Comics / Comics News

Top Shelf News: September Releases & a CBLDF Update

By Leroy Douresseaux
July 3, 2005 - 14:04

TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS co-publisher Chris Staros sends out regular news emails. I've spruced the latest up a bit:

Hey Comics Fans,

The big wave of Top Shelf and CBLDF summer announcements
continues with:

-- New Online Comics at topshelfcomix.com
-- Top Shelf Cartoonists Appearing At The San Diego Comic-Con
-- Top Shelf Harvey Awards
-- New Books -- Hot Off The Press
-- Four Exciting September Releases -- In PREVIEWS Now
-- OWLY (VOL 3): FLYING LESSONS by Andy Runton
-- WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME IF I WET THE BED? by Liz Prince
-- THE SURROGATES #2 (OF 5) by Robert Venditti and Brett
Weldele
-- SENSES: SEQUENTIAL ART ANTHOLOGY Edited by John
Lowe/SCAD

-- The CBLDF Takes Action In GA Case -- Files Four Motions To Dismiss
-- The CBLDF Moves to New York


Details below.


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NEW ONLINE COMIX
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Come visit the Top Shelf website to check out the all-new line up of online comics. With this big update we introduce the following cool comix:

-- ACCORDION AND FRIENDS by Dave Kiersh
-- MILKBOY by Terkel Risbjerg
-- SCHWARZKOPF by Steven Dhondt
-- THE JOHN HENRY EXPERIENCE by Felix Tannenbaum
-- THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DRUGS by Ed Piskor

ONLINE COMIX


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TOP SHELF CARTOONISTS AT SAN DIEGO
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Here's the list of the Top Shelf cartoonists that will be at the San Diego Comic-Con this year:

Jeffrey Brown (*AEIOU*)
Eddie Campbell (FROM HELL & ALEC)
Matt Kindt (2 SISTERS)
James Kochalka (*SUPER F*CKERS #1*)
Rich Koslowski (*THE KING*)
Steve Lafler (SCALAWAG)
Aaron Renier (*SPIRAL-BOUND*)
Alex Robinson (*TRICKED* & BOX OFFICE POISON)
Andy Runton (OWLY)
Doug TenNapel (CREATURE TECH)
Robert Venditti & Brett Weldele (*THE SURROGATES #1*)
José Villarrubia (THE MIRROR OF LOVE)

Come see us -- including Brett Warnock, Chris Staros, Robert Venditti, Wayne Beamer & Carlos Fisher -- at Booth 1721.


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TOP SHELF HARVEY AWARDS!
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Top Shelf would like to congratulate Andy Runton & Jon B. Cooke for winning the following Harvey Awards this year:

- Best New Talent: Andy Runton (Owly)
- Best Biographical, Historical Or Journalistic Presentation: Comic Book
Artist (Ed. by Jon B. Cooke)

Top Shelf would also like to congratulate James Kochalka, Craig Thompson, & Andy Runton (yet again!) for their Harvey Award Nominations:

- Best New Series: Owly (Andy Runton)
- Best Graphic Album of Original Work: Owly (Andy Runton)
- Best Graphic Album of Original Work: Carnet de Voyage (Craig Thompson)
- Best Graphic Album of Previously Published Work: American Elf (James Kochalka)

Congratulations to all the other nominees & award winners as well.


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HOT OFF THE PRESS!
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SUPER F*CKERS #1 by James Kochalka (CB)

New Edition of MONKEY VS. ROBOT by James Kochalka (GN)
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=7

AEIOU by Jeffrey Brown (GN)
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=464

THE SURROGATES #1 (of 5) by Robert Venditti & Brett Weldele
(Miniseries)
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=416

OWLY: SPLASHIN' AROUND (FREE COMIC BOOK DAY CB) -- FREE!
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=468

PENCIL FIGHT #2 Edited by Bwana Spoons (Zine)
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=472

2nd Printing of SAME DIFFERENCE by Derek Kirk Kim (GN)
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=403

4th Printing of CLUMSY by Jeffrey Brown (GN)
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=180

2nd Printing of UNLIKELY by Jeffrey Brown (GN)
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=180


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FOUR NEW TITLES IN PREVIEWS NOW!
(For Pre-Ordering Books Shipping To Stores In SEPTEMBER)
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OWLY (VOL 3): FLYING LESSONS
by Andy Runton
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=474

USA today says " Younger readers thrill to the wordless adventures of Owly." People Magazine says "Charming … Expressive … Appeals to all ages." E! Online says "The adventures of this little 'bird of play' will charm readers of any age." and Publishers Weekly calls it "Charming ...
reminiscent of children’s literature in the style of Winnie the Pooh." With these kinds of endorsements, how can you go wrong!? The third graphic novel in the breakout, all-ages series is a charming story of understanding and acceptance, where Owly learns that everyone is special and it's okay to be different. … Relying on a mixture of symbols, icons, and expressions to tell his silent stories, Andy Runton's clean, animated, and heartwarming style makes it a perfect read for anyone who's a fan of Jeff Smith's Bone or Mike Kunkel's Herobear and the Kid. Already winning fans around the world, Owly is not to be missed.
-- $10.00 (US), 128 pages, 5 1/4" x 7 1/2", Graphic Novel, ISBN 1-891830-76-7

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WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME IF I WET THE BED?
by Liz Prince
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=465

What started out as an exercise in keeping a personal comics journal, quickly evolved into Liz Prince's first solo graphic novel. Described as a mix between Jeffrey Brown and James Kochalka, Liz's comics are made up of short vignettes that capture all the cute, gross, and endearing
aspects of relationships. It's the perfect book for all those fans of autobiographical comics who want to see a happy ending. "Beautifully simple and sweet, Liz prince portrays relationships in a delightfully self-conscious way." -- Farel Dalrymple
-- $7.00 (US), 80 pages, 4" x 6", Graphic Novel, ISBN 1-891830-72-4

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THE SURROGATES #2 (of 5)
by Robert Venditti and Brett Weldele
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=475

The game is afoot in “Life Unfiltered," the second suspenseful chapter of The Surrogates: Who is the mysterious, dreadlocked leader known as The Prophet, and how is he connected to the criminal with the electric
handshake? Detectives Harvey Greer and Pete Ford are on the trail of a techno-terrorist who hopes to rid the world of surrogates. His latest crime has given the detectives a glimpse of his plan -- and perhaps a clue as to whom he’s working for -- but will they be able to stop him?

If you've missed out on the buzz, here's what people are already saying about The Surrogates:

"Good science fiction is hard to come by, but Venditti’s blend of technology, crime drama and social commentary makes for the most original sci-fi mythology in years. The Surrogates should satisfy your post-‘Matrix’ itch. Accept no substitutes!" -- Wizard Magazine

"A classic sci-fi tale, in a similar vane to William Gibson or Harlan Ellison." -- IGN

"This is a rockin' super-hero series." -- Diamond Comics.

Series Recap: It's the year 2054, and life has been reduced to a data feed. The fusing of virtual reality and cybernetics has ushered in the era of the surrogate, a new technology that lets users experience the world without ever leaving their homes. It’s a perfect world, but as quickly as surrogates have changed society, forces are building to send this utopia spiraling into the past, and that’s a reality no one is prepared for. Welcome to The Surrogates, a daring, full-color, five-issue, bi-monthly
miniseries from Top Shelf that features young talent, inventive storytelling, and a subtextual storyline focused on characters all-too-human.

-- $2.95, 32 pages, 6 5/8" x 10 3/16", Full-Color Comic Book

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SENSES: SEQUENTIAL ART ANTHOLOGY
Edited by John Lowe & the SCAD Faculty
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=504

Top Shelf is proud to represent the Savannah College of Art & Design's first comics anthology. Prepared by the Sequential Art Department, Senses is comprised of original works created independently by SCAD students, alumni and faculty. Numerous artists responded to an open invitation to submit stories that incorporate the theme of one or more of the five senses. The sequential art faculty then reviewed the submissions, selecting the 42 stories presented in this anthology. The SCAD sequential art department strives to teach strong storytelling skills
without imposing stylistic restrictions. This anthology represents the diverse and successful approaches taken by several young cartoonists. Distributed by Top Shelf.
-- $9.95, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 208 pages, Perfect Bound Anthology (NO ISBN)


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CBLDF TAKES ACTION IN GA CASE -- FILES FOUR MOTIONS TO
DISMISS
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Counsel for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund have submitted four motions to dismiss the charges against retailer Gordon Lee, owner of Legends in Rome, GA. Last February, the Fund initiated Lee's defense against charges resulting from accidentally distributing Alternative Comics #2, a Free Comic Book Day book from 2004, to a minor. The anthology includes the story "The Salon" by Nick Bertozzi, which contains a segment depicting Picasso in the nude. The Fund has already spent in excess of $30,000 defending this case.

Lee was charged with seven criminal counts for allegedly violating two laws. He was charged with two counts of violating the felony of Distribution of Material Depicting Nudity or Sexual Conduct (OCGA §16-12-81), a law that bans the unsolicited delivery of any content depicting nudity to any person in the state of Georgia and carries a penalty of one to three years in prison and/or fines of up to $10,000. One of the two counts is for handing the comic to the alleged victim, and the other is for handing the comic to an alleged John or Jane Doe. Lee is also charged with five counts of violating the misdemeanor of Distribution of Material Harmful to Minors (OCGA §16-12-103). He is charged with three discrete counts of violating the law for handing a single copy of the comic book to the alleged victim. He is also charged with two counts for allegedly giving the comics to John or Jane Doe.

The motions, written by Alan Begner and Paul Cadle, CBLDF's counsel on this case, were filed on May 2. The first motion seeks to dismiss the John Doe counts. The second seeks to dismiss both felony counts under the rule of lenity, which requires that when a defendant is charged with a felony and a misdemeanor for the same conduct, the lesser penalty must apply. The third motion seeks to dismiss the felony counts on the grounds that Georgia's Distribution of Material Depicting Nudity or Sexual Conduct is unconstitutional on its face and as applied. The fourth motion seeks to dismiss the misdemeanor counts of Distribution of Material Harmful to Minors on the grounds that the law is unconstitutional on its face and as applied to this case.

CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein says, "Mr. Begner and Mr. Cadle have presented some very persuasive legal arguments in these motions. There's no question that Gordon Lee's First Amendment rights are being trampled upon, and so we're pleased to have brought such an intelligent and aggressive legal team in to defend him. We are all very optimistic that these motions will carry significant weight as we move through the pretrial stage of this case."

Hearings on these motions have yet to be scheduled, but are expected to occur in September.

SUPPORT THE CBLDF GA DEFENSE …

THROUGH MEMBERSHIPS

THROUGH DONATIONS

THROUGH ART DONATIONS

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is calling upon artists and collectors to make donations of original art and rare collectibles to assist in summer fundraising. CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein explains, "Summer represents our busiest fundraising season. We run auctions at the major shows including Comic Con and Wizard World where the money raised can sometimes pay for an entire phase of a case. This summer we're calling upon the creative and collecting communities to make a donation of original art or similar rare collectible for us to include in those auctions. A piece of art that may be resting in someone's file drawer can help us pay for a motion to be written or an argument to be waged." Donors of art will receive a letter of acknowledgment from the CBLDF that includes the amount the piece raised on auction. Donations can be sent to: CBLDF, PO Box 693, Northampton, MA 01061. For shipping information to a street address, please e-mail Charles Brownstein at director@cbldf.org.


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THE CBLDF MOVES TO NEW YORK CITY!
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After more than a decade headquartered in Northampton, MA, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has moved its offices to New York City. The Fund's new office is located at 271 Madison Ave, Suite 1400, New York, NY 10016, just around the corner from Grand Central Terminal and mere steps to the New York Public Library. The phone number remains the same 1-800-99-CBLDF, and the contact e-mail remains "info@cbldf.org" for general inquiries, and "director@cbldf.org" for Executive Director Charles Brownstein.

"This move represents an investment in the Fund's future," CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein said. "Making the leap to New York affords us better proximity to the comics and legal communities that we rely upon to perform our mission work. It also allows us to work with a larger base of volunteers and to tap into the vast creative community that the city enjoys. With the Fund turning 20 next year, we're looking to this move as a way to lay a foundation which guarantees that we'll remain a strong and active force defending comics' First Amendment rights for decades to come."

CBLDF President Chris Staros says, "I'm very excited about the CBLDF's move to New York. While the Fund has had a wonderful home in Northampton, MA, the chance for the Fund to relocate to the heart of the comics universe will really enable the organization to better pursue its mission. Protecting the free speech rights of the entire comics community takes the involvement of publishers, retailers, creators, and fans alike, and in New York, the opportunity to work directly with so many more members of the community - as well as other free speech organizations -- can only help to create a stronger Fund for years to come."

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1986 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. Donations and inquiries should be directed to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at the new contact information listed below
(be sure to update your address book):

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
271 Madison Avenue, Suite 1400
New York, NY 10016

(800) 99-CBLDF
Direct: (212) 679-7151
Fax: (212) 679-0631


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Your friend thru comics,

Chris Staros
Top Shelf Productions
PO Box 1282
Marietta, GA 30061-1282
USA

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12