SDCC Liberty Variant – a special, limited edition release of the FIRST ISSUE of the acclaimed new series starring Livewire and Valiant’s extraordinary new team of heroes in the making! Featuring a brand-new cover by multiple Eisner Award-nominee Erica Henderson, the Secret Weapons #1 SDCC Liberty Variant will debut on Wednesday, July 19th, exclusively at Comic-Con International in San Diego, California and will be limited to 500 copies.

With the Secret Weapons #1 SDCC Liberty Variant, Henderson joins the renowned creative team of Academy Award-nominated writer Eric Heisserer, artists Raul Allen and Patricia Martin for Valiant’s most anticipated new series debut of the summer.

Heisserer will join the CBLDF at booth #1918 for an exclusive signing of the Secret Weapons #1 SDCC Liberty Variant on Saturday, July 22nd at 10:30 a.m. PT. A signing with Henderson will follow, also on Saturday, July 22nd at 12 noon PT.

Kick Off SDCC With The CBLDF’s Comic-Con Welcome Party

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Kick-off Comic-Con with comics’ greatest creators at the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s Comic-Con Welcome Party, sponsored by Image Comics and comiXology, with a special gallery display from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab!

The fun starts at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, at the Westgate Hotel, where CBLDF welcomes you to Comic-Con for a night of amazing creators, astonishing artwork, and outstanding exclusives! RSVP here now.

Meet Great Creators! Every year the greatest creators in comics drop in at the CBLDF Welcome Party. Dozens of creators are expected to stop by over the course of the night, with Marc Bernardin, Nick Dragotta, Brenden Fletcher, Sina Grace, Megan Hutchinson, Jock, Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen, Amy Reeder, Nicola Scott, Gail Simone, Joshua Williamson, and more already confirmed!

Get Amazing Gifts! The first hundred attendees will get an amazing gift bag, that includes a t-shirt courtesy of Image Comics, two surprise items courtesy of comiXology, and more!

Celebrate ComiXology’s 10th Anniversary! ComiXology is celebrating ten years! Join us in toasting the creators and readers who made this milestone happen, with a free drink ticket to the first hundred folks to arrive courtesy of comiXology!

Smell Awesome at the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab/Trading Post! Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab will be introducing F#@K — a censored scent, reminiscent of sugar crust with a hint of cherry meringue — which will only be available at the CBLDF Welcome Party. Also debuting that night: Neil Gaiman’s 15 Painted Cards From a Vampire Tarot, plus BPAL’s full series of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods fragrances. Proceeds from every sale at the CBLDF Welcome Party benefit CBLDF!

Get First Dibs on CBLDF Exclusives! CBLDF has an exclusive assortment of great items promoting intellectual freedom for Comic-Con attendees! We have all-new stickers, patches, and pins that you can get at the party!

Preview the Incredible Items in CBLDF’s Comic-Con Auction! Get a first look at the amazing original art up for grabs at Saturday’s CBLDF Comic-Con Auction, sponsored by IDW Publishing, Splash Page Comic Art, and the San Diego Comic Art gallery! Items include original art by Frank Miller, Charlie Adlard, John Cassaday, Jeff Lemire, Jock, Sean Philips, and many, many more!

Come support free speech and experience the best party at Comic-Con during the CBLDF Comic-Con Welcome Party, Thursday, July 20, at the Westgate Hotel (1055 Second Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101), from 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.! This party is FREE for CBLDF Members. Non-members: Suggested $10 – $20 donation at the door, please. You can RSVP here now.

Around the Tubes

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It’s new comic book day! What’s everyone excited for? What’s everyone getting? Sound off in the comments below! While you wait for shops to open, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

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Publisher’s Weekly – C2E2 Attendance Grows, But Graphic Novel Sales Fall – Some interesting takeaways.

CBLDF – CBLDF Leads Defense of Manga in Idaho Middle School – Excellent. Good to see the defense of comics.

ICv2 – Mark Millar Returns to ‘Secret Service’ Comic – Not too surprising.

Kotaku – The cool but short Batman Arkham VR game released for PlayStation VR last year is now out for Oculus – Interesting. Has anyone tried this?

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

Talking Comics – Night Owl Society #1

Talking Comics – Redneck #1

ICv2 – Roughneck

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kingpin__1It was new comic book day yesterday. What’d everyone get? What’d you enjoy? What didn’t you like? Sound off in the comments below! While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

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ICv2 – Confessions of a Comic Book Guy – Everything Isn’t Political – Agree? Disagree? Sound off in the comments!

CBLDF – CBLDF Joins Statement Opposing U.S. Immigration Ban – This is good to see.

ICv2 – New Issue of ‘Resist!’ Planned – Good! The first was fantastic.

Kotaku – Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Pulls Through For 9th EVO 2017 Slot – Still going strong!

ICv2 – LefField Media Invests in Rose City Comic Con – Mazel tov!

The Beat – Yet another lawsuit: Wizard World suing Shamus Brothers and friends over possible takeover – Maybe all the lawyer bills will put them out of business?

Kotaku – Obama Is Now Free To Dunk All Over NBA 2K17 – Awesome.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

Talking Comics – Action Comics #973

Newsarama – All-Star Batman #7

Newsarama – Kingpin #1

Atomic Junk Shop – Time Share

CBLDF Signs On with the NCAC to Support Simon & Schuster and Milo Yiannopoulos

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CBLDF_LOGOThe Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has come under fire for signing onto a letter with the National Coalition Against Censorship to defend Simon & Schuster‘s plan to publish a book by controversial alt-right/hate personality Milo Yiannopoulos. Yiannopoulos is reportedly being paid $250,000 for the deal which will see the book published under the Threshold Editions which specializes in conservative personalities/books.

The NCAC joint letter/statement described Yiannopoulos as “a self-described “super-villain”, is notorious for comments and views that are deeply offensive to many.” A nice sanitized description of a ringleader and “voice” behind online harassment campaigns aimed primarily at women, minorities, and those of the liberal persuasion and language that many describe as “hate speech.”

It should also be noted the Yiannopoulos’ self-published book of poetry contained plagiarized lyrics unattributed to musician Tori Amos.

The announcement goes further to state:

NCAC’s statement supports the right to boycott a book or a company for any reason. It underlines, however, the chilling effect the response will have on authors and publishers who want to tackle topics and ideas that some may find disfavorable. The statement argues that “the suppression of noxious ideas does not defeat them; only vigorous disagreement can counter toxic speech effectively.

The CBLDF is joined by the American Booksellers Association, Association of American Publishers, Authors Guild, Freedom to Read Foundation, Index on Censorship, and the National Council of Teachers of English.

The announcement by the CBLDF of the support has led to a backlash with individuals questioning the need for the CBLDF to get involved in the first place, the focus on equating boycotts with censorship, and the lack of recognition that Yiannopoulos and his ilk are an actual threat to the lives of marginalized individuals. There’s also irony since the alt-right and their affiliated movements like GamerGate regularly coordinate in attacks to censor the left or anything they disagree with. The

The comic industry recently saw that in a dust-up concerning writer Chelsea Cain and the Marvel series Mockingbird. These same organizations were silent during that not issuing a statement of support. In fact the CBLDF has been silent towards the attacks on and sustained harassment women and marginalized communities in the comic industry in an attempt to drive them out.

The backlash to the CBLDF’s decision was bad enough that they felt the need to further clarify their support again conflating a boycott with censorship. They are not one and the same since a boycott occurs after something is released and has a goal to drive further decisions through the manipulation of the free market and capitalism. A boycott of South Africa was not a censorship of Apartheid as an example.

Read the “clarification” below or directly on Twitter.

cbldf-simon-and-shuster

The response was not positive as many noted this is more akin to the hate speech that actually threatens lives, stirs hatred, and advocates for the stripping of rights and protections from groups. They also remind the CBLDF by paying money and publishing a book, that is an endorsement of the ideas within the book and a debatably worse reality of profiting from hate. You become an enabler to the hate speech giving it a platform. There’s also a valid questioning that since censorship is not happening, again a boycott is not censorship, of why the CBLDF didn’t sit this one out.

As a donor to the CBLDF, I do question where dollars are being spent in this case (UPDATE: No money has been spent on this). One Tweet said it best, “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

 

If/Then: If You Liked Hidden Figures Then Check Out These Comics!

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When it comes to suggesting comics for individuals to check out, it’s often good to start with what they like in other media like television, movies, books, or video games. Enter If/Then, where we’ll throw out suggestions for you to check out! First up, the film Hidden Figures which opens in wide release this coming weekend!

Hidden Figures is the incredible untold story of Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)-brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.

If you enjoyed the film, or interested by the subject matter, here’s five comics for you to check out and why!

marchMarch – The celebrated and award-winning graphic novel by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell recounts Cong. Lewis’ experiences during the Civil Rights Movement. A first-hand account of pivotal history brought to life through graphic art, the graphic novels consist of three volumes taking you through the turbulent times and delivering an educational and emotional read.

Each volume seems to improve on the next not just taking you through history, but is presented in such a fashion that’ll leave you speechless as you ride through the emotional roller coaster within.

This is a prime example of the power of comics and graphic novels in helping preserve and teach history.

Buy it Now! Digitally Vol. 1 Vol. 2 Vol. 3 | Physical

shechangedcomics-1CBLDF Presents: She Changed Comics – If you want to learn some history about women in comics, check out CBLDF Presents: She Changed Comics which was put together by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

She Changed Comics is the definitive history of the women who changed free expression in comics, with profiles of more than 60 groundbreaking female professionals and interviews with the women who are changing today’s medium, including Raina Telgemeier, Noelle Stevenson, G. Willow Wilson, and more! She Changed Comics also examines the plights of women imprisoned and threatened for making comics and explores the work of women whose work is being banned here in the United States.

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has also put together a web page as a resource where you can find out more about women in the comic book history.

Buy it Now! Digitally Digitally | Physical

the_unstoppable_wasp__1The Unstoppable Wasp #1 – A superhero comic might feel like an odd choice for this one, but hear me out as to why. Written by Jeremy Whitley with art by Elsa Charretier, the comic features the newest Wasp, Nadia Pym, as she attempts to find her way in the superhero world.

What makes this comic make the list is the focus on STEM, women in science, and smashing the patriarchy. The comic has Nadia finding her role and throws it out there that until recently the Marvel Universe was dominated by men (and mostly white men) until recently and it’s time to get some women recognized when it comes to the smartest people in the Marvel Universe.

What’s also great is each issue will feature real women who work in STEM fields in real life through a Q&A. The comic not only entertains but also hopefully will encourage more women to enter this world for a career.

Read our review and our ten reasons to get the first issue.

Buy it Now! Digitally Digitally | Physical Physical

cmpursuitcoverCaptain Marvel Vol. 1: In Pursuit of Flight – Ace pilot. Legendary Avenger. One hundred percent pure bad-^&*. Carol Danvers has a new name, a new mission – and all the power she needs to make her own life a living hell. As the new Captain Marvel, Carol is forging from a challenge from her past! It’s a firefight in the sky as the Banshee Squadron debut – but who are the Prowlers, and where has Carol seen them before? And how does secret NASA training program Mercury 13 fit in? Witness Captain Marvel in blazing battlefield action that just may change the course of history! Avengers Time Travel Protocols: engage!

Written by Kelly Sue Deconnick with art by Dexter Soy and Emma Rios, the story is fun action, but also explores the little known history of the women who attempted to join the Apollo program.

Buy it Now! Digitally | Physical

laika_bookcover1Laika – Laika was the abandoned puppy destined to become Earth’s first space traveler. This is her journey.

Nick Abadzis masterfully blends fiction and fact in the intertwined stories of three compelling lives. Along with Laika, there is Korolev, once a political prisoner, now a driven engineer at the top of the Soviet space program, and Yelena, the lab technician responsible for Laika’s health and life. This intense triangle is rendered with the pitch-perfect emotionality of classics like Because of Winn Dixie, Shiloh, and Old Yeller.

Abadzis gives life to a pivotal moment in modern history, casting light on the hidden moments of deep humanity behind history.

While the graphic novel isn’t perfect when it comes to the history it’s a great introduction to this part of history of space flight and great for kids who may be interested in learning about it and being entertained.

Buy it Now! Digitally | Physical

What did we miss in our suggestions? What would you suggest? Add yours in the comments!

 

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site.

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canopyIt’s new comic book day! What’s everyone getting? What are you excited about? Sound off in the comments. While you wait for stores doors to open, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.

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CBLDF – 14 Books CBLDF Defended in 2016 – We look forward to the year when they have to defend 0. Until then, we’ll keep supporting the organization and donating to them.

Newsarana – FBI Seeks Comic Con Bandit For Bank-Robbing Crime Spree – Um, k.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

The Beat – Canopy, The Longest Day of the Future, and The Weight

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star_wars_annual__2It’s a new week and we’ve got a really cool episode of Graphic Policy Radio to listen to tonight. While you count down the hours until then, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

Around the Tubes

Kotaku – Why Some Video Games Are In Danger of Disappearing Forever – A very interesting issue that should also be impacting comic history too.

Forbes – Cartoon Porn Distributor Fakku Joins The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund – The more support, the better.

Comics Alliance – Warner Bros. Bumps Back Its ‘Aquaman’ Release Date – Just hoping it’s not a Waterworld disaster.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

Talking Comics – DC’s New Talent Showcase #1

Talking Comics – Ghost Rider #1

Talking Comics – Savage #1

The Beat – Star Wars Annual #2

Read the 2016 Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Annual Report

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The CBLDF receives more than a quarter of their annual budget in the year-end gifts from supporters like you. If you are still finalizing your charitable giving plans, we ask you to please consider their worthy efforts. Donations to CBLDF are fully tax-deductible in the year they are given.  Please help CBLDF continue their important work by making a donation today, either by giving a holiday gift of a signed graphic novel, becoming a member, or making a tax-deductible cash contribution.

All year round, the CBLDF works hard to protect the right to read. Their efforts combat the rising tide of censorship facing students, educators, and libraries, and we continue to provide a valuable safety net for creators and retailers.

cafe_patch_1024x1024Donors supporting the organization on #GivingTuesday will receive exclusive Comics Are For Everybody merchandise created by Jordie Bellaire (@woahjordie) and Steven Finch (@fonografiks). Comics should be an art form that welcomes and encourages all voices and viewpoints. CBLDF’s efforts to protect the First Amendment are essential in creating a climate ensuring that remains the case. Your #GivingTuesday contribution proudly declares Comics Are For Everybody and helps CBLDF continue to provide legal action and education protecting the comics medium in 2017.

There’s a whole bunch of cool incentives based on your giving level. You can find out more about what the CBLDF has done this past year and make a contribution today.

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