Defending the first amendment rights of comic book readers, creators, and retailers since 1990.

Sounds kind of strange, doesn't it? The sad truth is that comic books have never been afforded the same rights as other media. The public's view of the comic book as a product solely for children has made it near dangerous for creators and retailers to make or sell comics intended for a mature audience. Thankfully, there's an organization willing to step up and help those whose first amendment rights are being threatened.

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) originally started back in 1986 to raise money for the defense of Michael Correa, store manager of Friendly Frank's comic shop in Lansing, Illinois, who had been arrested for selling 15 adult comics to an adult undercover officer. He was arrested after the officers decided that 7 of the comics were "obscene" and, confident that he was protected under the first amendment, waived his right to a jury trial. The entire comic book industry was shocked when a local circuit court judge handed down a obscenity conviction. Correa was quick to file an appeal, and looked toward Frank Mangiaracina (the owner Friendly Frank's) and comic book supporters everywhere to help raise some money. Fans and industry rallied fast and, headed by volunteer Denis Kitchen, were able to raise enough money through donations and auctions to get a defense that would, two years later, get Correa's conviction overturned.

Realizing that comic book were becoming a target for active censorship and that a full-time organization was needed to help, the Comic Book Legal Defense fund was officially incorporated as a non-profit in 1990 using the money leftover money from Friendly Frank's defense. Through the early support of big names like Neil Gaiman, Dave Sim, and Frank Miller they were able to quickly start a decent-sized fund to donate towards defense costs. They've been called on numerous times since then to defend artists and retailers, sometimes being backed by the ACLU and sometimes by themselves, but always with the support of everyday comic book readers across the world.

Membership
A membership to the CBLDF will cost you $25 yearly. You'll get a CBLDF membership card, special access to CBLDF events and rare premiums, a subscription to their quarterly newsletter Busted!, and a warm fuzzy feeling for doing the right thing.

Premiums
The CBLDF also sells shirts, posters, cards, and original art donated by various artists, with all proceeds going directly to the CBLDF. For Neil Gaiman fans, there's a special section of merchandise donated by Gaiman. Dave Sim, Frank Miller, and Evan Dorkin have all done original work for the CBLDF premiums, so you know it's good stuff.

Auctions
The CBLDF is constantly auctioning off items or art donated to them. Of course, all proceeds go directly to the CBLDF. They usually auction on eBay (username "cbldf"), or check their website for up to the minute auction information.

March 1994: Michael Diana was arrested, charged, and convicted of distributing obscene material in less than a week after an undercover officer received a copy of his zine Boiled Angel. The CBLDF quickly stepped in to appeal his conviction, which included some very strange restrictions during his probation. The CBLDF's actions were brought to a halt in May of 1997 when the US Supreme Court turned down the CBLDF's and ACLU's joint petition with no comment.

September 1995: Planet Comics in Oklahoma City was raided after being fingered by local conservative watchdog group Oklahomans for Children and Families for selling comics (to adults) that they deemed obscene. The local police agreed, and the two owners, Michael Kennedy and John Hunter, were charged with 4 felonies and 4 misdemeanors (for 8 separate titles). The CBLDF stepped in and managed to get all the charges except two (felony counts of trafficking in obscenity for selling Verotika), which carried a sentence of three to five years. Planet Comics was evicted from its store and subsequently lost over 80% of its business before finally closing its doors. Finally getting sick of drawing out the ordeal, Kennedy and Hunter took a plea bargain and plead guilty to reduced charges without notifying the CBLDF on September 5, 1997. By pleading guilty, Kennedy and Hunter both received a three-year deferred prison sentence and a fine of $1500.

March 1996: A civil suit was filed by musicians Johnny Winter and Edgar Winter against DC Comics artists Joe Lansdale, Timothy Truman, and Sam Glanzman claiming defimation of character and invasion of privacy in connection with the DC title Jonah Hex: Riders of the Worm and Such. A title that was started 1993 with the intention to be used as a forum to parody music acts and public figures. Since DC originally refused to support their artists, the CBLDF decided to lend their support in May 1996. Soon afterwards, DC changed their mind and relieved CBLDF of any financial burden, and finally all charges were dropped in early 1998.

Support the CBLDF!
www.cbldf.org