VIZ Media has announced that they have become a corporate member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF). The CBLDF is a non-profit organization that was created to combat the censoring of comic books and/or the restriction of public access to comic books.
“We are proud to support Comic Book Legal Defense Fund by becoming a corporate member,” says Kevin Hamric, VIZ Media Senior Director. “Their proactive initiatives to inform and educate the public about manga, and their efforts as an advocate for readers, educators, and retailers of all types make them a vital organization. We are proud to contribute to their work!”
VIZ is already off to a great start with the CBLDF as they have already published their Manga Book Club Handbook, which is a guide for libraries to familiarize themselves with manga as well as instructions on how to launch a local chapter of a Manga Book Club. The handbook is available online here as well as at the CBLDF’s booth at this year’s San Diego Comic Con.
VIZ Media stands beside Abrams, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, BOOM! Studios, comiXology, Dark Horse Comics, DC Entertainment, DCBS.com, Diamond Comic Distributors, Half Price Books, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, Oni Press, Neverwear, Penguin Random House, ReedPOP, Scholastic, SPX, TFAW.com, Valiant, and the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation as a corporate member supporting CBLDF’s important work.
CBLDF provides legal and educational resources to protect the freedom to read comics. The organization is a partner in Banned Books Week, the Kids’ Right to Read Project, Free Comic Book Day, and other national institutions that support intellectual freedom and literacy. CBLDF’s work extends from courtrooms to classrooms to conventions, and CBLDF defends the freedom to read by providing letters of support in book challenges, challenging unconstitutional legislation, and delivering lectures and programs about current and historical censorship to audiences all over the world.
CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein says, “VIZ Media changed the face of pop culture in the United States with its robust efforts to bring a broad range of manga and anime material to our shores. Their support of CBLDF bolsters our efforts to advance appreciation and understanding of comics of all kinds, and enables us to be more proactive in our efforts protecting the freedom to read! We are grateful to have them among our ranks as a corporate member!”
