CBLDF - Press Releases

CBLDF Wins Gordon Lee Case!

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund scored a victory last Friday when prosecutors dismissed all charges against Rome, GA retailer Gordon Lee. Neil Gaiman announced that Judge Larry Salmon signed off on the dismissal on Friday evening at New York Comic Con. "This is a victory for Gordon, and a victory for comics," says CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein. "For more than three years, the comics world has stood behind Gordon's innocence and now we are vindicated."

Neil Gaiman Announces Gordon Lee Win!

APR 16: RASL Premiere Party, Tix Available Now!

Toast the arrival of Jeff Smith's new comic book epic RASL! Come meet Jeff Smith in person at his only New York City appearance of the season, enjoy an open bar, and get a takeaway bag of tons of exclusive RASL goodies. Only 100 general admission tickets and 26 VIP tickets are available so get your ticket now! Tickets are available now! Get the Full Details here!

APR 15: CBLDF Drink & Draw Starring Aqua Leung!

Tax Day is Over! Now drink up with NYC's best cartoonists and party for a good cause! Featuring Jeffrey Brown, David Finch, Dan Goldman, Alex Maleev, Paul Maybury, and dozens of NY's Finest Cartoonists. Sponsored by ComicSpace.com and Image Comics, premiering Paul Maybury's graphic novel AQUA LEUNG. Tuesday, April 15 7:00 to 11:00 PM Village Pourhouse 64 3rd Avenue at 11th St Drink Specials all night! $5 Suggested Donation; $20 for VIP Schwag Bag

Y: THE LAST PARTY Lives On With Video, Auctions!

Starting now on CBLDF's MySpace Profile (http://www.myspace.com/cbldf) you can experience the event with video featuring luminaries from the comics and entertainment world celebrating the conclusion of Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra's Y: THE LAST MAN! A benefit for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Y: THE LAST PARTY raised over $10,000 in net proceeds. That number will rise when the CBLDF launches an auction of tribute art by the likes of Jill Thompson, Cameron Stewart, Niko Henrichon, and more created for the party on eBay this Saturday. For details on the auction, please visit (http://www.myspace.com/cbldf)

CBLDF Rocks WonderCon! -- Jim Lee, Terry Moore, Aspen, Party & More!

This weekend, the CBLDF rings in the convention year at WonderCon, with signings, exclusive prints, live art battles, and a killer party at 111 Minna, San Francisco's coolest art gallery! Read on for more details!

UPDATED: Y: The Last Party Makes Comics History on February 8.

MySpace Comic Books, the comics community of the world's most popular social network, and Meltdown Comics , the renowned Los Angeles-based comic book shop, today announced a first-of-its-kind event for the comic book industry: Y: THE LAST PARTY.

Taking place on February 8th at Meltdown, the party is a celebrates the conclusion of the internationally acclaimed comic book series Y: The Last Man and is a benefit for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Joss Whedon will appear in person to toast Y: The Last Man co-creators Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. All proceeds from this once-in-a-lifetime event will benefit the First Amendment work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

Y: THE LAST PARTY is made possible by the generous support of sponsors from across the comic book industry: Y: The Last Man publisher Vertigo Comics ; Dark Horse Comics ; Image Comics ; and Top Cow Productions.

VIP Tickets are sold out, but there will be standing room tickets offered on the day of the party. For more details click here

CBLDF Says Thank You With Member Appreciation Holiday Parties!

Come celebrate comics, support the First Amendment, and toast a host of guest creators out to thank you for supporting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at the CBLDF Member Appreciation Holiday Parties!

Throughout December, the Fund is hosting parties in New York City, Los Angeles, CA, Berkeley, CA, and Vienna, VA featuring comics stars, incredible jam-packed gift bags, door prizes, auctions, discounts & more! Admission to all parties is free for card-carrying CBLDF members, or those who join or renew at the door. Read on to see what's happening!

CBLDF Launches All-Star eBay Auction!

Original Art by Jeff Smith, Dave Sim, Dustin Nguyen & More!

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund proudly presents its 2007 Holiday Benefit Auction on eBay , featuring over 40 rare and one-of-a-kind items offered to support the First Amendment legal work the Fund performs on behalf of the comics community. Proceeds from this auction will directly benefit the ongoing defense of Gordon Lee in Rome, GA. Bidding is now open , with most items closing on Sunday, December 9. Bid Now!

Gordon Lee Case Declared A Mistrial

The case against Gordon Lee took another in an ongoing series of bizarre turns this afternoon when statements made by State prosecutor John Tully during opening arguments led to a mistrial.

A Special Message From Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith has a special note for you about how we all can support the CBLDF while it goes to court for Gordon Lee in GA. Full Story

Gordon Lee Trial Begins November 5

On November 5, after three years of criminal charges, legal proceedings, and seemingly countless delays, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund defendant Gordon Lee will finally have his day in court. Full Story

Retailers On The Rise At CBLDF

As the comics retail community departs for Diamond’s Fort Wayne Retailer Summit this weekend, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) is proud to announce the election of Joe Ferrara of Atlantis Fantasyworld to the office of Vice President of the organization, and to welcome Chris Powell of Lone Star Comics & MyComicShop.com as the newest member of its Board of Directors. Ferrara & Powell join President Chris Staros, Treasurer Milton Griepp, Secretary Louise Nemschoff, Peter David, Neil Gaiman, Paul Levitz, and Steve Geppi on the Board.

ComicBookShelf.Com Gives Back To The Industry

Starting October 1, ComicBookShelf.com , one of Northern California's leading online graphic novel retailers, will be giving back to the comic book industry by donating a percentage of every sale to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the Hero Initiative.

Gordon Lee Trial Delayed Again

The long running case of Georgia v. Gordon Lee just got longer. The closely watched Free Expression case, which was scheduled to go to trial yesterday, was postponed because the judge was unable to appear due to illness. The case will be rescheduled, and is likely to run on the next misdemeanor trial calendar this November.
“Obviously we’re disappointed that the case was unable to go yesterday, as scheduled, but understand that this kind of delay is nobody’s fault and unavoidable. We wish Judge Salmon a speedy recovery,” says CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein. Full Story