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Home , Brian Azzarello, Brian Wood (comics), Cully Hamner, Denis Kitchen, Duncan Fegredo, Fiona Staples

issue four winter 2015

INCITING CHANGE: AN INTERVIEW WITH

2015: THE YEAR IN CENSORSHIP Director’s Note

From the murders at Charlie Hebdo on January 7 through the barbaric persecution of international political and the rising calls for censorship of graphic novels in the United States, the fight for free expression in was one of the central news stories of 2015. Thanks to the support of our contributors, CBLDF was at the forefront, fighting back when censorship struck at home and speaking out against violations of free STAFF speech abroad. In this issue of CBLDF Defender, we look back on this most eventful year. Charles Brownstein, Executive Director Alex Cox, Deputy Director It’s shocking to recognize that while comics are dominating the popular culture, they Samantha Johns, Development Manager are also facing more attempts at censorship in more communities in the United States Betsy Gomez, Editorial Director Maren Williams, Contributing Editor than they have since the moral panic of the 1950s that gave birth to the Comics Code. On Caitlin McCabe, Contributing Editor page 3, Betsy Gomez examines “The New Crusade Against Comics,” and how CBLDF Robert Corn-Revere, Legal Counsel is fighting back. Caitlin McCabe adds some historical perspective on page 12, exploring what happened to comics “After the Comics Code,” a cautionary tale of how moral panic BOARD OF DIRECTORS specifically hampered the creativity of this vibrant medium. , President Milton Griepp, Vice President Schools are the frontline of today’s domestic censorship battles. On page 6, Maren Jeff Abraham, Treasurer Williams discusses “Lone Wolf Censorship,” examining a recent spate of cases in which Dale Cendali, Secretary school administrators ignored or overrode review and challenge policies to unilaterally Jennifer L. Holm Reginald Hudlin remove books from reading lists and classrooms. On page 4, we investigate how Captain Katherine Keller Underpants, the most banned book series of 2013, was recently removed from a school book fair in Michigan because of the inclusion of a gay character. We also record the Christina Merkler Chris Powell results of our most recent battles on the Censorship Scorecard. Unfortunately, it’s not just schools that are restricting free speech. On page 5, learn how CBLDF is bringing suit against an unconstitutional Louisiana age-verification law that poses dangers to the rights ADVISORY BOARD of retailers and older minors. & , Co-Chairs Susan Alston Starting on page 8, “2015: The Year in Censorship” examines many of this year’s major censorship battles, and the numerous accomplishments CBLDF made in the service of free expression. Lee Frenchy Lunning Finally, on page 7, we’re proud to present a short conversation with Frank Miller, who Frank Miller changed the face of what’s possible for free expression in comics. Frank signed a variety Louise Nemschoff Mike Richardson of CBLDF exclusive prints to raise money for our important work, which you can find on William Schanes page 14, alongside other items available to thank our donors for their support. José Villarrubia Thanks to contributors like you, CBLDF was able to make a difference in the battle for Bob Wayne Peter Welch free expression this year. We hope you’ll be a part of supporting our efforts as we prepare to continue the fight into 2016 and beyond! CREDITS Betsy Gomez, Designer and Editor —Charles Brownstein, Executive Director Charles Brownstein, Contributor Alex Cox, Contributor Caitlin McCabe, Contributor CBLDF thanks our Guardian Members: Maren Williams, Contributor Defender logo designed by . James Wood Bailey, Grant Geissman, Philip Harvey, Joseph H. King, and Cover art by Frank Miller. Midwest Association. CBLDF is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Donations are tax- deductible to the fullest extent allowed CBLDF’s education program made possible with the by law in the year they are given. generous support of the Gaiman Foundation ©2015 Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and and supporters like you! respective authors.

Corporate Members

TM THE NEW CRUSADE AGAINST COMICS

Although comics have never been a bigger part of mainstream pop culture, they sustained more censorship attacks in 2015 than at any other time this century. CBLDF was on the case, fighting back by providing expert support to keep comics available for everyone. dation of the review committee—also violates the spirit of Rio Defending Comics on Campus Rancho Public Schools’ Library Bill of Rights and its challenge In June, CBLDF rose to the defense of comics at Crafton Hills policy, which say book challenges are to be treated “objectively, College in California. A 20-year-old student and her parents sought unemotionally, and as a routine matter.” Further, a FOIA request to have four graphic novels covered in an elective English class revealed that the district initially ignored its challenge policy. Re- that she had completed in May “eradicated from the system.” gardless, many free speech advocates treat the decision as a victory Tara Shultz, who is working towards an Associate Degree in En- because the book was not removed from the library. glish, knew when she began the course in January that it focused on graphic novels but said she “expected and , not pornography.” Shultz contacted her parents, and the family chal- Threats to Young lenged the inclusion of four of the ten books taught by Associate Throughout 2015, CBLDF was confidentially involved in pro- Professor Ryan Bartlett: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, Fun tecting several graphic novels for younger readers from attempted Home by , Y: The Last Man Vol. 1 by Brian K. bans. In many cases, we were able to keep the challenges from Vaughan and , and Vol. 2: The Doll’s happening—the best sort of victory! House by Neil Gaiman and various artists. CBLDF provided tools and resources to librarians who needed Crafton Hills declined to modify its curriculum based on the assistance defending Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell’s graph- family’s complaint, but hinted at requiring a disclaimer on the ic novel edition of The Graveyard Book, which was challenged syllabus in the future “so students have a better understanding of for violent imagery. Surprisingly, we also had to protect Raina the course content.” After CBLDF and members of the National Telgemeier’s kid-friendly bestseller Drama from a sexual content Coalition Against Censorship sent a letter urging against that ac- challenge that most likely arose because it features gay characters. tion, the San Bernardino Community College District ultimately After becoming the first to earn the Caldecott decided not to implement such a requirement for Crafton Hills and Honor, and Mariko Tamaki’s This One Summer its other campus, San Bernardino Valley College. also became the book that CBLDF had to defend most frequently Shultz’s challenge is rare, although similar protests against in 2015. The Caldecott Medal and Honor are given to illustrators comics are increasing on college campuses. CBLDF is preparing whose work is suitable for children up to 14 years of age. An exam- resources to continue fighting this troubling trend in the new year. ination of past Caldecott winners and honorees reveals that most of the audience for these books is younger. In the last ten years alone, about 82% of Caldecott winners have been aimed at audiences age Taking on a Media Attack 8 and under. As a result, many people have the expectation that Rejecting one parent’s complaint that the highly-regarded graphic Caldecott honorees are meant for the youngest readers. novel by was “child porn,” a district This One Summer is absolutely eligible and deserving of the review committee in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, voted to keep the Caldecott honor, but problems arose when people ordered the book book in a high school library. CBLDF led a coalition that included based on its awards pedigree rather than familiarity with the sub- NCAC in defending the book after it was attacked in a lurid and ject matter and the intended audience. A few people, believing the biased news report from local TV affiliate KOAT, which continued book is aimed at younger readers, have been shocked to find that its attack after the decision to keep the book was announced. The the award-winning graphic novel is intended for audiences age 12 win was tempered by news that the parent was going to appeal the and up. Instead of taking responsibility for their lack of familiarity, review committee’s decision to the school board, but school board some of these individuals attacked the book. meeting minutes reveal no further discussion of the challenge. More troubling are the challenges that sought to ban This One Although Palomar is technically back in the RRHS library, the Summer for its intended audience because of its handling of ma- victory is qualified: A parental signature is now required for anyone ture themes of coming of age, teen pregnancy, a failed pregnancy, under 18 who would like to check out the book. The requirement and mature language. CBLDF fought these challenges and many sets up an access barrier for the vast majority of students based more this year, fulfilling our mission to protect the freedom to on one parent’s complaint. The special treatment for one book— read comics! apparently an administrative decision rather than a recommen-

cbldf.org | Winter 2015 | CBLDF Defender | 3 News

this world, they should know about Michigan Elementary School Bans that regardless. I mean, [parents] Captain Underpants from Book Fair should have that conversation be- Over Gay Character fore it’s brought up,” argued parent Kimberly Rose while speaking with A Michigan school whose motto proudly declares “Preparing Stu- Detroit’s Local 4 News. dents for the Changing World” acted otherwise with the ban of the newest Captain Underpants novel from their recent book fair for Although the book has been re- its allusion to a gay character. moved from the book fair, “the school decided we’ll make it avail- The Arborwood Elementary School parent-teacher organization able online,” said Martin. “But we decided to ban Captain Underpants and the Sensational of won’t make it available in the actu- Sir Stinks-A-Lot when they were notified that the book contained a al book fair itself.” Martin further Art ©2015 Dav Pilkey. ™ & © Scholastic Inc. gay character—a fact that is only uncovered at the end of the book, noted that he thought that pulling the book from the when it is noted that Harold, one of the protagonists, grows up to fair was the appropriate call. “I support the decision of the parent be an artist living with his domestic partner Billy. group and the principal for handling [the situation] this way.” Normally parents aren’t given the option to regulate what books Author Dav Pilkey is no to his series being challenged. should be included in the school’s book fairs, but when organizer Captain Underpants has repeatedly been on the American Library Scholastic notified the school that the fair list might contain “a Association’s most frequently challenged books list. Pilkey sees book that may be a little controversial,” administrators in turn these challenges as an opportunity, though, to educate people notified the parent-teacher organization and allowed the handful about the detriment of banning books. In a recent editorial piece of parents involved to determine the fate of the book. he wrote for , Pilkey reminds parents like those at “Most of the kids come in and they buy books and the parents Arborwood Elementary that: aren’t part of the selection,” commented Monroe Public Schools superintendent Barry Martin to Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ. “In All that’s required is a simple change. Instead of saying ‘I don’t think children should read this book,’ just add a sin- this case, we felt it was necessary that if this book was going to be gle word: ‘I don’t think my children should read this book’… purchased, the parent needed to be involved in that.” When it comes to books, we may not all agree on what Reports seem to indicate that most of the school’s parents makes for a good read—but I hope we can agree that letting were in favor of having the book removed from the fair, but oth- children choose their own books is crucial to helping them ers have pointed out the absurdity of the action. “If you’re in learn to love reading… While changing ourselves we can still allow everyone the freedoms they deserve. Caitlin McCabe

CENSORSHIP SCORECARD CBLDF frequently joins coalition efforts to protect the freedom concerned that the books will encourage children to engage with to read comics. Taking an active stand against all instances of , so they demanded the removal of the books. The fate of the censorship curbs precedent that could adversely affect the rights books has not been determined, but the school superintendent sup- upon which comics readers depend. Here are a few of our latest ported their use, indicating that they likely will be retained. cases... Leon County, Florida Buncombe County, North Carolina LOSS: In early August, CBLDF joined KRRP to protest a ban WIN: During a challenge to Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner at Lincoln High School in Leon County, Florida, where Princi- in Buncombe County, North Carolina, CBLDF joined Kids’ Right pal Allen Burch violated school policy and pulled The Curious to Read to voice concerns about the school district’s policy to Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time from the school’s summer pull books from classrooms during challenges. The school board reading program. Despite the protest, the school board stood be- voted to change the policy, allowing teachers continued use of hind Burch’s decision. challenged materials until a challenge is decided. Mattoon, Illinois Charleston, South Carolina DEVELOPING: In violation of school policy, Extremely Loud & LOSS: Based on a complaint from one parent, the principal of Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer was abruptly removed West Ashley High School in Charleston, South Carolina, removed from the Mattoon High School Honors English III class due to Courtney Summers’ Some Girls Are from a summer reading list. “several passages that were ‘extremely’ vulgar detailing sexual Although the district’s challenge policy says that the school board acts.” It does not appear, however, that the concerned parents were should make the final decision, principal Lee Runyon said he offered an alternative assignment or asked to file a challenge per pulled the book because “we felt like we needed to try to accom- district policy. CBLDF joined a KRRP-led coalition to protest the modate the parent’s concerns, which had some validity, and make a removal, but the school has not yet responded. common-sense decision.” CBLDF joined KRRP to protest the ban, but the decision was not reversed. Rumson, New Jersey DEVELOPING: In response to calls for the removal of Ariel Duval County, Florida Dorfman’s play Death and the Maiden and Bernard Mac­Laverty’s DEVELOPING: CBLDF joined KRRP to defend children’s books novel Cal from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in The Librarian of Basra and Nasreen’s Secret School in Duval Rumson, New Jersey, CBLDF joined KRRP to defend the books. County, Florida. Both books are set in the Middle East and explore The challenged material will be discussed during a curriculum issues of free speech and access to information. Some parents were meeting, but a date for the conversation has not yet been set.

4 | CBLDF Defender | Winter 2015 | cbldf.org UN Envoy Recommends Japanese Ban of CBLDF FILES SUIT AGAINST Some and Anime LOUISIANA’S ONLINE AGE- A UN special envoy on child protection waded into the debate VERIFICATION LAW over manga and anime in Japan, urging the country to ban “par- ticular, extreme child pornographic content” even if it does not In November, CBLDF joined a federal lawsuit involve any actual children. In a press conference wrapping up against a new Louisiana law that requires websites a week-long fact-finding visit on underage sex trafficking, Maud to age-verify every user before providing access to de Boer-Buquicchio acknowledged the difficulty of “finding the non-obscene material that could be deemed harmful right balance” between free expression and child protection, but to minors. nevertheless lumped in manga and anime with exploitative images H.B. 153 requires that “any person or entity in of real children. Louisiana that publishes material harmful to minors Japanese culture expert, translator, and friend of CBLDF Dan on the Internet shall, prior to permitting access to Kanemitsu spoke to The Guardian for its article on De Boer- the material, require any person attempting to ac- Buquicchio’s recommendations: cess the material to electronically acknowledge and There is no such thing as manga and anime child pornog- attest that the person seeking to access the material raphy. Child pornography entails the involvement of chil- is eighteen years of age or older.” A failure to do so, dren, and we must confront it for that reason. [De Boer- even if no minor ever tries to access the material, is a Buquicchio] meant sexualised depictions of childish looking crime that could lead to a $10,000 fine. characters in manga and anime. Many male and female art- To comply with the law, booksellers and magazine ists in Japan draw characters in an art style that looks child- ish to Western eyes. Therefore it is a rejection of an art style publishers must either place an age confirmation popular in Japan. button in front of their entire website or review all of the items on their website and place an age confir- “Death Note” Found in New Hampshire High mation button on each item that might be inappro- School Causes Concern priate for minors. “Since we cannot possibly review the one million Parents at Nashua High School North in New Hampshire raised plus titles on our website, the law would force us to concerns in their community and online after the discovery of a ask every customer visiting our website whether he “death note” notebook, designed to emulate the book from the im- or she is an adult,” said Britton Trice, owner of Gar- mensely popular Death Note manga and anime. A student’s note- den District Book Shop. “That would have a strong book contained the names of 17 students along with brief state- and chilling effect on our business because it would ments about how they wronged the unnamed author and the times make us appear to be an adult bookstore.” and dates that each would die. The law violates the First Amendment rights of old- Parents were notified about the notebook, but school officials er minors as well as adults. Courts have held that and police believe that the author of the book never intended any older minors have a right to purchase books that are harm to the students whose names were written in the book. “At no not appropriate for younger minors. However, the time did either the police or school feel that any students were in Louisiana law bars anyone under 18 from accessing immediate danger,” commented Deputy Chief Michael Carignan “harmful” material. If a retailer places an age verifi- in an article for the New Hampshire Union Leader. “Please un- cation page at of a website, it would effec- derstand that we are well aware of the recent incidents of school tively bar all minors from buying any books. violence and take all possible threats very seriously.” The lawsuit was brought by Media Coalition and The incident is being handled by investigators and the school. American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Garden “An investigation was opened and continues. The student and their District Book Shop, Octavia Books, Future Crawfish parents were interviewed and were very cooperative and open Paper LLC, the American Booksellers Association, about what was going on,” notes Carignan. “It was determined that and CBLDF. no criminal threatening, nor any other crimes, were committed.”

Suppressed 1978 Stories to Be Republished Next Year Two legendary Judge Dredd stories that were suppressed by their original publisher in 1978 amid concerns about copyright infringe- ment will finally see the light of day after a recent change in U.K. law provided firmer protections for parody and . The stories likely would have been perfectly legal under U.S. law, but until last year, U.K. law required publishers of parodies to seek permission from each copyright holder. The two storylines feature parodies of several marketing icons. In “Burger Wars,” Judge Dredd travels through “a devastated mid- dle America in thrall to the warring Burger Lords, modeled on Ronald McDonald and Burger King’s eponymous monarch, who capture the heroes and force them to live on burgers and shakes.” The second storyline “Soul Food” includes parody versions of the Jolly Green Giant and the Michelin Man.

Find out more about these stories and get the latest news every day at Art by www.cbldf.org! Cully Hamner

cbldf.org | Winter 2015 | CBLDF Defender | 5 Education

In 2015, we noticed a disturbing trend: Administrators at schools around the country ignored review and challenge poli- cies to unilaterally remove books from reading lists and classrooms.

Although virtually all public school districts have some sort of While Burch’s unilateral action was clearly in violation of dis- policy for dealing with book challenges, all too often those care- trict policy, the school board and district-level administrators fully designed plans go out the window as soon as schools are did not see it that way. Instead, they supported Burch’s decision, faced with a few angry and vocal parents. Frequently the decision claiming that summer reading assignments are not really part of to censor a book without comprehensive review is made by an the curriculum and therefore do not merit the same protections as administrator who has seen the out-of-context snippets that set off books assigned during the school year. In August, CBLDF signed the challenge but has not observed how students respond to the on to a letter from NCAC, demanding that the book be reinstated book. This disconnect is exemplified by four recent cases in which and the district’s review policy be followed. school administrators unilaterally banned books from their curric- ula without observing challenge policies. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Mattoon High School, Mattoon, IL Some Girls Are, West Ashley High School, Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel about a nine-year-old boy dealing Charleston, SC with the aftermath of his father’s death in the attack on the World Based on a complaint from one parent, WAHS principal Lee Trade Center had been used for several years in Honors English Runyon removed Courtney Summers’ novel Some Girls Are as an III classes at MHS. But when principal Michele Sinclair received option on a summer reading list for freshman Honors English in parent complaints about “several passages that were ‘extremely’ July. Although Charleston County School District’s challenge poli- vulgar detailing sexual acts,” she abruptly pulled the book from the cy says that the school board should make the final decision “based class in late September, before students had a chance to finish it. upon careful examination and study of the challenged material,” Sinclair claimed that when some parents brought up concerns Runyon said he pulled the book because “we felt like we needed to about the content, “we didn’t really feel like we had a lot of alter- try to accommodate the parent’s concerns, which had some validi- natives” other than removing the book. It does not appear, how- ty, and make a common-sense decision.” ever, that those parents were first offered the chance to opt their Before the challenge made its way to Runyon, though, teachers children out of the assignment or to file a “Uniform Grievance,” in the WAHS English Department had already responded to the both of which are laid out in district policy. Moreover, Sinclair also parent’s concerns by adding another option to the summer reading announced a plan to make teachers flag and notify parents of any list: the 1943 classic A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Even though the assigned books judged to have “adult content,” which is of course parent had alternatives to Some Girls Are, she filed a formal chal- a highly subjective and potentially broad-ranging category. In late lenge to the book, which should have triggered the formation of a October, CBLDF signed on to a letter from NCAC, protesting both review committee. Instead, Runyon pulled it from the list and, in the ban of the book and the proposed policy. consultation with English teachers, replaced it with Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, a book that explores similar themes and that is Looking for Alaska, Lumberton Township also frequently challenged. Schools, Lumberton, NJ In a Charleston Post and Courier article, Runyon mentioned “timing” as one reason why he did not follow the challenge policy. In mid-October, superintendent Joe Langowski briefly ordered the This may be a hint that the book fell prey to a phenomenon that removal of all copies of John Green’s popular novel from 7th and was positively epidemic last year, when several school districts 8th grade classrooms, where they were available for independent across the country failed to follow their challenge policies due reading. Langowski was responding to one parent’s complaint to logistical issues with forming a review committee during the about mature content, and he thought that his action was cov- summer months. In August CBLDF signed on to a letter from ered by a district policy giving him to “recommend NCAC, urging Runyon to observe district policy. to the board the removal of [resource] materials.” To his credit, Langowski restored Looking for Alaska when other parents point- ed out the district’s challenge policy. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nevertheless, Langowski still believes that students have access Night-Time, Lincoln High School, to “reading materials which may be unsuitable for some,” and that Tallahassee, FL the district must “develop a system for students to gain access to Although Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel about a 15-year- books with mature themes.” Langowski has an ill-conceived plan old amateur sleuth with autism has received critical acclaim, some to form a committee that would review the books in classroom col- parents complained of profanity and “religious skepticism” in the lections. In a local newspaper article Langowski suggested that the book when it was selected as summer reading. Instead of following committee would classify books as “Acceptable,” “Questionable,” Leon County Schools policy, which requires that contested ma- and “Unacceptable,” apparently without reading them in their en- terials be evaluated by a review committee, LHS principal Allen tirety. The “Unacceptable” books would be removed, and those Burch simply canceled the assignment. that are “Questionable” would be restricted to students judged mature enough to handle them. Maren Williams

6 | CBLDF Defender | Winter 2015 | cbldf.org the ComicsCode.ByCharlesBrownstein expression in the process. CBLDF snagged a moment to talk to Miller about how he overcame free changed he comics—and redefined career,has storied Miller a Frank of course the Over (Photo credit:MattCarr. CourtesyDCComics.) Frank Miller INCITING CHANGE INCITING CHANGE Your earliest work wasdone under the strictures of the Com With readership Iwantandmyownpersonaltaste. prohibited. Today, Iimpose strict codes on myself based onthe litical in nature. Anything sexualorincluding overt violence was tively paranoid time inU.S.historywhererestrictions were po- how youworktoday? restrictions you hadto work under, andhowthat differs from ics Code.Fortoday’s creators,canyoudescribewhatkindof were eagertogoalongwiththesuggestionallway. altogether and simplymakethecovershonest. The publishers Eventually I was able to convince them to remove the ratings advertising and onthe cover art, the ratings proved no purpose. system. The readership had gotten older and withhonesty personal taste. From then on, Iargued to strike the ratings comics which boundusonlybycommon decency and ourown posed entirely of children. She then imposed a rating system on cal in nature and basedonthe assumption that readers werecom anddiscussedwithherhowrestrictions were politi imposed. Then, I went to over DC Comics and spoke to [editor] restriction every and each explain them have to office Code ics range offreeexpressionincomics? broader a to contributed that victories essential and fights ical commercial comics. What doyouregardassomeofyourcrit City, you foughtsome of the key battles to change content in The ComicsCodewasintroduced during theFifties,adistinc First would be when I made an appointment to visit the Com- Ronin andDarkKnightReturns , andlaterwithSin - - - - - the workisintendedfor. behave ourselvesandtobehonestinthecoverartwhatage is censoring,weshoulduseourowngoodtasteandjudgmentto fights yourgenerationwaged? the about forget never today field the into coming readers and lessons aboutcensorshipandfreeexpressionshouldcreators danger oftakingforgrantedinthiskindclimate? What Con- tent possibilitiesincomicsaremuchwider. What arewein censorship! fight to it uses and Approval of Seal Code Today there’sfact, CBLDFno ComicsCode.In the nowowns popular comicbookpublisheroutofbusiness. the censorship, but he lost. The other publishers put the most those comicsandthetimestheyweremadein? comics treated them, andwhattoday’s creatorscantakefrom thoughts onhim and EC—howthey affected your work,how heroes overatCBLDF.is oneofour your you share Can Sin Citypaidhomage to theECComics tradition. Bill Gaines First andgreatest lesson tobehadisthat when someoneelse Bill Gainesisaheroofmine.Hefoughtheroicbattle against cover byPaul Pope. variant of#1featuresa The CBLDFRetailMember of theBatmanmythos. Miller’s epicremastering Dark Knight Dark The EndofanEra

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7 The Dark Knight ™ & © DC Comics. In Review 2015: The year in CENSORSHIP

2015 proved to be one of CBLDF’s busiest years, from defending comics and other books against challenges to reporting on censorship news from around the world. Our year got off to a rough start with the attacks on the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris, and it never slowed down as more books—and cartoonists—are under attack than ever... The Charlie Hebdo Attacks Grad Student Uncovers Truth About On January 7, 2015, the world looked on in shock as we witnessed Attempt to Ban Persepolis in the aftermath of a terrorist attack on the offices of French satirical Public Schools magazine Charlie Hebdo over its publication of cartoons depicting A graduate student’s re- the Mohammed. Twelve people were murdered, including search threw new light on cartoonists Charb, Cabu, Wolinski, Tignous, and Honoré. Outrage Chicago Public Schools over the attack was immediate, as was the support for free expres- officials’ 2013 effort to sion. Unfortunately, the attacks didn’t stop violence or censor- remove Marjane Sa- ship—around the world, there have been additional attacks against trapi’s Persepolis from cartoonists. Some cartoonists are more reluctant than ever to tackle classrooms and libraries some of the controversial topics Charlie Hebdo covered. throughout the district. After the attack, the remaining staff members of Charlie Hebdo News of the ban broke could have closed up shop. Instead, they remained defiant and re- in March 2013, when a leased a new issue a week after the attacks. The magazine normally local education blogger has a circulation of 60,000 copies, but anticipating widespread in- got hold of an email from terest, the print run was upped considerably. The January 14 issue the principal of Lane sold out an initial print run of three million copies, and an addition- Tech College Prep High al two million copies were ordered for release the next day. School, informing teach- The newfound success of the magazine has been bittersweet. ers and staff that he had The magazine has resumed its regular printing schedule, but the been directed in no un- formerly struggling magazine has found itself flush with dona- certain terms to collect tions and new subscriptions. Some are concerned that the maga- all copies of Persepolis zine might lose its satirical voice, and media outlets incorrectly from the school’s li- reported that editor Laurent Sourisseau had declared an end to brary and classrooms. Copyright ©2003 by Marjane Satrapi. Published by Pantheon. Mohammed cartoons. Further, some staff and cartoonists have The move drew immediate protest from departed the publication due to stress. students, parents, staff, and free expression advocates, including CBLDF. CPS backpedaled on the ban, and district spokesperson Becky Carroll claimed that “the message got lost in translation, but the bottom line is, we never sent out a directive to ban the book…. We’re not saying remove these from buildings altogether.” Jarrett Dapier, a student at the University of Illinois’ Graduate School of Library & Information Science, obtained dozens of re- velatory emails via a FOIA request. The emails tell quite a differ- ent story from what CPS claimed publicly. The correspondence reveals that administrators were willing to remove the book from the entire system over a pair of images in the book. One adminis- trator declared “it is imperative that we remove the books from the classroom and from the school, to decrease the likelihood of the books getting into the hands of students.” Only after several emails in which administrators discussed the removal and tried to identify who to blame for the book’s inclusion in the educational frame- work did someone point out that the ban steamrolled the district’s library collection development policy. Interestingly, when ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom and Photo Courtesy of Dylan Horrocks the Freedom to Read Foundation sent a formal FOIA request in

8 | CBLDF Defender | Winter 2015 | cbldf.org 2013, they “only received the directives and letters that had al- ready been publicly disclosed, and a copy of the agenda for the chief of schools meeting on March 11,” none of which helped ex- In 2015, CBLDF defended significantly plain the ban or whether CPS administrators were aware of their more books than we did in 2014. This own policy on removing books from libraries. We may never year, we took action to protect the fol- know why CPS withheld the administrative emails then, but we’re lowing titles: certainly glad Dapier kept digging! • Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Waterloo, Iowa) Ecuadorian Fined for • Cal by Bernard MacLaverty (Rumson, New Jersey) Mocking Assemblyman • Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (Leon County, Florida) In February, political cartoonist Xavier Bonilla, known as Bonil, • Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman was charged with socioeconomic discrimination in his home (Rumson, New Jersey) country of Ecuador for a controversial cartoon mocking Afro- • The Diary of a Young Girl by Ecuadorian legislative assemblyman, Agustin “Tin” Delgado. (undisclosed) Although the Ecuadorian government boasted the adoption of • Drama by Raina Telgemeier (undisclosed) a more democratic approach to free speech with the passing of a The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History 2013 law designed to overcome corruption, racism, and sexism in • Ecuador’s media, the reality has been anything but free. The intent (Charlotte County, Florida) of the law was to ensure that journalists and editorial staff adhere • Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan to a higher standard of content without interfering with open and Safran Foer (Mattoon, Illinois) free reporting on events. Unfortunately, the new law grants a gov- • Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (Crafton Hills ernmental agency called SUPERCOM the power to review media College, California) outlets and fine, prosecute, and censor them for any materials that • The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig the agency deems racist, classist, sexist, or anti-government. Bonil Russell (undisclosed) was not only asked by SUPERCOM to publicly apologize for his • The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (Buncombe cartoon—a request with which Bonil complied—but he was also County, North Carolina) fined $500,000. • The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter (Duval The Ecuadorian government wasn’t the only group to attack County, Florida) Bonil. According to Fundamedio, a free speech advocacy group • My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis and Suzanne in Ecuador, El Universo, the newspaper that prints Bonil’s work, DeSimone (Hood County, Texas) received a written statement from an alleged member of ISIS that • Nasreen’s Secret School by Jeanette Winter threatened Bonil and the paper. (Duval County, Florida) • Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (Coeur Three Graphic Novels Included on d’Alene, Idaho) ALA’s Annual Most Challenged List • Palomar by Gilbert Hernandez (Rio Rancho, New Mexico) Graphic novels made a big splash in this year, including first-ever • The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Caldecott and Newbery honors. But they also made their way into Chbosky (Wallingford, Connecticut) one of the places we to see them most: ALA’s 2014 Top Ten • Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (Crafton Hills List of Frequently Challenged Books. When the American Library College, California) Association released the 2015 “State of America’s Libraries Re- The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll’s House port,” three acclaimed graphic novels were on the list: Persepolis • by Neil by Marjane Satrapi, Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and , Gaiman and various artists (Crafton Hills College, and Drama by Raina Telgemeier. California) Some Girls Are Persepolis came in at #2 on the list based in large part on three • by Courtney Summers challenges. In the first, a parent in ’s Three Rivers School (Charleston, South Carolina) District demanded the book’s removal from high school libraries • This Day In June by Gayle E. Pitman and Kristyna because of “coarse language and scenes of torture.” Less than a Litten (Hood County, Texas) week after the Oregon challenge, Persepolis was targeted again in • This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko central Illinois’ Ball-Chatham School District, where parent Mike Tamaki (undisclosed) Housewirth “questioned why a book about Muslims was assigned • World History: Connections to Today (Charlotte on September 11.” The third Persepolis challenge took place County, Florida) in Smithville, Texas, where the book was part of an innovative • Y: The Last Man Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan and community discussion series called “Let’s Talk About It: Muslim Pia Guerra (Crafton Hills College, California) Journeys—Points of View.” Students in Smithville High School’s World Geography class read excerpts from Persepolis and another book, In the Country of Men, but were not required to attend the The ban that landed Drama in the #10 spot on ALA’s list was Muslim Journeys events that were held outside of school hours. also in Texas, at Chapel Hill Elementary in Mount Pleasant. The Some parents and community members were displeased with this ban was not covered by the media, so details are thin. The book cross-cultural engagement, and parent Charles King filed a formal was challenged for “sexually explicit” content—most likely challenge to both Persepolis and In the Country of Men. Fortunate- because it features gay characters—and was removed from the ele- ly, all three challenges ultimately failed. mentary school library (it remains in the district’s joint junior high/ high school library). A formal challenge procedure is not listed in Saga earned the #6 spot on ALA’s list, but little was publicly school board policies, but there does appear to be a review pro- reported about the challenges to the series. CBLDF did determine cess because there is a document containing a challenge form, as that the series was challenged somewhere in Oregon by a public well as an assessment form for a review committee. What we don’t library patron who said the series was anti-family and sexually know is whether the district actually followed that procedure, but explicit due to nudity and offensive language. In response to the it seems unlikely that even a majority of a review committee would challenge, the unknown library chose to keep the series in its col- objectively agree that Drama is “pervasively vulgar.” (cont.) lection without restriction.

cbldf.org | Winter 2015 | CBLDF Defender | 9 Others agreed with Grasso, particularly in regards to the few images of nudity and sexual activity contained in the book. Stu- dent Jeffrey Wubbenhorst said in an email to The Chronicle that he might not object to a prose novel with the same content, but “the nature of Fun Home means that content that I might have consented to read in print now violates my conscience due to its pornographic nature.” Grasso’s post touched off a lively debate (unfortunately not Jailed Iranian cartoonist Atena Farghadani viewable to non-members of the private Facebook group) about “big issues” like morals, sexuality, literary value, and living in a diverse society. Several incoming freshman posted in support of Fun Home, including Marivi Howell-Arza, who said it could “al- low you to open your mind to a new perspective and examine a way of life and thinking with which you are unfamiliar.”

Malaysian Cartoonist Faces 43 Years in Prison for Sedition After months of delay, Malaysian cartoonist Zunar will finally get his day in court as he faces nine counts of sedition that could bring up to 43 years in prison. Zunar’s trial was postponed three times due to a constitutional challenge to the country’s antiquated Sedition Act, the law under which Zunar is being prosecuted. © Atena Farghadani The Sedition Act was instituted by British colonial rulers in 1948, nine years before Malaysia became independent. Last year, Iranian Cartoonist Jailed for 13 Years the Act was challenged by Azmi Sharom, a law professor also In June, Iranian cartoonist and women’s rights activist Atena charged with sedition, who argued it should be invalid since it pre- Farghadani was sentenced to 12 years and 9 months in prison for dates independence and Malaysia’s constitution. A five-judge Fed- “insulting members of parliament through paintings.” She was eral Court panel ruled that the law will remain in force even though prosecuted for a of Iranian politicians that depicted them it contradicts free speech protections found in the constitution. as apes and bovines, a depiction that conveys the idea that parlia- Unsurprisingly, Zunar’s reaction to the ruling was biting: ment is made up of empty-headed leaders and mindless followers. The courts are emboldening the government to use the Se- Farghadani’s cartoon was in response to parliament’s discussion dition Act against critics. There is no more hope for justice of a bill that would ban voluntary sterilization procedures, such as through the courts….This further constrains the already lim- ited freedom of speech and expression in Malaysia. We’re vasectomies and tubal ligations, in an effort to reverse Iran’s fall- speeding in reverse. ing birthrate. She was initially jailed and released to await trial late last year, but she was re-imprisoned when she posted a video on The sedition charges stem from statements that Zunar made on YouTube that described beatings, strip searches, and threats from in February following the sentencing of opposition leader guards. Upon returning to prison in January, Farghadani went on Anwar Ibrahim on a trumped-up sodomy charge. The cartoonist a hunger strike to protest poor conditions, suffering a heart attack hinted that the judiciary in that trial had been subject to political after three weeks. pressure or bribery, observing that “the lackeys in black robes are proud of their sentences. The reward from political masters must Farghadani’s case is currently under appeal, but it has been fur- be plenty.” He then exchanged Twitter barbs—and a cartoon— ther complicated by additional charges against Farghadani and her with Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar as officers lawyer, Mohammad Moghimi, both of whom have been charged were en route to arrest him. with “illegitimate relations” over a handshake. Contact between unrelated members of the opposite sex is technically illegal in Iran, Zunar has endured ongoing harassment and censorship for years, but it is rarely prosecuted. Farghadani was forced to undergo vir- and his staff, printers, booksellers, and customers have been target- ginity and pregnancy tests in August, purportedly as part of the ed by the government. As he stares down sedition charges, Zunar is investigation. Such tests are recognized by the World Health Or- also facing renewed persecution from authorities, who questioned ganization as a form of sexual violence intended to intimidate and Zunar’s online sales assistant about distribution of the cartoonist’s silence victims. Both parties could receive sentences of 99 lashes if latest book, Sapuman: Man of Steal, which criticizes Prime Minis- convicted, and Farghadani’s prison term could be extended. ter Najib Razak. Although many of Zunar’s 18 cartoon collections are officially banned, the government has not yet declared any Cartoonists around the world have rallied to Farghadani’s cause, restrictions on Sapuman. and in September, Farghadani was honored with the Cartoonists Rights Network International Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award in absentia.

Fun Home Ignites Debate at Duke As the class of 2019 began their first semester at Duke Univer- sity, campus newspaper The Chronicle checked in with students about the choice of Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home for the summer reading program. A discussion has been ongoing at least since late July, when incoming freshman Brian Grasso posted in a Facebook group for members of the class of 2019 that he would not be read- ing Fun Home “because of the graphic visual depictions of sexual- ity.” Grasso added that he feels “I would have to compromise my personal Christian moral beliefs to read it.”

efender 10 | CBLDF D | Winter 2015 | cbldf.org © Zunar in 2015: free for fight The expression year, this difficult been have may a lot accomplished CBLDF but † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † Comic BookDaykickedoff ofchildren’s week-longcelebration the books! Council tobringgreater focus to whatcomicsoffer kidsduringChildren’s BookWeek. Thisyear, Free CBLDF andDiamondComicDistributorspartnered Children’s EveryChildaReaderandthe with Book remains comicsmedium ship, andwhythe sosingularlypowerful—anddangerous—in 2015. Norway, where globaltrends Hebdo attacks, Charlie impactofthe the hediscussed incomicscensor DirectorCBLDF Executive CharlesBrownstein tookCBLDF’s to time missionoverseasagain,this largest comics andmostinfluential the UnitedStates. retailers in a BestPicture co-ownerofDCBS,aCBLDFCorporateMemberandonethe Merkleristhe nomination. ang, andBeBe’s asproducing Kids,aswell Tarantino’s Quentin DjangoUnchained,forwhichhereceived forcetive ordirected inmodernBlackentertainment,havingwritten filmssuchasHouseParty,Boomer CBLDF welcomedReginaldHudlinandChristinaMerklertoitsBoard ofDirectors. isaninnova- Hudlin of current features censorshipnews,andin-depth the freedom for peoplefighting aboutthe to read! frontthe fightforfree ofthe lines speech,CBLDFDefenderbringsengagingcreator interviews,analysis We verymagazine,CBLDFDefender. launchedthis Afree quarterlynewsmagazinecomingtoyoufrom support andreferral inavarietyofcasesaffecting ourconstituents. were ourworkhelpedkeepinclassrooms ninegraphicnovelsthat We andlibraries. alsoprovided legal books against censorship!Amongthose defendeddozensofbooksandpublications CBLDF successfully here:) http://tinyurl.com/oohhxu9 and veryfunny! (You can getyours issue israunchy, absurd, ridiculous, 2015 style ofhumor magazine, the toalong-lost Annual. Aloveletter greatest—edition ofCBLDFLiberty CBLDF released latest—and the ) visit http://tinyurl.com/nsdwjcq industry. (Formore information, comicbook comic booksandthe about school andseekswritings current studentsatanyU.S.law Scholarship, whichisdirected to tition forExcellenceinComicBook CBLDFWritingcontest, the Compe- CBLDF launcheditsinauguralwriting educators, andretailers! assortment offree resources forlibrarians, comics superstarRainaTelgemeier, andan Week Handbook,featuringacoverby CBLDFBannedBooks ofthe edition right toread. We released latest the ofthe annualcelebration of the oursponsorship CBLDF continued celebrated Young books,and Adult This year, BannedBooksWeek Library.Public SanDiego assistance ofErwinMagbanuathe whoco-producedCon International, the with handbook the betweenComicBookLegalDefenseFundandComic- ration - collabo ongoingeducational latestinthe isthe This publication toolsanyonewouldneedtostartagraphicnovelbook club. the CBLDF released ComicBookClubHandbook,whichprovides the all freedom toread. has partnered projects FTRFonamicusbriefsandother with andprograms tohelpdefendthe past,CBLDF Inthe toaccess—information.” individuals tocollect—and rightoflibraries and supportsthe Foundation’s Board ofTrustees. FTRF“protects Constitution FirstAmendmenttothe anddefends the DirectorCBLDF Executive CharlesBrownstein Freedom waselectedtoatwo-yeartermonthe toRead /nn6dvbe formore information.) comicsprofessionals with librarians whoare ablevisitclassrooms (Visit andlibraries. http://tinyurl.com CBLDF launchedComicsConnector, afree directory resource connectseducatorsand that - -

Art by History

AFTER THE COMICS CODE The conclusion many reached after the hearing was that regula- It’s been 61 years since the Comics Code tion of the industry and its content needed to occur, which led to Authority (CCA) was founded, imple- the adoption of the Comics Code Authority on October 26, 1954. menting the infamous series of rules, The authority was responsible for screening and requesting editori- regulations, and guidelines that changed al changes to any comics that were destined for the newsstand. No the entire face of the comic book indus- retailer would dare put a comic on their racks unless they had the literal Seal of Approval of the CCA. In one of the largest instances try. The Comics Code and the Comics of mandated censorship, comics were literally “legislate[d]… off Code Seal of Approval may now be de- the newsstands and out of the candy stores,” writes pop culture funct, but they had a lasting impact that historian David Hajdu in his book The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great can still be felt today. By Caitlin McCabe Comic Book Scare and How It Changed America. Whereas some genres, like funny animals, illustrated adaptations In 1954, the Comics Magazine Association of America established of classic literature, and other children-oriented books, would the CCA—a group comprised of school officials, volunteer -cit leave the aftermath of the hearing virtually unscathed for their izens, and publishers—as a last ditch effort to save an industry “wholesome” content, others were not so lucky. that had come under the vicious attack of parental organizations, child psychologists, and even the United States government for Horror content many adults believed to be rotting the minds of America’s youth, converting them from upstanding citizens to emotionally No comics genre was more targeted by the Comics Code than maladjusted delinquents. From horror and crime to superheroes horror. From the in-house artists at EC to legendary creators like and romance, comics were maligned in magazine and newspaper , , and , everyone worked on articles, television broadcast specials, and “scientific” case stud- at the time the Code was implemented. ies and symposiums in a nationwide battle to save and protect “The horror comics were our favorites,” writes popular chil- America’s children from what the U.S. Senate called “extremely dren’s author R.L Stine in the introduction to Jim Trombetta’s The cruel,” “sadistic,” and “lurid” publications. Horror! The Horror! Comic Books the Government Didn’t Want All of this media coverage culminated in a three-day hearing in You to Read. “The art was amazing. The stories were ghastly and front of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee to Inves- gruesome. They were written with something new to us: a wonder- tigate Juvenile Delinquency in April of 1954. The hearing became ful combination of humor and horror.” a platform for experts to publicly announce the dangers of comics After the implementation of the Code, though, which prohibited and parade through the courts publishers and comics creators who the inclusion of words like “horror” or “terror” in the titles of com- produced the amoral publications polluting American newsstands. ics as well the depiction of evil as something “alluring,” the genre all but disappeared for decades.

12 | CBLDF Defender | Winter 2015 | cbldf.org Crime Where We Are Today Before the Code, any publish- In 2011, the Comic Magazine Association of America officially er worth their salt had a crime dissolved when the last two holdouts— and DC comic (or several). The covers Comics—decided to stop using the Seal. As publishers stopped of these books frequently de- heeding the Comics Code in the years leading up to its official clared that they told true sto- dissolution, comics genres that had been suppressed and censored ries and covered subjects from for decades were able to again grow and flourish. gangsters to serial killers. Each Some genres, like romance, have seen little resurgence. But oth- publisher tried to outdo the oth- er genres have thrived, notably the genre, which con- er, with over-the-top depictions tinues to be a dominant genre in comics. diver- of murder and mayhem, but sified as the Code crumbled, featuring more sophisticated story this game of one-upmanship lines and nuanced characterization that reflect societal changes and landed the genre in hot water issues. Comics such as and ’ with the CCA and led to the and Frank Miller’s deconstructed the whole first section of the Com- Underworld Crime #7 (1953) superhero genre, drawing attention from audiences that previously ics Code—General Standards, , Inc. weren’t as invested in comics, such as librarians and educators. Part A—being dedicated to the elimination of the glorification Horror and have also seen greater returns with the of crime and the “disrespectful” representation of police and dissolution of the Code, whether it be Vertigo’s and judicial authorities. The Sandman, Dark Horse’s and BPRD, Marvel’s Ghost Rider, and Image’s The Walking Dead, all of which have found Romance popularity beyond the comics format. Books like Frank Miller’s In order to the audience of girls and young women read- (Dark Horse) and ’s (Image) opened ing comics, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby of fame a door for contemporary crime comics, and creators like Ed Bru- created what is credited as one of the first in baker, , and have all found success 1947—Young Romance. Capitalizing on what were considered revitalizing the crime genre from its bland post-Code depictions “real-life” stories of young American women, the genre quickly of police officers doing their job to gritty investigative procedurals gained popularity and spawned whole other teen-oriented genres. and psychological thrillers. Like most pre-Code comics, With the end of the most regulated era in comics history, the though, not all romance com- CMAA donated the official Comics Code Seal of Approval to the ics were innocent tales of true Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and the symbol that once stood love or young women coping for the censorship became one that is now used to defend the right with their husbands and boy- to free speech. Although the decades of censorship under the Com- friends going off to war. Some ics Code still loom over the comics industry, we see its influence romance comics could be as hot dissolve more and more with each new comic published. Despite and spicy as the most popular the Code’s legacy, we can still celebrate what it helped teach us romance books being printed about the value of free speech. Hopefully, it will take far less than today. From depictions of di- another 61 years to see its effect pass away entirely! vorce, illicit affairs, and even murder in the name of love, romance comics ran the gamut from innocent tales of teen ro- mance to lurid secret love lives. As a result, the CCA targeted Young Romance #1 (1947) Prize Comics. romance comics, especially when it came to depicting the sanctity of marriage in a negative light. The Code set standards that called for the removal of any romance comic that “devalued” the home and/or would “stimulate the lower and baser emotions.” Superheroes Superhero comics fared better than most genres under the Comics Code, but they became pale shadows of their pre-Code iteration, suitable for only the youngest and most naive readers. Super­ hero comics were perceived as juvenile fantasies that distorted the minds of children. “One of the wonderfully appealing things about children is that they haven’t come to the age where re- ality and unreality are divorced,” declared news reporter Paul Coates in his 1955 television expose on comics, Confidential File. “The emotional impact of something they read in a com- ic-book may be much the same as a real-life situation they witness.” The allegation that comics and superheroes could distort children’s perceptions of reality led to stricter en- forcement of the Code on this genre. CBLDF contributor Joe Sergi described the impact: A lot of times, the changes were insignificant to the con- tent of the story and comic creators creatively found ways around the Code. However... a lot of the time the stories had to be changed to the point where a) they didn’t make sense or b) they just weren’t as good. In all cases, the creator’s original was changed. That’s a shame.

cbldf.org | Winter 2015 | CBLDF Defender | 13 Fundraising

Now Available For DEFENDER Readers The Sandman Overture: If you enjoyed this issue of Deluxe Edition CBLDF Defender, check out these premiums, available Twenty-five years since The at special donation levels Sandman first changed the exclusively for you! Your sup- landscape of modern comics, port makes CBLDF Defender Neil Gaiman’s legendary series possible! is back in a deluxe edition! Gaiman and J.H. Williams have both signed this special edition 1987 Promotional Poster on an exclusive oversized bookplate, featuring art by Promotional advertisement for Williams! Limited to 300 signed the 1987 American release of the and numbered copies, this classic manga by extraordinary CBLDF exclusive and , featuring is the ultimate holiday gift for covers by Frank Miller. This any comics fan! ($40 donation, 11” poster is signed by Miller. http://tinyurl.com/p5cp7ey) ($25 donation, http://tinyurl.com /nlh6fmh) Frank Miller’s “Just One More” Print CBLDF Liberty Annual 2015 A classic image, created ex- Art and story: Various clusively for CBLDF by comics Cover A: legend Frank Miller. This 8.5” Cover B: Duncan Fegredo x 12” print is signed by Miller. Cover C: Vanesa R. Del Rey ($50 donation, http://tinyurl.com Pointed satire! Off-color paro- /nsxwy5w) dy! Bawdy laffs! Relive the days Frank Miller’s “” Print when adult humor magazines ruled the newsstand with the This striking black, , and 2015 CBLDF Liberty Annual! It’s white 8” x 10” print features fan raunchy, ridiculous, absurd, and favorite character Miho from very funny! This 48-page mon- Sin City. Signed by Frank Miller! ster benefits the free speech ($50 donation, http://tinyurl.com work of the Comic Book Legal /npe33g5) Defense Fund! ($5 donation, http://tinyurl.com/oohhxu9) Back to the Future #1 A Zbox “Grays Almanac” Retailers Exclusive Variant Back to the Future creator and screenwriter Bob Gale returns with all-new tales from the time- less pop-culture phenomenon! This exclusive variant is a double page spread prop replica of Back to the Future’s timeline- altering Grays Sports Almanac. Illustrated by Doug Chiang, this variant cover is perfect for your comic or film memorabilia collection! ($25 donation, http:// tinyurl.com/pmp3ugx) Spider-Man 2099 Diamond UK Exclusive B C With a job at Parker Industries, a stable relationship, and uncertain of what impact his actions will have on the future, Miguel O’Ha- e Spotl ra has decided that it’s time to on igh hang up the web and retire from Z t being Spider-Man. But when a ds r The first dangerous new threat appears, a volume of Sin he’s got no choice but to don w City, the crime some new threads and tackle e comic megahit the problem the only way he R that introduced the knows how: head on! now infamous This cover is a Diamond UK and spawned a block- Previews exclusive variant, and buster film, returns in a comes signed by cover and se- newly redesigned edi- ries artist Will Sliney! ($15 dona- tion, with a brand-new tion, http://tinyurl.com/nvf9d7n) cover by Frank Miller— some of his art in years! Signed by visionary creator Miller! ($30 donation, http:// tinyurl.com/nrk4735) Foundation andmembersupport. Foundation fromcast ismadepossibleinpartbyadonation Gaiman the event, from ourkeyboards toyourears.TheCBLDFPod and archival CBLDFPodcastisamonthly materials,the panelrecordings, aboutcensorship,convention discussions audio-sphere!CBLDF isnowpartofthe Amixofinterviews, every budget,andallofthemaretax-deductible: in Cho! Wedonors Michael for cartoonist plans membership have community, startingoff withastunningmembership card by thank you with the best incentives and benefits in the free speech CBLDF, we’ll join you When censorship! against fight the of lines Joining theComicBookLegalDefenseFundputsyouonfront FIGHT! JOIN THE http://cbldf.myshopify.com/collections/memberships tojointoday! Use the signup form on thebackcoverofthismagazineorvisit Use thesignupform † † † † † † † † † † † † † † recognition inCBLDFpublicationsthroughout2015! only t-shirtfeaturingMichaelCho’s gorgeous art! sticker set,anembroideredpatch,andexclusivemember- patch! plus abuttonset,stickerandanembroideredmember tote bag! subscription to Guardian Member($2,500): Champion Member($1,000): Protector Member($500): Defender Member($250): Supporter Member($50): Associate Member($30): Member ($100): a CBLDFbumpersticker! exclusive embossedexecutiveMoleskinejournalandagymbag! assortment thatincludesvariantcoversandassortedprintedmatter! nition in the next RADIO FREECOMIX! Listen athttp://cbldf.org/podcast/ CBLDF Defender,acoffee mug,andacanvas CBLDF Liberty Annual anda CBLDF publication CBLDF CBLDFmembershipcard,abuttonset, CBLDFmembershipcardand CBLDFmembershipcard All oftheabove,plusa All oftheabove,plusan All oftheabove,plusspecial All ofthe above,plusrecog - - March 25–27:Wonder-Con LosAngeles March 18–20,2016:C2E2 cellence inComicBookScholarshipDeadline Ex- for Competition February 29,2016:Writing UPCOMING EVENTS † † † †

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