Neil Gaiman and The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

In 1986 the manager of Friendly Frank’s comic shop, Michael Correa, was arrested on charges of distributing obscenity. Omaha the Cat Dancer, The Bodyssey, Weirdo, and Bizarre Sex were the titles that landed him with the charge. In response to his arrest Kitchen Sink Press released an art portfolio of pieces donated by comic artists and the proceeds went towards Correa’s defense. The charges against him were overturned. This was the birth of The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF). CBLDF has since been actively involved in upholding the first amendment rights of those involved in the comic and graphic novel industry – artists, writers, publishers, and retailers.

Neil Gaiman, a longtime supporter of the CBLDF, is also currently othe board of directors. Gaiman often helps the organization raise funds by contributing to various publications of comics, zines, chapbooks, and sketches that are sold at Comicons. Over time these small print run publications are harder and harder to find and have become some of the rarer Gaiman collectibles.