CBLDF- Articles

Frank Miller for the CBLDF!

Rory Root, 1958 - 2008

Rory Root, the beloved owner of Berkeley's revolutionary comic bookstore, Comic Relief and an ardent supporter of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund passed away yesterday at the age of 50.

Rory was a dear friend of the Fund and of the comics industry at large. He was an instrumental champion for comics diversity, and advancing the graphic novel format. He was a pioneer for bringing graphic novels to libraries, and an outspoken advocate for the field's best work.

Over the years, Rory has hosted several CBLDF events, and has provided valuable advice for our education and legal initiatives. All of us at the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund extend our sincere condolences to his family, staff, and many, many friends. He will be deeply missed.

Full obituary: The Comics Reporter
Tributes: Collective Memory
Photo by Whit Spurgeon, courtesy of The Comics Reporter

UPDATED: Comic Relief and the Root family request, "If you would like to make a contribution to the cause that Rory kept very close to his heart you can make a donation to The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) in his name." To make a donation, click here and include "Rory Root" in the comments field at check out.

We at the CBLDF are once again humbled by Rory's generous spirit.

Dunbier talks Liberty Comics at CBR

Scott Dunbier,Special Projects Manager for IDW Publishing, talked to Comic Book Resources about Liberty Comics, a 32-page anthology comic that will benefit the CBLDF.

Gordon Lee Case Dismissed

At Friday evening’s “CBLDF Presents An Evening with Neil Gaiman,” the guest of honor began the evening with a surprise announcement: the Gordon Lee case has been dismissed.

Rome News-Tribune Condemns Gordon Lee Prosecution

"Any jury anywhere else in the state would probably laugh this one out of court," says Georgia's Rome News-Tribune of the Gordon Lee case in a scathing editorial condemning the case's continued prosecution. A must-read for everybody following this important case.

"You Don't Plea Bargain The First Amendment"

Newsarama talked to Charles Brownstein for extra details about what happened from his perspective -- sitting right in the court room. Read the full interview here.

"Everyone Is Sickened By What Gordon Is Facing"

In the wake of the mistrial and decision by the prosecution to refile charges against comic retailer Gordon Lee, ICV2 caught up with Charles Brownstein, Executive Director of the CBLDF, to find out more about the latest developments . Read the full story.

Gordon Lee: The Road To Trial

After nearly three years, as many arraignments, and at least two sets of facts all arising from the same incident, amounting to an $80,000 price tag, the case of Georgia v. Gordon Lee is scheduled to finally see trial this November. Busted! examines one of the strangest and most necessary defenses the CBLDF has undertaken.

CBLDF: Ready for War or Peace at Publishers Weekly

Calvin Reid at Publishers Weekly recently spoke to Charles Brownstein about supporting free expression in bookstores and comics shops, and the Gordon Lee case in particular.

The Comics Reporter Sunday Interview: Charles Brownstein

Tom Spurgeon at ComicsReporter.com talks to the CBLDF Executive Director about several different issues, including the board, the Gordon Lee case, and the Fund's move to New York a couple of years back.

Unpacking the OPUS Controversy

On August 26 and September 2, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Berkeley Breathed featured jokes in his Sunday-only Opus comic strip instigated by a character adopting radical Muslim behavior and dress. It briefly became a major story in the journalistic world because a portion of the strip’s clients, including the Post (Washington, D.C.), declined to run those installments.
Tom Spurgeon spoke to Syndicate Editor Amy Lago of The Washington Post Writer’s Group about their view of the newspapers’ decision’s not to run the two strips and the general tightrope that cartoonists and their attending business must walk between serving their clients and fulfilling the mandates of free expression.

NPR covers Comic Book Store Owner on Trial for Nude Images

The Gordon Lee case was covered on National Public Radio's Morning Edition. You can listen to the story here.

CBLDF's Brownstein: Defending First Amendment Rights

Executive Director Charles Brownstein talks to Silver Bullet Comics about the case of Georgia v. Gordon Lee finally going to trial and more. Read it.

Smell the Neil Gaiman Collection

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is selling perfume oil blends inspired by the work of Neil Gaiman, called, of course, The Neil Gaiman Collection. The profits benefit the CBLDF.

CBLDF Sends Letter To Marshall, Missouri

The CBLDF has joined the National Coalition Against Censorship in a support letter to the Board of Trustees at the Marshall Public Library in Marshall, Missouri regarding removal of graphic novels Fun Home and Blankets.