Comic Book Legal Defense Fun at Comic-Con International

Comic-Con International, held every year at the San Diego Convention Center, is the largest gathering of the comics community in the United States. Creators, fans, publishers, and pros come from far and wide to be a part of this massive celebration of pop culture. And, thanks to the generosity of Comic-Con’s organizers, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has always been an important part of the festivities.

Comic-Con 2001, held July 18 through July 22, will be no exception. This year, the Fund’s home base is Booth #507, right next to Cartoon Books. The Fund’s booth will see signings with some of the best and brightest creators in the industry, as well the debut of many exciting new premium items. And, Saturday night, July 21 will see the Fund’s third annual San Diego Members’ Reception.

Comic-Con offers many creators a chance to donate their time and talent and show their support of the Fund. By signing (and sometimes sketching!) for an hour at the CBLDF booth, creators get the chance to meet fans and CBLDF supporters, as well as raise a significant amount of money to help the Fund important legal work. This year, the Fund is proud to offer signings by Will Eisner, George Perez, Peter David, Dave Gibbons, Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, and many more. We’ll also be presenting a special signing reuniting three of the founders of Image Comics: Jim Valentino, Erik Larsen, and Marc Silvestri. Check out the complete schedule of signings at our booth.

Besides getting a chance to meet and get autograph from some of your favorite creators, the CBLDF booth will also offer many new premium items available for donations to the cause. Fans of CBLDF stalwart Neil Gaiman should be sure to stop by to pick up Neil Gaiman: Live at the Aladdin, a video record of a reading on Gaiman’s sold-out Last Angel Tour. The Fund is also pleased to offer hardcover 1st editions of Gaiman’s new blockbuster novel, American Gods – each one signed by the author. We’ll also have the new CBLDF Poster Series designed by Randy Dahlk and many fantastic prints by Frank Miller. The long-awaited George Perez Archives debuts at Comic-Con, as does Occupational Hazards #2.

But the apex of Comic-Con International is sure to be the annual CBLDF Members’ Reception, generously sponsored for a third year in a row by Dark Horse Comics. This informal gathering over cocktails and snacks lets CBLDF Members mingle with artists, comics pros, and each other. It’s a wonderful way to actually talk to your favorite creator, editor, or publisher, far removed from the noise, activity, and long lines of the convention floor. The Reception will be held on Saturday night at 9, in the beautiful Coronado Room of the Marriott Hotel. The hotel is right next to the convention center, and the Coronado Room is on the fourth floor of the South Tower. All CBLDF Members, new and old, are encouraged to stop by.

Thursday, July 19

George Perez – 1 pm
Brian Stelfreeze – 3 pm
Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti – 5 pm

Friday, July 20

Will Eisner – 11 am
George Perez – 1 pm
James Kochalka – 2 pm
Peter David – 3 pm

Saturday, July 21

Peter David – 12 pm
George Perez – 1pm
Jim Valentino, Erik Larsen & Marc Silvestri – 2 pm
Dave Gibbons – 3 pm

Sunday, July 22

Peter David 12 pm
George Perez – 1 pm

Meet these Artists and More at the
CBLDF Members’ Reception
Saturday Night at 9 PM
In the Coronado Room at the Marriott Hotel
South Tower, Fourth Floor
Sponsored by Dark Horse Comics