CA – Greenest Night Benefit

Geoff Johns, Jeph Loeb, and more appear at a CBLDF fundraiser in Los Angeles on Friday, May 24th! Get tickets at the link!

Press Release:

On Friday, May 24, come celebrate the creativity of Geoff Johns at Greenest Night: A Celebration of Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern benefiting Comic Book Legal Defense Fund! Join Johns’ at the Avalon Bardot Theater in Hollywood, CA for an intimate look back on his Green Lantern run with a revealing Q&A session kicked off with a keynote appreciation presented by Jeph Loeb. Geoff will also take center stage at a star-studded VIP opening reception, where all guests will receive special and extremely limited commemorative merchandise created by Graphitti Designs! Only 100 seats are available for this exclusive evening celebrating Geoff’s once-in-a-generation accomplishment – get yours now!

Greenest Night: A Celebration of Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern toasts Johns’ unique accomplishment with an upscale and intimate celebration at the Avalon Bardot theater in Hollywood, CA. There are two levels of admission for this limited event:

Regular admission tickets are available for a $100 donation to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and includes:

Admission to the exclusive Q&A
A signed & numbered commemorative print from Graphitti Designs
A signed copy of Green Lantern #20 with a commemorative Certificate of Authenticity, and other gifts.

$80 of this contribution is tax deductible.

VIP Admission tickets are available for a $250 donation to CBLDF, and includes:

Admission to the star-studded VIP opening reception and premiere seating at exclusive Q&A,
A copy of Absolute Green Lantern: Rebirth, with an exclusive, commemorative bookplate
An exclusive, commemorative t-shirt from Graphitti Designs
A signed & numbered commemorative print from Graphitti Designs
A signed copy of Green Lantern #20 with a commemorative Certificate of Authenticity, and other gifts.

$126 of this contribution is tax deductible.

Greenest Night: A Celebration of Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern is sponsored by DC Entertainment and is produced by Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Comic Book Resources, with merchandise provided by Graphitti Designs. The event happens on Friday, May 24 at 8:00 PM, with a VIP opening reception at 7:00.

Avalon Bardot Theater
1735 Vine Street Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 462-8900

NYC – CBLDF Fundraiser

Chip Kidd appears at Smithfield for the CBLDF fundraiser on Tuesday June 5th!

Press Release:

Celebrate free speech at this year’s Book Expo by raising a toast to CHIP KIDD on Tuesday, June 5th in a benefit to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund!

A VIP cocktail reception starts at 7 PM. Kidd will present a behind-the-scenes look at creating this book, and all attendees will receive an extremely limited copy of BATMAN: DEATH BY DESIGN, with an exclusive signed and numbered bookplate, designed by Mr. Kidd. These bookplated editions are extremely limited, and will be available one time only. Hors d’Oeuvres will be served. This is a ticketed event, with limited admission available for a $50 donation to the CBLDF. Reserve your ticket here.

At 8:30 pm, an open release party and book signing will begin. Copies of BATMAN: DEATH BY DESIGN will be available at the venue! (No ticket needed for this portion of the evening, but a suggested donation at the door is appreciated)

Smithfield
215 West 28th Street New York, NY 10001

MA – FCBD: The Censored Howard Cruse Signing

Howard Cruse, creator of the Censored Howard Cruse FCBD book, signs at Modern Myths from 2PM to 5PM on Saturday May 5, 2012 for Free Comic Book Day!

About the comic:
In conjunction with the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, BOOM! Town presents “The Censored Howard Cruse”! Get a special sneak-peek at this summer’s upcoming “The Other Sides of Howard Cruse” graphic novel. He’s known for his gay comix, but that’s not all that’s been on his mind! From his Underground days up through present day, Howard wrote on a slew of topics, including freedom of speech, civil rights, drugs, and interesting uses for toothpaste. Get a taste of his impressive catalog of works, just with a few tastefully-placed black boxes. You’ll have to get the OGN for the uncensored version!

RSVP on Facebook!

Modern Myths
34 Bridge Street #4, Northampton, MA 01060

IDW Invites You to Join Starfleet

Press Release:

San Diego, CA (November 2, 2011)—Are you a comics fan who loves your local comics store? Are you willing to “die” to protect your retailer? Prove it, with the Star Trek “Be A Redshirt” contest! Starting today, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), IDW Publishing and CBS Consumer Products are giving Star Trek fans a chance to “Be a Redshirt” on the cover of an upcoming STAR TREK comic.

Originating in the classic Star Trek episodes and expanding to pop culture at large, a “redshirt” is a character that dies soon after being introduced. With the “Be a Reshirt” contest, the winning fan will have the honor of “dying” while heroically saving their retailer. The grand prizewinner will be featured as a “redshirt” on an upcoming cover of IDW’s new STAR TREK ongoing series, placing themselves between their local retailer and a phaser blast. The “Be a Redshirt” contest is open to any comics reader who thinks their local retailer is the best in the business.

“As redshirts are famous for always catching the phaser in Star Trek episodes, and as comic fans can be so loyal in defending their local retailer, it’s the perfect contest,” said Dirk Wood, IDW’s Director of Retailer Marketing, “And partnering with the CBLDF is perfect, because no one knows more about defending retailers than they do.”

To enter the “Be A Redshirt” contest, fans must e-mail their explanation in 300 words or less about why their retailer is the best to IDW at contests@IDWPublishing.com with the subject: Save My Retailer. The winning fan and their retailer will be depicted on a limited-edition variant cover of STAR TREK. This special cover will be limited to only 300 copies: 100 each to the winning fan and their retailer, plus 100 to CBLDF to help them continue the important and challenging work of defending retailers everywhere. The winning fan will also receive the original art, by the Sharp Brothers.

Launched in September, IDW’s new STAR TREK ongoing series explores the new Star Trek universe, following the events of the game-changing, blockbuster 2009 film. Joining forces with Star Trek writer/producer Roberto Orci, IDW and CBS explore the vast implications of the alternate timeline created by the film in this new, monthly, ongoing comics series that reimagines classic Star Trek episodes.

Under the creative direction of Orci, fan-favorite STAR TREK writer Mike Johnson and artists Stephen Molnar and Joe Corroney bring this alternate universe to life and begin the countdown to the highly anticipated Star Trek sequel. Following alternate-reality versions of “Where No One Has Gone Before” and “Galileo 7,” STAR TREK #5 kicks off a two-part re-imagining of “Operation: Annihilate.” This gripping episode brings Captain Kirk comes face to face with ghosts from his past when a rescue mission reunites him with the last person he expects to see.

In addition to print, STAR TREK comics are also available digitally through a variety of free apps, including, through the Apple’s iTunes: the Star Trek Comics app, the Comics by comiXology app and the IDW Comics app.

Fan Groups Ready For Wizard World Mid-Ohio Comic Con 2011

Press Release:

Fan Groups Ready For Wizard World Mid-Ohio Comic Con, Saturday And Sunday At Greater Columbus Convention Center

Cosplayers, Podcasters, Charity Organizations And More Enhance Wizard World Experience

NEW YORK and COLUMBUS, Ohio, October 19, 2011 – A variety of fan clubs, podcasters and other groups are making final preparations for this weekend’s Wizard World Mid-Ohio Comic Con, Saturday and Sunday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.  From cosplayers like the Great Lakes Base of the Rebel Legion and Ohio 501st Legion and Mandalorian Mercs to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Comic Book Connection Initiative, groups will be on site, meeting attendees and enriching the Wizard World experience.

Some groups that fans will run into on site include:

– Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which exists to fight censorship and defend the first amendment rights of comic book professionals and readers throughout the United States.
– Great Lakes Base of the Rebel Legion, the local chapter of The Rebel Legion Star Wars costuming group.
Mandalorian Mercs Costuming Group, the world’s premier custom Mandalorian costume organization.
– Ohio 501st Legion, the state’s chapter of the national organization which seeks to promote interest in Star Wars through the building and wearing of quality costumes, and to facilitate the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events as well as contributions to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work.
– Ohio Star Wars Collectors Club, a resource through which those who live in Ohio can discuss new items arriving, toy & collectible show dates and generally anything Star Wars related.
– Open Forum Radio, a community fueled by collective interests which seeks open dialogue and to encourage debate
Outlook Media, whose content contains both local and national focused features that compliment its mix of columns, editorials, arts & entertainment, sports, celebrity interviews, and community news.
– Pendant Production Company, one of the most prolific and popular podcasting companies today, with more than 800 episodes of audio drama.
– The Comic Book Connection Initiative, a small non-profit organization that takes in donated comic books from dealers, publishers, and individual collectors then distributes them to children in homeless shelters, food pantries, after-school programs , YWCA women’s shelter and hospitals.
– The Hero Initiative, the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays’ creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work.
– USS Asgard, a chapter of Starfleet International, which  participates in community events such as Toys for Tots, Operation Feed, etc.
– USS Columbus, which does an annual school supply drive for a local school, helps in the Firefighters Toy Drive, and collects food for Mid Ohio Food Bank along with other local clubs.
– USS Lagrange, which has raised hundreds of dollars for the Akron Children’s Hospital and for various food banks in the state.
– WGTR “World Grand Theft Radio,” the nationwide internet radio station No. 1 worldwide Halloween radio station in Sept & Oct. With over 30 original shows a week live, “our mission to make your on air dreams come true!”

Wizard World Mid-Ohio Comic Con features stars James Marsters, Billy Dee Williams, Adam West, Burt Ward, Claudia Christian and Walter Koenig among dozens of celebrities and industry professionals celebrating the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

Mid-Ohio Comic Con is the eighth stop on Wizard World’s 2011 North American tour.  Hours are Saturday, October 22, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, October 23, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworld.com/midohio.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door.  Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($35 on site); weekend all-session tickets are $40 ($50 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult).  VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available on a limited basis.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests. Wizard World also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, and is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2011/12 DATES *****
October 22-23 – Mid-Ohio Comic Con
November 11-13 – Austin Comic Con
January 28-29, 2012 – New Orleans Comic Con
March 24-25, 2012 – Toronto Comic Con
May 19-20, 2012 – Big Apple Comic Con
June 1-3, 2012 – Philadelphia Comic Con
August 9-12, 2012 – Chicago Comic Con

CBLDF Liberty Annual Signings

Press Release:

CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011 hits shelves on October 12. In celebration, retailers around the world are having signings with several of the creators who contributed to the best LIBERTY ANNUAL yet!

CBLDF is delighted to have the support of retailers and creators not only for CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011, but also for UNITED AGAINST CENSORSHIP, a series of in-store signings that will take place the day the book hits store shelves! So far, we’ve lined up the following great events:

Forbidden Planet NYC
October 12, 6:30 p.m.
840 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
(212) 473-1576,
with Thomas Chu, Kevin Sacco, Brandon Montclare, Michael Bramley, J. Gonzo, and more

Laughing Ogre Comics
October 12, time TBD
4258 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43214
(614) 267-6473,
with Dara Naraghi

Another Dimension
October 12, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
424 B – 10th Street NW; Calgary, AB T2N 1V9, Canada
(403) 283-7078
with Riley Rossmo

Infinite Monkey Comics & Games
October 12, time TBD
65 East College Street, Suite 1, Oberlin, OH 44074
(440) 775-4263
with Kazim Ali

We’re still confirming more locations and creators, so be sure to check www.cbldf.org for updates and details! Several of the CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011 contributors will also be signing with CBLDF at booth #1158 during New York Comic-Con, October 13-16, 2011!

CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011 collects incredible contributions, including original stories by superstars J. Michael Straczynski (Superman: Earth One), Frank Quitely (All-Star Superman), J.H. Williams III (Batwoman), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Judd Winick (Catwoman), Mark Waid (Daredevil) and Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth), and Carla Speed McNeil (Finder). Look for all-new tales featuring Grendel by Matt Wagner, Cowboy Ninja Viking by AJ Lieberman and Riley Rossmo, and Elephantmen by Richard Starkings and Shaky Kane. Plus: a massive and first-ever full-color story from independent comics master Craig Thompson (Blankets, Habibi)! Marvel and DC Comics have stepped up to show their support, with all-new pin-ups of Batman by Dustin Nguyen, X-Men by Greg Land, Green Lantern by Ivan Reis, and the Avengers by Greg Horn! It’s all topped off by incredible covers by John Cassaday, Matt Wagner, and two variant covers by Frank Quietly: a full-color, 1 in 25 cover, and a black and white, 1 in 50 cover!

Join the fight against censorship by picking up your copy of CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011 (AUG110415), a 48-page full color comic book benefiting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, available from Image Comics on October 12, 2011, for $4.99. The sales of CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011 benefit CBLDF’s First Amendment legal work.

ABOUT THE COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics artform 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.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

 

NYC – CBLDF Book Expo Member Party

Press Release:

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is having a membership party to kick off Book Expo America, and we want you to be a part of it! Sponsored by IDW, the CBLDF Book Expo Welcome Mixer happens this Tuesday, May 24!

The CBLDF is inviting the book industry out for a welcome mixer on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. Publishing professionals, booksellers, librarians, and creators are all invited to kick off BEA. The party is free for all BEA attendees and NYC comics and book professionals and retailers!

CBLDF will be soliciting memberships and donations to support its current work protecting comics and graphic novels. Please join us, and invite your colleagues!

The attacks on books and comics are becoming more frequent and more insidious, so CBLDF needs your help to spread the word. Currently, comics and graphic novels are being targeted by customs agents in the US and Canada. Individuals are having their books and digital devices searched and seized. Meanwhile, CBLDF continues to fight laws that would affect the sale and display of comics in brick and mortar stores and online.

CBLDF is fighting to protect your content, creators, and readers in the face of these and other threats. We can’t do it without you! Come to the party and support the cause! Together, we can ensure that CBLDF protects the First Amendment rights we all depend upon to do business.

There will be a raffle over the course of the evening with great prizes, and many local comic artists and writers will be in attendance, including Paul Pope (Batman Year 100, Heavy Liquid), Jessica Abel (Writing Words and Drawing Pictures, La Perdida), Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy, Agnes Quill), Raina Telgemeier (Smile, The Babysitters Club), Paul Levitz (75 Years of DC Comics, Legion of Superheroes), Eric Wight (Frankie Pickle, The Escapist), Denis Kitchen (Kitchen Sink Press), and Michael Buckley (N.E.R.D.S., The Sisters Grimm)!

What: CBLDF’s Book Expo Member Party
Where: The Village Pourhouse, Restaurant Row, 366 West 46th Street (between 8th and 9th Ave), New York, NY
When: Tuesday, May 24, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Why: To welcome BEA attendees to NYC and to help support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s important First Amendment work!

NYC – Strange Tales Party

 

Marvel Comics’ Strange Tales I and II are finally complete and collected! To celebrate this amazing assortment of alternative and independent cartoonists, the CBLDF and THE BEAT are hosting a party for contributors and fans! DON’T MISS OUT on this rare opportunity to meet this wide variety of creators, all in one fun spot!

hosted by CBLDF and THE BEAT

Nick Bertozzi
Kate Beaton
Chris Chua
Jim Campbell
Jacob Chabot
Becky Cloonan
Toby Cypress
Nick Gurewitch
Tim Hamilton
Dean Haspiel
Jillian Tamaki
Paul Horneschemier
Benjamin Marra
Alex Robinson

7-9- pm. Saturday April 9th
The Mad Hatter
360 Third Ave (at 26th St.), New York, NY 10016

Just around the Corner from MoCCA

Copies of STRANGE TALES I and II will be available at the party,
donations benefiting the CBLDF.

NYC – Frank Quitely: Coast to Coast

Don’t miss Frank Quitely in conversation with Jose Villarrubia during Frank Quitely: Coast to Coast, taking place in New York City on April 5, 2011. Get your tickets online now!

Press Release:
In early April, Frank Quitely is showing his support for the CBLDF from coast to coast! April 1-3 finds him on the West Coast for WonderCon 2011 in San Francisco, California. Come April 5, fans will have a chance to see him in New York City!

In collaboration with WonderCon, CBLDF is proud to present Frank Quitely: Coast to Coast! Quitely will be joined by esteemed artist and professor José Villarrubia for an intimate conversation about his career, his influences, his collaborations, and his future projects. This unique event happens one night only, on April 5, 2011, at Cinema Village in New York City!

For a $15 donation, you can get a ticket to attend this exclusive event. At this time, tickets are ONLY available in advance and will not be offered at the door. You can get them online through the CBLDF website, here. You can also purchase tickets at Forbidden Planet (840 Broadway, New York, 212-473-1576).

If you would like to join Quitely for drinks before the event, CBLDF is auctioning the opportunity to do so! One lucky fan will get the chance to meet Quitely one-on-one! Bid here.

Please note: Unfortunately, Quitely will not be able to sign any items at the theater.

Cinema Village
22 East 12th Street, New York, NY 10003

CBLDF Auctions Lunch with Geoff Johns at SDCC 2010

Press Release

 

Make your Comic-Con unforgettable by bidding to spend a one-on-one hour with DC Entertainments Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns in an auction benefiting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund!  A driving force in modern comics, Johns is the bestselling writer of the Green Lantern, The Flash, Blackest Night, and Brightest Day!  As the Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment, Johns helps shepherd DC’s upcoming film and television projects. 

Lunch will be on Friday, July 23, from 12:45 to 1:45 PM, sharp.  The winner must have his or her own badge to attend Comic-Con on Friday for this event.  Full details for meeting location will be provided to the winner upon receipt of payment of winning bid.

This is your chance to ask all your questions about Johns’ unforgettable characters, stories, and behind the scenes insights!  All proceeds from this event will benefit the First Amendment legal work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund! Bidding ends on Wednesday, July 21! 

Click here to bid!!

Next Page »