Newsletter (32 pages)

CBLDF NEWSLETTER BUSTED! #13
Three years ago Texas authorities arrested a comic shop manager for doing his job. After selling an adult manga comic book to an adult, Jesus Castillo was arrested and later convicted of promoting obscenity. The state's reason? "Comics are for kids." Read the full, frightening story of the Fund's continuing battle to keep Castillo out of prison and defend comics' place as protected free speech in this issue of Busted! Also inside, see how the professional community is helping the Fund in feature articles about Frank Miller, Sam Keith, Andy Mangels, and George Pérez, including never before seen Pérez artwork! Plus first Amendment news, convention reports, and more in the biggest issue of Busted ever!

____Newsletter, 24pg, b&w

... $0.00

THE PEREZ ARCHIVES
published in THE CBLDF NEWSLETTER: BUSTED vol 2, #13

A CLASS ACTION

DEATHSTROKE THE TERMINATOR and ROBIN (2002), published in THE CBLDF NEWSLETTER: BUSTED vol 2, #13

At a dinner preceeding Baltimore Comicon, George Pérez at long last received his Defender of Liberty Statue. Pérez has been one of the Fund's most generous supporters over the years. His donations of time, art, and money have kept the Fund strong, particularly in the early stages of the Jesus Castillo defense. It was with a great deal of pride that the Fund was able to show our appreciation to George at the show.

Beyond his work for the Fund at conventions, Pérez and long-time archivist Andy Mangels created one of the Fund's most successful benefity books, The Pérez Archives, volume 1. the project was published in 2001 and sold out in less than a year, generating nearly $7,000 for the CBLDF.

Mangels compiled the book after a life-long interest in the work of George Pérez. "I've been archiving George's work since I was a teenage and keeping a checklist of his work. Because of this I've gotten an incredible amount of unpublished artwork that are cool examples of his genius. I wanted to do something with them that would showcase his work and raise money for a good cause," Mangels said.

Mangels spent over 400 hours compiling the book, which included hundreds of unpublished drawings by Pérez and a comprehensive checklist of the artist's work. "Because this was supposed to be the most comprehensive examination of George's career. I couldn't miss anything," Mangels tells Busted! "George and I went over it line by line, and ended up adding even more artwork and entries." All the time Mangels spent on the book was donated to benefit the CBLDF.

Mangels, whose science fiction and popular media books - and comics works - have put him on bestseller lists, is no stranger to good causes. For years he has been the leading gay activist in comic books, editing the awarding winning Gay Comics for eight years and working to improve the profile and working conditions of gay cartoonists in this medium. He chose the CBLDF as the beneficiary of the project for two reasons: "I really wanted to do the book because of my long interest in George's artwork and I was raised to really believe in causes and to help out other people. Although George has donated to various charities over the years, the one that he supported most and I felt the most passion about myself was the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. As a member of a minority group that faces adversity in a legal fashion - and homosexuality is still a crime in fourteen states - picking the CBLDF as our charity really hit home with me."

"Censorship of any kind is more of a crime than anything that could be published." Mangels says. "It doesn't mean that everything has a place on the bookshelf, but it also doesn't mean that things I don't want on my bookshelf shouldn't be published. For these reasons, even these days I'm not working much in the comics industry and instead am doing novels, my commitment to the comic industry and the project of creator rights is still very strong."

Right now Andy and the Fund are considering venues for a second edition of The Pérez Archives. In the meantime, here's some work by the master that has not yet been published. Enjoy!

For more info about Andy Mangels, visit www.andymangels.com

There was a problem with the CBLDF NEWSLETTER: BUSTED #13 (which arrived today at comic stores), I did order a bundle of this (to give away), but apparently when my comic book store got it in - they just assumed it was something they had ordered, so they placed a free copy in all of their subscriber's inbox. I'm sorry if I promised you a free copy. You can obtain a free newsletter if you join CBLDF's membership donation for $25. If you keep up with the news, you'll know that this is a great cause!

Anyway, the 32 page newsletter has a two page article on Andy Mangels's THE PEREZ ARCHIVES #1 (and a small mentioning for the second issue). It also feature three unpublished artwork of Robin vs Deathstroke, the Terminator (2002), Firestorm (2002), and Captain America (1998), the first two can be found on The Artist's Choice.

If I get the time, I'll transcribe it for you guys to read.

Busted #13 is at the printer and scheduled to be shipped mid-Jan.

Sorry for any incovenience this may have caused.

Charles Brownstein,
Director

Vu: There are several ways to help out Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, you can join as a membership for $25 - which includes the free newsletter, or you can start bidding on some items they have on ebay: cbldf. In 1993, I saw Neil Gaiman on Halloween, reading scripts from his short story book. The event was for the CBLDF, and at the time I didn't quite understand what the organization was all about and why we need one to begin with. With the recent Jesus Castillo case, in Texas - who was arrested for selling a mature comic book to an adult (you can read an interview with Jesus on Newsarama), there has never been a time that the CBLDF is needed more! I hope you all sign up for support. I know I'm signing up after I get my end of year bonus from work. Also, George have always supported the organization - be on the look out for Andy Mangels' PEREZ ARCHIVES #2, which is coming out August 2003, hopefully.

Baltimore Comicon Raises $6,500 for Fund
October 30, 2002

(excerpt)

A star-studded line up of comics professionals, progresive retailers, and staunch supporters donated $6,500 to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at last weekend’s Baltimore Comicon.

The largest gift came from Phoenix Comics and Toys, whose raffle for a copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1 generated $2,000 for the Fund. Based in Herndon, VA, Phoenix supports a wide assortment of comics and graphic novels. “We’re really angry about the situation in Texas and wanted to do something to help out,” says Howie Welsch, co-owner of the shop. The raffle attracted hundreds of entrants and the winner was Greg Smith, an 18 year old comics fan from Maryland.

Defender of Liberty George Perez donated half of the money earned from his weekend’s sketches to the Fund. On Friday night Perez was presented with his Defender of Liberty statue at a dinner for the show’s artists preceeding the event. Perez beamed as he accepted the award and restated his commitment to the Fund’s fight to preserve comics’ First Amendment rights.

ITEM: BALTIMORE COMICON RAISES $6,500 FOR CBLDF
Mon, 04 Nov 2002 15:37:59 -0000

(excerpt)

A star-studded line up of comics professionals, progresive retailers, and staunch supporters donated $6,500 to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at Baltimore Comicon, held October 26 and 27.

The largest gift came from Phoenix Comics and Toys, whose raffle for a copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1 generated $2,000 for the Fund. Based in Herndon, VA, Phoenix supports a wide assortment of comics and graphic novels. "We're really angry about the situation in Texas and wanted to do something to help out," says Howie Welsch, co-owner of the shop. The raffle attracted hundreds of entrants and the winner was Greg Smith, an 18 year old comics fan from Maryland.

Defender of Liberty George Perez donated half of the money earned from his weekend's sketches to the Fund. On Friday night Perez was presented with his Defender of Liberty statue at a dinner for the show's artists preceeding the event. Perez beamed as he accepted the award and restated his commitment to the Fund's fight to preserve comics' First Amendment rights.

[ Read more BALTIMORE COMICON RAISES $6,500 FOR CBLDF ]

I believe that for a variety of reasons, the 2000 award was never actually presented to George. As far as I know from discussions with Charles, the award presented here was the long-late 2000 award.

Image from "George Pérez receives CBLDF Defender of Liberty Award" (May 2000)

Topic: BALTIMORE CON ESCAPES THE SNIPER
posted 10-29-2002 04:36 PM

Call me a geek, but I love convention centers, and really enjoyed the Baltimore Convention Center.

I was really excited on Sunday to see so many people in downtown Baltimore all dressed up in costume and headed for the show, until I realized that those folks were actually dressed up in costume to attend the Baltimore Ravens/Pittsburgh Steelers football game.

Seeing Charles Brownstein surprise George Perez by presenting him the absolutely gorgeous Defender of Liberty Award at the Friday was quite touching. I'm still thinking of ways that I can possibly help the comics industry and specifically the CBLDF so that some day I may be deserving of such an honor.

(Vu: That last paragraph above confused me, because I did not know who actually won the award. Upon some research, I was able to find out that Charles Brownstein works for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, who are the presenters of the award. So it is a safe assumption that Pérez won the award! This was the original award that George was suposed to receive in 2000, please read Andy Mangel's explanation: October 29, 2002 | Defender of Liberty.)

I checked with my comic book store, Outpost 2000, and the reason why the CBLDF NEWSLETTER is free ($0.00) is because you have to buy them in a bundle of 50 for $20. So I said I would pick up half of it for $10, so I am getting 25 copies. I am giving some of these away for Pérez fans who aren't fortunately enough to get these at their local stores (or are living in other countries).

You know how to contact me!

PREVIEWS vol 12, #10

In the new issue of Diamonds PREVIEWS Vol XII #10 on page 279 Comic Book Legal Defense Fund newsletter BUSTED #13 features articles and artwork by Andy Mangels and some never seen George Perez artwork.

CBLDF NEWSLETTER: BUSTED #13 (cover of issue #11 shown)

CBLDF NEWSLETTER BUSTED! #13 Three years ago Texas authorities arrested a comic shop manager for doing his job. After selling an adult manga comic book to an adult, Jesus Castillo was arrested and later convicted of promoting obscenity. The state's reason? "Comics are for kids." Read the full, frightening story of the Fund's continuing battle to keep Castillo out of prison and defend comics' place as protected free speech in this issue of Busted! Also inside, see how the professional community is helping the Fund in feature articles about Frank Miller, Sam Keith, Andy Mangels, and George Pérez, including never before seen Pérez artwork! Plus first Amendment news, convention reports, and more in the biggest issue of Busted ever! ____Newsletter, 24pg, b&w ... $0.00

GEORGE PÉREZ RECEIVES CBLDF DEFENDER OF LIBERTY AWARD

GEORGE PÉREZ has been honored with the 2000 DEFENDER OF LIBERTY AWARD. Bestowed by the COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND, this annual award recognizes outstanding efforts to promote and protect free speech in the comics community. The award was presented to Pérez by 1999 Defender of Liberty BRIAN PULIDO on April 28 following the Harvey Awards at the PITTSBURGH COMICON.

Pérez is an industry veteran whose work has delighted fans for more than a quarter of a century. His epic work on "The Avengers," "The Teen Titans," and "Crisis On Infinite Earths" is superhero storytelling at its finest. He 's found renewed popularity re-assembling "The Avengers" with writer KURT BUSIEK, and his creator-owned comic "Crimson Plague" will re-launch with Gorilla Comics this summer. In recent years, Pérez has proven himself a consistent and gifted fundraiser for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and other charities.

"I'd like to let everyone know just how important the CBLDF is to me," said Pérez, "and to the entire comics industry. If we want to be creative, if we want to have a real variety of work out there, work that not only indulges people's fantasies but challenges their intellect, than nothing should be so sacred or profane that it cannot be talked about, or written about, or drawn about. The day we let a small faction of society say not 'we don't like what you're doing,' but 'we won't allow you to do it,' that's the day that every single principle of this country starts to fall apart. And I will do my damnedest to be the last man standing on that day if I have to be. But with the CBLDF I won't have to be the last man standing. I'll have an army with me."

True to his words, Pérez has raised well over $15,000 for the CBLDF in the last three years alone. In the process, he's alerted countless fans and industry professionals about the very real censorship issues which affect everyone in the comics community. "My modus operandi at all comic conventions is to choose a charity and donate every cent that I make from doing sketches," said Pérez. "It's a lot more meaningful and beneficial than simply making a donation. And by sketching non-stop for a full three day show, I've found I can really raise a lot of money."

Pérez's stamina at these marathon sketching sessions is legendary. He'll often sketch for more than eight hours at a time, and he's been known to take sketch orders back to his hotel room to finish after the convention floor closes. "As my wife will attest, when I get home I suffer from a severe case of not being twenty. You may see me as Iron Man, but you don't see me at home when all the bolts start to fall out. I'm at full throttle at conventions because I get to watch the fans at their best. When you tell them where the money is going, the good vibes I get just make me want to do more. It's a great feeling to inspire a fan or another professional to help out. There's a lot of good out there, and I get to see it first-hand. I leave shows feeling incredible."

Fans of Pérez's work aren't the only ones to come out for these events. He' s often joined by his friends and fellow comics professionals, including Busiek, "Avengers" colorist TOM SMITH, and Crimson Plague models DINA SIMMONS and SHANNON LOWER. With their assistance, Pérez raised $3,000 over three days at Wizard World 1999, and over $2,000 in just one day at Megacon 2000. "The next show I do," he promised, "I've got some records to break!"

Pérez will be doing more charitable work, and not just for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. His next scheduled appearance is at HEROES CON (June 16-18 in Charlotte, NC) where he'll be raising money for the CBLDF and the Burned Children's Fund. After that, look for him at BIG EASY CON 2001 (Memorial Day weekend in New Orleans), where he'll be helping out the CBLDF before boarding MAKING WAVES, the second CBLDF fundraising cruise. Pérez has also raised thousands of dollars for the Make-A Wish-Foundation and to benefit those suffering from muscular dystrophy and diabetes.

"When I read about some of the cases the CBLDF funds," admitted Pérez, "I might be unfamiliar with some of the books involved. But that doesn't matter. I have the choice to read them or not. The fact that I have that choice is what makes the CBLDF so important. I don't want someone else telling me what I can and can't read. I'm a 45 year old artist, I should have that right.

"It's both an honor and an inspiration to be recognized with the Defender of Liberty," he continued. "I hope the fact that I'm such a mainstream comics artist makes my dedication to the Fund all the more meaningful. There are those out there who will try to stop a comic book because they say it might encourage a child to put on a cape and try to fly out a window! We've all got to be vigilant. I'll have no one to blame but myself if something were to happen to me and the CBLDF wasn't there because I didn't choose to support it when I didn't need to. None of us can afford to be complacent. If we love this industry, hard times and good times, we have to fight to protect it. No creator or retailer or fan should think themselves so safe that they don't need the CBLDF."

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization protecting First Amendment rights in the comics community. Donations and inquiries should be directed to the CBLDF at P.O. Box 693, Northampton, MA 01061. For more CBLDF news and information, pick up a copy of "Busted!," the Fund's free quarterly newsletter, or visit the CBLDF web-site at http://www.cbldf.org.