4:46 PM
I honestly try not to get didactic on OD, saving my proselytizing for other venues. But the story I've been fuming about for a week has started to spread online, and I would feel remiss if I didn't post something to indicate how upset I am.

"I think the hardest thing to believe is that Jesus (Castillo) was found guilty of selling an adult comic, from the adult section of the store, to an adult police officer, and convicted because the DA convinced the jury that all comics are really intended for children. I can't imagine a world in which the same argument would have worked for books or for films -- and I'm afraid that highlights why comics retailers (and artists and writers and publishers) still need a Defense Fund, and still need to be defended." -- Neil Gaiman

Last week the Supreme Court refused to hear Jesus Castillo's case, and as a result he was sentenced to 180 days in jail, a year probation, and a $4,000 fine. For, if I might repeat Gaiman and bold him, selling an adult comic to an adult police officer. Thus the only issue in the case became a value judgement of the material itself that was subjective and lay outside the letter of the law. And somehow, the prosecutor managed to push the case through.

I don't ask much of you, Faithful Readers, but I do ask this:

Support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund




There's been a button over in the sidebar for a while now (now updated to this year's card art), but I link again because the CBLDF needs more of you. If you can spare twenty five bucks (tax deductible!) and care about freedom of creative expression in all mediums, I hope you join today.