Formation | 1986 |
---|---|
Purpose | Protect the First Amendment rights of comics creators, publishers, and retailers |
Headquarters | New York, NY, United States |
Interim Executive Director | Jeff Trexler[1] |
Website | www.cbldf.org |
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) is an American non-profit organization formed in 1986 to protect the First Amendment rights of comics creators, publishers, and retailers covering legal expenses. Charles Brownstein served as the organization's executive director from 2002[2] until his resignation in 2020.[3]
The CBLDF is supported by many big names of the industry; over the years, its board of directors has included Larry Marder, Ted Adams, Reginald Hudlin, Gene Luen Yang, Chris Staros, Peter David, Neil Gaiman, Paul Levitz, Milton Griepp, Steve Geppi, and many other industry figures. Fund Comics, More Fund Comics, and Even More Fund Comics are compilations of short work by famous artists sold to support the CBLDF. Additionally, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab offers a line of perfumes whose profits go directly to the CBLDF.[4] Popular artists such as comedian Bill Hader,[5] cartoonist Jeff Smith,[6] and comic book artist Frank Miller[7] have expressed support for it.
The CBLDF is a sponsor of Banned Books Week, and also works with libraries, helping to keep graphic novels on their shelves. In the past they have partnered with such organizations as the Kids Right to Read Project, the American Library Association, and the Office of Intellectual Freedom as part of this mission.