Comic Book Legal Defense Fund:
Free Speech, at 10 Bucks a Throw

On Halloween of 1995, Paul Mavrides, Dave Sim and Neil Gaiman gave a reading to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. (Also in attendance were the always lovely Flash Girls and the equally lovely Brian Hibbs of Comix Experience.)

These pieces are derived from speeches from that evening, and our thanks go to everyone involved in pulling the show together, especially Amacker Bullwinkle who provided the DAT and the illustration.

The CBLDF was especially raising funds to contest a ruling by the California State Board of Equalization on the taxability of cartoons. On the evening in question, Paul Mavrides was still waiting on a fifth appeal which took place on January 10th.

Although the appeal "let me off the hook," no opinion has at yet been written, and the case of Heather Preston was turned down. It will probably be taken to the state court, and many other cases are still pending.

Though expensive to (partially) defeat, this is by no means the greatest attack on freedom of expression in the comics industry and, along with Paul, Dave and Neil, we encourage you to stay informed and contribute what you can.