Current
Events:
Richie
Bush Premieres
The
animated comic has gotten quite a bit of pre- and post-election exposure.
See it at www.richiebush.com
RICHIE BUSH SEIZED BY CUSTOMS!
On October 27, U.S. Customs sent a letter to Top Shelf Productions notifying
them that copies of the anthology Stripburger had been seized, charging
that "Richie Bush" by Peter Kuper constituted "clearly piratical copy"
of registered and recorded copyright.Ê The Comic Book Legal Defense
Fund has retained counsel to challenge these seizures. "Richie Bush,"
appearing in Stripburger (Vol. 12) #37, is a four-page parody of Richie
Rich that also satirizes the Bush Administration by superimposing the
personalities of the President's cabinet on the characters from the
comic. " Customs seized fourteen copies of the issue containing "Richie
Bush."Ê Top Shelf is the American agent for Stripburger, an Eastern
European comics publisher that releases anthologies of comics from cartoonists
around the globe.Ê Upon investigating the shipment, Customs released
the copies of Miniburger, but held the issues of Stripburger, giving
Top Shelf thirty days to either forfeit the shipment, request administrative
relief, or initiate court action.Ê At the urging of Stripburger, Top
Shelf and CBLDF President Chris Staros brought the case to the attention
of the Fund as a potential news story.Ê CBLDF Executive Director Charles
Brownstein felt the matter warranted serious legal attention, so it
was sent to Burton Joseph, the Fund's legal counsel, whose opinion was
that Customs was unlawfully holding First Amendment protected speech.Ê
The option of pursuing court action on First Amendment grounds was then
taken to the CBLDF Board of Directors, which unanimously voted 8-0 to
take up the case; Chris Staros recused himself from the vote.Ê On November
24, the Fund retained counsel in Charleston, SC who hand-delivered a
letter to Customs stating that the comics are protected under existing
First Amendment case law and should be either immediately released or
that court action should be initiated. "In this case, it looks like
Customs is overreaching its authority," Staros says.Ê "The comics in
question are clearly within the acceptable bounds of parody, and there
is absolutely no likelihood that consumers would confuse these works
with the subjects that they are parodying."
So What Happened?
The copies of Richie Bush were finally released when challenged
by the flaming sword of justice which is the Comic Book Legal Defense
Fund. Customs laid down like dogs, releasing the copies and begging
the stalwart heroes at the CBLDF to pardon their treacherous ways.
The End
OR IS IT?
Always Something New at INX
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News
Flash:
WORLD WAR 3 ILLUSTRATED #36:NEO-CON
IN STORES!:
worldwar3illustrated.org
WW3 is the longest running zine
in history. The new issue,"Neo Con" #36 edited by Ryan Inzana and Peter
Kuper, includes a wraparound cover by Sue Coe and art, articles and
comics by "the usual gang of agitators" including Eric Drooker, Seth
Tobocman, Sabrina Jones,Mac Mcgill, Ryan Inzana, James Romberger,Chuck
Sperry, Nicole Schulman (who co-edited a recent book on the history
of the Wobblies ) plus a 9-11 strip by Zap comix luminary, Spain written
byJustin Wertham , Joe Sacco's account as an embedded journalist in
Iraq, Princes Of Darkness an article on the history of Neo Cons by Eric
Laursen as well as comics and illustrations by Steve Brodner,Tom Tomorrow,
Sam Weber, Barron Storey, Barry Blitt, David Rees, Knickerbocker,Matt
Bors,Tauno Biltsted,Sam Evans, Felix Sockwell and Thomas Fuchs.
UPCOMING PUBLICATIONS
ROADSTRIPS AMERICA COMIC
To be released Fall 2005
"A fun-filled expedition across the plains and valleys of cartoon
America by the leading geniuses of today's happening comic-book scene."
- Dan Clowes Creator of Eightball and Ghost World More to come.
Jazz, rock and roll, baseball.
It has been said that Americans have only a few forms of cultural expression
they can truly call their own. But there's one that1s quintessentially
American: comics. From comic books to the Sunday funnies, cartoonists
have long investigated what it means to be AmericanÜthe innate confusions
and doubts as well as the jingoism and pride. Roadstrips is a unique
comics anthology that takes a fresh look at our definitions of America
in an era of upheaval and national soul-searching. Bilious narratives,
thoughtful tales, and hilarious memoirs illustrate today1s postmodern
patchwork. Together they create a composite national portrait like few
others, revealing powerful and thoughtful stories about coming of age
as American citizens.
A stellar line-up of twenty-four of America1s top alternative cartoonists,
including Peter Kuper, Gilbert Hernandez, Jessica Abel, Pete Bagge,
Richard Sala, Brian Biggs, and Lloyd Dangle, explore identity on both
a personal and a national level in a medium whose affecting power is
making an impact on our psyche.
A vibrant history in graphic art of the Wobblies, published for the
centenary of the founding of the Industrial Workers of the World.
Contributors
include Carlos Cortez (former editor of the Industrial Worker), Harvey
Pekar (author of American Splendor), Peter Kuper (current artist of
MadÕs Spy vs. Spy), Sue Coe, Seth Tobocman, Chris Cardinale, Ryan Inzana,
Spain Rodriques, Trina Robbins, Sharon Rudahl, and the circle of artists
for World War 3 Illustrated.
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