Diamond, CBLDF Launch Annual Retailer Membership Drive
For almost 25 years the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has been defending comics at the front lines of the law. The CBLDF is the comics industry's partner in defending the First Amendment rights that creators, publishers, and retailers depend upon to do business. Since 1986, they have provided a strong line of first defense against prosecutors attacking our industry partners. Like the heroes of the comics we sell, the Fund is there to protect comics whenever they are threatened.
When comics retailers, artists, or publishers find their rights under attack, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund leaps to action. The CBLDF is ready to mount an aggressive defense for comics at a moment’s notice by utilizing the best First Amendment attorneys in the country. Most recently, that strategy led to a win in Georgia, where CBLDF defendant Gordon Lee prevailed over prosecutors who spent three years trying to send him to prison for allegedly distributing a comic book depicting Picasso in the nude.
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is able to perform this work due almost entirely to the monetary support of its members. Now is the time to support their important work by joining or renewing as a Retailer Member in this month’s PREVIEWS Membership Drive.
Membership Has Its Privileges
The CBLDF has created a variety of resources and incentives to reward your participation in this very important cause. All stores signing up at the $100 Retailer Advocate (JUL100001) level in this campaign will receive:
- A One Year Membership in Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
- CBLDF Membership Card, featuring Oz from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as drawn by Georges Jeanty
- The Best Defense: CBLDF Retailer Resource Guide, featuring articles by the industry's best minds who outline strategies for safeguarding your store against legal threats
- Artifacts #1 1-in-50 Variant Cover, signed by Marc Silvestri, provided by Top Cow Productions
- Irredeemable Art Card, signed by Mark Waid, provided by BOOM! Studios
- Dr. Solar #1, signed by Jim Shooter, provided by Dark Horse Comics
- CBLDF Window Cling
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CBLDF Donation Can
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Retailer Members signing up at higher levels are also eligible to receive other items.
Stores joining at the $250 Protector Level (JUL100002) will receive the above, plus 5 assorted CBLDF Signature Series bookplates and a 2010 CBLDF membership card, featuring Oz from Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer signed by Brad Meltzer.
Retailer Members signing up at the $500 Defender Level (JUL100003) will receive all of the above, a signed volume of Scott Pilgrim provided by Oni Press, and an assortment of 10 CBLDF Signature Series bookplates including signatures from: Neil Gaiman, Terry Moore, David Peterson, Darick Robertson, Craig Thompson, David Finch, Matt Wagner, Brad Meltzer, JG Jones, Darwyn Cooke, Amanda Connor & others.
Retailer Members signing up at the Champion Level ($1,000-$5,000) (JUL100004) will receive the above, a signed copy of Scott Pilgrim provided by Oni Press, a CBLDF Membership Card will be signed by Brad Meltzer, and a original piece of art from one of the many Artist Supporters.
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How The CBLDF Works For You
Every day, the CBLDF works on the front-lines of the law to defend our business. Your membership in the Fund will help them continue to provide top-flight legal defense for First Amendment cases affecting comic book stores and industry partners.
Beyond direct legal defense of an active case, the CBLDF also keeps a close watch on legislative issues that would affect the sale and display of comics. In recent years they have successfully partnered with The Media Coalition to combat a wide variety of unconstitutional laws that would have impeded the industry's ability to offer comics' full range of creativity.
The CBLDF is also your partner to prevent cases before they occur. You never hear about much of the Fund's work, particularly if they squelched a case before the matter rose to the notoriety of a criminal proceeding. At the first sign of legal intimidation, comic stores, libraries, and creators can reach out the CBLDF, which is always on call with access to the country's best First Amendment lawyers. Those early calls mobilize immediate attention from the Fund's counsel, who are often able to make a case go away with a letter or phone call.
The CBLDF also provides a growing number of education tools to help the industry protect itself against changes in the legal landscape, including The Best Defense, offered as part of this program.
The CBLDF's ability to mobilize immediate legal action, and offer hands-on education depends upon the support of its members. All of us benefit from the work the CBLDF performs. Please join us in supporting their ability to do that work by standing up for your store's rights and becoming a valued CBLDF Retailer Member today.
