VIZ MEDIA JOINS CBLDF AS CORPORATE MEMBER, CO-RELEASES MANGA BOOK CLUB RESOURCE!

VIZ Media Joins CBLDF As Corporate Member, Co-Releases Manga Book Club Resource!

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is proud to welcome VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the premier publisher, distributor and licensor of Japanese and global content in North America, as the organization's newest corporate member! VIZ Media additionally supports CBLDF by this week co-releasing the Manga Book Club Handbook, a resource designed to help libraries and retailers unite their communities over manga! Digital copies of the handbook are available at http://cbldf.org/resources/manga-book-club-handbook/ and at CBLDF booth 1918 at San Diego Comic-Con!

"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!"

Founded in San Francisco in July 1986, VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the finest in manga, anime, and global entertainment to English-speaking audiences around the world. The company's success reflects the massive and enduring popularity the genres enjoy among fans of all ages. VIZ Media has the largest library of any English publisher, and is focused on diversifying its award-winning catalog with licensed properties outside of the manga and anime sphere, as well as developing its own original content.

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!"

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.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POK MON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan s largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.

About Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization protecting the freedom to read comics! Our work protects readers, creators, librarians, retailers, publishers, and educators who face the threat of censorship. We monitor legislation and challenge laws that would limit the First Amendment. We create resources that promote understanding of comics and the rights our community is guaranteed. Every day we publish news and information about censorship events as they happen. We are partners in the Kids' Right to Read Project and Banned Books Week. Our expert legal team is available at a moment's notice to respond to First Amendment emergencies. CBLDF is a lean organization that works hard to protect the rights that our community depends on. Please support our important work! http://cbldf.org

LINK:	http://www.viz.com/news/newsroom/v/1006357...
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