NYC – The Art of March: Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Reception

Join Nate Powell, artist of the National Book Award winning March trilogy for a special reception for The Art of MARCH: A Civil Rights Masterpiece on Friday, May 4th at 6:30 PM.

Powell will be joined by CBLDF Executive Director and exhibition co-curator Charles Brownstein. Together, they’ll discuss the groundbreaking graphic novel trilogy and its relevance to today’s students, educators and citizens.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to view the original art from this modern masterpiece alongside its creator!

This event is hosted and sponsored by CBLDF. Admission is free and open to the public. Cash bar.

Donations accepted.

Proceeds from this event will benefit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s important work protecting the First Amendment, and the Society of Illustrators educational programs including the Illustration Art Academy for at-risk youth and The Art Academy for Incarcerated Youth on Rikers Island.

About the Exhibit:

The Art of MARCH: A Civil Rights Masterpiece walks visitors through the story of Congressman John Lewis’s experience in the civil rights movement as depicted by the pen of MARCH trilogy illustrator Nate Powell. This landmark exhibition of Congressman Lewis’s celebrated graphic novel memoir, co-written with Andrew Aydin, takes visitors on a visceral tour of the movement, illuminating pivotal moments, people, and philosophies through the display of over 150 pieces of original art, interactive materials, and new exhibition essays by Jonathan W. Gray, Associate Professor of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and author of Civil Rights in the White Literary Imagination: Innocence by Association (The University Press of Mississippi. 2013). The exhibition gives a glimpse into how this graphic novel was created, with behind-the-scenes process art and artifacts from Powell’s illustration process. A portion of the exhibition also shows how Eisner Award–winning Powell evolved from an SVA student steeped in the punk zine culture into the illustrator of MARCH.

The Art of MARCH: A Civil Rights Masterpiece exhibition is co-curated by John Lind (Creative Director, Kitchen Sink Books, an imprint of Dark Horse Comics) and Charles Brownstein (Executive Director, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund).

Society of Illustrators
128 East 63rd Street, New York, NY 10065
212-838-2560

Hillsboro Library Comics Fest 2018

Press Release:

Join the Hillsboro Public Library for two afternoons of graphic novel and comic presentations and events. Dark Horse Comics’ Chris Roberson (Hellboy, Serenity, iZombie) and Patric Reynolds (Hellboy, Aliens) will be keynote speakers. Costumes are welcome! Check out the two-day schedule below.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24TH

10:00 – 11:45 AM
Come mingle and get your merch signed!

11:00 – 11:45 AM
Collaboratory – Create your own superhero power bands

12:00 PM
Event Room – Creating Comics for Children
Community Room – Cosplay: What is it, and how can I get involved?

1:00 PM
Event Room – Latinx Voices in Comics with Terry Blas
Community Room – Crowdfunding and Marketing Your Comic with Justin Reuff

2:00 – 3:30 PM
Event Room – Chris Roberson, Keynote

3:30 PM
Event Room – Creating Comics for Teens with John Dover, Justin Reuff

4:30 PM
Event Room – Superheroes: Creating a Hero’s World with John Dover
Community Room – Artist Renderings: From Concept to Published Pages with Patric Reynolds

5:30 PM
Show off your costumes, play board games, and meet like-minded comic aficionados!

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25TH

10:00 – 11:45 AM
Come mingle and get your merch signed!

11:00 – 11:45 AM
Community Room – Comics and Higher Education

12:00 PM
Event Room – Evolution: Creating a New Series with Joe Keatinge, Joshua Williamson, Chris Sebela, and James Asmus (Image Comics)
Community Room – Villians: Creating a Nemesis for Your Hero! with Patric Reynolds, Jon Dover

1:00 – 2:30 PM
Event Room – Patric Reynolds, Keynote

2:30 PM
Event Room – Working for the Big Publishers: What It’s Like to Work with DC, Marvel, and Dark Horse with Patric Reynolds, Alin Silverman
Collaboratory – Cosplay and the Collaboratory

3:30 PM
Event Room – Do You See Yourself in Comics?
Community Room – Comics and the Power of Intellectual Freedom with Charles Brownstein, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

4:30 PM
Event Room – Digital Comics: How to Create Online Comics with Kel McDonald
Community Room – Building a Comic Book from the Ground Up with Jon Dover, Dan Schaefer

5:30 PM
Show off your costumes, play board games, and meet like-minded comic aficionados!

RSVP on Facebook!

Hillsboro Public Library
2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy, Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 615-6500

CBLDF’s Comic-Con 2017 Welcome Party

Press Release:

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 PM on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at the Westgate Hotel, where CBLDF welcomes you to Comic-Con for a night of amazing creators, astonishing artwork, and outstanding exclusives! Get tickets 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 Com-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 PM! This party is FREE for CBLDF Members. Non-members: Suggested $10 – $20 donation at the door, please. You can get tickets here now.

RSVP on Facebook!

AB – Saga Signing

Artist Fiona Staples (Saga, Archie, Mystery Society) appears at Happy Harbor Comics on Saturday, May 13, 2017 from 3:00 till 6:00 PM.

A Multi-time award winner, Fiona will be greeting her fans and signing copies of her works. Recognized as one of the top comics’ artists in the industry today, we’re excited to have her return to Edmonton for this event!

Fiona will do 10 original custom drawings for 10 lucky fans! With every in-store donation of $5 to the CBLDF, your name will be entered into a draw for one of the drawings. Donations will be accepted until Thursday, May 11th at 9:00 PM
and the selected supporters will be contacted on Friday to get their requests!

The drawings will be done during the signing and will be ready at the end of the event!

Happy Harbor Comics
10729 – 104 Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 3K1
780-452-8211

SF – She Changed Comics Signing

Join The Booksmith on Wednesday, December 7th at 7:30 PM for an evening with Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer), Lee Marrs (The Further Fattening Adventures of Pudge, Girl Blimp), and Trina Robbins (Wimmen’s Comix), moderated by She Changed Comics editor and contributor Betsy Gomez!

CBLDF presents: She Changed Comics is the definitive history of the women who changed free expression in comics. Within its pages are profiles of more than 60 groundbreaking female professionals as well as interviews with the women who are changing today’s medium. 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.

RSVP on Facebook!

The Booksmith
1644 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 863-8688

CBLDF Announces Parties & Signings for NYCC 2015

Press Release:

New York Comic-Con is just around the corner, and CBLDF is ready to welcome fans to NYC with the CBLDF NYCC Welcome Party and the CBLDF Liberty Annual Signing and Release Party!

First, join CBLDF at Forbidden Planet (832 Broadway, New York, New York) on Thursday, October 8, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., for the CBLDF Liberty Annual signing with Fred Van Lente, Sina Grace, Bob Fingerman, R Sikoryak, and other fantastic creators!

After the signing, we’ll wander mere blocks away to the Village Pourhouse (64 3rd Avenue, New York, New York) for the CBLDF NYCC Welcome Party and CBLDF Liberty Annual Release Party! Guaranteed to be one of the best parties at NYCC, the party begins at 8:00 p.m., and fans will have the chance to mingle with comics superstars!

The party is free to CBLDF members ($10 suggested donation for non-members) and features drink specials, door prizes, and gift bags for attendees. The first 30 people through the door after 8:00 p.m. with take home an exclusive t-shirt featuring artwork by Duncan Fegredo, courtesy of Threadless!

To RSVP for the CBLDF NYCC Welcome Party, visit the event page here.

On Friday, October 9, 8:00 p.m., don’t miss the Image Comics NYCC Afterparty at Bowlmor Times Square (222 West 44th St, New York, New York)! Mingle with special guests Adam McGovern, Alex de Campi, Amy Reeder, Antony Johnston, Ben Mackey, Bob Fingerman, Brandon Montclare, Brian Haberlin, Brian Joines, Brian Buccellato, Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, Declan Shalvey, Ed Brisson, Edwin Huang, Frank Barbiere, Ilias Kyriazis, Ivan Brandon, Jason Shawn Alexander, Jay Faerber, Jim Mahfood, Joe Eisma, Joe Harris, Joseph Keatinge, Justin Jordan, Kieron Gillen, Kyle Higgins, Leila del Duca, Martin Morazzo, Matt Wilson, Michael Moreci, Nick Dragotta, Ryan Browne, Sean Lewis, Steve Orlando, Stuart Moore, Wes Craig, and more (list subject to change)! A portion of proceeds from this party benefits CBLDF. RSVP here.

While you’re at NYCC, don’t miss CBLDF at booth 1764, where we’ll have signed books, posters and prints, and apparel on hand for fans old and new! 

CA – CBLDF’s Comic-Con Welcome Party 2015

Press Release:

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. PDT on Thursday, July 9, at the Westgate Hotel, where CBLDF welcomes you to Comic-Con for a night of amazing creators, astonishing artwork, and outstanding exclusives. RSVP here.

Meet great creators: Every year the greatest creators in comics drop in at the CBLDF Welcome Party. Confirmed attendees so far this year include Scott Snyder, Jock, Jeff Lemire, Kieron Gillen, Fábio Moon, Gabriel Bá, Tim Seeley, Ben Acker, Ben Blacker, Jonathan Hickman, Joshua Williamson, and more are expected to drop in over the course of the night.

Get the exclusive goods: The first 200 attendees will receive a free gift bag, with exclusive items from Image Comics, McFarlane Toys, comiXology, and CBLDF. RSVP here.

Smell awesome at the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab/Trading Post: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab will be debuting their Profanities series, with a selection of limited edition Expletives that will only be available at the CBLDF Welcome Party. Proceeds from every sale at the CBLDF Welcome Party benefit CBLDF.

Get first dibs on CBLDF exclusives: CBLDF has been working hard to put together an exclusive assortment for Comic-Con attendees. We have an all-new tote bag featuring art by the terrific Vanesa R. Del Rey (Hit); an embroidered Comic-Con souvenir patch and new CBLDF t-shirt, both designed by Brian Wood (Starve); and the CBLDF-exclusive variant of Star Trek/Green Lantern from IDW Publishing and DC Comics.

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, including pieces by Jim Lee, Kelley Jones, Jeff Smith, Matt Kindt, Gilbert Hernandez, J. Scott Campbell, Herb Trimpe, Jeffrey Brown, Greg Ruth, Ray Fawkes, Tyler Crook, and many more.

Get new Neil Gaiman art from Neverwear: Neverwear has an ever-growing line of items based on the works of author Neil Gaiman and is an ardent supporter of CBLDF. Neverwear will support the Fund at the SDCC Welcome Party by premiering “Hope,” a new print by Chris Ridell, along with classic designs by David Mack, Jim Lee, Olivia, and Jouni Koponen. Proceeds from sales at the CBLDF Welcome Party benefit CBLDF.

Come support free speech and experience the best of Comic-Con at the CBLDF Comic-Con Welcome Party, Thursday, July 9, at the Westgate Hotel (1055 Second Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101), from 8:00 – 11:00 PM! This party is FREE for CBLDF Members. Non-members: Suggested $10 – $20 donation at the door, please. You can RSVP here.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of bestselling 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, fantasy, 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.

ABOUT COMIXOLOGY
ComiXology, an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), has revolutionized the comic book and graphic novel industry by delivering a cloud-based digital comics platform that makes discovering, buying, and reading comics more fun than ever before. ComiXology’s Guided View reading technology transforms the comic book medium into an immersive and cinematic experience, helping comiXology become a top ten grossing iPad app in 2011 and 2012 and the top grossing non-game iPad app in 2012 and 2013. Offering the broadest library of comic book content from over 75 publishers—and independent creators as well—comiXology will not stop until everyone on the face of the planet has become a comic book fan. ComiXology is based in New York City, with operations in Los Angeles and Paris.

ABOUT BLACK PHOENIX ALCHEMY LAB
We specialize in formulating body and household blends with a dark, romantic Gothic tone. Our scents run the aesthetic gamut of magickal, pagan and mythological blends, Renaissance, Medieval and Victorian formulas, and horror/Gothic-themed scents. By utilizing our knowledge of homeopathy and aromatherapy, the conceptual theories of hermetic alchemy, and the aesthetic artistry of perfumery, we have mastered the art of encapsulating allegorical ideas into singular olfactory experiences. We are the first of our kind, and have over fifteen years of practical experience in the field. Our expertise shows. We pride ourselves on the artistry of our products, and our skill in their creation. All of our products are hand-blended here in our laboratory. Integrity and dedication is vitally important to us, and we do our best to provide the best possible product and slavishly good service to all our clients.

ABOUT COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization protecting the freedom to read comics! Our work protects readers, creators, librarians, retailers, publishers, and educators who face the threat of censorship. We monitor legislation and challenge laws that would limit the First Amendment. We create resources that promote understanding of comics and the rights our community is guaranteed. Every day we publish news and information about censorship events as they happen. We are partners in the Kids’ Right to Read Project and Banned Books Week. Our expert legal team is available at a moment’s notice to respond to First Amendment emergencies. CBLDF is a lean organization that works hard to protect the rights that our community depends on. For more information, visit www.cbldf.org

The Westgate Hotel
1055 Second Avenue San Diego, CA 92101

CA – An Evening with Raina

Press Release:

Raina Telgemeier, the best-selling author of Smile, Sisters, and Drama is coming to the San Diego Central Library, in downtown San Diego, on Tuesday, July 7 at 6:00 PM for “An Evening with Raina,” a free event to help you get ready for Comic-Con International! Raina Telgemeier’s all-ages graphic novels have delighted readers of all ages! Come hear her speak about her work, bring your questions, and find out what’s next at this free special event presented by Comic-Con International and Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, in conjunction with the San Diego Public Library.

Raina is a global phenomenon! Her three books, Smile, Drama, and Sisters—along with her four books based on Ann M. Martin’s The Baby-sitters Club—total a staggering 3 million copies in print, placing her at the forefront of the children’s graphic novel boom. Her efforts to champion kids’ right to read include speaking out for Banned Books Week, the annual celebration of the freedom to read. Banned Books Week 2015 celebrates Young Adult books, and the rights of young readers everywhere to read fearlessly!

This popular comics creator is a special guest at Comic-Con International this year, but you don’t have to have a badge to see her in this special early appearance at the San Diego Central Library! “An Evening with Raina,” co-sponsored by Comic-Con and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, on Tuesday, July 7 at 6:00 PM in the Auditorium, located at 330 Park Blvd., in downtown San Diego. Admission is free, but seating is limited for this special event. CBLDF will have books available for donations.

About Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization protecting the freedom to read comics! Our work protects readers, creators, librarians, retailers, publishers, & educators who face the threat of censorship. We monitor legislation & challenge laws that would limit the First Amendment. We create resources that promote understanding of comics & the rights our community is guaranteed. Every day we publish news & information about censorship events as they happen. We are partners in the Kids’ Right to Read Project & Banned Books Week. Our expert legal team is available at a moment’s notice to respond to First Amendment emergencies. CBLDF is a lean organization that works hard to protect the rights that our community depends on. For more information, visit www.cbldf.org (link is external)

About Comic-Con International
Comic-Con International (CCI) is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular artforms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.

San Diego Public Library
330 Park Blvd. San Diego CA 92101
(619) 236-5800

WA – Dark Horse ECCC Party

Dark Horse Comics hosts an Emerald City Comicon afterparty on Saturday March 28th at 9:00 PM!

Special Guests scheduled to appear include: Mike Mignola, Gail Simone, Greg Rucka, Adam Warren, Joelle Jones, Geof Darrow, Jason Latour, Jeff Lemire, Joshua Williamson, Colleen Coover, and many more (see flyer)!

FREE ENTRY TO EMERALD CITY 2015 BADGE HOLDERS (21+ w/ ID)

Finely crafted Northwest beers and Hellboy Right Hand of Doom Red Ale available!

Comics and Collectibles Raffles to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

RSVP on Facebook!

Elysian Bar
1516 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

NYC – The Spirit of Innovation Panel

Press Release:

John Cassaday, Michael Cho, Charles Kochman, and Paul Pope, consider the dynamic life, legacy and influence of Will Eisner at Society of Illustrators in New York City on the panel, The Spirit of Innovation: The Enduring Influence of Will Eisner’s The Spirit. Commemorating the 75th anniversary of The Spirit during Will Eisner Week, this panel is a collaboration between the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Comic-Con International. The event starts on Wednesday March 7th at 7:00 PM at the Society of Illustrators, located at 128 East 63rd Street at Lexington Ave, in New York City. Admission is $10 for CBLDF, Comic-Con International 2014 attendees (bring your badge), and Society of Illustrators Members, $15 for non-members, and $7 for students and seniors with valid ID.

Will Eisner’s The Spirit
In 1940, Will Eisner wasn’t the only 23-year-old innovating the early comics medium, but he was arguably the most audacious. With war on the horizon, he left the security and success of his work as creative director of the Eisner & Iger packaging studio to create The Spirit, a newspaper comic book supplement that allowed him a wide berth of creative freedom, the ability to speak to an adult audience, and the opportunity to own his own work. 75 years later, The Spirit remains a vital, influential, and engaging work of comics. Join contemporary practitioners for a lively discussion of Will Eisner’s first masterwork and its effect on modern comics.

This panel is a new endeavor that continues the ongoing education collaboration between Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Comic-Con International, who are co-producing the program. “Events of this sort highlight comics’ vital contribution to culture,” says CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein. “Honoring the medium’s history while encouraging its future are central educational goals for both organizations. It’s an honor to launch this next phase in our partnership with an event that celebrates the vision and contributions of Will Eisner and those he inspired.”

Tickets for this event are available now from the Society of Illustrators online at here…

About Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization protecting the freedom to read comics! Our work protects readers, creators, librarians, retailers, publishers, & educators who face the threat of censorship. We monitor legislation & challenge laws that would limit the First Amendment. We create resources that promote understanding of comics & the rights our community is guaranteed. Every day we publish news & information about censorship events as they happen. We are partners in the Kids’ Right to Read Project & Banned Books Week. Our expert legal team is available at a moment’s notice to respond to First Amendment emergencies. CBLDF is a lean organization that works hard to protect the rights that our community depends on. For more information, visit www.cbldf.org

About Comic-Con International
Comic-Con International (CCI) is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular artforms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture. In addition to its San Diego convention each summer (the world’s largest comics convention of its kind), CCI organizes WonderCon Anaheim each spring. www.comic-con.org

About Society of Illustrators
The Society’s mission is to promote the art of illustration, to appreciate its history and evolving nature through exhibitions, lectures and education, and to contribute the service of its members to the welfare of the community at large. Founded in 1901, the Society has had a distinguished yet lively history as an active participant in the ever-changing field of illustration. The vitality of the organization depends on attracting qualified artists and others to join us in this mission. For more information, please visit www.societyillustrators.org

Society of Illustrators
128 East 63rd Street, New York, NY 10065

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